TY - JOUR T1 - Beneficial long-term effect on leisure time physical activity level in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol DO - 10.3899/jrheum.190317 SP - jrheum.190317 AU - Silje Halvorsen Sveaas AU - Hanne Dagfinrud AU - Melissa Woll Johansen AU - Elisabeth Pedersen AU - Ole-Martin Wold Annelie Bilberg Y1 - 2019/11/15 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2019/11/08/jrheum.190317.abstract N2 - Objective To explore long-term effect of a 3-month exercise programme on leisure time physical activity level in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Methods A secondary analysis was performed on data from 100 individuals with axSpA who were included in a randomized controlled trial. The exercise group (EG) participated in a 3-month exercise programme while the control group (CG) received no intervention. Physical activity during leisure time was measured with a questionnaire (physically active = ≥1 hour/week with moderate/vigorous intensity physical activity). Disease activity was measured with the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Scale (ASDAS, higher score=worst). Statistical analyses were performed on an intention to treat basis using chi-square tests, logistic regression and mixed models. Clinical Trials.gov (NCT02356874). Results At 12-month follow-up, significantly more individuals in the EG than in the CG were physically active (29 [67%] vs. 13 [30%], p<0.001) and exercised 2-3/week (25 [58%] vs. 15 [34%], p=0.02), and fewer exercised at light intensity (3 [8%] vs. 14 [44%], p=0.002). “Participation in the EG” (Odds ratio [OR] 6.7 [95%CI: 2.4, 18.6], <0.001) and “being physically active at baseline” (OR 4.7 [95%CI: 1.4, 15.8], p=0.01) were the factors most associated with being physically active. There were no differences between the groups in ASDAS (p=0.79). Conclusion A 3-month exercise programme had a beneficial long-term effect on leisure time physical activity in individuals with axSpA, thus indicating a more beneficial health profile. Still, few individuals continued the intensive programme, and there was no difference between the groups in disease activity after 12 months. ER -