Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Impact on Quality of Life and Functional Exercise Capacity in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Although main symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) include shortness of breath and exercise intolerance, patients may also experience symptoms related to musculoskeletal system such as muscle fatigue or pain. Due to insufficient cardiac output and chronic arterial hypoxemia, oxygen cannot be delivered to skeletal muscles sufficiently, especially during exertion. In addition, inflammation, which is thought to play an important role in pulmonary vascular remodeling and disease pathophysiology in these patients, affects skeletal muscles as well. Increased sympathetic tone in PAH restricts the perfusion of skeletal muscle by increasing peripheral vascular resistance. With the addition of physical inactivity to all these factors, skeletal muscle metabolism is further impaired. Furthermore, drugs used for the treatment of PAH may induce musculoskeletal pain as a side effect. Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most important factors impairing individual's quality of life, regardless of whether there is an underlying disease. Our aim in this study is to evaluate pain prevalence in the musculoskeletal system over 9 body regions, to compare the pain prevalence of patients using different types of PAH drugs and to examine impact of musculoskeletal pain on quality of life and functional capacity in patients with PAH.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of heart failure or any chronic respiratory disease
• Recent coronary bypass surgery
• Recent acute myocardial infarction
• Having a pacemaker
• Having any orthopedic or neurologic diseases which may impede walking or exercising