Avaliação de nível de atividade física em pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico nos municípios de Macapá e Santana, Brasil

Abstract

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystemic, autoimmune disease. A disease of low periodicity, it presents several manifestations which contribute to the difficulty of diagnosis, impairing the quality of life of these patients. Having an estimate of about 65,000 people with SLE in Brazil, the predominance is in women, black and between the ages of 20 and 45 years. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of physical activity of women with SLE using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in the municipalities of Macapá and Santana in the state of Amapá. The sample consisted of 80 women diagnosed with SLE. The participants answered a semistructured questionnaire that included personal and sociodemographic data and information about associated comorbidities. The IPAQ was used as an assessment instrument, measuring the level of physical activity in three score categories: high (intense active), moderate (moderate active), and low (sedentarism). A continuous score (MET) was also used for more detailed analysis of physical activity. Most of the women in the sample were brown, single, with a high school or college education, and in the age range of 28 to 48 years. The study revealed that 45% of the participants with SLE were sedentary, however, 37.5% were classified as intensely active. The most common comorbidities observed were hypertension, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatic diseases, varicose veins, fibromyalgia, thyroid, obesity, bone diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and psychiatric disorders. When comparing the frequencies of physical activity categories among women with and without comorbidities, a predominance of sedentary lifestyle was observed; however, Fisher's test did not show significant results for any of the comorbidities. When comparing the categories of physical activity among women with comorbidities, the chi-square test was significant for hypertension, Sjögren's syndrome, and rheumatic diseases. When comparing physical activity categories among women without comorbidities, the chi-square test was significant for varicose veins, fibromyalgia, thyroid, obesity, bone diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and psychiatric disorders. Logistic regression between comorbidities and weekend sitting time was significant for thyroid, varicose veins, and obesity. Logistic regression between comorbidities and total metabolic expenditure over the past 7 days (in MET) showed no significant results. Logistic regression between comorbidities and age was significant for hypertension, rheumatic diseases, varicose veins, obesity, and bone diseases. There is a significant prevalence of sedentary lifestyle in women with SLE, which is of concern since physical activity can help manage the symptoms of the disease. However, some patients manage their symptoms well and have classified themselves as being intensely active. It is important to encourage sedentary patients to engage in regular physical activity with the guidance of a healthcare professional.