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Cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity in people who have rheumatoid arthritis at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study

Rheumatology International volume 41, pages 2177–2183 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity (PA) associate with higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but the relationship between CRF and PA in people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at an increased CVD risk (CVD-RA) is not known. The objectives of this study were to determine the levels of CRF and PA in people who have CVD-RA and to investigate the association of CRF with PA in people who have CVD-RA. A total of 24 consecutive patients (19 women) with CVD-RA (> 4% for 10-year risk of fatal CVD development as calculated using the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation)—were included in the study. CRF was assessed with a graded maximal exercise test determining maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). PA was assessed with an accelerometer to determine the amount of step count, sedentary, light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) minutes per day. Mean age of patients was 65.3 ± 8.3 years. CRF mean values were 16.3 ± 1.2 ml·kg−1 min−1, mean step count per day was 6033 ± 2256, and the mean MVPA time was 16.7 min per day. Significant positive associations were found for CRF with step count (B = 0.001, P = 0.01) and MVPA time (B = 0.15, P = 0.02); a negative association was found for CRF with sedentary time (B =  − 0.02, P = 0.03). CRF is low and is associated with step count, sedentary time and MVPA time in people who have RA at an increased CVD risk.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author [m.vd.esch@reade.nl].

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Funding

No specific funding was received from any bodies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors to carry out the work described in this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reade, Center for Rehabilitation and Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center | Reade, PO Box 58271, 1040 HG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. Sobejana, J. van den Hoek, M. van der Leeden, W. F. Lems, M. T. Nurmohamed & M. van der Esch

  2. Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, UK Department of Rheumatology, University of Wolverhampton, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley, UK

    G. S. Metsios

  3. School of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece

    G. S. Metsios

  4. Clinical Research Unit, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, UK

    G. S. Metsios & G. D. Kitas

  5. Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    H. T. Jorstad

  6. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. van der Leeden

  7. Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. Pijnappels

  8. Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    W. F. Lems & M. T. Nurmohamed

  9. Faculty of Health, Centre of Expertise Urban Vitality, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. van der Esch

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  1. M. Sobejana
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  2. J. van den Hoek
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Correspondence to M. van der Esch.

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Sobejana, M., van den Hoek, J., Metsios, G.S. et al. Cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity in people who have rheumatoid arthritis at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study. Rheumatol Int 41, 2177–2183 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-021-04903-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-021-04903-6

Keywords

  • Exercise
  • Physical activity
  • Cardiorespiratory fitness
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis