Effects of physical activity on vascular function in autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objectives To summarize existing evidence and quantify the effects of physical activity on vascular function structure in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). Methods Databases were searched (through March 2020) for clinical trials evaluating interventions markers micro- macrovascular ARDs. Studies combined using random meta-analysis, which was conducted Hedges’ g. Meta-analyses performed each following outcomes: microvascular [i.e. skin blood flow or conductance responses to acetylcholine (ACh) sodium nitropusside (SNP) administration]; brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD%) glyceryl trinitrate (GTN%); aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV)]. Results Ten studies (11 trials) with a total 355 participants included this review. Physical promoted significant improvements [skin ACh, g = 0.92 (95% CI 0.42, 1.42)] [FMD%, 0.94 0.56, 1.02); GTN%, 0.53 0.09, 0.98)]. Conversely, there no beneficial [PWV, ?0.41 ?1.13, 0.32)]. Conclusions Overall, available demonstrated effect but not patients The broad impact across vasculature identified review support its role as an effective non-pharmacological management strategy