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Abstract Number: 2754

Self-Reported Physical Activity Questionnaire in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Modification of the Squash

Fiona Maas1, Anna Jetske Baron1,2, Freke Wink3, Reinhard Bos3, Yvo Kamsma2, Hendrika Bootsma4, Suzanne Arends1,3 and Anneke Spoorenberg1,3, 1Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, 2Center for Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, 3Rheumatology, Medical Center Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 4Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands, Groningen, Netherlands

Meeting: ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting 2016

Date of first publication: September 28, 2016

Keywords: axial spondyloarthritis, Outcome measures, physical activity and questionnaires

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Session Information

Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Title: Spondylarthropathies and Psoriatic Arthritis – Clinical Aspects and Treatment - Poster III

Session Type: ACR Poster Session C

Session Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM

Background/Purpose:  Improvement of physical function and physical activity are important goals in the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Although physical function is included in the ASAS/OMERACT core domains for axSpA, a physical activity measurement tool specific for axSpA has not been developed. The Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-enhancing physical activity (SQUASH) is a validated questionnaire that measures the duration, frequency, and intensity of physical activity in five domains (i.e. commute, work, household, recreation and sports). Our objective was to explore the opinion of axSpA patients and experts towards the content and adaptation requirements of the SQUASH in order to develop a disease-specific SQUASH.

Methods: A qualitative study design based on a stepwise approach was used. First, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were performed with 9 professional axSpA experts (e.g. rheumatologists, rehabilitations specialists, physiotherapists) concerning the SQUASH domains and items in relation to the axSpA. Second, a structured focus group concerning the SQUASH domains and items was performed with 8 axSpA patients (7 AS and 1 nr-axSpA) from the GLAS cohort and suggestions for possible adaptations were discussed. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an objective thematic strategy. Finally, the SQUASH was adapted based on adaptations suggested by ≥5 experts and ≥5 patients.

Results: The SQUASH was found to be relevant and easy to complete. The experts and patients suggested 33 adaptations of which 16 were implemented. The most important adaptations were: explanation of intensity concepts (e.g. increased heart rate, sweating), changing intensity concepts, standardization of frequency across the entire questionnaire, and adding more specific options to the domains (e.g. exercise therapy, other transportation goals) (Table 1).

Conclusion: The original SQUASH was modified to a more standardized questionnaire in collaboration with both patients and experts to measure physical activity in axSpA. The next step will be to assess the construct validity and the test-retest reliability of this axSpA-specific SQUASH. Table 1.Domains, subdomains, activities, frequency, duration, and intensity concepts included in the modified SQUASH.

Domains Subdomains Activities Frequency and duration Intensity concepts*
Transport Commuting activities Walking, cycling Days/wk, time/day (hrs, min) Slow/light, moderate, fast/heavy
Other returning transportation activities Walking, cycling Days/wk, time/day (hrs, min) Slow/light, moderate, fast/heavy
Activities at work or school Less heavy work e.g. sitting/standing with some walking Days/wk, time/day (hrs, min) –
Heavy work e.g. regularly lifting heavy objects Days/wk, time/day (hrs, min) –
Household activities Less heavy work e.g. cooking, washing, ironing, childcare Days/wk, time/day (hrs, min) –
Heavy work e.g. scrubbing floors, walking with heavy shopping bags Days/wk, time/day (hrs, min) –
Leisure time activities   Walking (recreation), cycling (recreation), gardening, odd jobs Days/wk, time/day (hrs, min) Slow/light, moderate, fast/heavy
Sports   To fill in by yourself (e.g. tennis, fitness, skating, swimming, dancing, exercise therapy) Days/wk, time/day (hrs, min) Slow/light, moderate, fast/heavy
*Slow/light refers to a physical activity in which the participant does not experience increased heart rate or increased respiratory rate. Moderate refers to a physical activity in which the participant experiences slightly increased heart rate and slightly increased respiratory rate. Fast/heavy refers to a physical activity in which the participant sweat, experiences accelerated heart rate, and accelerated respiratory rate.

 


Disclosure: F. Maas, None; A. J. Baron, None; F. Wink, Abbvie, 5; R. Bos, None; Y. Kamsma, None; H. Bootsma, None; S. Arends, Pfizer, 2; A. Spoorenberg, Abbvie, Pfizer, UCB, 2,Abbvie, Pfizer, MSD, UCB, and Novartis, 5.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Maas F, Baron AJ, Wink F, Bos R, Kamsma Y, Bootsma H, Arends S, Spoorenberg A. Self-Reported Physical Activity Questionnaire in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Modification of the Squash [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016; 68 (suppl 10). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/self-reported-physical-activity-questionnaire-in-axial-spondyloarthritis-modification-of-the-squash/. Accessed .
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