Number Of Inactive Adults With Arthritis Who Can Improve Their Anxiety And Depression By Exercising

Abstract

State-level estimates of the number of physically inactive adults with arthritis and other rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) who can improve their anxiety and depression is currently unknown but important given that national data may not be appropriate for the conditions observed in each state. PURPOSE: Provide state-level estimates of the number of physically inactive adults in the United States with RMDs who could improve their anxiety and depression by exercising. METHODS: Utilizing (1) number-needed-to treat (NNT) data from two prior meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials addressing the effects of exercise on anxiety and depression in adults with RMDs, (2) recent age-adjusted, state-level prevalence estimates on arthritis and physical inactivity in adults with arthritis and other RMDs, and (3) state-level 2000 US Census population data, the number of physically inactive adults with RMDs who could improve their anxiety and depression by exercising was estimated. RESULTS: Across all states, the number of adults with RMDs who could improve their anxiety and depression by starting an exercise program was estimated at 2,622,907 for anxiety and 2,245,962 for depression. For anxiety, numbers ranged from 3,583 (95% CI = 2,592 - 4,863) in the District of Columbia to 201,173 (95% CI = 156,923- 254,135) in Texas. For depression, numbers ranged from 3,068 (95% CI = 2,219 - 4,164) in the District of Columbia to 172,262 (95% CI = 134,37 - 217,613) in Texas. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide important state-level information regarding the number of physically inactive adults in the United States with RMDs who could improve their anxiety and depression by exercising. This information should be useful to both interventionists and decision-makers.