Do Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs and Exercise Therapy Have a Combined Effect on Disease Activity in Patients with RA? A Scoping Review

AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn addition to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment, exercise is increasingly promoted in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although both are known to reduce disease activity, few studies have investigated the combined effects of these interventions on disease activity. The aim of this scoping review was to provide an overview of the reported evidence on whether a combined effect —i.e., a greater reduction in disease activity outcome measures—can be detected in studies where an exercise intervention was performed in addition to the DMARD treatment in patients with RA. This scoping review followed the PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was performed for exercise inter vention studies in patients with RA treated with DMARDs. Studies without a non-exercise control group were excluded. Included studies reported on (components of) DAS28 and DMARD use and were assessed for methodological quality using version 1 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. For each study, comparisons between groups (i.e., exercise + medication vs. medication only) were reported on disease activity outcome measures. Study data related to the exercise intervention, medication use, and other relevant factors were extracted to assess what may have influenced disease a ctivity outcomes in the included studies.Recent FindingsA total of 11 studies were included of which 10 between-group studies on DAS28 components were made. The rem...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research