Physical (in)Activity and its Influence on Disease-Related Features, Physical Capacity and Health-Related Quality of Life in A Cohort of Chronic Juvenile Dermatomyositis Patients

Abstract Objectives To objectively measure physical activity levels in a cohort of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) patients; to compare physical capacity and health-related quality of life in JDM patients and their healthy controls (CTRL) matched by physical activity levels; and to associate physical activity variables with disease-related parameters, physical capacity, and health-related quality of life. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which 19 JDM patients and 19 CTRL matched by physical activity levels, age, sex, and body mass index were compared. Physical activity was objectively measured using accelerometers. Results In our cohort, only 1 out of the 19 JDM patients (15%) achieved the minimum recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels (MVPA) (i.e., minimum of 60 min/day). JDM showed lower aerobic condition (e.g., VO2peak ), muscle function (e.g., timed-stands test), and health-related quality of life in comparison to CTRL (p