A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW (SLR) ON NURSING SENSITIVE OUTCOMES IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Background: SSc affects significantly patients functionality and Quality ofLife (QoL). Specific Nursing Sensitive Outcomes (NSOs) still need to beestablished in SSc.Objectives: This SLR was aimed at identifying NSOs in SSc patientsand the related screening tools.Methods: Medline, CINHAL, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched toidentify relevant studies. Experimental and observational studies thatreported nursing interventions and NSOs were included. All potentially eligible studies were read in full text and examined against the selectioncriteria previously listed. Quality assessment was carried out through Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tools; and, the OMERACT (OutcomeMeasures in Rheumatology) comprehensive conceptual framework forhealth was used to contextualise and summarize findings.Results: 7015 records were screened for title and abstract, 39 full-textwere identified and assessed. Eleven studies were included in this SLR.For the core area “pathophysiological manifestations” 4 domains (healthsstatus, digital ulcers, clinical efficacy and fatigue), and, for the core area-“impact on life”- 5 domains were found (functionality, patient knowledge,patient satisfaction, psychological status and quality of life). Thus, NSOsidentified were physical function and parameters, health events, upperlimb functionality, patients knowledge of disease complications, degree ofself-management, need for nursing instructions, self-efficacy, health efficacy, psychological state, depressive mood and QoL.Conclusion: The results identify outcomes that may allow the structuring of a preliminary behavioural flow chart for nursing SSc case management. Further researches are warranted to examine the multidimensionaland complex role of nursing in SSc management.