Factors Associated with Sedentary Behavior in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Time spent in sedentary behavior has been associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors in the general population and in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). Given the association of sedentary behavior and poor health outcomes, it is important to identify factors associated with sedentary behavior in these patients. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the sedentary time in patients with symptomatic PAD.

The sample included 297 patients with symptomatic PAD. Sedentary behavior was assessed using a step activity monitor and the patients were divided into tertiles. Demographic data, body mass index, comorbid conditions, and measures of severity of PAD (ankle brachial index, ischemic window, claudication measurements, peak oxygen uptake and walking economy) were obtained.

Patients in the highest tertile (i.e. more sedentary) had a higher body mass index and a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and obesity than patients in the lowest tertile, whereas their peak walking time, peak oxygen uptake, and walking economy were lower (p < .05 for all). Using multiple regression procedures, the factors associated with the sedentary time were male sex (b = .217, R² = .180, p = .001), body mass index (b = .154, R² = .059, p = .013), peak walking time (b = -.360, R² = .066, p ≤ .001), and walking economy (b = -.187, R² = .142, p = .004).

In patients with symptomatic PAD, greater time spent in sedentary behavior was found in men, and in patients with higher body mass index, lower peak walking time, and lower walking economy.