Modern Rheumatology · Nov 26, 2025
Evaluation of physical function in rheumatoid arthritis patients by locomotive syndrome stage
By Yamamoto H, Suzuki M, Kojima T et al.
OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between locomotive syndrome (LS) and physical function in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: A total of 324 patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study on frailty in RA patients conducted between 2021 and 2022 were analysed. The 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale was used to assess LS, defined as stage ≥2 (0: < 7 points; 1: 7-15 points; 2: 16-23 points; 3: ≥24 points). Analysis of variance was used for group comparisons, and receiver operating characteristic analysis for identifying LS-related cut-off values. RESULTS: Mean age was 63 ± 11 years, mean disease duration was 13.1 ± 9.9 years, and 87% of patients were female. The proportion of patients with LS was 38%. Walking speed (odds ratio [OR]: 0.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02-0.07), 2-step test (OR: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.40), and 5 Times Sit-to-Stand (5TSS) test (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.08-1.29) were associated with LS. Cut-off values were 1.21 m/sec for walking speed, 1.2 for 2-step test score, and 10.7 seconds for the 5TSS test. CONCLUSIONS: This study clarified the relationship between LS progression and lower limb function in RA patients, and identified cut-off values for LS.