Physical activity and body composition in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Objective. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are at risk for accelerated muscle loss and reduced physical activity. Accurate data are needed on body composition and physical activity in this patient group. The purpose of this study was to investigate body composition and objectively assessed physical activity in patients with AS. Methods. Twenty-five AS patients (15 men, mean ؎ SD age 48 ؎ 11 years) were compared with 25 healthy adults matched for age, sex, and body mass index. Body composition was measured using a 3-compartment model based on air-displacement plethysmography to assess body volume and deuterium dilution to assess total body water. The fat-free mass index (FFMI; fat-free mass divided by height squared) and the percent fat mass (%FM) were calculated. Daily physical activity was assessed for 7 days using a triaxial accelerometer and physical fitness with an incremental test until exertion on a bicycle ergometer. Blood samples were taken to determine C-reactive protein (CRP) level and tumor necrosis factor ␣. Results. Accelerometer output (kilocounts/day) showed the same physical activity level for patients and controls (mean ؎ SD 319 ؎ 105 versus 326 ؎ 66). There was no difference in the FFMI or %FM between the patients and controls. Physical activity was positively related to the FFMI (partial R ‫؍‬ 0.38, P ‫؍‬ 0.01) and inversely related to CRP level (R ‫؍‬ ؊0.39, P < 0.01), independent of group. CRP level was inversely related to the FFMI, but the effect was less strong than with physical activity (partial R ‫؍‬ ؊0.31, P ‫؍‬ 0.03). Conclusion. Daily physical activity may help preserve fat-free mass in patients with AS.

Decreased physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in adults with ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional controlled study

“…Sedentary behaviour in AS is under-researched and poorly understood. Few studies have objectively measured sedentary behaviour and PA in an SpA cohort [18,19]. Methodological limitations and heterogeneity of accelerometry outcome variables limit direct comparisons to these studies and prevent firm conclusions from being drawn [17].…”

“…A recent systematic review identified two studies which objectively measured PA in adults with AS and compared results to population controls [17][18][19]. Results from these studies are equivocal; PA levels among adults with AS may be lower than, or equivalent to, the general population.…”

Intervenção Fisioterapêutica Em Indivíduos Com Espondilite Anquilosante

“…A incapacidade gerada pela dor lombar crônica persistente tem impacto negativo na qualidade de vida dos portadores de EA quando comparados com a população em geral, pois sofrem alterações físicas e funcionais importantes, as quais muitas vezes também levam ao afastamento do trabalho (9)(10)(11) . Além disso, a inflamação e a dor geram inatividade física, o que eleva o risco de perda da massa muscular, considerada uma complicação nas doenças crônicas, impactando negativamente na qualidade de vida destes indivíduos (12) . Dessa forma, programas de reabilitação, como a fisioterapia, por meio da cinesioterapia, têm como objetivos o alívio da dor e da rigidez, aumento da amplitude de movimento articular, expansibilidade torácica, força muscular, equilíbrio postural e flexibilidade, podendo, assim, prevenir deformidades que comprometam a capacidade funcional e a qualidade de vida destes indivíduos (13) .…”

Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibition and Adipose Tissue Distribution — Are Reported Changes Relevant to Cardiometabolic Risk?

“…In the larger cross-sectional studies examining fat and lean mass in AS, no differences have been observed between patients and controls 14,15 . A comparison of body composition using DEXA between 30 patients with RA, 31 patients with AS, and 51 healthy controls found that BMI was similar in all 3 groups.…”