Physical activity in people with axial spondyloarthritis and the impact of overall attitudes, barriers, and facilitators: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To study the association between self-reported physical activity level and overall attitudes and barriers to and facilitators of physical activity in people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and to compare health status and quality of life (QoL) in people with different levels of physical activity. Methods: Four hundred forty-five members of the Danish Patient Association for Axial Spondyloarthritis completed an online survey including questions on physical activity, overall attitudes, barriers, and facilitators to physical activity, health, and QoL. Nonparametric tests and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: The response rate was 46%, median age 56 years (range 22-85), and 54% were men. In all, 23% reported low physical activity (physical activity ≥30 min on a moderate intensity level ≤1 day/week), 36% were moderately physically active (2-3 days/week), and 41% reported high physical activity (≥4 days/week). In a multivariate model, high physical activity was associated with a positive overall attitude ("physical activity is ok," OR 5.44, 95%CI [1.24, 23.87], and "I like physical activity," OR 14.22, 95%CI [3.34, 60.61]), and higher disagreement with barriers to physical activity, OR 1.12, 95%CI [1.07, 1.17]). People with moderate or high physical activity levels reported better self-perceived health and QoL, compared with those with low physical activity level (p ≤ 0.003). Conclusion: To support changes in physical activity level in people with axSpA, health professionals need to discuss attitudes and barriers to physical activity with their clients. Barriers seem to be of greater significance than facilitators of any kind.

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

“…Of the psychological variables, a self-reported better quality of life was associated with higher PA (83%, n = 5/6) in those with SpA. This association is supported in an online survey of 445 Danish individuals with SpA [101] and those with hip osteoarthritis [92]. Motivation to exercise was investigated in one study [75], whereby intrinsic motivation was positively related to PA levels.…”

Health-Related Perceptions of Older Adults/Patients with Degenerative Lumbar Diseases (ODLs) are associated with their Quality of Life: a Mixed-Methods Study

“…Barriers study is essential to supporting the QOL of patients. 26 As the result of expert consultation, also as reported in many studies, patients' QOL is affected by various life barriers, including environment-related, 27,28 physical activity-related, 29 and other practical barriers. 30 QOL and health status are considered the most important aspects for patients.…”

Lifestyle modification and inflammation in people with axial spondyloarthropathy—A scoping review

“…Public health guidelines recommend ≥150 min per week of moderate to vigorous PA (UK CMO Guidelines Writing Group, 2019) and meeting this is associated with up to a 35% reduced risk of CVD mortality (Wahid et al., 2016). Patients with AS are at a greater risk of inactivity than the general population due to barriers including pain, fatigue, lack of mobility (Rasmussen et al., 2020) and concerns of discomfort and injury (Liu et al., 2021). Consequently, it is widely considered that patients with AS are less active and more sedentary than the general population (Coulter et al., 2020; O’Dwyer et al., 2015), and this compounds their already higher risk of CVD.…”

“…Public health guidelines recommend ≥150 min per week of moderate to vigorous PA (UK CMO Guidelines Writing Group, 2019) and meeting this is associated with up to a 35% reduced risk of CVD mortality (Wahid et al, 2016). Patients with AS are at a greater risk of inactivity than the general population due to barriers including pain, fatigue, lack of mobility (Rasmussen et al, 2020) and concerns of discomfort and injury (Liu et al, 2021).…”