The aim of this study is to investigate respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance, muscle oxygenation, upper extremity and lower extremity exercise capacity in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with healthy individuals.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive autoimmune disease of unknown etiology with symmetric erosive synovitis and multisystem involvement. The disease causes significant long-term morbidity, reduced functional capacity, and increased mortality rates. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis avoid physical activity due to pain and fatigue. Despite the advances in pharmacological treatments in recent years, functional losses due to rheumatic diseases the resulting deterioration in quality of life, and loss of work continue. Physical inactivity is known to have detrimental effects on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems by reducing muscle strength and aerobic capacity. The physiological reasons underlying skeletal muscle oxygenation that may cause muscle dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis have not been investigated. In these patients, decreased arterial oxygen may reduce exercise capacity and cause muscle deoxygenation. In rheumatoid arthritis patients, decreases in respiratory muscle strength, lung volumes, oxygen consumption, and six minute walk test distance cause cardiopulmonary deconditioning. Decreased exercise capacity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and causes mortality in patients with RA. This study aimed to, the effects of respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance, upper and lower extremity muscle oxygenation, and upper and lower extremity exercise capacity in patients with stable disease activity.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
68
Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, Cardiopulmonary Unit
Kırşehir, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGEvaluation of respiratory muscle strength
An electronic mouth pressure measuring device that complies with American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society criteria will be used to assess respiratory muscle strength.
Time frame: First day
Evaluation of respiratory muscle endurance
The incremental threshold workload test will be used to assess respiratory muscle endurance.The PowerBreathe Wellness® (HaB International Ltd. Southam, United Kingdom) inspiratory muscle training device will be used in the incremental threshold load test.
Time frame: First day
Evaluation of Deltoid and Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Oxygenation
Muscle oxygen level of quadriceps femoris and deltoid muscles will be measured using Moxy® monitor (Moxy, Fortiori Design LLC, Minnesota, USA) before, during and after the six-minute walk test and six-minute peg-board and ring test.
Time frame: First and second day
Evaluation of Deltoid and Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Total Hemoglobin Level
Total hemoglobin level of quadriceps femoris and deltoid muscles will be measured using Moxy® monitor (Moxy, Fortiori Design LLC, Minnesota, USA) before, during and after the six-minute walk test and six-minute peg-board and ring test.
Time frame: First and second day
Evaluation of submaximal exercise capacity
The six-minute walk test will be performed according to American Thoracic Society criteria to evaluate functional exercise capacity.
Time frame: First day and second day
Evaluation of upper extremity capacity
The six-minute peg board and ring test will be used to assess upper extremity exercise capacity.
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Time frame: First day and second day