ENGAGING in moderate to high levels of physical activity may significantly reduce the risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to new findings from a large-scale prospective study using UK Biobank data.
The study analysed data from 401,745 adults with no history of SLE at baseline. Over a median follow-up of 12.5 years, 222 participants developed SLE. Researchers found that those with moderate levels of physical activity had a 40% lower risk of developing SLE, while those with high activity levels had a 31% lower risk, compared to individuals with low activity levels.
The protective association was consistent even after adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Notably, physical activity appeared to affect the timing of disease onset: high levels of activity were particularly effective in preventing early-onset SLE (under age 50), while moderate activity had a stronger impact in reducing risk of late-onset disease (age 50 and above).
These findings are the first to link physical activity with reduced incidence of SLE in a prospective cohort, offering promising evidence that exercise could play a preventative role in autoimmune disease.
While the study does not establish causation, it reinforces the broad systemic benefits of physical activity, not just for cardiovascular and metabolic health, but potentially for autoimmune conditions as well.
Clinicians may wish to consider promoting regular physical activity as part of lifestyle guidance, especially for individuals at higher risk of SLE. Further research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms behind the protective effect.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Boya Xu et al. Physical activity in relation to the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus: a prospective study including 401 745 individuals. Rheumatology. 2025;DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaf150.
