Clinical Research Directory

Muscle Wasting and Rheumatoid Arthritis Flares

Sponsor: Leeds Beckett University

Summary

People living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) often present with low muscle mass compared to their healthy counterparts. This affects their mobility, overall health and quality of life. Even though low muscle mass in RA has been recognised for decades, it is still highly prevalent and very little is known about its development, progression, and potential management. The researchers hypothesise that flares of disease activity trigger acute events of muscle wasting due to high inflammation and reduced mobility. This is commonly observed in bed rest studies and people hospitalised for various reasons. If this holds true for RA, it would point towards a stepwise development of RC and potentially allow for time-targeted management of it. A potential method to manage it is through the use of nutritional supplements. Specifically, amino acid supplementation (commonly used by athletes or people wanting to increase muscle mass) during and shortly after a flare may counteract some of the muscle wasting and allow for better long-term mobility and quality of life for people living with RA. This study aims to investigate aspects of muscle health changes following a disease flare-up in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and test potential interventions to minimise any such changes. The investigators will randomly assign participants to a standard care or a nutritional supplementation group and assess aspects of body composition, muscle health, disease activity and inflammation on five occasions over a 3-month period.

Official title: Preventing Muscle Wasting During Rheumatoid Arthritis Flares: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Key Details

Conditions

Interventions