Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease
Published on: March 1, 2022
Cross-sectional associations of clinical predictors and physical activity in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease
Carlos Martín-Martínez1, Neus Saloni-Gómez2, Paula Sánchez-Llorente3
1Department of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain. carlos.martinm@urjc.es.
Insights
Physical activity in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is linked to quality of life and joint health, not treatment. Interventions should focus on these factors for better outcomes in children with IBD.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
- Child Health and Activity
Background:
- Reduced physical activity (PA) is prevalent in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), potentially impacting overall health.
- Understanding factors associated with PA is crucial for improving health outcomes in these young patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cross-sectional associations between physical activity (PA) and biomedical, treatment-related, and clinical-psychosocial factors in pediatric IBD.
- To identify key determinants of PA levels in children and adolescents with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Main Methods:
- A single-center, cross-sectional study involving 45 pediatric patients (ages 9-18) diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
- PA was measured using the Assessment of Physical Activity Levels Questionnaire (APALQ), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the IMPACT-III questionnaire.
- Data on inflammatory biomarkers, treatment, joint involvement, and disease characteristics were collected from medical records, with analyses adjusted for age and sex.
Main Results:
- Lower PA levels correlated with poorer HRQoL, presence of joint involvement, and higher inflammation.
- In clinical-demographic analyses, PA was positively associated with HRQoL and negatively with joint involvement.
- Elevated fecal calprotectin (a marker of inflammation) was associated with reduced PA, while treatment variables showed no significant association with PA levels.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity in pediatric IBD is primarily influenced by quality of life, joint involvement, and inflammatory status, rather than treatment exposure.
- Multidisciplinary management strategies should address psychosocial well-being, joint health, and disease control to enhance PA.
- Interventions aimed at promoting PA in pediatric IBD should prioritize improving HRQoL and managing joint involvement.
Background:
Reduced physical activity (PA) is common in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may compromise health. This study aimed to examine cross-sectional associations between PA and biomedical, treatment-related, and clinical-psychosocial factors.
Methods:
Single-center cross-sectional study of 45 patients (9-18 years) with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. PA was assessed using Assessment of Physical Activity Levels Questionnaire (APALQ), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using IMPACT-III questionnaire. Inflammatory biomarkers, treatment exposure, joint involvement, and disease characteristics were obtained from medical records. Separate multiple linear regression models were constructed for biomarker, treatment, and clinical-demographic domains and adjusted for age and sex.
Results:
Lower PA levels were observed in patients with poorer HRQoL, joint involvement, and higher inflammation. In the clinical-demographic model (R² = 0.39, p = 0.009, n = 38), PA was positively associated with HRQoL (β = 0.46, p = 0.004) and negatively associated with joint involvement (β = -0.28, p = 0.041). In the biomarker model (R² = 0.23, p = 0.042, n = 37), higher fecal calprotectin was associated with lower PA (β = -0.41, p = 0.018). Treatment-related variables were not significantly associated with PA (R² = 0.18, p = 0.281, n = 29).
Conclusions:
In pediatric IBD, PA is primarily influenced by quality of life, joint involvement, and inflammatory activity rather than treatment exposure, supporting multidisciplinary strategies addressing psychosocial well-being, joint involvement and disease control.
Impact:
Provides novel evidence to guide multidisciplinary management strategies in pediatric IBD. Highlights the key role of psychosocial and musculoskeletal factors in shaping activity participation in pediatric IBD. Suggests that interventions to promote physical activity should target quality of life and joint involvement rather than solely biomedical parameters.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are: