Gaps on rheumatologists' knowledge of physical activity

Author(s)

Astley, Camilla ^[1] ; Pinto, Ana Jessica ^[1] ; Bonfa, Eloisa ^[2] ; da Silva, Clovis Artur Almeida ^{[2, 3]} ; Gualano, Bruno ^{[4, 1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Appl Physiol & Nutr Res Grp, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Fac Med FMUSP, Lab Assessment & Conditioning Rheum, Av Dr Arnaldo, 455, 3 Andar, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med FMUSP, Rheumatol Div, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med FMUSP, Childrens Inst, Pediat Rheumatol Unit, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Food Res Ctr, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY; v. 40, n. 7 JAN 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

To assess the rheumatologists' knowledge and willingness to prescribe physical activity, we conducted a nationwide survey. All adult and paediatric rheumatologist members of the Brazilian Rheumatology Society were invited to fulfil a questionnaire on their knowledge and willingness to promote physical activity. Four hundred twenty-eight rheumatologists participated in the survey, representing approximately 25% of the society's members. Forty-five percent of the rheumatologists reported having had training to prescribe physical activity, and 68% believe that physical activity is a part of patients' treatment. Most reported assessing physical activity levels (86%) and recommending physical activity (98%) always or most of the time. However, 48% do not know the minimum physical activity recommendations for health maintenance, nor do they know how much vigorous activity should be done in replacement of moderate activity. In addition, only 20% are aware of physical activity recommendation for paediatric patients, whereas 31% know that very light-intensity physical activity promotes health-related beneficial effects. Year of graduation, having been trained on physical activity prescription, and regularly recommending physical activity to patients did not associate with the overall score of correct answers (OR: 1.00 {[}0.99, 1.02], p = 0.391; OR: 0.99 {[}0.69, 1.44], p = 983; OR: 0.90 {[}0.61, 1.32], p = 0.576; respectively). Rheumatologists are highly willing to promote physical activity, but major gaps in their knowledge were identified. Given the widespread recognition of physical activity as a key element on the management of rheumatic patients, these data hint to the need of incorporating physical activity in the rheumatologist' training. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/26937-4 - Studies on physical (in)activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: characterization, associations with disease and effects of breaking up sedentary time
• Grantee: Ana Jéssica Pinto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 17/13552-2 - Reducing sedentary time in clinical populations: the take a stand for health study
• Grantee: Bruno Gualano
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/03756-4 - Assessment of relevance of blood levels of drugs in the monitoring rheumatic autoimmune diseases: safety, effectiveness and adherence to therapy
• Grantee: Eloisa Silva Dutra de Oliveira Bonfá
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants