The aim of this study was to examine whether patients (compered to inactivity) physical activity is associated with better health outcomes in patients with RMDs on QoL and Depression in Greece. Furthermore, to determine the type of preferred physical activity by the patients.
112 RMDs patients participated in the study. The SF-36 to measure QoL, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to measure Depression, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used. The (IBM) SPSS 25 statistics was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis conducted to describe quantitative variables of interests. Data normality was verified by the Kolmogorov-Smirvon test and one-way ANOVA was performed to determine the association of PA with QoL and Depression.
Data was analyzed for 112 patients [24.1% Rheumatoid Arthritis, 19.6% Fibromyalgia, 17% SLE; mean age 50.5 (SD=12.6), minimum 19 and maximum 75. 85.7% female, and 59.8% living in large metropolitan area]. the largest percentage of the sample was PA Inactive, and the most common type of PA was House Cleaning (56%). Cronbach's α for SF-36's eight health dimensions (Physical Functioning, Role Limitation due to Physical Health problems, Role Limitation due to Personal or Emotional problems, Energy/Fatigue, Emotional Well-being, Social Functioning, Bodily Pain, and General Health perceptions) ranged between 0.81 and 0.93. As per PHQ-9, 32.1% had moderately severe or severe depression, and as per IPAQ 39.3% were Inactive. Mann-Whitey U tests compered average RAND SF-36 (eight Health dimensions) and PHQ-9 scores between "Inactive" and "Non Inactive" patients. Irrespective of the type of disease, significant differences were observe in Role Limitations due to personal or Emotional problems (z=-2.165, p=0.030), Energy/Fatigue (z=-2.094, p=0.036), and General Health perceptions (z=-2.018, p=0.044), as well as in Depression (z=-2.632, p=0.008)- in all cases indicating poorer health outcomes in the "Inactive" group. One-way ANOVAs showed that "Minimally Active" and "Health Enhancing (HEPA)" groups did not differ significantly in their association with health outcomes.
Patients who were as minimum "Minimally Active" had better health and Depression outcomes than those "Inactive"
RMDs Patients who were Inactive had worse health outcomes. The results of this study show that the patients with RMDs should perform minimally PA and especially Exercise in order to increase their levels of Physical Function.
QoL
Depression
