Factors influencing physical activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed-methods study

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to provide a greater understanding of physical activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. The aim was twofold: first to explore if physical activity was associated with factors in the clinical picture of rheumatoid arthritis in this patient group, and second, to explore factors influencing physical activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: A total of 66 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis were included in the study. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used, where quantitative data from a questionnaire were analysed with Mann–Whitney, post hoc Kruskal–Wallis and χ2 test in order to detect differences between groups, and find possible associations between physical activity and independent variables, such as disease activity, health-related quality of life and physical function. Qualitative data were collected in a follow-up questionnaire with open-ended questions that focused on factors influencing physical activity. Results: Associations between physical activity, disease activity and health-related quality of life were seen in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis together with strong negative correlations between physical activity and physical function. Patients on sick leave showed the strongest associations between disease-related variables and lower levels of physical activity. The findings from the qualitative analysis showed that physical limitations, awareness as a motivational factor and external environment factors influenced physical activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: The results showed a complex underlying motive where physical, psychological and environmental factors influenced the physical activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. In order to provide more effective health interventions, it is important to consider the complex nature of practicing physical activity, where a person-centred approach should be considered. Factors such as physical limitations, economic aspects and time for practicing physical activity should be included in the person-centred approach.

Factors Associated with Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Patients with Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…This might be due to the fact that retired people are older and have a higher disease activity, as shown by our data. However, the finding contradicts the study of Qvarfordt et al [58], who reported that RA patients who were working and those on sick leave failed to fulfill the recommendations, whereas retired patients were more likely to meet the recommendations. The authors hypothesized that retired RA patients had more free time for physical activity than those who were working.…”

Correlates of physical activity in adults with spondyloarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review

“…In another study of 573 individuals with RA, 94% of the participants were Caucasian [ 50 ].Of the physical variables, functional disability was the most consistent and negative correlate of PA parameters (60%, n = 18/30). Although the findings were more inconsistent when considering the most adjusted or final model statistics, this finding corroborates recent reports linking worse physical functioning to lower levels of PA in those with early RA [ 88 ] and PA maintenance over a 7-year period [ 89 ]. Further, fatigue was negatively related to PA (61%, n = 11/18), yet the results may be distorted due to one study [ 55 ] utilizing the five separate domains of the MFI-20.…”

Association Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Serum Vitamin D Levels

“…Even though smoking is considered one of the main environmental risk factors of RA, vitamin D is also a potential factor [9]. On the other hand, since RA restricts mobility, affected patients restrict their outdoor activities [14]. This, in turn, limits their sun exposure, which is the main source of vitamin D. Further deficiency of this vitamin could also exacerbate the disease.…”