ExeHeart
Better cardiovascular health for patients with inflammatory joint disease
Project managers
PhD fellow
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Patients with inflammatory joint disease have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease as a result of their disease. Despite this, cardiovascular disease is underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with inflammatory joint disease. Physical fitness is a strong, independent and modifiable risk factor for future cardiovascular disease. High-intensity aerobic training can increase physical fitness and potentially prevent cardiovascular disease, as well as promote quality of life and coping without causing side effects. However, exercise is rarely used in the follow-up of cardiovascular risk in patients with inflammatory joint disease. It is therefore desirable to investigate the specific effect of high-intensity aerobic training on physical fitness, cardiovascular health and disease activity in patients with inflammatory joint disease with a particular focus on the feasibility of such an intervention in clinical practice.
The purpose of the study is to investigate whether 12-week high-intensity cardio training, in addition to current practice with relevant medication and lifestyle advice, provides better risk factor control than current practice for patients with inflammatory joint disease.
WHO CAN JOIN?
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis are recruited from the Preventive Rheumatic Heart Disease Clinic at Diakonhjemmet Hospital.
Recruitment of participants for the study has been completed.
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?
The study is a randomized, controlled trial with 60 participants. Risk of cardiovascular disease is assessed based on blood tests, carotid ultrasound, measurement of arterial stiffness, blood pressure, ECG and questionnaire. Patients who agree to participate in the ExeHeart study are asked to complete a supplementary questionnaire with background information, self-perceived disease activity and self-assessment of health. Physical fitness (VO2peak) is measured in a maximal exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill. Patients are randomized to an intervention or control group. The control group continues with current practice (lifestyle advice and relevant medication), while the intervention group, in addition to current practice, completes 12 weeks of endurance training. Patients complete two sessions of high-intensity interval training (90-95% of maximum heart rate) and one session of moderate intensity (70% of maximum heart rate) per week. The training is closely monitored and will take place at three physical education institutes in the Oslo area. After 3 and 6 months, the patients are called in for follow-up consultations where all examinations and measurements are repeated. After completing the training, the participants in the training group and the involved physiotherapists will complete a questionnaire and conduct an interview focusing on the implementation of the training protocol, barriers and facilitators.