Physical activity in people with inflammatory bowel disease – towards precision prevention

Abstract Overview

Background: Existing evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) improves the quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Purpose: We aimed to i) assess levels of PA, ii) identify factors associated with levels of PA, and iii) assess the impact of PA on
physical and mental health in patients with IBD compared to the background non-IBD population.

Methods: Information on PA was collected in the Danish Capital Region Health Surveys from 2007 to 2021. We used data from 207,959 participants, of whom 2341 were diagnosed with IBD. Sociodemographic information was obtained from nationwide registers. Self-rated physical and mental health was measured with SF-12. Data were analysed by multiple regression analyses weighted for survey design.

Results: The proportion that adopted the recommended level of PA was lower among participants with IBD (82%) than the background population (86%), corresponding to an adjusted OR of 0.83 (95% CI 0.82-0.85). Lower proportions of physically active were seen in participants living alone, having children, smokers and having an unhealthy diet. Among participants with IBD, women were more physically active than men; the opposite was observed in the background population. Among participants with IBD, sedentary behaviour was associated with a lower mean self-rated physical health (p<0.001). The highest mental quality of life score was among participants with moderate PA compared to high or low PA (p<0.001).

Conclusion: In this population-based cohort, we found that participants with IBD have lower levels of PA and more sedentary behaviour compared to non-IBD individuals. Moderate PA is associated with the highest mental quality of life score in individuals with IBD.

Practical implications: These results can guide clinicians when IBD patients ask for advice on PA and be used in the development of an evidence-based intervention for the promotion of PA in patients with IBD.

Funding: Health Insurance Denmark

Additional Authors

Name: Marie Villumsen

Affiliation: Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital Frederiksberg, Denmark

Presenting Author: yes

Name: Anja Poulsen

Affiliation: Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

Presenting Author: no

Name: Tanja Thomsen

Affiliation: Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark

Presenting Author: no

Name: Tine Jess