Factors associated with physical activity engagement among adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Objectives Physical activity (PA) has a number of benefits for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. However, these patients are more physically inactive than the general population. The primary aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with PA engagement among RA patients. The secondary aim was to identify their preference for PA support. Methods There were 96 participants, 76 of whom were female, with a mean age of 56.9 years (range = 34–72 years) and a median RA disease duration of 5 years (interquartile range = 2–12). All patients completed questionnaires assessing demographic status, health status (including cardiovascular disease [CVD] risk and RA disease profile), PA levels and preferences, alongside the perceived benefits of—and barriers to—PA. Hierarchical regressions were carried out to assess the relationship between reported PA levels and both engagement determinants and disease features. Results Forty‐five per cent (n = 44) had low levels (<600 metabolic equivalent‐min/week) of PA. Low level of PA was significantly associated with: CVD risk profile (ηp2 = 0.118, p < 0.002); functional disability (ηp2 = 0.206, p < 0.032); pain (ηp2 = 0.154, p < 0.028); general personal (ηp2 = 0.190, p < 0.001) and arthritis‐specific personal (ηp2 = 0.170, p < 0.001) barriers to PA; age (ηp2 = 0.076, p < 0.026); and sedentary behaviour (ηp2 = 0.275, p < 0.001). Participants displayed a preference for unsupervised (n = 37, 38.5%), low‐intensity (n = 45, 46.9%), indoor home (n = 50, 52.1%) exercises, with no preferences for the diversity of the exercise prescribed (n = 39, 40.6%) or for who provided the exercise counselling (n = 34, 35.4%). Conclusions These results suggest that CVD profile, disability, pain, and general and arthritis‐specific personal barriers are associated with PA levels among RA patients. Intervention development should address these factors to facilitate an increase in PA uptake.

Physical activity and sleep in patients with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome and patients with generalized hypermobility spectrum disorder

“…Furthermore, in these patients pain impact could be identified as a determinant for PA, implying that a higher psychosocial impact of pain resulted in lower daily step counts. This is in accordance with previous research in patient populations with RA and fibromyalgia, showing associations between higher reported pain and lower PA levels [20,63,64].…”

Influence of perceived barriers and facilitators for physical activity on physical activity levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis: a cross-sectional study of 150 patients

“…This link between arthritis-specific, general barriers and self-reported moderate activity (GPAQ questionnaire) was also observed in a cross-sectional study of 96 RA patients [21].…”

“…Previous studies have sought to determine which factors influence physical activity levels in patients with IA. They showed a link between physical activity and general or arthritis-specific barrier limitations but without considering a global score including barriers and facilitators [ 21 – 23 ].…”

Physical activity and barriers and facilitators in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis: a cross-sectional study of 150 patients

“…This study did not consider the implication of facilitators in participation to physical activity and did not use a global score. This link between arthritis-speci c, general barrier and selfreported moderate activity (GPAQ questionnaire) was also observed in a cross-sectional study of 96 RA patient [21].…”

“…Previous studies sought to determine which factors in uence physical activity levels in patients with IA. They showed a link between physical activity and general or arthritis-speci c barrier limitations but without considering a global score including barriers and facilitators [21][22][23].…”