Avaliação da capacidade funcional e força de preensão palmar em mulheres com artrite reumatoide

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, multifactorial, inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, multisystemic and autoimmune that presents with pain, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the functional capacity and handgrip strength of women with RA. METHOD: Observational, cross-sectional and prospective study. The evaluation consisted of anamnesis, physical examination and tests to assess functional capacity (Glittre ADL and 6-minute walk test) and peripheral muscle strength (handgrip strength). RESULTS: 9 women with RA (G1) and 9 women without RA (G2) were evaluated. Women with RA had impaired functional capacity (shorter distance covered in the 6MWT (p= 0.004) and also had more time spent completing the ADL-Glittre (p= 0.005). Regarding HGS, there was no difference between the groups studied (p= 0.280) CONCLUSION: In the sample studied, RA resulted in impairment of functional capacity without evidence of impairment of peripheral muscle strength. DESCRIPTORS: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Functional performance, Muscle Strength.