Evidence shows that physical exercise can significantly improve exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however its impact on cardiorespiratory fitness in this patient population is less clear. To she light in this area, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials, comparing patients with SLE who did and did not exercise. when compared with no exercise, exercise was associated with a higher peaked oxygen consumption (mean difference [MD], 3.4) and with significant decrease in fatigue severity scale measures (MD, -0.10). Participants who exercised also had significantly higher values of heart rate recovery at 1 minute (MD, 14.69). “Despite the cardiovascular and psychosocial benefits conferred by physical activity, SLE patients do not exercise adequately in general,” wrote the study authors. “This is attributed in part to their associated fatigue and limitations in aerobic capacity. Treatments that improve aerobic fitness should be considered in the management plan of these patients.”
