Physical activity and physical activity cognitions are potential factors maintaining fatigue in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome

Background Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating problem in Sjogren's syndrome. It has been suggested that physical activity and cognitions about physical activity can influence fatigue.

Objective The aim of this study was to examine fatigue and physical activity levels in patients with Sjogren's syndrome and the associations of physical activity and physical activity cognitions with fatigue.

Methods In 300 patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome and 100 demographically matched people from the general population (mean age 57 years, 93% female), fatigue (five dimensions of the multidimensional fatigue inventory) and physical activity (three dimensions of the international physical activity questionnaire) were assessed. The physical activity cognitions 'activity avoidance' and 'somatic focus' of the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia were assessed in the Sjogren's group only.

Results Sjogren's patients had higher scores on all five fatigue dimensions (p

Conclusions The results suggest that fatigue in patients with Sjogren's syndrome might be reduced by targeting both physical activity and physical activity cognitions. This suggestion requires verification in clinical experimental studies.