In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), oral creatine (Cr) supplementation increased muscle mass, but not strength or objective physical function, according to a recent study. In a double-blind design, 40 RA patients were randomized to either 12 weeks’ supplementation of Cr or placebo. Body composition, strength, and objectively assessed physical function were measured at baseline, day 6, week 12, and week 24. Researchers found:

• Cr supplementation increased appendicular lean mass and total lean mass.

• The change in lean mass concurred with the gain in intracellular water measured by bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy.

• Despite increasing appendicular lean mass, Cr supplementation, relative to placebo, failed to improve isometric knee extensor strength, handgrip strength, or objectively assessed physical function.

Citation: Wilkinson TJ, Lemmey AB, Jones JG, et al. Can creatine supplementation improve body composition and objective physical function in rheumatoid arthritis patients? A randomized controlled trial. [Published online ahead of print May 26, 2016]. Arthritis Care Res. doi:10.1002/acr.22747.