Session Information
Session Type: Abstract Submissions (ACR)
Background/Purpose
Regular exercise is considered a cornerstone of AxSpA treatment, together with medication. Little data are available regarding the level and type of physical activity in AxSpA. The objective of this study was to assess the levels of physical activity and to explore its explanatory factors.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed in two tertiary care hospitals and one private practice in France. Patients had definite AxSpA according to the rheumatologist. Questionnaires evaluating the level of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long form, IPAQ-L1) and perceived benefits of and barriers to exercising (Exercise Benefits/Barriers Score, EBBS2) were collected. The frequency of aerobic exercise (lasting more than 30 minutes) and the type of exercise were also investigated. Analyses included descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses to explain physical activity above 150 minutes per week (cut-off for appropriate exercise according to the World Health Organisation, WHO guidelines).
Results
In all, 207 patients had full data available: mean age, 45.9±11.5 years, 53.1% were males, mean BMI was 25.8±13.5 kg/m2. Mean disease duration was 14.6±10.2 years, mean BASDAI (0-100) 38.1±20, and mean BASFI (0-100) 29.1±26. Seventy percent were taking anti-TNF treatment, reflecting the tertiary care recruitment. The mean total level of physical activity (IPAQ) was 5409±6953 (median, 2913 [IQR 1259 to 6949]) MET-min/week: 99 (47.8%) were in the high activity category, 85 (41.1%) in the moderate and 23 (11.1%) in the low activity category. In all, 112 (54.1%) were above the recommendations of the WHO. Aerobic exercise (lasting more than 30 minutes) was performed at least once a week by 62/201 (30.8%) patients. The most frequently practiced sports included walking for at least 30 minutes (N=69, 31%), swimming and stretching ((N=43, 21% for both). The 2 main benefits of exercising were: increased acceptance from others and help to carry out normal activities without becoming tired; and the 2 main barriers: lack of encouragement of family members and people looking funny in exercise clothes.Physical activity above the WHO recommendation was not predicted by demographic variables, nor SpA activity/severity (Basdai, Basfi).
Conclusion
AxSpA patients in this study had moderate levels of physical activity. Only one half performed enough physical activity according ot the WHO recommendations. Levels of physical activity did not appear to be explained by disease-related variables but rather by other non-disease related variables. Physical activity is an important part of AxSpA management and patients should be encouraged to exercise more.
1The International Physical Activity Questionnaire. 2005. http://www.ipaq.ki.se
2Sechrist et al. Res Nurs Health. 1987;10(6):357-65
Disclosure:
S. Fabre,
None;
A. Molto,
None;
S. Dadoun,
None;
C. Rein,
None;
C. Hudry,
None;
S. Kreis,
None;
B. Fautrel,
None;
E. Pertuiset,
None;
L. Gossec,
None.
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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/do-patients-with-axial-spondyloarthritis-axspa-perform-enough-physical-activity-a-cross-sectional-study-of-207-patients/