Profiling the patient with inflammatory bowel disease in the relationship between physical activity and partner/social network status: a post-hoc patient-tailored analysis of the "BE-FIT-IBD" study**

Antonietta Gerarda Gravina; Raffaele Pellegrino; Giovanna Palladino; Giuseppe Imperio; Andrea Ventura; Marina Cipullo; Annachiara Coppola; Alessandro Federico

doi:10.1016/j.gastrohep.2024.502203

Profiling the patient with inflammatory bowel disease in the relationship between physical activity and partner/social network status: a post-hoc patient-tailored analysis of the "BE-FIT-IBD" study**

Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 May 7:502203. doi: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2024.502203. Online ahead of print.

[Article in English, Spanish]

Authors

Antonietta Gerarda Gravina¹, Raffaele Pellegrino², Giovanna Palladino¹, Giuseppe Imperio¹, Andrea Ventura¹, Marina Cipullo¹, Annachiara Coppola¹, Alessandro Federico¹

Affiliations

¹ Hepatogastroenterology Division, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138, Via Luigi de Crecchio, Naples, Italy.
² Hepatogastroenterology Division, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138, Via Luigi de Crecchio, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: raffaele.pellegrino@unicampania.it.

PMID: 38723769
DOI: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2024.502203

Abstract

Objective: Normal quality of life is an ultimate target in the therapeutic approach to Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in the context of which regular physical activity (PA) is often a chimeric parameter that is not standardised in terms of quality/quantity. The study aimed to profile a sample of IBD patients about the relationship between PA-partner status and social network support.

Patients and methods: A post-hoc analysis of the "BE-FIT-IBD" study was set up by stratifying the data of PA with that of partner status and the support that the patient's social network (i.e., relatives, friends) provided in inciting the patient to practice regular PA.

Results: In the 219 patients included, there was a greater tendency for patients with stable partners to view the risk of reactivation/worsening of IBD as a barrier to conducting regular PA (p < 0.0001). Single patients considered PA more as a protective factor (p=0.045). Patients without a PA-supporting social network retained IBD-related treatment as a PA barrier (p=0.016) and PA as a risk for IBD complications (p=0.01), with less confidence that PA could improve the course of IBD (p < 0.001). Rectal syndrome was an IBD-related barrier more represented in patients with PA-deterring social network (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: These factors are potential targets for recovering the IBD patient's adherence to regular PA.

Keywords: Actividad Física; Apoyo social; Calidad de vida; Enfermedades Inflamatorias Intestinales; IPAQ; Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Pareja; Partner; Physical Activity; Quality of Life; Social support.