Improvement in rheumatoid sarcopenia with biological therapy; muscle ultrasound study

Abstract

Objective: The present research evaluated the use of muscle ultrasonography in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RAs) who were starting therapy with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b-DMARDs). Methods: A total of 56 individuals diagnosed with RAs, who had not yet received b-DMARDs, were included in the current prospective study. The control and baseline muscular strength, physical performance tests, ultrasonographic muscle parameters, and disease activity scores were analyzed in a group of 40 patients under controlled conditions. Results: Rectus abdominis muscle’s thickness, rectus femoris (RF) muscle’s cross-sectional area (RFCSA), external oblique muscle’s thickness, and transverse abdominis muscle’s thickness all showed substantial improvements. Additionally, Clinical Disease Activity Index scores showed significant associations with the percentage variations in RF muscle thickness, RFCSA, and gastrocnemius medialis muscle thickness in those who had achieved remission or had low disease activity. Conclusion: Ultrasonographic muscle imaging can assist clinicians in monitoring both patients and disease activity scores during the treatment of RA.

Keywords

• rheumatoid arthritis
• b-dmards
• muscle
• ultrasonography