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The role of exercise in the rehabilitation of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Strömbeck B, Jacobsson LT

Department of Rheumatology, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to present an update on the evidence-based effects of exercise in systemic lupus erythematosus and in primary Sjögren's syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS: Physical capacity is reduced in both systemic lupus erythematosus and primary Sjögren's syndrome and fatigue is a dominating and disabling symptom in both conditions. The documentation on the effect of exercise on the rehabilitation of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and primary Sjögren's syndrome is sparse; the studies are few and the sample sizes often small. The available studies indicate that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus of mild to moderate disease activity as well as patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome benefit from exercise of moderate to high intensity. Positive effects can be expected with regard to aerobic capacity, fatigue, physical function and depression. SUMMARY: There is reason to believe that exercise should be included in the rehabilitation of patients with mild to moderate systemic lupus erythematosus and patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Further research is needed and should aim to evaluate the effect of exercise on groups with varying degree of disease severity and to document the long-term impact on the disease.

Published 6 February 2007 in Curr Opin Rheumatol, 19(2): 197-203.
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