Atividade física em pacientes com Diabetes Mellitus tipo 1: frequência, barreiras e efeito sobre a qualidade de vida

Abstract

Physical Activity in patients with Type 1 Diabetes: frequency, barriers and the effect on quality of life]. Introduction: Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is characterized by an early failure of the pancreas insulin production. The therapy includes intensive insulin treatment and education about the correct disease management. Furthermore, physical activity is highly recommended based on growing scientific evidence of its benefits, such as, improvement in insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism improvement, reduction in comorbidities and improvement in quality of life. Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of physical activity practice, its associated factors and its impact on quality of life. Methods: Cross sectional study in T1D patients attending a public healthy service, Ambulatório Magalhães Neto (AMN), and a private service, Centro de Diabetes – ACR, both in Salvador. Socio demographic and clinical data were analyzed, as well as physical activity practice and quality of life through specific questionnaires. Results: There were 55 participants, 78,2% of AMN and 21,8% of ACR. The majority were women (63,6%); the mean age was 31,8 years old and the average time of diagnosis was 13,2 years. In physical activity classification of sports/leisure, 34,5% were very active, 20% active and 45,5% inactive. No statistical difference between AMN and ACR patients were noted. The main barrier related to diabetes was fear of hypoglycemia, in 23,6% of patients. The quality of life was better evaluated among very active patients compared with inactive group, the statistical difference was significant (p=0,015). Conclusions: The frequency of physical activity practice found in T1D patients was similar to the frequency in the general population in previous studies. The main barriers would probably be minimized by strategies of teaching the management of blood glucose during exercise and investments in public safety. The association between physical activity and quality of life shown in this study reinforces the benefits of exercise in T1D patients