Aerobic capacity correlates to self-assessed physical function but not to overall disease activity or organ damage in women with systemic lupus erythematosus with low-to-moderate disease activity and organ damage

Abstract

The present aim is to investigate the relationships between aerobic capacity and disease activity, organ damage, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and physical activity in 34 women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with low-to-moderate disease activity and organ damage. Mean age was 51 (SD 10) years, disease duration 17 (SD 11) years. Aerobic capacity (maximal oxygen uptake/VO2 max) was measured with a bicycle ergometer exercise test. Overall disease activity was assessed with Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM) and the modified Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Disease Activity Index (modified SLE-DAI), overall organ damage with the Systemic Lupus International Collaboration Clinics/American College of Rheumatology-Damage Index, [SLICC/(ACR)-DI], HRQL with the 36-item Short-form health-survey (SF-36) and physical activity with a self-assessed question. The women who were low-to-moderately physically active had 89-92% (P < or = 0.001) of VO2 max predicted for sedentary women. Maximal oxygen uptake (L/min, mL/min/kg) correlated to SF-36 physical function (rs = 0.49, rs = 0.72) (P < or = 0.01), but not (rs < or = 0.25) to other HRQL scales, overall disease activity or organ damage or physical activity. The correlation between aerobic capacity and physical function and the absence of correlation between aerobic capacity and physical activity, suggest a possible disease-related factor behind the low aerobic capacity. However, with no correlation between aerobic capacity and overall disease activity and organ damage, low physical activity may contribute to the low aerobic capacity in our sample.

Abnormal body composition, cardiovascular endurance, and muscle strength in pediatric SLE

“…These data are in line with previous studies that have found that adults with SLE have diminished muscle and aerobic capacity compared to age-matched controls [8, 9]. …”

“…SLE patients may experience difficulties when trying to become more active; for example, adults with SLE are known to have decreased cardiovascular endurance, lower muscle strength, and lower lean muscle mass compared to age-matched controls [8, 9]. Children with SLE are known to have higher fat mass compared to their peers; lower lean muscle mass in these children has been associated with complications such as vertebral fractures [10–14].…”

Improvement in physical functioning protects against cognitive decline: A 6-year follow-up in the Maastricht Aging Study

“…Several studies have shown correlations between the physical functioning subscale of the SF-36 and the objective aerobic capacity level of respondents. For example, in the study of Boströ m and colleagues a significant correlation between aerobic capacity and self-assessed physical function according to the SF-36 was found (r ¼ 0.49, P < 0.01) (Boströ m et al, 2008). Comparable results were found in the study of Stewart et al (2003), with a significant correlation (r ¼ 0.33, P < 0.01) reported.…”

Impaired aerobic exercise capacity and cardiac autonomic control in primary antiphospholipid syndrome

“…5,6,8 Interestingly, in lupus patients the reduction in aerobic capacity was also associated with a poor health-related quality of life. 16 Moreover, lower levels of aerobic capacity indexes in the general population are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and mortality. 17 Thus, these variables can be important tools in evaluation of risks in PAPS patients.…”