Public health impact of risk factors for physical inactivity in adults with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the potential public health impact of modifiable risk factors related to physical inactivity in adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods A cross-sectional study used baseline data from 176 adults with rheumatoid arthritis enrolled in a randomized clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of an intervention to promote physical activity. Accelerometer data were assessed for inactivity (i.e. no sustained 10 minute periods of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity during a week’s surveillance). The relationships between modifiable risk factors (motivation for physical activity, beliefs related to physical activity, obesity, pain, mental health) with inactivity were assessed using odds ratios (OR) and attributable fractions (AF), controlling for descriptive factors (age, gender, race, education, disease duration, and co-morbidity). Results Over two in five adults (42%) with rheumatoid arthritis were inactive. Factors most strongly related to inactivity were lack of strong motivation for physical activity (adjusted OR=2.85, 95% CI: 1.31, 6.20; adjusted AF=53.1%, 95% CI: 21.7, 74.6) and lack of strong beliefs related to physical activity (OR=2.47, 95% CI: 1.10, 5.56; AF=49.2%, 95% CI: 7.0, 76.4). Together, these two factors are related to almost 65% excess inactivity in this sample. Conclusion These results support development of interventions that increase motivation for physical activity and that lead to stronger beliefs related to physical activity’s benefits should be considered in public health initiatives to reduce the prevalence of physical inactivity in adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

Obesity and Chronic Pain

“…Evidence-based studies of obesity and chronic pain are restricted to specific specialties such as rheumatology [18][19][20][21] or to specific conditions such as arthritis 22-24 and low-back pain. Only a limited number of articles on this topic have been published in pain medicine literature.…”

Regular physical activity prevents development of chronic pain and activation of central neurons

“…Chronic musculoskeletal pain is the most common form of chronic pain. Physical inactivity is also recognized as a growing health concern (35) and is a risk factor for a multitude of chronic diseases including cancer, depression, and cardiovascular diseases (23,43). As such, it has been coined the "diseasome of physical inactivity" (43).…”

Psychological effects of calisthenic exercises on neuroinflammatory and rheumatic diseases

“…In light of this, exercises with individual patient observation come to the forefront. Within this context, it becomes increasingly important that patients become more aware of this topic, to ensure their motivation [31]. Despite the observed decrease in QOL, the depression and anxiety scores of the home-based exercise group did not change significantly.…”