A LARGE international study has revealed that more than 40% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are not active enough to gain the health benefits associated with regular exercise. The research, published by an international team, analysed physical activity levels in over 1,000 people with SLE using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.
The study found that nearly half of participants had low physical activity levels, with a median weekly energy expenditure of 936 METs (metabolic equivalent tasks). Importantly, those who were less active reported significantly higher levels of fatigue, pain, depression, and stress. These findings underline the critical role of physical activity in improving mental health, reducing fatigue, and lowering cardiovascular risk — all important concerns in SLE.
The authors highlight the need for better monitoring of physical activity and related health factors in patients with SLE, and encourage healthcare professionals to support patients in finding ways to incorporate more movement into their daily lives.
Reference
Mischler T et al. Levels of physical activity in a large international cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus Science & Medicine. 2025;12:e001443
