A profile of daily activity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
BACKGROUND
Little information exists about the pattern of daily activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially in those who are on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). The aim of this study was to explore the regular level of domestic physical activity in patients with COPD and to explore differences in activity in those on LTOT.


METHODS
Daily activity was recorded using an activity monitor for 7 consecutive days in 4 groups. Group 1 had severe COPD (FEV1 0.66 [0.42] L) receiving LTOT (n = 9). Group 2 had severe COPD (FEV1 1.07 [0.43] L) and had full knowledge of the activity monitor and the purpose of the study (n = 10). Group 3 had severe COPD (FEV1 1.16 [0.27] L) but were unaware of the precise nature of the study (n = 10). Group 4 (n = 10) were the healthy control group. Participants also completed health status questionnaires.


RESULTS
There were statistically significant differences in the level of daily activity between all groups (P < .001) except between groups 2 and 3. There were no significant differences between days within groups. The activity counts compared to the healthy groups were reduced by 49% in groups 2 and 3 and by 79% in those on LTOT.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with COPD demonstrate reduced levels of spontaneous physical activity compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, patients receiving LTOT have an even lower level of domestic activity compared with that of those not on LTOT but with COPD of similar severity.
Sandland
C J
CJ
Institute for Lung Health, Department of Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Glenfield Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK. carolyn.sandland@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
Singh
S J
SJ
Curcio
A
A
Jones
P M
PM
Morgan
M D L
MD
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D009043:Motor Activity; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom