P1214 Too Many Couch Potatoes Among Middle-Aged Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients! Findings From the “BE-FIT-IBD-2” Study on Patient-Reported Physical Activity Levels Examining Their Interactions with IBD-Related Factors and Barriers/Facilitators
Authors: Gravina A G , Pellegrino R , Palladino G , Tambaro A , De Costanzo I , Izzo M , Landa F , Federico A 
Published: January 2025

Background

Regular physical activity (PA) is desirable, regardless of age, even in patients with chronic conditions such as those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although this issue has been addressed heterogeneously in this setting, with the absence of clear recommendations to follow. This study aimed to assess PA levels in IBD patients, stratifying them into age groups (with a threshold of 50 years), highlighting differences, including barriers/facilitators to PA.

Methods

The Italian-validated International PA questionnaire (IPAQ) assessed PA levels regarding resting metabolic rate (Met) in minutes/week. Patients were classified as inactive (&lt; 700 Met min/wk), sufficiently active (700-2500 Met min/wk), or active/HEPA (&gt; 2500 Met min/wk) based on the total score computed from the different types of PA intensities. IBD disease activity was evaluated using patient-reported outcomes 2 (PRO-2). Additionally, a questionnaire was administered to identify factors promoting/hindering regular PA in this setting.

Results

Among the 237 enrolled patients [median age of 43 (30 - 56) years; 149 (62.9%) below the age of 50 and 88 (37.1%) aged at least 50 years], PA rates were found to differ significantly in terms of patients being sufficiently active (55% vs. 39.8%), inactive (39.6% vs. 59.1%), and engaging in health-enhancing PA (5.4% vs. 1.1%) between patients under and at least 50 years old, respectively (P=0.0002). Overall PA levels followed this trend, being higher in younger patients [892 (446.5 - 1439) vs. 545.25 (257 - 1210.47) Met min/wk, P=0.007]. Being at least 50 predicted physical inactivity (β=1.194, OR: 3.302, 95% CI 1.224 - 8.905, P=0.018). A weak negative correlation was found between age and PA total score for intense activities (□□□□= -0.127, p = 0.049). Disease activity did not impact PA levels (p &gt; 0.05). Patients aged at least 50 years perceived IBD as more of a barrier to PA compared to younger individuals (P=0.04). Bowel urgency is a significant barrier, especially in older patients. The significance patients placed on discussing PA with their IBDologist, on a 10-point Likert scale, was not influenced by age group [6 (4 - 8) vs. 5 (3 - 8), P=0.119]. Figures A-P summarize these results.

Conclusion

Age is an unmodifiable factor that impacts and influences PA levels. Strategies to recover exercise levels in older IBD patients should be encouraged.

References

Gravina AG, Pellegrino R, Durante T, et al. Inflammatory bowel diseases patients suffer from significant low levels and barriers to physical activity: The "BE-FIT-IBD" study. World J Gastroenterol. 2023;29(41):5668-5682. doi:10.3748/wjg.v29.i41.56682.

Gravina AG, Pellegrino R, Palladino G, et al. Profiling the patient with inflammatory bowel disease in the relationship between physical activity and partner/social network status: A post hoc patient-tailored analysis of the "BE-FIT-IBD" study. Gastroenterol Hepatol. Published online May 8, 2024:S0210-5705(24)00161-4. doi:10.1016/j.gastrohep.2024.5022033.

Craig CL, Marshall AL, Sjöström M, et al. International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;35(8):1381-1395. doi:10.1249/01.MSS.0000078924.61453.FB