Exercise-induced Cardiac Adaptions in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients During Interleukin-6 vs. Tumor Necrosis Factor Antibody Therapy: a Randomised, Controlled Study.
The present study will investigative the physiological effects of the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on the adaptive changes to exercise in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The investigators hypothesize that blockage of IL-6 receptors will decrease the cardiac and metabolic adaptations to exercise training compared to the inhibition of TNF. 80 patients will be included in a 12-week investigator blinded randomised exercise training intervention study.
• Age \>= 18 and \<70 years
• Informed consent
• Diagnosed RA based on the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/ EULAR criteria. In biological treatment with either IL-6rB og TNFi over four months prior to enrollment
• Low RA disease activity, based on the Disease Activity Score-28 ESR for Rheumatoid Arthritis (DAS28) \<=3.2
• An electrocardiogram without features of left ventricular hypertrophy defined by the European Society of Cardiology
• Females of childbearing potential have to use one or more of the following highly effective methods for contraception in order to be included:
‣ Vasectomized partner
⁃ Bilateral tubal occlusion
⁃ Sexual abstinence
⁃ Intrauterine device
⁃ Hormonal contraception
• Females who are considered to have no childbearing potential are
‣ Bilateral tubal ligation
⁃ Bilateral oophorectomy
⁃ Complete hysterectomy
⁃ Postmenopausal defined as 12 months with no menses without an alternative medical cause