P744 Evaluation of a lifestyle program based on physical activity on quality of life and fatigue in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a pilot study

Abstract

Abstract Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) tend to be less physical active, whilst maintaining an active lifestyle has been associated with enhanced disease control, diminished fatigue and improved quality of life. The primary objective was to evaluate the potential impact on physical fitness, fatigue, quality of life and disease control of a specially designed exercise program for IBD patients. Methods Patients with IBD, treated at two teaching hospitals in the southwest of the Netherlands, participated in a 16-week exercise program (IBD-Fit) between March until June 2023. The program was designed especially for patients with IBD to sport with peers and was adjusted to a patient's fitness level. Improvement of physical fitness (measured with body composition, grip strength, sit-and-reach test, Y-balance test and 6-minute walk test) was analysed. In addition, patients were asked to fill in validated questionnaires at baseline and at the end of the program (IBD-Quality of life, IBD-Fatigue and IBD-control), to assess the effect of the exercise program on quality of life, fatigue and disease control. For statistical analyses, a paired t-test or Wilcoxon matched paired rank test was used. Results A total of 27/32 patients completed the entire exercise program, with a mean age of 50.4 years (SD 12.5), 40.7% were male, 48.1% had Crohn’s disease and 51.9% had ulcerative colitis (table 1). After 16 weeks, body composition, such as BMI and muscle mass improved compared to baseline; fat percentage significantly decreased (32.3 to 29.7%; Z=-2.983; P=0.003). Physical fitness improved significantly, based on the sit-and-reach test (23 to 29 cm; Z=-3.03; P=0.002), the absolute reach distance of the Y-balance test (73.7 to 79 cm; Z=-2.77; P=0.006), and the mean distance during a 6-minute walk test (505.2 to 557.5 m; 95%CI 32.6 – 72.2; P<0.001). Grip strength showed no significant improvement. Quality of life improved on average with 8.0 points on the IBDQ. The Systemic Symptoms domain improved significantly (mean difference 2.7; 95%CI 0.1–5.4, P=0.043). The program significantly improved fatigue scores (Z = -2.296, P=0.022). Disease control showed no significant improvement after the program. Overall, patients were very satisfied with the exercise program. Average rating was 8.6 out of 10. Conclusion This pilot study in a small number of patients shows that a specially designed exercise program has a positive effect on IBD patients. These results underline the importance to broaden our standard of care and can be used as a steppingstone to implement the program on a larger scale and ultimately become part of the standard of care for patients with IBD.