Neuromusuclar Adaptations in the Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease

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

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.

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