Pos1096 assessment of perception of benefits and barriers to exercise participation among patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases and healthy individuals: a case control study

Background Benefits of regular physical activity (PA) are well known and well publicized. Despite the many benefits of PA, patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD) report low levels of PA and engage more in sedentary behavior. Objectives We aim to assess the perception levels of benefits and barriers to exercise participation among patients with CIRD and healthy individuals and examine the predictors of poor perception levels. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed among patients with CIRD Aged between 18 and 65 years old who visited the outpatient clinic. Healthy controls were recruited in a specialized consultation. Socio-demographic and clinical findings were collected. Physical activity levels were assessed using (IPAQ). Perceived benefits and barriers to exercise scale (PBBS) was used to assess the perception of patients and healthy controls toward exercise. Furthermore, all participants underwent screening for anxiety and depressive disorders using (PHQ-9) and (GAD-7) respectively. Results 172 patients were enrolled in the study (92 RA, 65 SpA and 15 Undifferentiated CIRD) and 159 healthy controls. Table 1. Sociodemographic and clinical findings, PA levels and perception toward PA among patients and healthy individuals. Patients with CRID N= 172 Healthy controls N= 159 p Value Age (Mean ±SD) 45,97 ± 12,063 45,53 ± 12,244 p= 0.787 Gender (female) 72,7% 70,3% p= 0.654 Disease duration year 8 [3, 17] N/A N/A Disease activity Remission: 39 % LDA: 11.6% MDA: 24.4% HDA: 25% N/A N/A IPAQ: Low PA: 38.4% Moderate PA: 32.9% High PA: 28.7% Low PA: 17% (n=27) Moderate PA: 31.4% (n=50) High PA:51.6% (n=82) p=0.000 Top three Perceived benefits to exercise (Mean ±SD). 1 -Exercise decreases feelings of stress and tension for me (3.49 ± 0.77) 2 -Exercise improve my mental health (3.48 ± 0.87) 3 - My disposition is improved with exercise (3.46 ± 0.79) 1 -Exercising increases my level of physical fitness (3.69 ± 0.61). 2 -Exercise improves overall body functioning for me (3.65 ± 0.57) 3 - My disposition is improved with exercise (3.65 ± 0.678) N/A Top three Perceived barriers to exercise (Mean ±SD). 1 - I’m fatigued by exercise (2.38 ± 1.19) 2 - Exercise tires me (2.21 ± 1.15) 3 - Places for me to exercise are too far away (2.13 ± 1.23) 1 - Exercise tires me (1.97 ± 1.02) 2 - I’m fatigued by exercise (1.94 ± 1.06) 3 - Places for me to exercise are too far away (1.91 ± 1.19) N/A PBBS Total (Mean ±SD). 138.81 ± 23.36 147.87 ± 18.83 p= 0.000 PBBS of perceived Benefits (Mean ±SD). 94.30 ± 20.09 101.01 ± 15.27 p= 0.001 PBBS of perceived Barriers (Mean ±SD). 25.49 ± 7.46 23.14 ± 7.92 p= 0.006 Depression PHQ-9 8 [5, 14] 4 [1, 9] P=0.000 In patients with CIRD, multivariate analysis showed a positive association between the PBBS scale and Socio-economic status:(OR (95%CI) = 4.960 (1.901, 8.019); p=0.002 ), and level of education (OR (95%CI) = 3.789 (0.833, 6.745); p=0.012 ). Poor perception of benefits towards exercise participation was associated with high levels of depression in both groups: - In patients with CIRD (OR (95%CI) = -0.792 (-1.395, -0.189); p=0.010 ) and in healthy controls (OR (95%CI) = -0.520 (-1.046, -0.001; p=0.050 )). Conclusion We found that patients with CIRD perceive significantly less benefits and more barriers to exercise participation than healthy individuals. Barriers to physical activity in both groups are related to physical exertion, thus we highlight the role of adapted PA especially in patients with CRID. Depressive disorders is known to alter perception of reality in a negative way [1]. Education about the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders is essential to promote PA [2]. References [1]Kalmár S. Disturbance of perception in depressive disorders in the different diagnostical systems. Neuropsychopharmacol Hung. 2009 Dec;11(4):227-34. PMID: 20150660. [2]Tuso P. Strategies to Increase Physical Activity. Perm J. 2015 Fall;19(4):84-8. doi: 10.7812/TPP/14-242. PMID: 26517440; PMCID: PMC4626000. Acknowledgements: NIL. Disclosure of Interests None Declared.