Physical Activity and its Relationship With the State of Health of Stable COPD Patients

• Published in: Archivos de bronconeumología (English ed.) 2011-07, Vol.47 (7), p.335-342
• Main Authors: Marín Royo, Margarita, Pellicer Císcar, Concha, González Villaescusa, Cruz, Bueso Fabra, María José, Aguar Benito, Carmen, Andreu Rodríguez, Ada Luz, Herrejón Silvestre, Alberto, Soler Cataluña, Juan José
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Actividad física; Aged; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica; Female; Health Status; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Activity; Physical activity; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - physiopathology; Pulmonary/Respiratory
• ISSN: 1579-2129; 1579-2129
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arbr.2011.03.003

Abstract Introduction Previous studies have shown that physical activity (PA) in COPD is associated with a better quality of life and less morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to study the daily PA in the lives of stable COPD patients, outside the setting of a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Materials and methods Observational, descriptive and transversal multi-center study in patients with stable COPD controlled in an outpatient clinic by pneumologists. In order to determine the Physical Activity Index (PAI), the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPAQ) was used to differentiate the following groups according to the energy expenditure: inactive (less than 1000 kcal/week), moderately active (between 1000 and 3000 kcal/week) and very active (more than 3000 kcal/week). We analyzed the relationship between PAI and disease severity, health level and socioeconomic variables of the patients. Results A total of 132 patients (121 men) were included in the study. Mean age was 66; mean FEV1 was 45%. Regarding PA, 32.6% had energy expenditures of less than 1000 kcal/week, 38.6% between 1000 and 3000 and 28.8% more than 3000. The most inactive COPD patients had more bronchial obstruction, more severe disease, more dyspnea and walked fewer meters in the 6MWT. Conclusions Stable COPD patients perform low levels of PA. Lower PA is associated with poorer health and with more severe disease.