Change in and predictors of leisure activities among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe factors associated with leisure activities, changes in leisure activities over time, and predictors of such changes among persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted of 80 consecutive persons with RA, recruited while participating in a 3-week, rehabilitation day-care programme. The number of leisure activities was assessed through a structured interview. Sociodemographic variables, measures of disease activity [pain, patient's global assessment, C-reactive protein (CRP)], disability [Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Signals of Functional Impairment (SOFI), grip strength], quality of life at baseline, as well as disease activity [mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)] and treatment (proportion of follow-up time on anti-rheumatic drugs during follow-up) were evaluated as possible predictors of change in leisure activities.


RESULTS
Active leisure activities increased, while 'not obviously active or passive' leisure activities were unchanged during the follow-up period. The change in active leisure activities did not correlate with the predictors evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in active leisure activities was not predicted to a substantial degree by disease activity, disability, or medication. The results suggest that factors other than those evaluated influence changes in leisure activities.
Wikström
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I
Department of Rheumatology, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden. ingegerd.wikstrom@skane.se
Jacobsson
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LT
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003631:Day Care, Medical; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires