A Simple Step Test to Estimate Cardio-Respiratory Fitness Levels of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in a Clinical Setting

Abstract

Purpose. Exercise tests represent an important clinical tool to evaluate cardio-respiratory fitness and to predict future adverse cardiovascular events. However, use of such tests in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is relatively uncommon despite well-established evidence that low exercise capacity and high CVD mortality are features of this disease. Therefore, this study examined the validity and reliability of a sub-maximal step test for use in RA patients. Methods. Thirty patients (24 females) (mean ± SD age 53 ± 10 years) performed a sub-maximal step test on two occasions to estimate the criterion measure of cardio-respiratory fitness (V.Onormal2max). A further maximal cycling test provided a direct fitness measurement (V.Onormal2 peak). Pearson correlation coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland and Altman plots, and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were used to determine the validity and reliability of the sub-maximal test. Results. Estimated V.Onormal2max correlated well with directly measured V.Onormal2 peak (r = 0.79, LoA ±5.7 mL·kg−1 ·min−1). Test-retest reproducibility for estimated V.Onormal2max was excellent (ICC = 0.97, LoA ±2.2 mL·kg−1 ·min−1). Conclusion. The sub-maximal step test studied here represents a valid and reproducible method to estimate cardio-respiratory fitness in RA patients. This test may be useful for the assessment and management of CVD risk in a clinical setting.

The impact of cardiorespiratory fitness on classical cardiovascular disease risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

“…Average maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2max ) values obtained from a group of female RA patients equalled 1 3 22 ml kg −1 min −1 [9]. The same poor CRF was observed in a cohort studied by our group [10]. Compared to healthy adults of similar age, RA patients have a significantly reduced CRF [8,[11][12][13].…”

Assessment of the Effects of Aerobic Fitness on Cerebrovascular Function in Young Adults Using Multiple Inversion Time Arterial Spin Labeling MRI

“…The PAR-Q was conducted a second time to identify potential risk factors associated with exercise in the unlikely case of circumstance changes from Visit 1. TheVO 2 peak test protocol used has previously been described by Collett et al (2011) and Cooney et al (2013). The test began with a 2 min unloaded warm up at 50 revolutions per minute (rpm) on a Lode cycle ergometer (Lode, Groningen, Netherlands).…”

Assessment of the effects of aerobic fitness on cerebrovascular function in young adults using multiple inversion time arterial spin labelling MRI

“…The PAR-Q was conducted a second time to identify potential risk factors associated with exercise in the unlikely case of circumstance changes from Visit 1. The ̇O 2peak test protocol used has previously been described by Cooney et al, 2013…”