Objective The aim of this study was to identify the influence of physical activity on disease activity and damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods A total of 464 patients with Sjögren’s syndrome were consecutively enrolled from KORean lupus Network (KORNET) registry. This registry assessed clinical features, disease activity (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 [SLEDAI-2K]), and disease damage (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology [SLICC/ACR] damage index) at the enrollment of study. Self-reported physical activity was measured by international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). Statistical analyses were used by Spearman’s correlation and Mann-Whitney U test.

Results The median total physical activity (MET-minute/day) was 1173.0 (IQR 396.0–2772.0). There is significant difference of vigour activity between patients with lupus nephritis (n=110) and without lupus nephritis (n=354) (p=0.048), but not total, moderate, and walking activities. Among total patients, total IPAQ score was marginally associated with SLEDAI and SLICC/ACR scores (r=−0.142, p=0.008 and r=−0.104, p=0.026). Higher SLICC/ACR scores was associated with lower walking activity and total activity of IPAQ in patients with lupus nephritis, (r=−0.256, p=0.007 and r=−0.193, p=0.044, respectively).

Conclusion This study showed that self-reported physical activity might be in part associated with disease activity and damage in patients with SLE.