More self-reported exercise in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was associated with a protective cardiovascular (CV) risk factor profile, including lower waist-hip ratio, higher HDL particle concentration, lower vascular stiffness, and a lower prevalence of hypertension, according to a recent, cross-sectional study. Patient-reported exercise outside of daily activities was quantified by time and metabolic equivalents per week (METmin/week) and CV risk factors including blood pressure, standard lipid profiles, lipoprotein particle concentrations (NMR spectroscopy), and vascular indices were measured in 165 patients with RA. Researchers found:

• Over half (54%) of RA patients did not exercise.
• Among those who did exercise, median value for exercise duration was 113 min/week, and exercise metabolic equivalent expenditure was 484 METmin/week.
• Disease activity (measured by DAS28 score), C-reactive protein, waist-hip ratio, and prevalence of hypertension were lower in patients who exercised compared to those who did not but standard lipid profile and body mass index were not significantly different.
• Patients who exercised had significantly higher concentrations of HDL particles and lower vascular stiffness as measured by pulse wave velocity.