TITLE:
Effects of Exercise Training on Endothelial Function, Arterial Structure, and Physical Conditioning in Patients with Systemic Autoimmune Myopathies: A Case Series Study
AUTHORS:
Rafael Giovani Misse, Isabela Bruna Pires Borges, Alexandre Moura dos Santos, Diego Sales de Oliveira, Jean Marcos de Souza, Bruno Gualano, Valéria Aparecida Costa Hong, Luis Aparecido Bortolotto, Samuel Katsuyuki Shinjo
KEYWORDS:
Dermatomyositis, Endothelial Function, Exercise, Polymyositis, Pulse Wave Velocity
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases,
Vol.9 No.2,
May
31,
2019
ABSTRACT: Introduction. Exercise training has been effective in improving endothelial function and decreasing arterial stiffness in several systemic autoimmune diseases. However, to date, no studies have assessed patients with systemic autoimmune myopathies (SAM). Methods. Five female patients with definite SAM (3 dermatomyositis and 2 polymyositis) who underwent a 12-week, twice-a-week, exercise training program were assessed prospectively. The following parameters were assessed: endothelial function measured by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), carotid femoral by pulse wave velocity (PWV), disease status by International Myositis Assessment & Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) set score, the ventilatory anaerobic threefold (VAT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), maximum effort (ME), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) measured by ergospyrometer, and strength and muscle function. Results. Mean age of the patients and duration of disease were 43.9 and 10.5 years, respectively. The median FMD and PWV were 10.2% and 7.1 m/s. After exercise training, important FMD reduction was observed in 4 out of 5 patients, whereas the PWV parameters decreased in only 2 out of 5 patients. The exercise training was safe, without clinical intercurrences or disease relapses. Moreover, an increase in strength and functionality was observed. Concerning aerobic capacity, there was a decrease in the VAT and an increase in ME, without al-terations in the maximum oxygen consumption. Conclusions. In general, exercise training does not alter endothelial function and PWV values, but improves muscle strength and function and also, does not lead to disease reactivation (Clinical Trials (NCT03092167)).