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Physical Activity May Improve Vascular Function in Patients With ARDs
Physical activity can have a positive impact on both micro- and macrovascular function in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), a clinical trial revealed. The study also suggested physical activity did not impact macrovascular structure among patients with ARDs.
“The broad beneficial impact of physical activity across the vasculature identified in this review support its role as an effective non-pharmacological management strategy for patients with ARDs,” the authors reported.
Researchers combined 10 studies pulled from various databases during March 2020, including 11 trials with a total of 355 participants. Data were compared using random effects meta-analysis on several measures of microvascular and macrovascular function outcomes and macrovascular structure, such as the aortic pulse wave velocity.
“Overall, the available clinical trials demonstrated a beneficial effect of physical activity on markers of micro- and macrovascular function but not on macrovascular structure in patients with ARDs,” the authors wrote. “The broad beneficial impact of physical activity across the vasculature identified in this review support its role as an effective non-pharmacological management strategy for patients with ARDs.”
—Angelique Platas
Reference:
Peçanha T, Bannell DJ, Sieczkowska SM, et al. Effects of physical activity on vascular function in autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology; 60(7):3107–3120.
