Faster age-related decline in cardiorespiratory fitness in rheumatoid arthritis patients: an observational study in the Trondelag Health Study.

ABSTRACT: Primary aim: Compare change in estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF change) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with population-based age- and sex-matched controls during?~?11-year follow-up and identify variables associated with eCRF change. Secondary aim: Compare eCRF level in RA patients and controls. eCRF change from the second (HUNT2 1995-1997) to the third (HUNT3 2006-2008) surveys of the Norwegian Trøndelag Health Study was compared between RA patients (n?=?188) and controls (n?=?26,202) attending both surveys. Predictors of eCRF change were identified by Lasso regression followed by multiple linear regression. Mean eCRF level in RA patients (n?=?436) and controls (n?=?67,910) was compared using age-adjusted linear regression stratified on sex, as well as two-sample t tests including RA patients (n?=?432) and controls (n?=?59,124) who attended either HUNT2, HUNT3 or both HUNT2 and HUNT3. The mean eCRF decline from HUNT2 to HUNT3 in RA patients was 8.3 mL min^-1 kg^-1 versus 6.7 mL min^-1 kg^-1 in controls (p?-1 kg^-1; HUNT3: - 5.0 mL min^-1 kg^-1; men HUNT2: - 1.8 mL min^-1 kg^-1; HUNT3: - 4.0 mL min^-1 kg^-1. Higher age at baseline was associated with faster decline in eCRF. This change was more pronounced in RA patients than controls, indicating a larger negative effect on fitness of aging in RA. RA patients had lower eCRF compared to healthy individuals.

SUBMITTER: Liff MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7835174 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature