Predictive value of the EHIS-PAQ for all-cause mortality

The European Health Interview Survey-Physical Activity Questionnaire (EHIS-PAQ) assesses physical activity (PA) as part of the European Health Interview Survey. The aim of this study was to evaluate its predictive value for all-cause mortality.

A prospective study based on data from the 2014 EHIS in Spain linked to the mortality registry until December 2022. The sample included 21 890 participants ≥15 years of age. The EHIS-PAQ measures occupational PA, transport/commuting PA, aerobic PA ≥ 150 minutes/week, muscle strengthening, and total PA (active in occupational and/or aerobic). We designed Poisson regression models to calculate relative risks (RRs) and standardized mortality rate differences while adjusting for relevant covariates.

Total PA was associated with a reduction in mortality [RR (95% CI) = 0.62 (0.54, 0.71)], estimating -5.39 (-6.72, -4.07) deaths/1000 person-years. Independent of other PA domains, most active individuals in occupational or transport/commuting PA had substantially reduced mortality compared to those least active [RR = 0.67 (0.55, 0.82) and 0.52 (0.44, 0.62)]. Engaging in ≥150 minutes/week of aerobic PA was protective [RR = 0.68 (0.58, 0.79)]. Muscle strengthening PA showed no effect.

The EHIS-PAQ adequately assesses PA in its different dimensions and captures their protective effect. All the indicators, except for muscle strengthening, showed independent predictive value for mortality.