Effect of Scapular Dyskinesis on Disease Activity, Quality of Life, Level of Disability in Female Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of scapular dyskinesis on quality of life and level of disability among female patients with RA. Material and Methods: 52 patients with RA were evaluated for the study, and they were divided equally into two groups with the following criteria: patient has scapular dyskinesis (SD) (Group 1) or patient does not have SD (Group 2). Disability level, Quality of Life (QoL), disease activity, scapular dyskinesis, pain level and muscle strength were assessed with Turkish version of Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH-T), Rheumatoid Arthritis specific Quality of Life questionnaire (RAQoL-T), Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index-5 (T-RADAI-5), Lateral Scapular Slide Test, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), manual muscle test respectively. Results: Both groups were similar demographically. Results of the patient with SD (Group 1) were significantly different in a negative way than those of the patient without SD (Group 1) in DASH (p=0,001), RADAI-5 (p<0,001), RAQoL (p<0,001), VAS right shoulder (p=0,002) and left shoulder (p=0,001). In Group 1, asymmetric side shoulder had less external rotation muscle strength compared to simetric side shoulder (p=0,046). Discussion: Clinic outcomes of RA patients with SD are worse than those of without SD. Hence, SD may be linked to demonstration of loss of clinic outcomes. Clinicians should not ignore SD in patients with RA