Supervisors info:
Αντώνιος Φανουριάκης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Δημήτριος Βασιλόπουλος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Μαυραγάνη Κλειώ, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Introduction
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease which mainly affects the sacroiliac joints and spine. Diagnosis should be established as early as possible and treatment should be started promptly. In addition to pharmaceutical management, patients with axial SpA are strongly advised to take up regular exercise programs, because the combination of exercise and medication can reduce severe spinal degeneration, control inflammation, and maintain spinal and joint mobility and flexibility preventing ankylosis.
Purpose
The purpose of the study was to document the degree of exercise uptake in Greek patients with diagnosed axSpA and to examine the associations between exercise and disease activity or the presence of comorbidities.
Methodology
Cross-sectional study including patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) from three hospitals: the University General Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI), the University General Hospital "Attikon," and the General Laiko Hospital of Athens.
Physical activity assessment was conducted using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), which includes questions about physical activity, exercise, walking, as well as the time spent sitting over the past 7 days. The Greek validation of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was conducted by George Papathanasiou et al. In addition, demographic data, comorbidities, and disease characteristics at the time of IPAQ completion were recorded, such as activity level (using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), and current treatments. The duration of the study was 6 months (September 2023 - March 2024).
Results
26 out of 100 patients responded positively to exercise, of whom 50% have active disease, while in contrast 81.08% of patients who do not exercise have active disease. Of the 26 patients, three do not receive medication, while the remaining 23 use antirheumatic drugs or biological agents. In addition, the comorbidities of exercising patients were lower compared to inactive patients. Finally, it is important to note that the percentage of patients who developed depression was significantly lower in those who exercised (15.38%) compared to non-exercising patients (32.43%).
Conclusions
It is concluded that patients who have incorporated exercise into their daily lives have better disease control compared to inactive patients, as well as significantly better mental and general health.
Keywords:
Exercise, Benefits, Comorbidity, Disease activity
