In a study, researchers examined the levels of physical activity (PA) in 3,343 older adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and investigated the association between PA levels and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The researchers analyzed data from the FORWARD study, conducting a cross-sectional analysis of adults aged 65 years and older with RMDs. PA levels were categorized as high, moderate, or low based on self-reported activity. The study assessed PA levels among patients with different types of RMDs and examined the relationship between PA levels and PROs, including the 29-item Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System assessment.
Only 13.6% of participants reported high PA, while 54.4% reported moderate activity. Overall, participants reported a median of 7 days of moderate to vigorous PA for at least 30 minutes per month. Ultimately, the study found relatively low levels of high PA among older patients with RMDs. The findings suggest a connection between physical inactivity, obesity, depression, poor sleep, and fatigue in patients with RMDs.
Reference: Kumthekar A, Pedro S, Michaud K, Ozen G, Katz P, Baker J, Ogdie A. Physical Activity Habits Among Older Adults Living With Rheumatic Disease. J Rheumatol. 2023 Jun;50(6):835-841. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.211244.
