Associations of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Handgrip Strength with Clinical Characteristics in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis from Western Mexico

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects synovial joints and leads to functional impairment. Modifiable factors such as physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and handgrip strength (HGS) may influence clinical and functional outcomes; however, these relationships have been insufficiently studied in Mexican women with RA. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the associations of PA, SB, and HGS, with clinical characteristics in women with RA from western Mexico. Methods: PA and SB were assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-S). Disability was evaluated using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), HGS was measured by dynamometry, and disease activity was assessed using the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP). Inflammatory and serological markers (CRP, RF, anti-CCP, and ESR) were determined using standard analytical methods. Results: The study included 58 women with RA, with a mean DAS28-CRP score of 3.25 ± 1.16. PA was inversely associated with CRP levels (β = –0.312, p = 0.023), with higher CRP concentrations observed among patients with low PA levels. SB was positively associated with HAQ-DI scores (β = 0.345, p = 0.008) and DAS28-CRP scores (β = 0.420, p = 0.001). HGS was inversely associated with DAS28-CRP (β = –0.323, p = 0.04) and HAQ-DI (β = –0.521, p = 0.0004), independent of age and body mass index. Conclusions: In conclusion, lower PA levels were associated with higher CRP concentrations, whereas lower HGS and greater SB were associated with greater disease activity and disability in women with RA.