AB1409-HPR INFLUENCE OF THE COMPANION ANIMALS IN THE PERCEPTION OF OUTBREAKS IN RHEUMATOLOGICAL DISEASES
Authors: Rocio Segura, Guadalupe Ortega, Joaquin Sosa, Marta Crespn, Celestino Gil, Trinidad Montes, Juan Vacas, Maria del Rosario Navarro
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background</h3> Few papers analyze the health benefits of living with companion animals <sup>(1)</sup>. A significant number of studies have been published in relation to dog-assisted therapies for people with Alzheimer's or people with brain injuries, but all of them analyzed a reduced sample number <sup>(2)</sup> or did not show a good methodological structure <sup>(3)</sup>. Regarding the reduction of pain and quality of life, different studies showed positive results in the use of assisted therapies with dog <sup>(4)</sup>. However, this subject has not been evaluated yet in patients suffering Rheumatologic diseases. <h3>Objectives</h3> The main objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of companion animals on the perception of outbreaks in rheumatological diseases. Secondary objective: to analyze if having companion animals affected the general state of health or the degree of physical activity. <h3>Methods</h3> Prospective descriptive study. Consecutive patients attending rheumatology consultation were recruited during the month of October 2018. Sociodemographic data were collected (age, sex, cohabitation with companion animals, type of exercise performed) along with Beck questionnaires to assess depression, SF-12 to assess quality of life, and VREM (Spanish Short Version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire) to assess the degree of physical activity. Associations between variables were analyzed using a Chi-square and T student. P-values &lt; 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The main variables: dog, cat and other animals, were analyzed separately and then unified in a new variable called companion animals. The spss v.19 program was used for data analysis. <h3>Results</h3> Seventy one patients were enrolled, of which 30 (42.3%) were male and 41 (57.7%) were female. The mean age (SD) was 58.78 15.31 years. Thirty two patients (45.1%) suffered rheumatoid arthritis, 8 (11.3%) spondylitis, 8 (11.3%) osteoarthritis, and patients with fibromyalgia, becet, gout and scleroderma were present in a lower percentage. Regarding the coexistence with companion animals, 19 (26.8%) lived with dogs and 7 (9.9%) with cats. The results of this study did not demonstrate any significant relationship between the duration of the outbreaks, the depressive state or the degree of physical activity and the coexistence with companion animals. However, statistically significant differences were found in the quality of live perceived by patients living with dogs in relation to patients without companion animals, so that we found higher scores in the mental SF-12 (56.5 vs 44), (p = 0.036, 95% CI - 24.41, - 0.80), the physical SF-12 (51.7 vs 39), (p = 0.042, 95% CI -25; -0.5) and total SF-12 (56.11 vs 43.8), (p = 0.018, 95% CI 22.4, -2.2). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Coexistence with dogs improves the perception of the quality of life of patients, both physically and mentally. <h3>References</h3> [1] Saito T, Okada M, Ueji M, Kikuchi K, Kano K. [Relationship between keeping a companion animal and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL). A study of Japanese elderly living at home in Satomi Village. Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi. 2001 Jan;48(1):47-55. [2] Folch A, Torrente M, Heredia L, Vicens P. Effectiveness of dog-assisted therapy in the elderly. A preliminary study. Rev Esp Geriatr y Gerontol. 2016 Jul-Aug;51(4):210-6. doi: 10.1016/j.regg.2015.12.001. Epub 2016 Feb 5 [3] Tabares Snchez, C, Castro, FV, Snchez Herrera, S, Gmez Acuas, M. Estado del arte sobre los efectos de la terapia asistida con perros en el tratamiento de enfermos de alzheimer. International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology [Internet]. 2013;1(2):271-281. Recuperado de: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=349852060025. [4] Lust E, Ryan-Haddad A, Coover K, Snell J. Measuring clinical outcomes of animal-assisted therapy: Impact on resident medication usage. Consult Pharm J Am Soc Consult Pharm 2007;22(7):580-5. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None declared