AB0615 EVALUATION OF PHYSICAL FUNCTION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS BY LOCOMOTIVE SYNDROME STAGE
Authors: H. Yamamoto, M. Suzuki, T. Sugiura, Y. Saito, K. Terabe, R. Sato, H. Kosugiyama, J. Hasegawa, Y. Ohno, S. Asai, S. Imagama
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that causes joint dysfunction, which in turn triggers a decline in physical function. Locomotive syndrome (LS), which is a concept that was proposed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association in 2007 as a national health policy target, is a condition of reduced mobility due to impaired physical function. Since RA, which leads to a decline in physical function, is a cause of LS, there were reports indicating an association between RA and LS (1). However, there are few reports indicating an association between physical function assessment and LS in patients with RA. <h3>Objectives:</h3> The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between LS and assessment of physical function in RA patients. <h3>Methods:</h3> A total of 324 patients who participated in the prospective cohort study on frailty in RA patients (Fairy study) between March 2021 and December 2022 were included in the study. 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) is a screening tool consisting of 25 questions for the early detection of LS, and a total score ranged from 0 (best) to 100 (worst). LS stages are defined as follows: GLFS-25 &lt;7 points for LS stage 0, 7-15 points for LS stage 1, 16-23 points for LS stage 2, and 24 points for LS stage 3 (2). Basal metabolic rate, total muscle mass, and estimated skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) of the limbs were measured using bioelectrical impedance (BIA). Patient background, disease activity score (DAS-CRP), physical function (walking speed, Timed Up and Go Test [TUG], grip strength), basal metabolic rate, total muscle mass, and SMI were compared according to the LS stage at the time of enrollment in the study, and analysis of variance was performed. <h3>Results:</h3> Of the 324 patients, 30% was LS 0, 32% was LS 1, 16% was LS 2, and 22% was LS 3. Patient background for each LS stage (0/1/2/3) was 61/63/66/66 years old (P=0.22), and DAS-CRP was 1.58/1.85/2.12/2.32 (P&lt;0.01). Regarding physical function, walking speed was 1.44/ 1.29/ 1.22/ 1.08 m/sec (P&lt;0.01), TUG was 8.25/ 8.50/ 8.98/ 11.0 sec (P&lt;0.01) and grip strength was 24/ 21/ 18/ 15 kg (P&lt;0.01) (Table 1). The basal metabolic rate was 1098/ 1078/ 1052/ 993 kcal (P&lt;0.009), while total muscle mass was 40/ 35/ 35/ 33 (P=0.229) and SMI was 6.5/ 6.5/ 6.2/ 6.2 (P=0.103). <h3>Conclusion:</h3> In RA patients, physical function declined as the LS stage progressed, but the involvement of muscle mass was not clear. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] Sobue Y, Kojima T, et al. Relationship between disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis and development of locomotive syndrome: A five-year longitudinal cohort study. Mod Rheumatol. 2021;31(1):101-7. [2] Seichi A, Hoshino Y, et al. Development of a screening tool for risk of locomotive syndrome in the elderly: the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale. J Orthop Sci. 2012;17(2):163-72. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>