[Association of physical activity with fatigue and functional capacity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

Associations of physical activity levels with fatigue in people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases in the LIFT trial

Objectives

The overall aim of the current study was to quantify physical activity levels in inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) and to explore their role in fatigue.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Lessening the Impact of Fatigue in IRDs (LIFT) trial of the personalized exercise program (PEP) intervention for fatigue. Participants with IRDs were recruited from 2017 to 2019 and the current analysis used fatigue, measured by the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS) and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and accelerometer measured physical activity data collected at baseline and at the 6-month follow-up. Physical activity levels were quantified and associations with fatigue and effects of PEP investigated.

Results

Of the 337 included participants, 195 (68.4%) did not meet the current recommendations for moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). In baseline cross-sectional analysis, many dimensions of physical activity were associated with fatigue. After mutual adjustment, overall physical activity (vector magnitude) was associated with CFS [-0.88 (95% CI -0.12, -1.64)] and distribution of time spent at different activity intensities was associated with FSS [-1.16 (95% CI -2.01, -0.31)]. Relative to usual care, PEP resulted in an increase in upright time, with trends for increases in step count and overall physical activity. People who increased overall physical activity (vector magnitude) more had greater improvements in CFS and FSS, while those who increased step count and MVPA more had greater improvements in FSS.

Conclusion

Increasing physical activity is important for fatigue management in people with IRDs and further work is needed to optimize PEPs to target the symptoms and impact of fatigue.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov), NCT03248518.

[Wearables in rheumatology]

As a result of digitalization in medicine wearable computing devices (wearables) are becoming increasingly more important. Wearables are small portable electronic devices with which the user can record data relevant to health, such as number of steps, activity profile, electrocardiogram (ECG), heart and breathing frequency or oxygen saturation. Initial studies on the use of wearables in patients with rheumatological diseases show the opening up of new possibilities for prevention, disease monitoring and treatment. This study provides the current data situation and the implementation of wearables in the discipline of rheumatology. Additionally, future potential fields of application as well as challenges and limits of the implementation of wearables are illustrated.

[Physical activity and nutritional status in women with rheumatoid arthritis and sarcopenic phenotype of body composition]

AIM

To assess physical activity (PA) and nutritional status and their relationship with the sarcopenic phenotype of body composition in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

104 women (mean age 59.5±8.7 years) with RA underwent clinical and laboratory examination, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The level of PA and nutritional status were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaires, respectively.

RESULTS

Sarcopenic phenotype was diagnosed in 37.1% of patients. Moderate and low PA levels were detected in 44.2 and 7.8%, respectively, risk of malnutrition - in 50% of persons. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, factors associated with the sarcopenic phenotype were determined: the frequency of vigorous PA<3 times a week [odds ratio - OR 5.12 (95% confidence interval - CI 1.15-22.94); p=0.032], walking <1 hour a day [OR 4.98 (95% CI 1.14-21.74); p=0.033], risk of malnutrition by MNA [OR 4.13 (95% CI 1.12-15.32); p=0.034], body mass index <25 kg/m2 [OR 8.11 (95% CI 1.86-35.32); p=0.006] and daily calcium intake <500 mg [OR 4.62 (95% CI 1.06-20.08); p=0.041].

CONCLUSION

52% of women with RA had moderate оr low PA levels, and 50% of patients were at risk of malnutrition. The risk of sarcopenic phenotype associated with a low frequency of vigorous PA, low walking time, risk of malnutrition, body mass index <25 kg/m2 and insufficient calcium intake.

[Aerobic exercise and fatigue indices in rheumatoid arthritis patients in the health resort care setting]

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is strong evidence that physical activity is an effective way to reduce fatigue.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of aerobic exercise (walking) to reduce fatigue in RA patients in the health resort setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 102 female patients with RA (age 54.38±11.3 years, body mass index 20-29 kg/m², DAS28-ESR ≤3.2, with severe fatigue of VAS ≥50) who received 21 days of health resort treatment. The health-improving and therapeutic complex includes dosed physical activity, aerobic exercises (walking). Visual analog scale (VAS0-100) and Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Scale-Numerical Rating Scale (BRAF-NRS V2) were used to assess fatigue, and the 50-meter walking test was used to evaluate the functional status of patients.

RESULTS

A correlation between walking duration and the number of steps at a distance of 50 m (p<0.001) as well as between these indices and fatigue (p<0.001) was shown. A positive effect of a standard three-week medical rehabilitation program for patients with RA on fatigue NRS severity (p=0.003) and NRS effect (p=0.037), as well as on patients' functional status (reduced time spent on the 50-meter test, p=0.01) was demonstrated. When comparing groups of RA patients with low (group 1, <5000-6000 steps per day) and optimal (group 2, ≥7000-8000 steps per day) aerobic exercise, positive results were noted in the short term (at 3 weeks) (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Aerobic exercise is a promising intervention for treating fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Medical rehabilitation in a resort setting is the best starting point to encourage performing regular physical activity, as well as the best way to develop exercise programs tailored to rheumatoid arthritis patients.