F031 Physical activity levels and demographic characteristics in individuals with Huntington’s disease: insights from the enroll-hd database in an argentinian movement disorder center

<h3></h3> Neurological disorders have been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022 as the leading cause of disability and the second cause of death globally. Daily physical activity (PA) has been recommended to mitigate cognitive decline and mortality, particularly in neurodegenerative disorders. PA prevalence varies worldwide, reaching a value of 52% in the Argentinean population. Huntington’s disease (HD) is characterized by neuropsychiatric, cognitive, and motor symptoms and is influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Studies indicate a potential positive effect of PA on delaying HD onset and reducing its severity, with higher PA levels correlating with better cognitive performance. Despite evidence supporting the benefits of PA, its prescription as a complementary treatment for HD patients faces limitations, especially in earlier disease stages and low-income populations. <h3>Objective</h3> To assess PA levels in individuals enrolled in the ENROLL-HD database and compare demographic characteristics between PA practitioners (Y-PA) and non-practitioners (N-PA). <h3>Methods</h3> A retrospective analysis was conducted from June 2020 to March 2024, utilizing PA data from the ENROLL-HD database. <h3>Results</h3> The sample included 122 individuals, the mean age was 45.1 ± 14.63 years, 60% (n=74) were female, and mean years of education (YOE) was 15.85 ± 3.85. 8.1% (n=10) were non-HD, 15.6% (n=16) were at risk for HD, 21.3% (n=26) had premanifest HD (p-HD), and 55% (n=67) had symptomatic HD (s-HD). Regarding PA, 20% of non-HD individuals (n=2, p:0.42, 95% CI), 15.9% of at risk for HD (n=3, p:0.11, 95% CI), 26.9% of premanifest HD individuals (n=7, p:0.6, 95% CI), and 38.7% of symptomatic HD individuals (n=26, p:0.04, 95% CI) reported engaging in PA. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Despite knowing the benefits of PA in HD, our study reveals low PA levels among individuals, even lower than the general Argentinean population. This underutilization may relate to limited access, lack of social insurance, cost, and inadequate medical prescription. Despite study limitations, these findings underscore the importance of educating patients, families, and physicians about the benefits of PA in HD, emphasizing the need for improved access and implementation of physical therapy interventions. <h3>References</h3> Jiang A, Handley RR, Lehnert K et al. (2023). From Pathogenesis to Therapeutics: A Review of 150 Years of Huntington’s Disease Research. <i>International journal of molecular sciences,</i><b> 24</b>(16), 13021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241613021 Devadiga SJ, Bharate SS. (2022). Recent developments in the management of Huntington’s disease. <i>Bioorganic chemistry</i><b>, 120</b>, 105642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105642 Quinn L, Playle R, Drew CJG et al. Physical activity and exercise outcomes in Huntington’s disease (PACE-HD): results of a 12-month trial-within-cohort feasibility study of a physical activity intervention in people with Huntington’s disease. <i>Parkinsonism Relat Disord.</i> 2022 Aug:<b>101</b>:75–89. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2022.06.013.