OP0206 HPR BENEFICIAL LONG-TERM EFFECT OF A SUPERVISED EXERCISE PROGRAM ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRTIS: 12 MONTHS FOLLOW-UP OF A MULTICENTER RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Silje Halvorsen Sveaas, Hanne Solveig Dagfinrud, Melissa Woll Johansen, Elisabeth Pedersen, Annelie Bilberg
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background</h3> Exercise is recommended in the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)<sup>1</sup> as it may reduce the burden of the disease.<sup>2</sup> Despite this, patients with axSpA tend to have a low physical activity (PA) level<sup>3</sup> and few patients engage in high intensities of exercise<sup>4</sup>. <h3>Objectives</h3> To investigate the long-term effect of a three months supervised exercise program on PA-level in patients with axSpA. <h3>Methods</h3> 100 patients with axSpA were randomized to either an exercise group (EG) or a no-intervention control group (CG). The exercise group participated in a three months high intensity cardiorespiratory and strength exercise program supervised by a physiotherapist. PA-level was a secondary outcome measured at 12 months follow-up with a standardised questionnaire (frequency, duration, intensity and mode)<sup>5</sup>. Being physically active was defined as ≥1 hour/week with high intensity PA. Statistical analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis using chi-square tests and logistic regression. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 87 of 100 (87%) patients were included in the analyses (table 1). At 12 months follow-up, significantly more patients in the EG than in the CG were physically active, p&lt;0.001 (figure 1). Further, significantly more patients in the EG than in the CG exercised 2-3 times per week (25 [58%] vs. 15 [34%], p=0.02). Fewer patients in the EG reported to exercise at a low intensity level (low intensity reported by 3 [8%] in the EG vs. 14 [44%] in the CG, p=0.002). The regression analysis showed that participating in the exercise program (p&lt;0.001) and earlier exercise experience (p=0.01) were the factors most associated with being physically active at 12 months follow-up (table 2). ASDAS, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score <h3>Conclusion</h3> A three month supervised exercise program delivered by physiotherapists had a significant long-term beneficial effect on PA-level in patients with axSpA. As regular exercise is an important part of the treatment recommendations for patients with axSpA<sup>1</sup>, the results indicate that a time-limited supervised exercise program may be used as an effective intervention to succeed in reaching this recommendation. <h3>References</h3> [1] van der Heijde D, Ramiro S, Landewe R, et al. 2016 update of the ASAS-EULAR management recommendations for axial spondyloarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76(6):978-991. [2] Pecourneau V, Degboe Y, Barnetche T, Cantagrel A, Constantin A, Ruyssen-Witrand A. Effectiveness of Exercise Programs in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2018;99(2):383-389.e381. [3] O'Dwyer T, O'Shea F, Wilson F. Physical activity in spondyloarthritis: a systematic review. Rheumatology international. 2015;35(3):393-404. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Silje Halvorsen Sveaas: None declared, Hanne Solveig Dagfinrud Consultant for: Honoraria from Novartis as a steering committee member on this survey, Melissa Woll Johansen: None declared, Elisabeth Pedersen: None declared, Annelie Bilberg: None declared