Chris Elliott

Potential strategies to improve uptake of exercise interventions in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS The management of non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) concerns lifestyle modification and exercise; however, adherence is poor. Factors such as lack of confidence to exercise, poor understanding of the benefits of exercise, and a fear of falling all influence engagement in physical activity. To increase exercise in NAFLD it is important to understand the barriers to performing it. METHODS Three chronic liver disease cohorts were identified from the Newcastle Liver Database: NAFLD (n=230), alcoholic liver disease (ALD, n=110) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC, n=97). Assessment tools were completed by all subjects: Outcome Expectation for Exercise Scale (OEES, understanding the benefits of exercise, lower scores indicate greater understanding), Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale (SEES, confidence to exercise), Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I, higher scores indicate greater fear of falling). Activity was analysed from a functional perspective using the PROMIS-HAQ. RESULTS Understanding the benefits of exercise was similar across each group [median OEES scores: NAFLD 2.38 (range 0.0-5.0), ALD 2.25 (0.0-5.0), PBC 2.28 (1.0-5.0), p=0.6]. In NAFLD confidence to exercise was significantly lower [median SEES score 0.0 (0.0-10.0), PBC 4.5 (0.0-10.0), p<0.001]. Fear of falling was similar in NAFLD and PBC, and greatest in ALD [22 (0-64), 22 (3-64), 30 (0-64), p=0.044]. In NAFLD, fear of falling was independently associated with increasing difficulty performing activity. CONCLUSIONS NAFLD patients understand the benefits of exercise but lack confidence to perform it. Fear of falling was independently associated with more difficulty performing activity. Fear of falling and confidence are modifiable and potential targets to improve uptake and adherence for exercise intervention.

Impaired functional status in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Several studies have demonstrated that primary Sjögrens syndrome (SS) is associated with reduced productivity; however, the impact of primary SS on daily function is not fully understood. This study aims to assess the physical function of primary SS patients and determine the relationship between the functional impairment experienced by primary SS patients and disease activity, patient‐reported symptoms, and quality of life.

Orthostatic symptoms predict functional capacity in chronic fatigue syndrome: implications for management

OBJECTIVES To establish the relationship between the functional impairment experienced by Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients and the symptoms frequently experienced by those with CFS; specifically cognitive impairment, fatigue and orthostatic symptoms. DESIGN Cross sectional questionnaire survey. SETTING Specialist CFS Clinical Service. SUBJECTS Ninety-nine Fukuda diagnosed CFS and 64-matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Symptom and functional assessment tools completed and returned by post included; PROMIS HAQ (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, Health Assessment Questionnaire), CFQ (Cognitive Failures Questionnaire), FIS (Fatigue Impact Scale) and OGS (Orthostatic Grading Scale) assessment tools. RESULTS CFS patients experience greater functional impairment than controls [mean (95% CI) PROMIS HAQ scores CFS 36 (31-42) vs. controls 6 (2-10); P < 0.0001], especially in the functional domains of activities and reach. Poorer functional ability impairment is significantly associated with greater cognitive impairment (P = 0.0002, r = 0.4), fatigue (P < 0.0001, r = 0.5) and orthostatic symptoms (P < 0.0001, r = 0.6). However, only orthostatic symptoms (OGS) independently associated with functional impairment (beta = 0.4, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION Treatment of orthostatic symptoms in CFS has the potential to improve functional capacity and so improve quality of life.

Reduction in functional ability is significant postliver transplantation compared with matched liver disease and community dwelling controls

We compared functional ability and symptom severity in liver transplant recipients and matched chronic liver disease (CLD) and community controls. A total of 103/140 consecutive liver transplant recipients from a single centre (73%) and matched controls completed the patient‐reported functional outcome measure: Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, Health Assessment Questionnaire (PROMIS HAQ). Symptoms frequently seen in CLD were quantified by (i) Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), (ii) Orthostatic Grading Scale (OGS: autonomic dysfunction), (iii) Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and (iv) Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS: Daytime somnolence). Liver transplant recipients exhibited significant reduction in function (P < 0.0001) across all domains of the PROMIS HAQ suggesting that functional impairment is broad‐based. Seventy‐seven per cent of all postliver transplants identified some difficulty with activities of daily living. There was no relationship between PROMIS HAQ and liver biochemistry (r2 = 0.04, P = NS) or time since transplant (r2 = 0.1, P = NS). Elevation in PROMIS HAQ (and therefore functional impairment) strongly associated with symptoms, particularly fatigue, cognitive impairment and daytime somnolence. Fatigue severity was independently associated with functional impairment (FIS) (Beta 0.727, P < 0.0001). Symptoms or functional ability was not different between liver transplant recipients and matched chronic liver disease controls. Although survival postliver transplantation is improving, our cross‐sectional study suggests that functional ability may not improve postliver transplantation. Further study is warranted to address the mechanisms responsible for post‐transplant functional impairment and to develop effective rehabilitation regimes to maximize function following liver transplantation.

Functional capacity is significantly impaired in primary biliary cirrhosis and is related to orthostatic symptoms.

Objective To assess patient-reported functional ability and its relationship with symptoms in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Methods Functional status was assessed in a representative cohort of 75 patients with PBC using the Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Information System Health-Assessment Questionnaire (PROMIS-HAQ) functional assessment tool and was related to both symptom severity at the point of assessment (assessed using the PBC-40 and Orthostatic Grading Scale) and symptom severity change over the previous 4 years. Functional status in the PBC group was compared with primary sclerosing cholangitis (cholestatic liver disease) and community controls. Results Functional impairment at follow-up (PROMIS-HAQ) was substantial in PBC significantly higher than that in both primary sclerosing cholangitis and community controls. PROMIS-HAQ domain scores confirmed that patients with PBC had significant impairment in arising, eating, walking, reach and grip and activity, but not dressing or hygiene. Functional impairment correlated positively with greater PBC-40 Fatigue, Cognitive and Social and Emotional domains and higher orthostatic symptoms. Over 4 years, total symptom burden increased significantly (P=0.03). The predominant factor was rise in Cognitive domain scores indicating worsening cognitive symptoms (P<0.0001). Change in PBC-40 Cognitive, Social and Emotional scores (2005–2009) strongly predicted functional ability in 2009. Multivariate analysis confirmed that PROMIS-HAQ scores were predicted independently by PBC-40 Social and Emotional scores (P=0.02; &bgr;=0.3) and orthostatic symptoms (P=0.04; &bgr;=0.3). Conclusion PBC associates with substantial functional impairment. PBC symptom distribution evolves over time, with cognitive symptoms making ever-greater contribution to overall symptom burden. The major potentially modifiable determinant responsible for the functional impairment appears to be orthostatic symptoms.

Primary biliary cirrhosis is associated with falls and significant fall related injury

BACKGROUND Osteoporosis and autonomic dysfunction are prevalent in the autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Postural hypotension is one consequence of autonomic dysfunction and is a recognized risk factor for falls, which, alongside osteoporosis could lead to significant injury and fractures. AIM To determine the prevalence and sequelae of falls in PBC and to identify modifiable risk factors. DESIGN Cross-sectional, geographical, population census of PBC and two control groups: primary sclerosing cholangitis and a community dwelling population. Multidisciplinary falls assessment of a representative group of PBC. METHODS Symptom assessment tools, completed by the three cohorts, determined the prevalence of falls, injuries and associated symptoms. Multidisciplinary assessments, adhering to NICE guidelines, identified modifiable fall associations. RESULTS Significantly more of the PBC population had fallen (72% P < 0.001) than both control groups. Fifty-five percent had fallen in the last year (P < 0.001), and 22% more than once in the last year (P < 0.01). Seventy percent of PBC fallers were injured, 27% fractured a bone and 19% were admitted to hospital, all significantly more common than controls. Postural dizziness was significantly worse in fallers (P < 0.001), as were balance (P < 0.001) and lower limb strength (P = 0.002). Lower limb strength was independently associated with number of falls in previous year (beta = 0.184, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Falls and resultant injury are prevalent in PBC and more common than previously recognized. Addressing postural dizziness, poor balance and lower limb weakness using a multidisciplinary approach has the potential to reduce falls, morbidity and mortality and as a result improve quality of life.

Occupational Therapy in Chronic Liver Disease: A Preliminary Study to Explore the Views of Occupational Therapists and Physicians Working in Acute Medical Settings

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is on the increase worldwide. Occupational therapists are well placed to address many of the symptoms associated with CLD; however, there is a dearth of literature to support this or to define the current working practice of occupational therapists in this clinical area. This study used questionnaires and mixed methodological analysis to describe both the current working practice of occupational therapists in CLD and the perceptions of the occupational therapists role by physicians referring patients with CLD to occupational therapy. Thematic analysis of the structured data demonstrated an appropriate understanding of, and referral to, occupational therapy in the context of safe discharge from hospital and the provision of equipment. Cross-sectional analysis revealed a homogeneous approach to current occupational therapy working practice in CLD which, although expedient, lacks emphasis on the treatment of the symptoms experienced by this client group.

Book Review: Psychological Management of Physical Disabilities: A Practitioner's GuidePSYCHOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF PHYSICAL DISABILITIES: A PRACTITIONER'S GUIDE. KennedyPaul, ed. Routledge, 2007. £24.99. 296 pp. ISBN 9781 5839 17138

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