Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of developing comorbidities which are known to be associated with lifestyle-related habits; such as having a sedentary lifestyle, having an unhealthy diet, smoking, and over-consumption of alcohol. In 2010, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) published general guidelines on risk management in patients with RA, with an update 2017 (1,2) in which health professionals are encouraged to prioritize discussions with patients regarding their lifestyle and it is of interest to study the extent to which these discussions actually occur.

Objectives: To study if lifestyle habits; physical activity, diet, smoking and alcohol had been discussed with patients having RA during health care visits.

Methods: A cross-sectional postal survey in 2017 included 1542 eligible patients from the BARFOT (Better Anti-Rheumatic Pharmacotherapy) study. All patients received a questionnaire including lifestyle habits (physical activity, diet, smoking, and alcohol), and whether these habits had been discussed during health care visits. There was also a question regarding if they would have wanted such a discussion.

Results: 1,061 patients (68%) responded to the survey (mean age 67 years (SD 13); 73% women). Physical activity was discussed with 49% of the patients (figure 1A). Those who reported that they were active on a health-enhancing level were more likely to have discussed physical activity with health professionals. Diet had been discussed with 23% of the patients (figure 1B). Patients who reported a non-traditional mixed diet were more likely to have discussed diet. Smoking was discussed with 25% of the patients (figure 1C). Current smokers had more often discussed smoking habits with healthcare professionals compared with never smokers (32% vs. 17%; p=0.000). Alcohol had been discussed with 17% of the patients (figure 1D). Of the patients with hazardous drinking habits, 77% had not had a discussion regarding alcohol.