Physical activity and fatigue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : A population based study

• IntroductionDyspnea with exertion and fatigue are the cardinal symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); impaired muscle function and reduced exercise capacity are also frequently associated with COPD. We aimed to assess the physical activity levels, in a population based sample study, of subjects with and without COPD. We also aimed to investigate the factors associated with low physical activity in these groups.MethodsIn this study, 470 subjects with COPD (FEV1/FVC< 0.70) and 569 subjects without COPD (Non-COPD) were analyzed. Physical activity was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Fatigue was investigated with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue scale (FACIT-F). An interview questionnaire was used to record the sample characteristics and history of heart disease. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the factors associated with low physical activity.ResultsLow physical activity was significantly more prevalent in GOLD grade ≥II COPD subjects, and this prevalence was higher than that for Non-COPD subjects (22.4 vs. 14.6%, p = 0.016). The strongest factors associated with low physical activity in COPD subjects were a history of heart disease, OR (CI 95%) 2.11 (1.10 - 4.08), and clinically significant fatigue, OR 2.33 (1.31 - 4.13); obesity was the only significant factor in Non-COPD subjects, OR 2.26 (1.17 – 4.35).ConclusionPhysical activity levels are reduced for COPD grade II and higher, and the factors associated with lower levels of physical activity are different for the COPD group compared to the Non-COPD group. We propose that measurements of fatigue and a history of heart disease are useful tools to include when screening subjects for pulmonary rehabilitation.

Nyckelord

COPD

physical activity

fatigue

questionnaire

IPAQ

FACIT-F

Medicinsk vetenskap

Medical Science

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)