engleski

The influence of physical activity on inflammatory bowel diseases activity in patients without the medical treatment

INTRODUCTION: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are both inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) characterized by phases of active and inactive disease periods. Recent studies have shown that physical activity reduces the risk of these diseases, while preliminary studies have indicated that physical activity may help in reducing the symptoms of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between daily physical activity and IBDs activity in patients not medically treated, in the case of both diseases and separately for CD and UC. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional population study conducted in Eastern Croatia in the period from October 2015 to March 2016, included 218 IBD patients aged 51.0±15.0 years ; 52.3% (114/218) men and 47.7% (104/218) women ; 74.3% (162/218) patients with UC and 25.7% (56/218) patients with CD. Specially designed and validated questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics of patients, their daily physical activity and the medical treatment they are prescribed. Partial Mayo index and Harvey-Bradshaw index were used to assess the disease activity in IBD patients. RESULTS: Among all IBD patients, there were 27.5% (60/218) without the medical treatment. Those patients were included in further statistical analysis, in order to evaluate the influence of daily physical activity on IBDs activity, without interference of therapy. Daily physical activity is associated with inactive inflammatory bowel disease in all IBD patients (χ²-test ; p<0.001), and is also associated with inactivity of disease in CD patients (Fisher's exact test ; p=0.008) and UC patients (Fisher's exact test ; p=0.004) separately. CONCLUSION: Daily physical activity is associated with inactivity of inflammatory bowel disease in patients without medical treatment. It is necessary to educate all IBD patients about the importance of physical activity in order to control their disease.

inflammatory bowel diseases; ulcerative colitis; Crohn's disease; physical activity; Croatia

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