Journal Article

POS1029 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAUGHTER AND PHYSICAL FUNCTION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Sobue, Y., Suzuki, M., Imagama, S., Asai, S., Ohashi, Y., Ishikawa, H.

2024

Overview

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a higher incidence of depression than the general population [1]. It has been reported that depression is associated with physical function in RA patients [2]. The decline in physical function can lead to various poor health outcomes. On the other hand, laughter has been reported to be effective in improving health outcomes, including depression [3].Objectives:This study aimed to investigate the relationship between laughter and physical function in RA patients.Methods:Among patients who visited consecutively from June to August 2023, 667 RA patients were available for investigating patient backgrounds, including Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). HAQ-DI is widely used as an index of physical function and patient reported outcomes in RA patients. In the present study, HAQ-DI≤0.5 was defined as functional remission. Laughter frequency was divided into two groups: “every day, 1-5 times a week” and “1-3 times a month, almost never”. The odds ratio (OR) of laughter related to physical function (functional remission) was calculated using multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results:446 (66.9%) were RA patients with HAQ remission. Age (HAQ remission group/non-HAQ remission group) was 66.9±13.7/71.8±12.6 years, disease duration was 10.9±8.7/16.4±11.3 years, and CDAI was 4.0±5.1/11.1±9.6, all of which were significantly higher in non-HAQ remission group. The laughter frequency (“every day”/“1-5 times a week”/“1-3 times a month”/“almost never”) was 55.4%/33.0%/8.1%/3.6% in HAQ remission group and 35.7%/38.5%/12.7%/13.1% in non-HAQ remission group, with significantly less frequency in non-HAQ remission group. Adjusted for age, disease duration, sex, and CDAI, less frequent laughter (“1-3 times a month, almost never”) was identified as significantly associated factors with non-HAQ remission (OR 2.25, 95% confidence interval 1.31-3.85).Conclusion:In this study, laughter was significantly associated with physical function in RA patients.REFERENCES:[1] Waraich P, et al. Prevalence and incidence studies of mood disorders: a systematic review of the literature. Can J Psychiatry. 2004;49(2):124-38.[2] Kojima M, et al. Depression, physical function, and disease activity associated with frailty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Mod Rheumatol. 2021;31(5):979-986.[3] Shahidi M, et al. Laughter yoga versus group exercise program in elderly depressed women: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2011;26(3):322-7.Table 1.Demographics and clinical characteristics of subjectsVariablesHAQ remission (n=446)Non-HAQ remission (n=221)p valueAge (years)Mean (SD)66.9 (13.7)71.8 (12.6)<0.001*Duration of disease (years)Mean (SD)10.9 (8.7)16.4 (11.3)<0.001*Sex, female (%)69.076.00.069BMI (kg/m2)Mean (SD)22.2 (3.5)22.2 (4.3)0.760Steinbrocker stage (3/4) (%)28.257.7<0.001*Rheumatoid factor positive (%)62.471.80.019*Glucocorticoid use (%)25.334.40.018*Methotrexate use (%)65.949.3<0.001*bDMARD use (%)31.235.70.255tsDMARD use (%)5.816.7<0.001*CDAIMean (SD)4.0 (5.1)11.1 (9.6)<0.001*Laughter frequency(“every day”/“1-5 times a week”/“1-3 times a month”/“almost never”) (%)55.4/33.0/8.1/3.635.7/38.5/12.7/13.1<0.001*HAQ-DI, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index; HAQ remission, HAQ-DI≤0.5; BMI, body mass index; bDMARD, biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; tsDMARD, targeted synthetic DMARD; CDAI, Clinical Disease Activity Index; SD, standard deviation. *p<0.05.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism,Elsevier B.V,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Body mass index / Epidemiology / Lifestyles / Literature reviews / Mental depression / Methotrexate / Observational studies/registry / Patient Reported Outcome Measures / Patients / Questionnaires / Remission / Remission (Medicine) / Rheumatoid arthritis / Rheumatoid factor / Scientific Abstracts