Supervised physical exercise improves endothelial function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Author(s)

dos Reis-Neto, Edgard Torres ^[1] ; da Silva, Aline Evelyn ^[1] ; de Castro Monteiro, Carlos Manoel ^[2] ; de Camargo, Luciano Monteiro ^[2] ; Sato, Emilia Inoue ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Div Rheumatol, Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, BR-04023900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Div Cardiol, Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, BR-04023900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: RHEUMATOLOGY; v. 52, n. 12, p. 2187-2195, DEC 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 18

Abstract

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supervised physical exercise on endothelial function, ergospirometric test variables and disease activity in SLE patients. Methods. We conducted a prospective study in which women with SLE who were available to perform physical exercise were allocated to the exercise group (EG) to practise supervised physical exercise for 1 h three times per week for 16 weeks. Those who were not available for this activity were allocated to the control group (CG). Intervention consisted of walking at a heart rate corresponding to the ventilatory 1 threshold obtained from ergospirometry and monitored by a frequency meter. At baseline (T0) and after 16 weeks (T16), patients were assessed for endothelial function by brachial artery (flow-mediated dilation), ergospirometry and disease activity (SLEDAI). Statistical analysis was performed through normality tests, Student's t-test and non-parametric tests for data with non-normal distribution. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results. Eighteen patients were allocated in the EG and 20 in the CG. After 16 weeks there was an increase in FMD in the EG {[}6.3 (6.7)% vs 14.1 (9.1)%, P = 0.006] without a change in the CG {[}8.4 (8.2)% vs 9.4 (5.7)%, P = 0.598]. Regarding the ergospirometric test, we found improvement in exercise tolerance {[}12.3 (2.4) vs 13.4 (2.6) min, P = 0.027], maximum speed {[}7.7 (1.0) vs 8.3 (1.2) km/h, P = 0.027] and threshold speed {[}5.6 (0.7) vs 6.1 (0.9) km/h, P = 0.005] in the EG without a difference in the CG. There was no difference in the SLEDAI score in both groups. Conclusion. Physical exercise is a useful strategy to improve endothelial function and aerobic capacity without worsening disease activity in SLE patients. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/09295-5 - Effect of supervised exercise on endothelial function and endothelial progenitor cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
• Grantee: Emilia Inoue Sato
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/09743-8 - Effect of supervised exercise on the endothelial function and progenitor endothelial cells in systemic Lupus Erthematosus Patients
• Grantee: Edgard Torres dos Reis Neto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 08/07350-9 - Effect of supervised exercise on the endothelial function in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
• Grantee: Edgard Torres dos Reis Neto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master