Idelle Weisman

Physical inactivity in patients with COPD, a controlled multi-center pilot-study

BACKGROUNDnPhysical activity (PA) has been reported to be reduced in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies in moderate COPD are currently scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate physical activity in daily life in patients with COPD (n=70) and controls (n=30).nnnMETHODSnA multi-center controlled study was conducted. PA was assessed using a multisensor armband device (SenseWear, BodyMedia, Pittsburgh, PA) and is reported as the average number of steps per day, and the time spent in mild and moderate physical activity.nnnRESULTSnPatients suffered from mild (n=9), moderate (n=28), severe (n=23) and very severe (n=10) COPD. The time spent in activities with mild (80 + or - 69 min vs 160 + or - 89 min, p<0.0001) and moderate intensity (24 + or - 29 min vs 65 + or - 70 min; p<0.0036) was reduced in patients compared to controls. The number of steps reached 87 + or - 34%, 71 + or - 32%, 49 + or - 34% and 29 + or - 20% of control values in GOLD-stages I to IV respectively. The time spent in activities at moderate intensity was 53 + or - 47%, 41 + or - 45%, 31 + or - 47% and 22 + or - 34% of the values obtained in controls respectively with increasing GOLD-stage. These differences reached statistical significance as of GOLD stage II (p<0.05). No differences were observed among centers.nnnCONCLUSIONSnPhysical activity is reduced early in the disease progression (as of GOLD-stage II). Reductions in physical activities at moderate intensity seem to precede the reduction in the amount of physical activities at lower intensity.

Tiotropium in patients with moderate COPD naive to maintenance therapy: a randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background:The benefits of pharmacotherapy with tiotropium HandiHaler 18u2009μg for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been previously demonstrated. However, few data exist regarding the treatment of moderate disease (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage II).Aims:To determine whether tiotropium improves lung function/patient-reported outcomes in patients with GOLD stage II COPD naive to maintenance therapy.Methods:A randomised 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial of tiotropium 18u2009μg once daily (via HandiHaler) was performed in maintenance therapy–naive patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio <0.7 and post-bronchodilator FEV1 ⩾50 and <80%.Results:A total of 457 patients were randomised (238 tiotropium, 219 placebo; mean age 62 years; FEV1 1.93u2009l (66% predicted)). Tiotropium was superior to placebo in mean change from baseline in post-dose FEV1 area under the curve from 0 to 3u2009h (AUC0–3h) at week 24 (primary endpoint): 0.19 vs. −0.03u2009l (least-squares mean difference 0.23u2009l, P<0.001). FVC AUC0–3h, trough and peak FEV1 and FVC were significantly improved with tiotropium versus placebo (P<0.001). Compared with placebo, tiotropium provided numerical improvements in physical activity (P=NS). Physician’s Global Assessment (health status) improved (P=0.045) with less impairment on the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (P=0.043) at week 24. The incidence of exacerbations, cough, bronchitis and dyspnoea was lower with tiotropium than placebo.Conclusions:Tiotropium improved lung function and patient-reported outcomes in maintenance therapy–naive patients with GOLD stage II COPD, suggesting benefits in initiating maintenance therapy early.

Optimizing management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the upcoming decade

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of disability and mortality. Caring for patients with COPD, particularly those with advanced disease who experience frequent exacerbations, places a significant burden on health care budgets, and there is a global need to reduce the financial and personal burden of COPD. Evolving scientific evidence on the natural history and clinical course of COPD has fuelled a fundamental shift in our approach to the disease. The emergence of data highlighting the heterogeneity in rate of lung function decline has altered our perception of disease progression in COPD and our understanding of appropriate strategies for the management of stable disease. These data have demonstrated that early, effective, and prolonged bronchodilation has the potential to slow the rate of decline in lung function and to reduce the frequency of exacerbations that contribute to functional decline. The goals of therapy for COPD are no longer confined to controlling symptoms, reducing exacerbations, and maintaining quality of life, and slowing disease progression is now becoming an achievable aim. A challenge for the future will be to capitalize on these observations by improving the identification and diagnosis of patients with COPD early in the course of their disease, so that effective interventions can be introduced before the more advanced, disabling, and costly stages of the disease. Here we critically review emerging data that underpin the advances in our understanding of the clinical course and management of COPD, and evaluate both current and emerging pharmacologic options for effective maintenance treatment.

Assessing the Impact of Tiotropium on Lung Function and Physical Activity in GOLD Stage II COPD Patients who are Naive to Maintenance Respiratory Therapy: A Study Protocol.

Physical activity status is increasingly recognized as a reliable predictor of mortality and hospitalization in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The reduction in physical activity occurs earlier in the clinical course of COPD than previously appreciated, possibly arising from breathlessness, reduced exercise tolerance, and adoption of a more sedentary lifestyle. To date, no clinical trial has evaluated the impact of pharmacotherapy on both lung function and physical activity. We recently designed a study that evaluates the impact of tiotropium (a once-daily inhaled anticholinergic) on lung function and physical activity in a maintenance/treatment-naïve Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Stage II COPD cohort. Previous studies have demonstrated that tiotropium improves lung function and exercise tolerance; whether these benefits translate into improvements in physical activity is the focus of the current work. Here we describe the rationale and challenges in developing and implementing this study and review its unique features and novel design, including: utility of direct activity monitoring in multicenter clinical trials; importance of behavioral-modification techniques (including motivational interviewing to improve patient self-efficacy and adherence for a healthy, more active lifestyle); utility of individualized activity plans that provide an integrated approach with pharmacotherapy and behavioral modification to help patients achieve a more active lifestyle.