THU0729-HPR Patient with rheumatoid arthritis are still not sufficiently physical active. time for a personalised physical activity programme!
Authors: J. Weijers, S. Rongen-van Dartel, P. van Riel
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> For individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it is important to be sufficiently physically active. The international recommendation for physical activity states that each adult should perform moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for at least 30 min, five days a week. In recent years, attention and awareness of the importance of being physically active has increased, including the development of exercise programmes for people with rheumatic diseases. However, it is unknown whether patients with RA actually became more physically active in daily practice in the past years. <h3>Objectives</h3> Primary, this study will estimate whether the percentage of RA patients that meet the recommended level of physical activity has changed in recent years. Secondary, this study aims to identify RA patients of the outpatient clinic who are physical inactive and motivated to improve their level of physical activity. <h3>Methods</h3> In 2014, 740 RA patients from seven outpatient clinics across the Netherlands filled out a questionnaire which contained items about self-reported physical activity and sport habits. In 2017, the same items were assessed again by sending a questionnaire to all 727 RA patients of the outpatient clinic in Bernhoven, a hospital in the south of the Netherlands. In addition, questions about motivation to increase the level of physical activity were added. <h3>Results</h3> In 2014, 52% of the RA patients met the recommendation for physical activity. In 2017, 33% of the 514 RA patients of the outpatient clinic in Bernhoven who filled out the questionnaire reported that they met the recommendation. Walking, cycling, aerobic and strength fitness training and swimming were mentioned as the most popular sports among RA patients in 2014 as well as in 2017. 133 of the 233 (57%) inactive RA patients of the outpatient clinic in Bernhoven reported that they were convinced to be able to improve their physical activity level and 51% reported that they were motivated to become more physically active in the upcoming months. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Despite the increased attention and awareness of the benefits of being physically active, the percentage of RA patients who meet the recommended level of physical activity did not increase between 2014 and 2017. This could be caused by the fact that the effect of the developed exercise programmes typically wear off after the exercise interventions have stopped. Another reason could be that patients with RA need to be more assisted to overcome barriers to implement physical activities in their daily life. A more personalised approach, based on coaching and shared-decision making to set personal physical activity goals, could increase compliance and reduce barriers to being physically active. Half of the inactive RA patients of the outpatient clinic are motivated to become more physically active. Therefore a new study will examine whether a personalised physical activity programme is effective to increase and sustain the level of physical activity in inactive RA patients. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared