Association of physical activity with depression and suicidal ideation in people with osteoarthritis experiencing...

Previous single-center studies highlighted the association between physical activity and depression in people with osteoarthritis (OA). However, large-scale multinational studies are needed to provide robust evidence. The aim was to determine the association of physical activity with depression and suicidal thoughts in a multinational sample of people with OA with moderate and severe pain.

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis based on the 9th wave of SHARE, a representative survey in 27 European countries and Israel. Self-reported physical activity (frequency and intensity) was the independent variable. Depression (≥4 points) and suicidal thoughts (yes/no) from the 12-item EURO-D scale were the outcomes. We conducted multivariable logistic regression, controlling for age, sex, geographic region, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, number of comorbidities, body mass index, and verbal fluency.

A total of 7785 participants were included (mean age 72.0 ± 9.5 years). Respondents who engaged in moderate physical activity more than once a week were less likely to be depressed (OR=0.51; 95%CI = 0.45-0.59) and less likely to have suicidal thoughts (OR=0.56; 95%CI = 0.47-0.68) compared to those who hardly ever or never engaged in physical activity. Similarly, responders who engaged in vigorous physical activity were less likely to be depressed (OR=0.69; 95%CI=0.61-0.79) and less likely to have suicidal thoughts (OR=0.67; 95%CI=0.54-0.83).

This study shows that engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity more than once a week may help reduce high rates of depression and suicidal thoughts in people with osteoarthritis with moderate to severe pain.