THE EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRTIS

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease whose main feature is persistent inflammation of the joints, leading to joint damage and loss of function. It is the most common inflammatory joint disease, affecting 1-2% of the population worldwide, with women being affected two to three times more often than men. The disease can cause joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced joint flexibility. RA often affects the small joints of the wrists, hands, and feet, but can also affect larger joints and other organs. In addition to the joint features of the disease, RA is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. Аs well as detrimental changes in body composition, thus favoring increased fat deposition and reduced muscle mass. These in turn further impair function and the ability to perform daily tasks. It is therefore not surprising that almost a third of RA patients become unemployed as a result of their condition and have a 10-fold higher rate of work disability compared to the general population. Inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis are the leading causes of pain and disability worldwide. RA is responsible for a significant reduction in physical activity. RA becomes a vicious cycle in terms of health and disease progression. Thus, it is clear that promoting physical activity is an important and essential part of the overall treatment of RA. Increasing physical activity is an intervention that can improve both disease-related and systemic manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis, while at the same time reducing the overall costs associated with the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the impact of exercise on the main symptoms such as pain, limited mobility and fatigue, on muscle strength and overall quality of life.