Background/Purpose: Physical activity has health benefits for all children and adolescents, including those with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).  Our study aimed 1) to determine whether the physical activity level of children and adolescents with JIA met Canadian health guidelines, 2) to compare the physical activity levels of children and adolescents with JIA to those without JIA, and 3) to identify disease-related, personal and environmental factors associated with time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). 

Methods: We analysed data on physical activity obtained objectively through accelerometry for 76 children and adolescents with JIA between the ages of 8 to 17 years followed at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University Health Center.  Data obtained from a study of healthy children and adolescents devoid of JIA or other joint problems (ages 8 to 14 years) was used as a control group.  All participants were asked to wear an accelerometer for 7 consecutive days.  The disease characteristics related to JIA were abstracted from the child’s medical file (JIA sub-type, active joint count, age of diagnosis), pain perception and functional status were obtained through self-report.  Participants with JIA and their parents completed a series of questionnaires to gather information on the child’s socio-demographic characteristics, mastery motivation, self-concept, activity preference, and perceived social support.  Hierarchical regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with MVPA in children and adolescents with JIA. 

Results: Mean daily MVPA for all participants with JIA was 24.0 minutes (SD = 14.6).  Only 2.9% of those with JIA met international recommendations of 60 minutes of daily MVPA.  Having JIA was associated with significantly less time (minutes/day) spent in MVPA (β=-12.25, 95% CI= -17.70, -6.81), p<0.0001) compared with controls.  Only younger age, being a boy and identifying as Canadian (versus other cultural backgrounds) were identified as predictors of increased MVPA. 

Conclusion: Most children and adolescents with JIA did not meet international health recommendations of engaging in 60 minutes of daily MVPA and were less active than those without JIA.  In light of the known health benefits of physical activity, it should be encouraged in children and adolescents with JIA to potentially improve disease symptoms, as well as limit development of comorbidities.  The identification of personal and environmental factors associated with physical activity may help guide the development of strategies to promote physical activity in JIA.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/physical-activity-in-children-and-adolescents-with-juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis-and-associated-factors/