title: Lower extremity mobility limitation and impaired muscle function in women with ulcerative colitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fatigue, weakness and musculoskeletal manifestations are associated with IBD. An impaired nutritional status and a reduced physical activity can contribute to these clinical outcomes, impacting quality of life and increasing disability. This study aims to assess muscle strength and lower limb physical performance in female UC patients, taking into consideration disease activity, body composition and habitual physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study was performed including 23 UC female outpatients and 23 age- and BMI-matched healthy women as controls. Quadriceps strength (QS), handgrip strength (HGS), physical performance based measures (five repetitions sit-up test and 4meter gait speed test), body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis, anthropometry), and habitual physical activity (HPA) levels were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  UC group had decreased QS (-6%; P=0.012), slower sit-up test (-32%; P=0.000), slower gait speed (-17% P=0.002) and decreased HPA level (-30%, P=0.001) compared with controls. No difference in HGS was observed between groups. Logistic regression showed that UC was an independent factor for decreased QS and slower sit-up test, while HPA was a protective factor for impaired gait speed. Multivariate linear regression showed that BMI was independently associated with an improved QS and slower sit-up test in the UC group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women with UC had decreased lower limb strength and mobility limitations, which were associated with BMI and the level of physical activity. Early evaluation of nutritional status and performance of the lower limbs could identify UC patients with pre-clinical disability who may benefit from earlier health lifestyle modifications.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Department of Internal Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address: c.zaltman@gmail.com.
authors: Cyrla
authors: C
authors: Zaltman
authors: Division of Nutrition and Metabolism of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Department of Internal Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Valeria Bender
authors: VB
authors: Braulio
authors: Division of Nutrition of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Department of Internal Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Rosângela
authors: R
authors: Outeiral
authors: Nutrition and Immunology Chair, ZIEL Research Center for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany.
authors: Tiago
authors: T
authors: Nunes
authors: Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Department of Internal Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Carmen Lucia Natividade
authors: CL
authors: de Castro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009043:Motor Activity; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Body composition; Muscle function; Physical performance; Ulcerative colitis