Background/Purpose: Physical activity is an essential component in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) care, improving physical and mental wellbeing. This analysis aims to identify factors associated with engaging in physical activity among axSpA patients.

Methods: Data from 2,846 unselected patients participating in EMAS, an online survey (2017-2018) across 13 European countries, were analysed. Engaging in physical activity was assessed by the following item: “Do you do any physical or sporting activity?” for which participants could report at least 1 physical activity or that they did not do any physical activity. BASDAI (0-10), spinal stiffness (3-12), functional limitation (0-54), and mental health using General Health Questionnaire GHQ-12 (0-12) were assessed. Mann-Whitney and Pearson’s χ2 tests were used to analyse relationships between engaging in physical activity and sociodemographic factors, patient-reported outcomes, employment, lifestyle and comorbidities. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to analyse variables possibly explaining engagement in physical activity (N= 2,424).

Results: Mean age of the sample was 43.9±12.3 years, 61.3% were female, 48.1% had a university degree and 67.9% were married. 81.8% (n= 2,329) engaged in at least one kind of physical activity. Those physically active were typically male (85.3% vs 79.7% female, p< 0.001), university educated (86.0% vs 78.0%, p< 0.001), married (83.1% vs 79.2%, p=0.046), and members of a patient organisation (86.4% vs 78.9%, p< 0.001). 25.1% of obese patients (n=533) did not engage in physical exercise (v. 16.6%, p< 0.001). Those who did not engage in physical activity reported greater disease activity (6.0±1.9 vs 5.4±2.0 BASDAI, p< 0.001), functional limitation (21.6±15.0 vs 20.2±16.5, p=0.010), spinal stiffness (8.3±2.6 vs 7.6±2.5, p< 0.001), and poorer mental health (5.9±4.2 vs 4.8±4.1 GHQ-12, p< 0.001). Furthermore, 83.9% of those employed (n=1,457) were physically active, versus 73.7% of unemployed (n=205; p< 0.001). In the multivariable binary logistic regression, the qualitative variables associated with engaging in physical activity were belonging to a patient organisation (OR=1.91), not being obese (OR= 1.58), being university educated (OR= 1.54), and being male (OR= 1.39). The quantitative variables associated were lower spinal stiffness (B= -0.110), better mental health (B= -0.042), and one year age increase (B= 0.017; Table 1).

Conclusion: These results show that increasing age, being male, university educated, member of a patient organisation, not obese, having lower spinal stiffness, and better mental health increase the probability of engaging in physical activity. Physical activity is an important part of axSpA care and patient organizations play a critical role in enhancing access to and participation in physical activity.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/factors-associated-with-engaging-in-physical-activity-in-axial-spondyloarthritis-results-from-the-european-map-of-axial-spondyloarthritis-emas/