Workability and Muscle Strength in Patients With Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis: Survey Study Protocol

Abstract

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic conditions not only fundamentally affect patients’ quality of life and physiological needs but are also negatively associated with work ability. The costs of poor work ability, which, in sum, are more than treatment costs, pose an economic burden to society and patients. Work ability in RA appears to be multifactorial; symptoms such as pain, swelling, and stiffness play a major role, as these directly affect functional disability. Also, RA patients typically suffer from reduced muscle strength. Lower extremity function and grip strengths especially impair their quality of life. However, the role of muscle strength and disease activity as determinants of work ability have not yet been studied.ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study is to compare work ability in working-age participants with seropositive RA and with high and low disease activity; the secondary objective is to evaluate the association of muscle strength, functional ability, and frailty with work ability.MethodsThis monocentric cross-sectional study will be conducted at a rheumatologic outpatient clinic and day hospital with approximately 100 seropositive RA patients aged <65 years. A clinical disease activity index as a measure for rheumatoid disease activity will be assessed during the patients’ routine visits at the clinic. Work ability, frailty, and functional disability will be evaluated with (self-reported) questionnaires as well as with physical tests (Work Ability Index/Score; Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index; Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe Frailty Instrument; Short Physical Performance Battery). Muscle strength will be determined with dynamometer measurements of isometric hand grip strength and quadriceps femoris muscle contraction strength. Sleep quality (Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale) and sexual functioning as physiological needs will additionally be determined with self-reported questionnaires.ResultsFor this study funding has already been awarded and enrollment has been completed. Data are currently being evaluated.ConclusionsThis study will evaluate the association of work ability with modifiable parameters such as muscle strength and functional ability. It will provide further insights into work ability in RA and its associated risk factors. Any evidence of association will motivate further research, and the findings might encourage interventions focused specifically on improving muscle strength and lower extremity function to positively affect work ability.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02581852); https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02581852 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6oNcelHtQ)

Clinical Characteristics of Frailty in Japanese Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

“…We found that GS was the most frequently reported symptom of frailty, suggesting that daily exercise is important to avoid frailty, as has been recommended by other investigators (22,23). RA patients have a weak grip force or upper extremity weakness due to joint damage (24); however, upper extremity weakness does not always figure into frailty assessment. We recommend that more attention should be paid to locomotive functions for RA patients.…”

Sleep Quality in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associations with Pain, Disability, Disease Duration, and Activity

“…One hundred participants visiting the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital in Vienna during their regularly scheduled visits were recruited for the purposes of this study [ 22 ]. Inclusion criteria were: age between 18 and 65 years; and fulfilled the RA diagnostic criteria according to the 2010 European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification at the time of inclusion [ 23 ].…”

“…This paper presents the results of a larger cross-sectional study in patients with from RA. The complete study protocol was previously published [ 22 ]. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of problems with sleep and its association with disease activity, pain levels, inflammatory parameters, and functional disability in patients with RA.…”

Work Ability and Employment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Role of Muscle Strength and Lower Extremity Function

“…This monocentric cross-sectional study was performed at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the SMZ Süd Hospital (Vienna, Austria), from November 2015 to August 2016 [ 22 ]. This study was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the Gemeinde-Wien (EK 15-173-0915) and complied with the Declaration of Helsinki.…”