Psoriatic arthritis, the chronic inflammation of the skin and joints, is a common coexisting condition with more than 200,000 cases in the United States annually.
According to a recent study on men, there is an increased risk of psoriatic arthritis if there has been a low level of cardiorespiratory fitness at an early age.
With these findings, encouraging younger adults to become more proactive now about their cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is important.
An autoimmune condition, where one’s immune system fights against healthy cells, psoriatic arthritis is associated with many factors, although the exact cause is unknown.
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If there is a family history of psoriatic arthritis, this increases the likelihood of the condition; genetics, psoriasis, immune reactions and certain environmental factors, such as bacterial or viral infections and physical trauma, are also risk factors.
Although symptoms vary in individuals, they can include joint stiffness, painful and swollen joints, fatigue, eye problems, skin flares, rashes, tendon pain, and the appearance of sausage-like toes and fingers.
Psoriatic arthritis is the most common coexisting condition affecting up to one-third of patients with psoriasis; both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are considered to affect both men and women. In studies, high levels of physical activity have decreased the risk of psoriasis in women.
Overall, physical inactivity is considered the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, with physical activity influencing autoimmunity. Physical activity, without a doubt, is a positive addition to the adding of years to your life.
Although physical activity and exercise at higher levels can help fight morbidity, mortality, and some autoimmune diseases, keep in mind that CRF is different from physical activity and exercise.
CRF is the overall capacity of the respiratory and cardiovascular system to perform continuous aerobic activity over a longer period of time.
Although levels of CRF are related to the amount and intensity of physical activity to a certain degree, in large part the levels are determined by other factors. Heredity, for instance, accounts for 45-50% of the response to physical activity.
There is a connection between increasing physical activity levels to improve CRF, but only to a limited degree.
CRF later in life could possibly be a predictor of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, underlining the importance of assessing CRF levels early on in your life, even in childhood.
Ways that children have had their CRF assessed to accurately provide answers include assessing oxygen uptake and physical assessments, such as the 20-meter shuttle run (20mSRT) or the six-minute walk test.
In the end, low CRF at an early age is connected with increased risk of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis down the line and further in adulthood, so it is key to assess your CRF early in your life, or even your child’s life, sooner rather than later.
It also doesn’t hurt to get moving by adding more exercise in your daily routine, even if it is just walking. It may not have a significant effect on CRF, but every little bit of movement now helps you in the long run.
