Levels of Physical Activity in Patients with Severe Psoriasis: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Tiago Torres (Author) Other; Jose Manuel Alexandre (Author) Other; Denisa Mendonca (Author) FMUP; Carlos Vasconcelos (Author) Other; Berta Martins Silva (Author) Other; Manuela Selores (Author) Other

Journal

Title: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology

Vol. 15

Pages: 129-135

ISSN: 1175-0561

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 28 Citations

Scopus - 29 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-B3K

DOI: 10.1007/s40257-014-0061-0

Abstract (EN): Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, secondary to the increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and premature atherosclerosis. Physical activity is a vital component in prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. Few studies have examined the level of physical activity in psoriasis patients, using validated questionnaires or other objective assessment tools. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare physical activity undertaken by patients with severe psoriasis and healthy controls, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-S), a validated instrument for assessing physical activity. Ninety patients with severe plaque-type psoriasis and 160 healthy subjects were enrolled in the present study. Physical activity was evaluated using IPAQ-S. Psoriasis patients had reduced levels of physical activity compared with non-psoriasis patients, regardless of sex or whether the variable was continuous or categorical. The odds ratio for low-level physical activity for psoriasis patients, compared with controls, was 3.42 (95 % CI 1.47-7.91), indicating that this severe psoriasis population did not undertake recommended levels of physical activity. Psoriasis patients exhibit decreased levels of physical activity, possibly for both psychological and physiological reasons. The lack of physical activity may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in psoriasis patients, in addition to the intrinsic risks related to systemic inflammation and psoriasis-linked comorbidities. Regular physical activity should be encouraged in all psoriasis patients because of its beneficial effects on systemic inflammation and cardiometabolic comorbidities associated with psoriasis.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7