TY - JOUR T1 - Longterm 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 SP - 1189 LP - 1197 DO - 10.3899/jrheum.190317 VL - 47 IS - 8 AU - Silje Halvorsen Sveaas AU - Hanne Dagfinrud AU - Melissa Woll Johansen AU - Elisabeth Pedersen AU - Ole-Martin Wold AU - Annelie Bilberg Y1 - 2020/08/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/47/8/1189.abstract N2 - Objective. To explore the longterm effect of a 3-month exercise program 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 program while the control group (CG) received no intervention. Physical activity during leisure time was measured with a questionnaire (physically active: ≥ 1 h/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.Results. At the 12-month followup, 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 times/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” (OR 6.7, 95% CI 2.4–18.6, p < 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 program had a beneficial longterm effect on leisure time physical activity in individuals with axSpA, thus indicating a more beneficial health profile. Still, few individuals continued the intensive program, and there was no difference between the groups in disease activity after 12 months. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02356874) ER -