Cardiovascular function in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Breaking up sedentary time in rheumatoid arthritis: effects on vascular function
IRAS ID
266102
Contact name
David Low
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool John Moores University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term disease characterised by joint inflammation, chronic pain and progressive disability. Apart from these specific manifestations, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis, which is likely because of inflammation and atherosclerosis in the various blood vessels throughout the body. Impaired function of larger arteries and smaller blood vessels in rheumatoid arthritis have been observed as well as reductions in brain blood flow. However, these studies were limited by only assessing isolated limbs (e.g. arm only). Further research that simultaneously examines the function of blood vessels in different parts of the body including the brain are therefore required. The first aim of this research is therefore to assess the function of multiple blood vessels in rheumatoid arthritis. Using a feasibility exploratory study this aim will be achieved by conducting a battery of blood vessel function assessments of large and small blood vessels in the arms, legs and brain in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Increased cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis is made worse by a range of cardiovascular disease risk factors such as sedentary behaviour (i.e., time spent in sitting or reclining posture), which is very common in this disease. Prolonged sitting time leads to worse blood vessel function and replacing prolonged sitting with short bouts of light-intensity physical activity (e.g., brisk walking) can prevent the detrimental effect of prolonged sitting on blood vessel function. However, there is no information about the effects of breaking up sitting time on the blood vessel function of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Therefore, the second aim of this research will be to assess the impact of breaking up sitting time with short bouts of light intensity walking on blood vessel function in rheumatoid arthritis. Using a pilot feasibility randomized crossover trial, patients will sit uninterrupted for 4 hr or they will perform 3-min of light intensity walking every 30 min of sitting for 4 hr. Blood vessel function of the large and small blood vessels in the arms, legs and brain will be assessed before and after each intervention.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0706
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion