Physical Activity in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Measurement of the degree of physical activity

The degree of physical activity will be assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). This tool assesses the time spent walking and sitting. The results are classified into three categories: low, moderate and high activity. The unit of measurement is the units of measurement of the metabolic rate (METS), where the higher the number of METS, the greater the physical activity.

Measurement of health-related quality of life

Health-related quality of life will be measured with the Short Form-36 Health Survey questionnaire. It is composed of 36 items that inquire about 8 dimensions (physical function, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social function, emotional role, and mental health, including a health transition item). The score range is from 0 to 100 (best perception of quality of life).

Measurement of fatigue

The degree of fatigue will be measured with the Fatigue Assessment Scale questionnaire. This instrument assesses perceived mental and physical fatigue, consisting of 10 items. The score varies between 10 and 50 points, where the higher the score the higher the level of fatigue.

Measurement of sleep disorders

Sleep disorders will be measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. This questionnaire examines in 7 dimensions subjective sleep quality, sleep latency and duration, and sleep efficiency and disturbances, use of sleep medications, and daytime dysfunction. It is composed of 19 items. The score range varies from 0 to 21, considering poor sleep quality a score higher than 5 and good sleep quality if it is lower than 5 points

Measurement of depressive symptoms

The depressive symptoms of the patients included in the study will be assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory. This tool consists of 21 items, grouped into 4 dimensions: emotional, cognitive, motivational and physiological. The scores vary between 0 and 63 points, and a state of absence or minimal depression (0-13 points), mild depression (14-19 points), moderate depression (20-28 points) or severe depression (29-63 points) can be obtained. A cut-off point of 15 points or more is proposed to diagnose depression.

Measurement of gender

Gender, a dichotomous variable (Male/Female), will be a possible confounding variable.

Measurement of toxic habits

Smoking as a toxic habit, dichotomous variable (Yes/No), will be a possible confounding variable.

Assessment of the diagnosis of other pathologies with a questionnaire

The assessment of the diagnosis of other pathologies will be a possible confounding variable. In the evaluation questionnaire, patients will be able to indicate whether they have been diagnosed with another pathology, with this variable having multiple answers in those cases of patients with different pathologies.

Evaluation of the usual pharmacological treatment received by patients, by means of a specific question in a questionnaire

The usual pharmacological treatment, a nominal qualitative polytomous variable (glucocorticoids / antimalarials / immunosuppressants), will be a possible confounding variable. This variable will be measured with the evaluation questionnaire, where patients will be able to respond with multiple answers.