AB0118 Physical Activity and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Women. (10th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Giuseppe, D.; Bottai, M.; Askling, J.; Wolk, A.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 73:Supplement 2(2014)
• Page Start: 843
• Page End: 843
• Publication Date: 2014-06-10
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1737
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Only one study has evaluated the association between exercise and risk of developing RA, showing no association [1]. Objectives: To examine the association between physical activity and risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in middle age and elderly women from the Swedish Mammography Cohort, a population-based prospective study [2]. Methods: Data on physical activity were collected in 1997 by self-administrated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Risk of RA associated with physical activity was estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. Results: Among 30, 112 women born between 1914 and 1948 followed-up from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2010, 201 RA cases were identified (226, 477 person-years). There was a statistically significant 35% lower risk of RA (relative risk (RR), 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.43-0.96) among women in the highest category of leisure-time activity (combining more than 20 minute per day of walking/bicycling (median 40-60 minute per day) and more than 1 hour per week of exercise (median 2-3 hours per week)) as compared to women in the lowest category (less than 20 minute per day of walking/bicycling and less than 1 hour per week of exercise). A non-statistically significant decreased risk was observed for household work (-32%) and work/occupation (-15%), while an increased risk was observed for leisure-time physical inactivity (+27%). Daily energy expenditure was not associated with risk of RA. Conclusions: This prospective population-based cohort study of women supports the hypothesis that physical activity can be a protective factor in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis. Our results add to accumulated evidence on benefits of modifiable leisure-time physical activity for prevention of many other chronic diseases. References: Cerhan JR, Saag KG, Criswell LA, Merlino LA, Mikuls TR: Blood transfusion, alcohol use, and anthropometric risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis in older women. J Rheumatol 29(2), 246-254 (2002). Harris H, Håkansson N, Olofsson C, Julin B, Åkesson A, Wolk A. The Swedish mammography cohort and the cohort of Swedish men: Study design and characteristics of 2 population-based longitudinal cohorts. OA Epidemiology 2013 Oct 01;1(2):16. Disclosure of Interest: None declared DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1737