Key result
Two years after a 16-week exercise and weight loss intervention, older adults with rheumatoid arthritis maintained significant improvements in disease activity (DAS-28 CRP MD -1.0, P=0.002).
Why the study?
To evaluate the long-term impacts of a 16-week remotely supervised exercise and weight loss intervention for rheumatoid arthritis.
Does a 16-week remotely supervised exercise and weight loss intervention improve long-term clinical and lifestyle outcomes in older adults with rheumatoid arthritis?
Observational (n=14)
Does a 16-week remotely supervised exercise and weight loss intervention improve long-term clinical and lifestyle outcomes in older adults with rheumatoid arthritis?
Mean Difference: -1
p-value: p=0.002
A 16-week exercise and weight loss intervention in older adults with RA led to sustained improvements in disease activity and cardiometabolic risk at two years, despite low maintenance of some lifestyle behaviors.
Sustained RA and cardiometabolic gains two years post-intervention support exploring lifestyle programs; leaves open durability in larger prospective trials.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term impacts of a 16-week remotely supervised exercise and weight loss intervention for rheumatoid arthritis (Supervised Weight Loss and Exercise Training in Rheumatoid Arthritis [SWET-RA]). METHODS: In total, 21 older adults with RA completed the SWET-RA parent trial; 17 of 21 completed an exit survey. Approximately two years after study completion, 14 of 19 eligible participants (mean age 68.9 years) returned for the SWET-RA Reunion. Reunion participants completed surveys on sustained health behaviors and barriers to maintenance. Clinical assessments were evaluated relative to pre-intervention values and included anthropometrics, RA disease activity (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints [DAS-28]), blood biomarkers, and patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: At study completion, most participants reported improvements in RA (n = 15) and intended to maintain health behaviors (n = 17). At the two-year Reunion, 50% engaged in aerobic activity regularly, whereas resistance training (21.4%) and dietary self-monitoring (14.3%) were less maintained. Barriers included lack of self-motivation and illness. In total, 10 of 14 participants experienced sustained improvements in RA disease activity without increasing medication. Among the 12 not increasing RA medication, DAS-28 C-reactive protein significantly improved (Δ = -1.0 ± SD 0.9, P = 0.002). Cardiometabolic risk, assessed via metabolic syndrome Z score, improved significantly for participants not increasing related medications (Δ = -1.6 ± SD 2.4, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Two years post-intervention, only half of the older adults with RA maintained aerobic exercise, with fewer sustaining resistance exercise and self-monitoring dietary intake. Nonetheless, compared to pre-intervention, long-term improvements in RA disease activity and cardiometabolic risk were present. These findings support the inclusion of lifestyle programs in comprehensive RA management.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
A 2025 study conducted an observational in Rheumatoid arthritis (n=14). Remotely supervised exercise and weight loss intervention (SWET-RA) vs. Pre-intervention values was evaluated on RA disease activity (DAS-28 C-reactive protein) (MD -1.0, p=0.002). Two years after a 16-week exercise and weight loss intervention, older adults with rheumatoid arthritis maintained significant improvements in disease activity (DAS-28 CRP MD -1.0, P=0.002).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: