Effects of Analgesics on Self-Reported Physical Function and Walking Ability in People With Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Hip and knee osteoarthritis are among the leading causes of global disability, and one of the main aims of the management is to improve physical function. The objective of this review was to investigate the effect of analgesics on physical function (self-reported physical function and walking ability). METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the findings were performed. Randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of analgesics on self-reported physical function and walking ability were included. Analgesics were orally administered acetaminophen, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or opioids. Data were pooled in a random-effects model, and the standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% CI was calculated (SMDs: 0.2-0.4 = small, 0.5-0.7 = medium, and ≥0.8 = large effect sizes). The quality of the evidence was evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: A total of 1454 studies were identified, of which 33 were included. On self-reported physical function, the results showed low- to moderate-quality evidence for a small beneficial effect of acetaminophen (SMD = -0.13 [95% CI = -0.26 to 0.00]), NSAIDs (SMD = -0.32 [95% CI = -0.37 to -0.27]), or opioids (SMD = -0.20 [95% CI = -0.32 to -0.09]). There was moderate-quality evidence for a small effect of NSAIDs on pain during walking (SMD = -0.34 [95% CI = -0.45 to -0.23]). CONCLUSION: In people with hip or knee osteoarthritis, there was low- to moderate-quality evidence for small beneficial effects of analgesics on physical function and walking ability. IMPACT: Analgesics may improve physical function by reducing pain during exercise and walking.

Supervised Intensive Exercise for Strengthening Exercise Health Beliefs in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a 3-month supervised high-intensity exercise program on exercise health beliefs in patients with axial spondyloarthritis. METHODS: This was secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Participants (ages 23-69 years) were randomized to an exercise group (n = 50) or a control group (n = 50). The intervention was an individually guided cardiorespiratory and strength exercise program performed 2 times per week, plus an additional individual exercise session of personal choice. The control group received standard care and instructions to maintain their physical activity level. Exercise health beliefs using the Exercise Health Beliefs questionnaire (range 20-100, 100 = best), i.e., barriers, benefits, self-efficacy and exercise impact on arthritis, and physical activity, were assessed with self-reported questionnaires at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months after inclusion. RESULTS: The majority of the participants in the exercise group (76%) followed ≥80% of the prescribed exercise protocol. There was a significant effect of the intervention on exercise health beliefs at 3 months (estimated mean group differences 4.0 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.4, 6.6]; P = 0.003) and the effect persisted at 12 months follow-up (estimated mean group differences 3.8 [95% CI 1.0, 6.6]; P = 0.008). Participants with higher exercise health beliefs had a higher odds ratio (1.1 [95% CI 1.0, 1.20]; P = 0.003) for being physically active at 12 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: A supervised high-intensity exercise program had beneficial short- and long-term effects on participants' exercise health beliefs. Stronger exercise health beliefs were positively associated with a higher chance to be physically active on a health-enhancing level at 12 months follow-up.

How Do Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis Experience High-Intensity Exercise?

OBJECTIVE: In a few studies, high-intensity exercise has displayed beneficial effects on cardiovascular health among patients with rheumatic diseases, yet the high-intensity exercise mode is still not fully accepted among health care professionals. The aim of this study was to investigate experiences of high-intensity exercise among patients with axial spondyloarthritis. METHODS: Fourteen respondents who had participated in a high-intensity exercise program for 12 weeks were included in this qualitative study with individual semistructured, in-depth interviews. The respondents' median age was 53, ranging from 23 to 63 years old, and both men and women of different ethnicities were represented. Interviews were analyzed by qualitative content analysis, including both manifest content and interpretations of underlying latent meaning. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in five categories describing the respondents' experiences with high-intensity exercise: 1) high-intensity exercise as a challenge for both body and mind, 2) increased faith in one's own body, 3) changed attitude toward exercise, 4) taking charge of one's own health by challenging the disease, and 5) exercise in a social context. CONCLUSION: Supervised high-intensity interval exercise was perceived as challenging for both body and mind but was also described as a positive experience, with rapid bodily effects that strengthened respondents' faith in their own bodies. The new experience seemed to have changed the respondents' attitude and motivation for exercise and made them start taking charge of their health by challenging the disease. Exercise in a social context, under professional leadership, enhanced exercise self-efficacy and helped the respondents to adhere to the exercise program.

Associations Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Arterial Stiffness in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), measured as peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, measured by arterial stiffness, in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: VO2peak was assessed by a maximal walking test on a treadmill. Arterial stiffness was measured noninvasively (Sphygmocor apparatus). Cross-sectional associations between VO2peak and arterial stiffness were analyzed using backward multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: Among 118 participating patients, there were significant inverse associations between VO2peak and arterial stiffness, independent of traditional CVD risk factors and measures of disease activity. CONCLUSION: Reduced CRF may be related to increased risk of CVD in AS.