Korean J Intern Med.  2018 Jan;33(1):130-137. 10.3904/kjim.2016.090.

Factors associated with low-level physical activity in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Wonkwang University Sanbon Hospital, Gunpo, Korea.
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea. parkhk@pusan.ac.kr
  • 3Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
  • 4Department of Nursing, Pusan National University College of Nursing, Yangsan, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the extent of physical activity (PA) is correlated with disease severity and prognosis. However, factors associated with low-level PA in elderly COPD patients are not known. We assessed the levels of PA and clinical factors associated with low-level of PA in elderly COPD patients.
METHODS
This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter, prospective study of 245 patients with COPD. Among them, 160 patients with 65 years or more were included. Three PA groups were defined with respect to daily activity time (low, moderate, and high). Health related quality of life (HRQL) was measured using St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) and 36-item short-form health survey. Anxiety and depression status were assessed employing the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of low-level PA in elderly COPD patients.
RESULTS
Of all the 160 patients, 103 (64.4%) engaged in low-level PA. Upon univariate analysis, a decreased exercise capacity (6-minute walk test < 250 m), an increased dyspnea (the modified medical research council [MMRC] dyspnea scale ≥ 2), a decreased HRQL (total SGRQ score), and a presence of depression (HADS-D ≥ 8) were significantly associated with low-level PA. Upon multivariate analysis, an MMRC grade ≥ 2 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.550; p = 0.034), and HADS-D ≥ 8 (HR, 2.076; p = 0.045) were independently associated with low-level PA in elderly COPD patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Two-thirds of elderly patients with COPD reported low-level of PA. More severe dyspnea and a presence of depression were independently associated with low-level PA in elderly COPD patients.

Keyword

Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Aged; Dyspnea; Depression

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Anxiety
Depression
Dyspnea
Health Surveys
Humans
Logistic Models
Motor Activity*
Multivariate Analysis
Prognosis
Prospective Studies
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*
Quality of Life
Full Text Links
  • KJIM
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr