In RA, joint structure is damaged due to destructive inflammation in the synovium. This condition negatively affects the patient's level of physical activity. As the patient becomes more immobile, their muscle mass and strength decrease and their aerobic capacity declines. One of the drug groups used in the pharmacological treatment of RA is anti-TNF-α drugs. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of anti-TNF-α and non-TNF-α drug treatments on aerobic capacity, muscle strength, fatigue, cardiorespiratory risk factors, and disease activity in RA patients.
Eligibility
Sex
FEMALE
Min age
18 Years
Max age
65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
* Diagnosed with RA according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR-2010) criteria
* Be between 18 and 65 years of age
* Be literate
* Have been using one of the anti-TNF-α or non-TNF-α drugs for a period of 1-3 years
Exclusion Criteria:
* Being pregnant or having a diagnosis of malignancy
* Having a dysfunction that would limit physical activity (cycling for aerobic capacity assessment), such as severe neurological involvement, immobility, or incooperation
* Having a regular exercise habit (reporting a habit of exercising 3 or more days per week)
* Having another chronic disease
* Having cardiac symptoms according to the New York Heart Association
* Having mental problems that prevent participation in assessments
Primary outcome measure(s)
Maximal Oxygen Consumption — First Day 1 VO2max will be assessed using Cosmed FitMate Pro® (Cosmed, Italy). The FitMate Pro® includes a turbine flow meter to measure ventilation and a galvanic fuel cell oxygen sensor to analyze the oxygen fraction in exhaled gases. The FitMate Pro® performs self-calibration before each measurement. A face mask will be placed over the participant's face to sample exhaled air, which will then be connected to the turbine flow meter. After resting for 5 minutes (while seated on the ergometer), participants will be asked to begin pedaling on the bicycle ergometer (E200 Cosmed®, Italy) starting at 25W. The load will be increased by 25W every 3 minutes until exhaustion.
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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