Neuromusuclar Responses and Functional Outcomes in Middle-aged Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid
- Sponsor
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
- Enrollment
- 70
- Primary Endpoint
- Knee-Extensor Muscular Strength
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 7 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and progressive joint destruction. Rheumatoid cachexia is one of the structural manifestations of RA, and consists of a reduction in muscle mass, due to an increased muscle protein catabolism induced by inflammatory cytokines. This muscle mass loss generates an impairment in physical function and functional capacity in RA patients. The aim of study was to verify neuromuscular and functional responses in middle-aged women with RA compared to paired healthy women.
Investigators
Marco Aurélio Vaz, PhD
Principal investigator
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •RA patients with a class I and II RA diagnosis according to the American Rheumatism Association's 1987 revised criteria, were recruited from a university hospital's rheumatology clinic.
Exclusion Criteria
- •presence of any cardiovascular, neuromuscular and metabolic diseases or severe limitations in mobility
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Knee-Extensor Muscular Strength
Time Frame: Only one day.
Maximal knee-extensor muscle strength (isometric and concentric tests), in different angles and velocities were measured with a Biodex System 3 dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY, USA). A 2-min interval was observed between contractions. We used the peak torque of each maximal test to analysis.
Muscle architecture and tendon parameters
Time Frame: Only one day.
An ultrasonography system was used to determine VL and RF muscle thickness, pennation angle and fascicle length. Muscle architecture measurements were obtained with the volunteer seated in the dynamometer, during isometric contraction at 90° of knee flexion. Muscle thickness was considered the distance between deep and superficial aponeuroses. The best fascicle in each image was used for pennation angle and fascicle length analysis. Pennation angle was calculated as the angle between the muscle fascicle and the deep aponeurosis, whereas fascicle length was measured as the length of the fascicular path between the two aponeuroses. Furthermore, patellar tendon cross-section area was measured with probe perpendicular to tendon during isometric contractions.
Functional Capacity
Time Frame: Only one day.
Timed Up and Go test
Quadriceps muscle activation
Time Frame: Only one day.
Vastus Lateralis and Rectus Femoris muscle activation during strength tests