Factors associated with low physical activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease: a cross-sectional study
Sammanfattning
Objectives:
Low physical activity (PA) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with poor
prognosis. In addition, physical activity seems to be low early in the disease. The aim of this study
was to describe the level of PA in patients with stable COPD and to explore factors associated with
low PA, with a focus on fatigue, symptom burden and body composition
Methods:
In a cross-sectional study, 101 patients (52 women) with COPD were classified having low, moderate
or high PA according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short. Fatigue, dyspnoea,
depression and anxiety, symptom burden, body composition, physical capacity (lung function,
exercise capacity, muscle strength), exacerbation rate and systemic inflammation were assessed. A
multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent associations with low PA.
Results:
Mean age was 68 (±7) years, and mean percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second
was 50 (±16.5). Forty-two patients reported a low PA level, while 34 moderate and 25 reported high
levels. Factors independently associated with low PA, presented as odds ratio (95% confidence
interval), were severe fatigue 5.87 (1.23-28.12), exercise capacity 0.99 (0.99-1.0) and the number of
pack-years 1.04 (1.01-1.07). No relationship was found between depression, anxiety, body
composition, exacerbation rate or systemic inflammation and PA.
Conclusions:
Severe fatigue, worse exercise capacity and a higher amount of smoking were independently
associated with low PA. Promoting physical activity is important in all patients with COPD. Our result
suggests that patients with severe fatigue might need specific strategies to prevent physical
inactivity.