AB1401-HPR SELF-REPORTED PHYSICAL FUNCTION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Background Physical activity and exercise have many positive effects in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) (1) and poor self-reported physical function has been reported to predict mortality (2). To facilitate and improve physical activity/function, it is thus important to investigate what factors are associated with good physical function. Few previous studies have addressed these issues (3). Objectives The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with good self-reported physical function, such as walking and running in individuals with SLE. Methods A total of 198 patients (mean age: 51.516.1 years; BMI: 24.74.7 kg/m2) with SLE participated. The outcome, self-reported physical function was assessed with the question: How much do you think you can manage concerning walk, jog, and run? (From Physical Activity Questionnaire, PAQ). Disease activity was assessed using the SLAM-R and organ damage with SLICC/ACR-DI. The VAS part of EQ-5D, was used to assess self-reported health related quality of life (HRQL). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety/depression levels. Self-reported exercise during the last year was assessed by questions from PAQ and sitting hours as well as physical activity level was determined from International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Logistic regression analyses estimated the associations of the following independent variables: age, sex, BMI, disease activity, organ damage, HRQL and anxiety/depression levels, exercise last year, sitting hours and physical activity level, on the dependent variable self-reported physical function (PAQ-question). Statistical significance was defined as a p value Results Median SLAM-R was 6 (IQR:6), SLICC-DI was 1 (IQR:3), EQ-5D VAS was 72.2 (IQR:22.1) and depression level 4 (IQR:5). Median Self-reported exercise during the last year (PAQ) was exercise irregularly. Median sitting hours a day (IPAQ-SF) was Conclusion The results demonstrated that SLE-patients who report low physical function are older patients with more organ damage. However, patients who reported low HRQL also reported low physical function. Our results imply that patients with low self-reported HRQL are at risk for not being enough physically active. To break this vicious circle is a challenge for physicians and physical therapists that care for patients with SLE.