Improved vascular health linked to increased physical activity levels and reduced sedentary behavior in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by deteriorated vascular health and increased cardiovascular risk. Physical activity (PA) is recommended for cardiovascular management in RA, but evidence on the associations between objectively measured PA and vascular health markers in RA is limited. In this cross-sectional study, 82 postmenopausal women with RA (62 ± 7 yr) undertook ultrasound assessments of vascular function and structure, including brachial and superficial femoral artery (BA and SFA) flow-mediated dilation; baseline and post-hyperemia peak diameters; and carotid intima-media thickness.

Clinical and Cardiometabolic Effects of Reducing Sedentary Behavior in Postmenopausal Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of a 4-month intervention targeting sedentary behavior on sedentary time and physical activity level, clinical parameters, cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammatory markers, and health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: This was a 4-month, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03186924).

Food consumption, physical activity and aerobic capacity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune and multisystemic rheumatic disease. Patients with SLE have decreased functional and aerobic capacity, as well as increased prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), which are the primary causes of morbimortality in this condition. Dietary intake and physical activity are well-known modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.

Protein and Amino Acid Adequacy and Food Consumption by Processing Level in Vegans in Brazil.

Importance: Major concerns regarding individuals who adhere to a vegan diet are whether they meet protein and essential amino acid recommendations and how reliant they are on ultraprocessed foods.

Objectives: To investigate whether individuals who adhere to a vegan diet meet protein and essential amino acid recommendations and, as secondary objectives, to determine ultraprocessed food intake and potential factors associated with inadequate protein intake in this population.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted between September 2021 and January 2023 in Brazil among male and female adults (aged 18 years or older) who adhered to a vegan diet recruited from social media platforms.

Effects of a lifestyle intervention on cardiovascular risk factors in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: The study "Living well with lupus".

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a lifestyle intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with a high cardiovascular risk profile.

Methods: This trial was conducted in Sao Paulo, Brazil between August 2020 and March 2023. The patients were randomly assigned to lifestyle intervention or control.

Characterization of refeeding protocols for under 18 years old hospitalized patients with anorexia nervosa: A systematic review.

Purpose: To characterize and compare, through descriptive analysis, existing refeeding protocols for under 18 years old hospitalized patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Methods: This is a systematic review of PubMed, Cochrane, SciELO, Lilacs and BVS databases, without search period restriction. Studies were selected in accordance with pre-defined eligibility criteria and according to the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome and Study Design (PICOS).

Disordered Eating Attitudes and Food Choice Motives Among Individuals Who Follow a Vegan Diet in Brazil.

Importance: It remains controversial whether adhering to a vegan diet may be associated with a higher prevalence of disordered eating. Also, main food choice motives and their association with disordered eating in this population are still unknown.

Objective: To determine the association between disordered eating attitudes and food choice motives of individuals who follow a vegan diet.

A randomized controlled trial of an intervention promoting physical activity and healthy eating recommendations in systemic lupus erythematosus: the protocol study "Living Well with Lupus".

There is a paucity of studies assessing multidisciplinary interventions focused on tackling physical inactivity/sedentary behavior and poor dietary habits in SLE. The Living well with Lupus (LWWL) is a randomized controlled trial to investigate whether a six-month lifestyle change intervention will improve cardiometabolic risk factors (primary outcome) among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with low disease activity (SLEDAI score ≤ 4) and with high cardiovascular risk. As secondary goals, we will evaluate: (1) the intervention's safety, efficacy, and feasibility in promoting lifestyle changes, and (2) the effects of the intervention on secondary outcomes (i.

No Associations Between Physical Activity and Immunogenicity in SARS-CoV-2 Seropositive Patients With Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases Prior to and After Vaccination.

Aim: To investigate the association between physical activity and immunogenicity among SARS-CoV-2 seropositive patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases prior to and following a 2-dose schedule of CoronaVac (Sinovac inactivated vaccine).

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study within an open-label, single-arm, phase 4 vaccination trial conducted in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In this substudy, only SARS-CoV-2 seropositive patients were included.

Food consumption based on processing level (according to Nova system) during the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents with immunocompromised conditions: a case-control study.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacts on eating habits among adolescents may be more relevant in pediatric patients with immunocompromised chronic diseases. This case-control study conducted between June and October 2020 aimed to: (i) describe dietary patterns of adolescents with chronic conditions compared to healthy controls and (ii) determine associations between food consumption, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants (184 immunocompromised and 58 healthy adolescents, aged 14.

Dietary β-Alanine Intake Assessed by Food Records Does Not Associate With Muscle Carnosine Content in Healthy, Active, Omnivorous Men and Women.

β-Alanine (BA) is one of the most widely used sport supplements, due to its capacity to improve high-intensity exercise performance by increasing muscle carnosine (MCarn) content, and consequently, the buffering capacity of the muscle. BA is also available in a variety of animal foods, but little is currently known about the influence of dietary BA intake on MCarn. The aim of the current study was to compile a detailed summary of available data on the BA content of commonly consumed foods, and to explore whether associations could be detected between self-reported dietary BA intake and skeletal MCarn in a group of 60 healthy, active, omnivorous men and women.

Physical Activity: A Strategy to Improve Antibody Response to a SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Booster Dose in Patients With Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.

Background: Physical activity associates with improved immunogenicity following a 2-dose schedule of CoronaVac (Sinovac's inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine) in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD). This study evaluates whether physical activity impacts vaccine-induced antibody responses to a booster dose in this population.

Methods: This was a phase-4 trial conducted in São Paulo, Brazil.

Physical activity and antibody persistence 6 months after the second dose of CoronaVac in immunocompromised patients.

This prospective cohort study within an open-label, single-arm, phase 4 vaccination trial (clinicaltrials.gov #NCT04754698) aimed to investigate the association between physical activity and persistent anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies 6 months after two-dose schedule of CoronaVac in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) patients (n = 748). Persistent immunogenicity 6 months after the full-course vaccination was assessed using seroconversion rates of total anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG, geometric mean titers of anti-S1/S2 IgG (GMT), and frequency of positive neutralizing antibodies (NAb).

Nutritional recommendations for patients undergoing prolonged glucocorticoid therapy.

Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy is a common treatment used in rheumatic and autoimmune diseases, owing to its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. However, GC therapy can also induce a number of adverse effects, including muscle and bone loss, hypertension, metabolic perturbations and increased visceral adiposity. We review available evidence in this area and provide nutritional recommendations that might ameliorate these adverse effects.

": A Mixed-Method Study on Eating Attitudes and Body Image in Female Ballet Dancers.

We aimed to explore how a group of classical ballet dancers perceived their eating attitudes and their bodies, with special attention to the potential presence of eating disorders (EDs) symptoms and body image (dis)satisfaction. A cross-sectional, mixed-method study was conducted on fourteen trained classical ballet dancers (18-30 years old). Their experiences, perceptions, and feelings regarding eating attitudes and body image concerning classical ballet were acquired through qualitative focus groups.

Changes in Eating Habits and Sedentary Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents With Chronic Conditions.

Among healthy adolescents, school closures and home confinement were shown to increase unhealthier eating habits and sedentary behavior. It remains unknown to which extent the pandemic has impacted the lifestyle of adolescents with chronic conditions. Thus, the aim of this study is to report on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on eating habits and sedentary behavior among adolescents with multiple chronic conditions ( = 347) from a tertiary, referral hospital vs.

Association between physical activity and immunogenicity of an inactivated virus vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Objectives: To investigate whether physical activity is associated with enhanced immunogenicity of a SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine (Coronavac) in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) (n = 898) and in non-ARD (n = 197) individuals without pre-existing immunogenicity to SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study within an open-label, single-arm, phase 4 vaccination trial. Immunogenicity was assessed after vaccination by measuring seroconversion rates of total anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG (SC), geometric mean titers of anti-S1/S2 IgG (GMT), factor-increase in GMT (FI-GMT), frequency of neutralizing antibody (NAb), and median neutralizing activity.

Poor Sleep quality and health-related quality of life impact in adolescents with and without chronic immunosuppressive conditions during COVID-19 quarantine.

Objective: To assess the possible factors that influence sleep quality in adolescents with and without chronic immunosuppressive conditions quarantined during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 305 adolescents with chronic immunocompromised conditions and 82 healthy adolescents. Online surveys were completed, which included questions on socio-demographic data and self-rated healthcare routine during COVID-19 quarantine and the following validated questionnaires: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.

Acute cardiometabolic effects of brief active breaks in sitting for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Exercise is a treatment in rheumatoid arthritis, but participation in moderate-to-vigorous exercise is challenging for some patients. Light-intensity breaks in sitting could be a promising alternative. We compared the acute effects of active breaks in sitting with those of moderate-to-vigorous exercise on cardiometabolic risk markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Influence of Body Mass Index on Eating Habits and Food Choice Determinants Among Brazilian Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Changes in emotional state due to the COVID-19 pandemic may potentially modify eating habits, which may differ as a function of body mass index (BMI). Using a self-reported, questionnaire-based survey we evaluated Brazilian women during the pandemic for: (i) the influence of BMI on changes in eating habits, food choice determinants, and psychological symptoms; (ii) associations between eating habits, food choice determinants and psychological symptoms. General characteristics, anthropometric data, eating habits before and during the pandemic, food choice determinants and psychological symptoms during the pandemic were collected between June and September, 2020.

Poor Eating Habits and Selected Determinants of Food Choice Were Associated With Ultraprocessed Food Consumption in Brazilian Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between food consumption and eating habits and food choice determinants in women during COVID-19 pandemic. This is a cross-sectional survey conducted in Brazil between June and September, 2020, during which time social distancing measures were in place. Participants ( = 629) were aged 34.

Efficacy of home-based physical activity interventions in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) has been receiving increasing interest in recent years as an adjuvant therapy for autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARDs), but there is scarce information about the efficacy of home-based PA for patients with ARDs.

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of home-based physical activity (PA) interventions in improving health-related quality of life, functional capacity, pain, and disease activity in patients with ARDs.

Methods: Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, CINAHL database and Sport Discus.