Abstract
Aim: to evaluate VO2 max as a marker of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relation to the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in such cohort of female patients with rheumatoid arthritis without associated lung disease.
Patients and Methods: A total of 132 female RA patients were assessed for cardiopulmonary fitness with a VO2max testing. 100 healthy females were recruited as control group. Exclusion of patients with pulmonary fibrosis/nodules by using HRCT was done. Traditional CVD risk factors and disease characteristics and their correlation with VO2 max level were assessed in all patients.
Results: Based on VO2 max mean, patients were classified into three groups; unfit (25.6 ml/kg/min). Patients
Aim: to evaluate VO2 max as a marker of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relation to the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in such cohort of female patients with rheumatoid arthritis without associated lung disease.
Patients and Methods: A total of 132 female RA patients were assessed for cardiopulmonary fitness with a VO2max testing. 100 healthy females were recruited as control group. Exclusion of patients with pulmonary fibrosis/nodules by using HRCT was done. Traditional CVD risk factors and disease characteristics and their correlation with VO2 max level were assessed in all patients.
Results: Based on VO2 max mean, patients were classified into three groups; unfit (25.6 ml/kg/min). Patients