Esther Helen Steveling

Daily physical activity, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with COPD.

Abstract Introduction: In the therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it is a major goal to improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients with COPD often suffer from exertional dyspnea and adopt a sedentary lifestyle, which could be associated with poorer HRQOL. The aim of this study was to investigate the independent association of objectively measured daily physical activity and functional capacity with HRQOL in patients with COPD. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, 87 stable patients (58.6% male, mean age: 67.3 ± 9.6 yrs) with COPD in GOLD grades I (n = 23), II (n = 46), III (n = 12) and IV (n = 6) were investigated. To assess HRQOL, the COPD assessment test (CAT) was completed. Patients performed spirometry and 6-min walk test. Physical activity was measured by the SenseWear Mini Armband on 7 consecutive days. By performing a multiple linear regression analysis, independent predictors of CAT score were identified. Results: Age (β = −0.39, p = 0.001), average daily steps (β = −0.31, p = 0.033) and 6-min walk distance (β = −0.32, p = 0.019) were found to be independent predictors of CAT score, whereas physical activity duration above 3 METs (p = 0.498) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s in% of predicted (p = 0.364) showed no significant association. Conclusions: This study showed that average daily steps and functional capacity are independent determinants of HRQOL in patients with COPD. This emphasizes the importance to remain active and mobile, which is associated with better HRQOL.

Differences in classification of COPD patients into risk groups A-D: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease proposed in 2011 a new system to classify chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients into risk groups A-D, which considers symptoms and future exacerbation risk to grade disease severity. The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement between COPD risk group classifications using COPD assessment test (CAT) or modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) and severity grades or past-year exacerbations. Furthermore, physical activity across risk groups was examined.Methods87 patients with stable COPD were classified into risk groups A-D. CAT and mMRC were completed. Severity grades I-IV were determined using spirometry and the number of past-year exacerbations was recorded. To test the interrater agreement, Cohen’s Kappa was calculated. Daily physical activity was measured by the SenseWear Mini armband.ResultsUsing CAT, 65.5% of patients were in high-symptom groups (B and D). With mMRC, only 37.9% were in B and D. Using severity grades, 20.7% of patients were in high-exacerbation risk groups (C and D). With past-year exacerbations, 9.2% were in C and D. Interrater agreement between CAT and mMRC (κ = 0.21) and between severity grades and past-year exacerbations (κ = 0.31) was fair. Daily steps were reduced in risk groups B and C + D compared to A (p < 0.01), using either classification.ConclusionsWhen classifying COPD patients into risk groups A-D, the use of CAT or mMRC and severity grades or past-year exacerbations does not provide equal results. Daily steps decreased with increasing COPD risk groups.

Contents Vol. 88, 2014

I.M. Adcock, London K.E. Bloch, Zürich A. Boehler, Zürich D.E. Bouros, Alexandroupolis A. Chetta, Parma V. Cottin, Lyon C. Dooms, Leuven E. Eber, Graz S. Gasparini, Ancona J. Hammer, Basel J. Johnston, Vancouver, B.C. C.F. Koegelenberg, Cape Town M. Lommatzsch, Rostock M. Miravitlles, Barcelona J. Müller-Quernheim, Freiburg L.P. Nicod, Lausanne D. Olivieri, Parma W. Randerath, Solingen P.L. Shah, London S. Siddiqui, Leicester T. Terashima, Ichikawa O.S. Usmani, London S. van Eeden, Vancouver, B.C. K. Yasufuku, Toronto, Ont.