Characterising the physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns of patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Background: Research has highlighted that sedentary behaviour is independently related to indicators of chronic disease. It has been suggested that breaking up sedentary time can be beneficial in offsetting the damage caused by prolonged sitting. Patients with Stage II Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) experience leg pain when walking. This can be alleviated by rest and so they are more likely to engage in long sitting periods. Methods: Observational analysis of a case and control group was performed using 19 PAD patients (84% male, aged 62.9±8.8 years) from a vascular outpatient clinic and 22 controls with no history of vascular disease (77% male, aged 62.3±9.3 years) from the surrounding area. Data were collected for 7 days using a motion sensor (ActivPAL), daily activity diary, and a questionnaire. Functional ability was assessed using a 6-minute walk test and 30 second chair stand test. Vascular health was measured using Ankle Brachial Index and health status was recorded using a Peripheral Artery Questionnaire. Results: ActivPAL mean daily activity time (1.46±.43 vs. 1.92±1.59 h; p=0.007) and mean number of steps/day (6801±2518 vs. 9357±3452; p=0.009) were significantly lower among cases than controls. ActivPAL mean daily sedentary time (9.59±1.74 vs. 9.51±1.77 h) was similar across cases and controls. Self-reported sedentary time via questionnaire was significantly lower among cases than controls (5.01±2.62 vs. 8.78±4.28 h; p=0.029). Sedentary patterns were similar, with the exception of morning time patterns which were longer in duration among cases. Mean number of breaks in sedentary time per day were lower (51.7±12.6 vs. 54.6±15) and the average duration of breaks were shorter (7.83±2.86 vs. 8.32±4.35 min) among cases than controls, but differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Mean scores from both functional ability tests (chair repetitions and walking test) were significantly lower among PAD patients (cases) than controls (p=0.003 and p=0.000, respectively). Conclusion: Lower activity time among cases may be due to reduced functional ability as a result of their condition. Objectively measured sedentary time was not different between groups but subjective data suggested higher sedentary time in the control group