{
  "abstract": "Introduction Respiratory muscle weakness and physical deconditioning are common features in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Pulmonary involvement, which affects more than 80% of patients, represents the second most frequent visceral manifestation of the disease and is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Given the high prevalence and clinical impact of lung involvement in SSc, this study aimed to comprehensively evaluate respiratory muscle strength, aerobic capacity, dyspnea severity, pulmonary function, fatigue levels, skin thickness, and quality of life in patients with SSc, comparing those with and without pulmonary involvement.Material and Methods This study included 35 patients diagnosed with SSc, of whom 20 had pulmonary involvement and 15 did not. Respiratory muscle strength was measured using maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), while aerobic capacity was evaluated through standardized exercise testing. Dyspnea severity was assessed with the Modified Medical Research Council Scale (mMRCS), pulmonary function with spirometry, fatigue with the Fatigue Severity Scale, skin thickness with the Modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), and quality of life with the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire.Results Significant differences were observed between the two groups in mean age, mRSS, VO2max, dyspnea, and fatigue (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found for TLC% or the FEV1/FVC ratio (p > 0.05). However, respiratory muscle strength and other pulmonary function parameters differed significantly between groups (p < 0.05). In patients without pulmonary involvement, VO2max showed a negative correlation with MEP, while MIP was negatively correlated with the FEV1/FVC ratio. In patients with pulmonary involvement, MEP demonstrated a negative correlation with the FEV 1/FVC ratio (p < 0.05).Conclusions These findings suggest that pulmonary involvement in systemic sclerosis is associated with more pronounced reductions in respiratory muscle strength and exercise capacity. The negative correlations between VO2 max and MEP, and between MIP/MEP and the FEV1/FVC ratio, may indicate that both inspiratory and expiratory muscle weakness contribute to impaired aerobic performance and altered lung mechanics. In patients with pulmonary involvement, expiratory muscle strength appears particularly linked to airflow limitation, highlighting the need for targeted respiratory muscle training and early pulmonary rehabilitation interventions.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Firat University, Elazig, Turkey"
      ],
      "name": "Gülsah Yamancan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Firat University, Elazig, Turkey"
      ],
      "name": "Jehat KILIÇ Songul Baglan Yentur"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Firat University, Elazig, Turkey"
      ],
      "name": "Suleyman Serdar Koca"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P.417 Assessing respiratory muscle strength and aerobic capacity in systemic sclerosis: insights into pulmonary and functional health",
  "uid": "a09a2a81-4e9a-52f4-8893-819388c9b699"
}