Exploring the Association of Self-Reported Physical Activity with Peripheral Arterial Disease Severity: A Cross-Sectional Study from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Database

Abstract

\n Background\n\nEngaging in physical activity (PA) has been proved to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. In patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), diminished PA predicts high overall mortality. However, it is unknown to what extent participation in PA is associated with PAD severity. Therefore, the overarching aim of this study was to investigate the association between PAD severity and PA levels using the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) database.\nMethods\n\nThis was a cross-sectional cohort study that included 495 participants with PAD and a total of 14,536 participants without PAD from the HCHS/SOL database. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was administered to assess the time spent weekly in performing moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) during work, leisure time, and transportation. The Ankle–Brachial Index (ABI) was used to measure PAD. PA status was categorized on the basis of MVPA as follows: physically active (MVPA\u2009≥\u2009150 min) and physically inactive (combined MVPA\u2009<\u2009150 min). Eventually, the total sample was then classified as follows: normal ABI and physically active, normal ABI but physically inactive, PAD and physically active, and PAD but physically inactive. Regression models were used to investigate the association between different types of PA and the severity of PAD.\nResults\n\nOf the participants, 235 (47%) were involved in no to insufficient PA, and 260 (53%) engaged in at least 150 min/week of MVPA. The majority of participants (54%) with mild PAD were physically active, and 58% of those with severe PAD were physically inactive. After adjustment for covariates (age, sex, education, smoking status, body mass index, and statins), inactive people with a diagnosis of PAD were more likely to have severe PAD (β\u2009=\u2009.79, p\u2009=\u2009.02). In addition, decreases in work-related PA, total metabolic equivalents, and total PA were associated with increased PAD severity.\nConclusions\n\nIt was found that MVPA patterns were associated with PAD severity, and they explained high severity among patients with PAD who were physically inactive. These findings highlight the necessity of interventions in increasing PA in these participants. Future studies are required to identify appropriate exercise regimens or home-based programs to help patients with severe PAD meet the current PA recommendations.