Neuromusuclar Adaptations in the Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease

NCT03543488 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 09634
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 70
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

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.

Conditions

Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Muscular Weakness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Knee-Extensor Muscular Strength

  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.

  Only one day.

• Muscle architecture and tendon parameters

  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.

  Only one day.

• Functional Capacity

  Timed Up and Go test

  Only one day.

• Quadriceps muscle activation

  Vastus Lateralis and Rectus Femoris muscle activation during strength tests

  Only one day.

Study Arms (2)

Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Forty women (range 25-75 years), 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 included the presence of any cardiovascular, neuromuscular and metabolic diseases or severe limitations in mobility. Five patients were excluded for not attending the inclusion criteria, leading to a final number of 35 RA patients.

Diagnostic Test: Neuromuscular and functional capacity tests

Healthy Women

Thirty-five healthy women, age- and body size-matched to the RA patients, were recruited as controls (CG).

Diagnostic Test: Neuromuscular and functional capacity tests

Interventions

Neuromuscular and functional capacity tests DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The Timed Up and Go test; Maximal knee-extensor muscle strength (isometric and concentric tests) was measured with a Biodex System 3 dynamometer; A B-mode ultrasonography system with a linear-array probe (60 mm, 7.5 MHz) was used to determine VL and RF muscle thickness, pennation angle, fascicle length and tendon CSA. Measurements were obtained with the volunteer seated in the dynamometer, during isometric contraction at 90° of knee flexion. An 8-channel EMG system was synchronized with the dynamometer through a Windaq data acquisition system and used to evaluate the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris electrical activity during isometric knee-extensor tests.

Healthy Women; Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

35 RA patients (class I and II according American Rheumatism Association) and 35 healthy women, age- and body size-matched to the RA patients, were recruited as controls (CG).

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• presence of any cardiovascular, neuromuscular and metabolic diseases or severe limitations in mobility

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul: lead
• Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre: collaborator

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Muscle Weakness

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Connective Tissue Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 8, 2018
• First Posted: June 1, 2018
• Study Start: June 1, 2013
• Primary Completion: November 20, 2013
• Study Completion: March 3, 2014
• Last Updated: June 1, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share