Core Endurance, Finger Grip Strength, Fatigue, and Hand Function in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

The aim was to evaluate the level of RA activity and disease activity and to examine the differences between healthy controls and RA patients in terms of these results.

A total of 113 people participated in the study, including 75 patients (57 women and 18 men; mean age: 48.65±12.53) diagnosed with RA (moderate and high levels of disease activity) aged 18-65 years and 38 healthy control group members (28 women and 10 men; mean age: 45.11±10.6).

In the evaluation, finger grip strength measurements (double grip, lateral grip, three-point grip) were done using a pinchmeter. In the kor endurance measurement, the patient was asked to lift their knees off the ground in a crawling position by contracting their kor muscles and keeping their waist at a certain distance, and the time they maintained the position was recorded. Hand function with SACRAH (Skor For Assessment And Quantification Of Chronic Rheumatic Affections Of The Hands), fatigue severity with FSS (Fatigue Severity Skor) and physical activity level with FIT Index (Frequency-Intensity-Time) were measured.

• RA Group Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with RA according to ACR/EULAR criteria
• Between 18-65 years of age
• Willing to participate in the study

RA Group Exclusion Criteria:

• Having any chronic disease other than RA
• Having another musculoskeletal disease
• Having adaptation problems and psychiatric illnesses that would impair participation in the study
• Having hearing loss that would impair communication
• Having severe vision loss
• Having another rheumatic disease other than RA
• Having any uncontrolled cardiopulmonary disease
• Having a serious deformity or severe pain in the extremities or trunk that would prevent taking a crawling position (7 or higher on a 10-point numerical pain scale) (being present)
• Hand deformity or pain severe enough to prevent finger grip strength measurements
• History of any serious trauma or injury within the last 6 months
• Changes in medication used for RA within the last 3 months
• Receiving physiotherapy or other treatment other than medication
• History of musculoskeletal surgery (trunk, extremities)
• Being pregnant or breastfeeding

Health Controls Inclusion Criteria:

• Being between 18-65 years of age
• Voluntary participation in the study Health Controls Exclusion Criteria: ● Having any diagnosed illness
• Having a history of trauma