A comparative study of outcome in myositis and other musculoskeletal disorders assessed using the Nottingham Health Profile

• Published in: Clinical and experimental rheumatology Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 447 - 450
• Main Authors: CHUNG, Y.-L, MITCHELL, H. L, HOUSSIEN, D. A, AL-MAHROUKI, H, CARR, A. J, SCOTT, D. L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pisa Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 01.07.2001
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living - psychology; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - physiopathology; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Disability Evaluation; Female; Health Status; Humans; Medical sciences; Myositis - classification; Myositis - physiopathology; Myositis - psychology; Osteoarthritis, Knee - physiopathology; Osteoarthritis, Knee - psychology; Osteoporosis - physiopathology; Osteoporosis - psychology; Prospective Studies; Regression Analysis; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Social Isolation - psychology; Spine - physiopathology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Knee; Skin disease; Prognosis; Spine; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Autoimmune disease; Bone disease; Inflammatory joint disease; Epidemiology; Disability; Osteoporosis; Systemic disease; Female; Degenerative disease; Human; Immunopathology; Connective tissue disease; Dermatomyositis; Symptomatology; Striated muscle disease; Chronic; Polymyositis; Rheumatoid arthritis; Arthropathy; Osteoarthritis; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0392-856X

This study evaluated the comparative impact of myositis and other musculoskeletal disorders on general health using the Nottingham health profile (NHP) as a generic measure of health status. A prospective observational study of 113 females with myositis, 142 females with rheumatoid arthritis, 45 females with spinal osteoporosis and 96 females with knee osteoarthritis. All mean NHP section scores were higher in myositis and other musculoskeletal disorders compared to population mean values. Section scores for energy and social isolation were high in myositis compared to all other disorders. Scores for physical disability in myositis were similar to RA. Pain scores were higher in RA and OA compared to myositis. Backwards linear regression models explained 26-42% of the variation in energy and social isolation scores. Emotion and physical section scores were the major determinants and the pattern was similar in all disorders. Disease duration and age had little effect. Myositis is not simply a disease with physical problems but has wide ranging effects on social and emotional well being. Until disease-specific instruments are available, a generic measure like the NHP can be used to assess problems other than muscle pain and loss of strength.