Roberto Bernabeu-Mora

The Short Physical Performance Battery is a discriminative tool for identifying patients with COPD at risk of disability.

Background Limited mobility is a risk factor for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related disabilities. Little is known about the validity of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) for identifying mobility limitations in patients with COPD. Objective To determine the clinical validity of the SPPB summary score and its three components (standing balance, 4-meter gait speed, and five-repetition sit-to-stand) for identifying mobility limitations in patients with COPD. Methods This cross-sectional study included 137 patients with COPD, recruited from a hospital in Spain. Muscle strength tests and SPPB were measured; then, patients were surveyed for self-reported mobility limitations. The validity of SPPB scores was analyzed by developing receiver operating characteristic curves to analyze the sensitivity and specificity for identifying patients with mobility limitations; by examining group differences in SPPB scores across categories of mobility activities; and by correlating SPPB scores to strength tests. Results Only the SPPB summary score and the five-repetition sit-to-stand components showed good discriminative capabilities; both showed areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves greater than 0.7. Patients with limitations had significantly lower SPPB scores than patients without limitations in nine different mobility activities. SPPB scores were moderately correlated with the quadriceps test (r>0.40), and less correlated with the handgrip test (r<0.30), which reinforced convergent and divergent validities. A SPPB summary score cutoff of 10 provided the best accuracy for identifying mobility limitations. Conclusion This study provided evidence for the validity of the SPPB summary score and the five-repetition sit-to-stand test for assessing mobility in patients with COPD. These tests also showed potential as a screening test for identifying patients with COPD that have mobility limitations.

Frailty is a predictive factor of readmission within 90 days of hospitalization for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a longitudinal study

Background: Readmission after hospital discharge is common in patients with acute exacerbations (AE) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although frailty predicts hospital readmission in patients with chronic nonpulmonary diseases, no multidimensional frailty measures have been validated to stratify the risk for patients with COPD. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore multidimensional frailty as a potential risk factor for readmission due to a new exacerbation episode during the 90 days after hospitalization for AE-COPD and to test whether frailty could improve the identification of patients at high risk of readmission. We hypothesized that patients with moderate-to-severe frailty would be at greater risk for readmission within that period of follow up. A secondary aim was to test whether frailty could improve the accuracy with which to discriminate patients with a high risk of readmission. Our investigation was part of a wider study protocol with additional aims on the same study population. Methods: Frailty, demographics, and disease-related factors were measured prospectively in 102 patients during hospitalization for AE-COPD. Some of the baseline data reported were collected as part of a previously study. Readmission data were obtained on the basis of the discharge summary from patients’ electronic files by a researcher blinded to the measurements made in the previous hospitalization. The association between frailty and readmission was assessed using bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression models. Whether frailty better identifies patients at high risk for readmission was evaluated by area under the receiver operator curve (AUC). Results: Severely frail patients were much more likely to be readmitted than nonfrail patients (45% versus 18%). After adjusting for age and relevant disease-related factors in a final multivariate model, severe frailty remained an independent risk factor for 90-day readmission (odds ratio = 5.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.26–21.50). Age, number of hospitalizations for exacerbations in the previous year and length of stay were also significant in this model. Additionally, frailty improved the predictive accuracy of readmission by improving the AUC. Conclusions: Multidimensional frailty predicts the risk of early hospital readmission in patients hospitalized for AE-COPD. Frailty improved the accuracy of discriminating patients at high risk for readmission. Identifying patients with frailty for targeted interventions may reduce early readmission rates.

Efficacy of a self-management plan in exacerbations for patients with advanced COPD.

Background Self-management interventions improve different outcome variables in various chronic diseases. Their role in COPD has not been clearly established. We assessed the efficacy of an intervention called the self-management program on the need for hospital care due to disease exacerbation in patients with advanced COPD. Methods Multicenter, randomized study in two hospitals with follow-up of 1 year. All the patients had severe or very severe COPD, and had gone to either an accident and emergency (A&E) department or had been admitted to a hospital at least once in the previous year due to exacerbation of COPD. The intervention consisted of a group education session on the main characteristics of the disease, an individual training session on inhalation techniques, at the start and during the 3rd month, and a written action plan containing instructions for physical activity and treatment for stable phases and exacerbations. We determined the combined number of COPD-related hospitalizations and emergency visits per patient per year. Secondary endpoints were number of patients with visits to A&E and the number of patients hospitalized because of exacerbations, use of antibiotics and corticosteroids, length of hospital stay, and all-cause mortality. Results After 1 year, the rate of COPD exacerbations with visits to A&E or hospitalization had decreased from 1.37 to 0.89 (P=0.04) and the number of exacerbations dropped from 52 to 42 in the group of patients who received the intervention. The numbers of patients hospitalized, at 19 (40.4%) versus 20 (52.6%) (P=0.26), and those who went to A&E, at 9 (19.1%) versus 14 (36.8%) (P=0.06), due to exacerbation of COPD were also lower in this group. Intake of antibiotics was higher in the intervention group, whereas use of glucocorticoids was slightly lower, though there were no significant differences (P=0.30). There were also no differences between groups in the length of hospital stay (P=0.154) or overall mortality (P=0.191). Conclusion The implementation of a self-management program for patients with advanced COPD reduced exacerbations that required hospital care.

Interobserver Reliability of Peripheral Muscle Strength Tests and Short Physical Performance Battery in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Prospective Observational Study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the interobserver reliability of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and hand dynamometry when measuring isometric muscle strength in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN Reliability study. Each patient was assessed by a pulmonology physician and a physical therapist in 2 separate sessions 7 to 14 days apart (mean, 9.8±0.8d). Each rater was blinded to the others results. SETTING Pneumology unit of a public hospital. PARTICIPANTS Random sample of outpatients with stable COPD (N=30). INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES SPPB and muscle strength (kg) using electronic handgrip and handheld dynamometers. Reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement values, and Bland-Altman plots. ICCs were calculated for the SPPB summary score and for its 3 subscales. RESULTS The ICCs for the overall reliability of the SPPB summary score and for grip and quadriceps strength were .82 (95% confidence interval [CI], .62-.91), .97 (95% CI, .93-.98), and .76 (95% CI, .49-.88), respectively. The standard error of measurement values were .55 points, 1.30kg, and 1.22kg, respectively. The mean differences between the raters scores were near zero for grip strength and SPPB summary score measures. The ICCs for the SPPB subscales were .84 (95% CI, .66-.92) for the chair subscale, .75 (95% CI, .48-.88) for gait, and .33 (95% CI, -.42 to .68) for balance. CONCLUSIONS Interobserver reliability was good for quadriceps and handgrip dynamometry and for the SPPB summary score and its chair stand and gait speed subscales. Both pulmonary physicians and physical therapists can obtain and exchange the scores. Because the reliability of the balance subscale was questionable, it is better to use the SPPB summary score.

The accuracy with which the 5 times sit-to-stand test, versus gait speed, can identify poor exercise tolerance in patients with COPD: A cross-sectional study.

AbstractIdentifying those patients who underperform in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT <350 m), and the reasons for their poor performance, is a major concern in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.To explore the accuracy and relevance of the 4-m gait-speed (4MGS) test, and the 5-repetition sit-to-stand (5STS) test, as diagnostic markers, and clinical determinants, of poor performance in the 6MWT.We recruited 137 patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to participate in our cross-sectional study. Patients completed the 4MGS and 5STS tests, with quantitative (in seconds) and qualitative ordinal data collected; the latter were categorized using a scale of 0 to 4. The following potential covariates and clinical determinants of poor 6MWT were collated: age, quadriceps muscle-strength (QMS), health status, dyspnea, depression, and airflow limitation. Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve data (AUC) was used to assess accuracy, with logistic regression used to explore relevance as clinical determinants.The AUCs generated using the 4MGS and 5STS tests were comparable, at 0.719 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.629–0.809) and 0.711 (95% CI 0.613–0.809), respectively. With ordinal data, the 5STS test was most accurate (AUC of 0.732; 95% CI 0.645–0.819); the 4MGS test showed poor discriminatory power (AUC <0.7), although accuracy improved (0.726, 95% CI 0.637–0.816) when covariates were included. Unlike the 4MGS test, the 5STS test provided a significant clinical determinant of a poor 6MWT (odds ratio 1.23, 95% CI 1.05–1.44).The 5STS test reliably predicts a poor 6MWT, especially when using ordinal data. Used alone, the 4MGS test is reliable when measured with continuous data.

Rates and predictors of depression status among caregivers of patients with COPD hospitalized for acute exacerbations: a prospective study

Background Hospitalization is common for acute exacerbation of COPD, but little is known about its impact on the mental health of caregivers. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the rates and predictors of depressive symptoms in caregivers at the time of hospitalization for acute exacerbation of COPD and to identify the probability and predictors of subsequent changes in depressive status 3 months after discharge. Materials and methods This was a prospective study. Depression symptoms were measured in 87 caregivers of patients hospitalized for exacerbation at hospitalization and 3 months after discharge. We measured factors from four domains: context of care, caregiving demands, caregiver resources, and patient characteristics. Univariate and multivariate multiple logistic regressions were used to determine the predictors of depression at hospitalization and subsequent changes at 3 months. Results A total of 45 caregivers reported depression at the time of hospitalization. After multiple adjustments, spousal relationship, dyspnea, and severe airflow limitation were the strongest independent predictors of depression at hospitalization. Of these 45 caregivers, 40% had a remission of their depression 3 months after discharge. In contrast, 16.7% of caregivers who were not depressive at hospitalization became depressive at 3 months. Caregivers caring >20 hours per week for patients with dependencies had decreased odds of remission, and patients having dependencies after discharge increased the odds of caregivers becoming depressed. Conclusion Depressive symptoms are common among caregivers when patients are hospitalized for exacerbation of COPD. Although illness factors are determinants of depression at hospitalization, patient dependence determines fluctuations in the depressive status of caregivers.

Mobility limitations related to reduced pulmonary function among aging people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of disability. We aimed to analyse the impact of reduced pulmonary function on non-respiratory impairments and mobility activity limitations in an elderly population with COPD and to elucidate which specific limitations on mobility are related to reduced pulmonary function Methods Cross-sectional study of 110 patients with COPD, recruited from public and university hospital. The effect of impaired pulmonary function on the risk of non-respiratory impairments and mobility limitations was analysed using validated measures, including: the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), skeletal muscle strength, the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and self-reported mobility questionnaire. Multivariate analysis was used to control for confounders such as age, sex, height, education, and cigarette smoking. Results Greater impairment of pulmonary function was associated with less distance walked during the 6MWT, poorer SPPB scores, and greater risk of self-reported mobility limitations (p<0.05). Lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s was also associated with a greater risk of limitations in carrying items under 10 pounds (4.54 kg), walking alone up and down a flight of stairs, and walking two or three neighbourhood blocks. There was no clear statistical relationship between pulmonary function impairment and skeletal muscle strength. Conclusions Impaired pulmonary function was associated with the 6MWT score and limitations on performance-based and self-reported mobility activities, but not with skeletal muscle strength among elderly COPD patients.

Patterns, Trajectories, and Predictors of Functional Decline after Hospitalization for Acute Exacerbations in Men with Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Longitudinal Study

Background Hospitalization for acute exacerbations (AE) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is common, but little is known about the impact of hospitalization on the development of disability. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate and time course of functional changes 3 months after hospital discharge for AE-COPD compared with baseline levels 2 weeks before admission, and to identify predictors of functional decline. Methods This was a prospective study including 103 patients (age mean, 71 years; standard deviation, 9.1 years) who were hospitalized with AE-COPD. Number of dependencies in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) was measured at the preadmission baseline and at weeks 6 and 12 after discharge. Patterns of improvement, no change, and decline were defined over 3 consecutive intervals (baseline and weeks 6 and 12). Trajectories grouped patients with similar time courses of disability. Recovery was defined as returning to baseline function after functional decline. Univariate and multivariate multiple logistic regression was used to determine predictors of functional decline after week 12. Results Six trajectories of functional changes were found. From baseline to 12 weeks, 50% of patients continued to have the same function whereas 31% experienced functional decline after 6 weeks; 16.7% recovered over subsequent weeks. At week 12, as a consequence of all trajectories, 38% of patients showed functional declines compared with baseline function, 57% had not declined, and 6 improved. Length of stay (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12;95% [confidence interval] CI 1.03–1.22), dyspnea (OR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.05–3.26), and frailty (OR = 3.97; 95% CI 1.13–13.92) were independent predictors of functional decline after 12 weeks. Conclusions Hospitalization for AE-COPD is a risk factor for the progression of disability. More than one third of patients hospitalized for AE-COPD declined during the 12 weeks following discharge, with most of this decline occurring by week 6.

Patterns and predictors of exhaustion episodes in patients with stable COPD: A longitudinal study

Exhaustion is the perception of low energy. Little is known about how exhaustion persists, remits or reappears over time in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or how to predict these events. We determined the likelihood of transitions between states of exhaustion and no exhaustion among patients with stable COPD followed up for 2 years. We investigated combinations of potential factors for their abilities to predict new‐onset exhaustion episodes.

Physical frailty characteristics have a differential impact on symptoms as measured by the CAT score: an observational study

BackgroundThe physical frailty status affects the health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective was to determine if the individual physical frailty characteristics have a differential impact on the CAT score.MethodsThis observational study included 137 patients with stable COPD. Physical frailty was measured with unintentional weight loss, low physical activity, exhaustion, slow walking speed and low grip strength and health status assessed with the COPD Assessment test (CAT). The following variables were evaluated as potential determinants of CAT: sex, age, body mass index, smoking, dyspnea, exacerbations, comorbidities, %FEV1, %FVC, anxiety and depression.ResultsThe prevalence of characteristics for individual frailty was as follows: low grip strength, 60.6%; low physical activity, 27.0%; exhaustion, 19.7%; slow walking speed, 9.5%; and unintentional weight loss, 7.3%. A total of 17.5% of the patients were non-frail, 73.7% were pre-frail and only 8.7% were frail. One of the five frailty characteristics, exhaustion (adjusted β coefficient 5.12 [standard error = 1.27], p = 0.001) was an independent determinant of CAT score in the final regression model which was adjusted by other independent determinants of CAT (dyspnea, exacerbations and anxiety).ConclusionsDue to the fact that exhaustion is a frequent and relevant psychological symptom on CAT score of patients with COPD, interventions should reduce that stress. Future research should explore how exhaustion persists or remits over time.