Patterns and changes in lifestyle habits of patients with rheumatoid arthritis during the first three years post-diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), describe patterns and changes in healthy lifestyle habits (HLHs: alcohol use, smoking and physical activity) from diagnosis of RA to three years post-diagnosis, and to identify factors associated with having multiple HLHs.

METHODS

Patients' data were collected from the Swedish Epidemiological Investigation of RA (EIRA). Physical activity (PA) was categorized to be on a healthy level if >120 min/week at moderate intensity. Smoking was categorized as smoking/non-smoking. Alcohol consumption of <120 g/week was deemed healthy. Participants were grouped by number of HLHs: none, one, two or three. Factors associated with having three HLHs at year three were analysed using logistic factor regression.

RESULTS

Among 1097 participants, 56% had three HLHs at baseline, increasing slightly to 58% at year three. Non-smoking increased from 77% to 83%, and healthy alcohol use from 85% to 97%. However, the proportion of participants who achieved a healthy level PA decreased from 84% to 71%. Having three HLHs at year three was associated with younger age [OR = 2.45 (95% CI = 1.50-4.00) for <35 vs 55-65 years] and living with another adult age [OR = 1.68 (95% CI = 1.25-2.26)].

CONCLUSION

More than half of the participants had three HLHs at diagnosis and maintained them after three years. Smoking and alcohol habits improved, but the proportion of participants who achieved a healthy level PA decreased. Older patients may need more support in adopting and maintaining HLHs.