Moderate, Severe COPD Exacerbations Accelerate Physical Decline

Findings of a recent study suggest that both moderate and severe exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are associated with a decline in their physical activity (PA) level and can have important, lasting effects.

PA is a relevant outcome measure for COPD and drives prognosis, but determinants of PA and how it changes over time are not well understood.

Researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) sought to assess the association between the number and severity of exacerbations and changes in PA and patient PA experience. Data from 141 patients from 5 European health care centers (Greece, Scotland, England, Belgium and The Netherlands) were analyzed. Patients PA was measured using accelerometers. Researchers then tracked the number and severity of exacerbations during 12 months of follow-up. Patients’ perception of their own PA was assessed as well (European Respiratory Journal. 2018;51[1]:1702110). 

Heleen Demeyer, PT, PhD, (ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain) said, “Previous research showed an acute drop in physical activity during a COPD exacerbation. We now observed that this drop in physical activity has an important and lasting effect. Higher exacerbation frequencies were associated with more pronounced declines in physical activity” (Science Daily. February 20, 2018).

Unexpectedly, researchers also found “that two or more moderate exacerbations (treated without hospital admission) resulted in a long-term decline in physical activity equivalent to that of a severe event (with hospitalization).” 

Researchers said that these findings confirm the importance of “prevention and early management of exacerbations regardless of severity,” as well as interventions after exacerbations to increase PA.

—Amanda Del Signore

For more articles like this, visit the COPD Resource Center

For more Annals of Long-Term Care articles, visit the homepage

To view the Annals of Long-Term Care print issue, click here