Neuromusuclar Adaptations in the Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease

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.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

25 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

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.

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

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Other

Collaborators

Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre

Registry information

Official study title

Neuromusuclar Responses and Functional Outcomes in Middle-aged Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Important dates

Study start: 2013
Primary completion: 2013
Study completion: 2014
First posted: Jun 1, 2018
Registry last updated: Jun 1, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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