Profile of the level of physical activity in the daily lives of patients with COPD in Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate characteristics of physical activities in daily life in COPD patients in Brazil, correlating those characteristics with physiological variables.


METHODS
Physical activities in daily life were evaluated in 40 COPD patients (18 males; 66 + or - 8 years of age; FEV(1) = 46 + or - 16 % of predicted; body mass index = 27 + or - 6 kg/m(2)) and 30 healthy age- and gender-matched subjects, using a multiaxial accelerometer-based sensor for 12 h/day on two consecutive days. We also assessed maximal and functional exercise capacity, using the incremental exercise test and the six-minute walk test (6MWT), respectively; MIP and MEP; peripheral muscle force, using the one-repetition maximum test and the handgrip test; quality of life, using the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); functional status, using the London Chest Activity of Daily Living questionnaire; and dyspnea sensation, using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale.


RESULTS
Mean walking time/day was shorter for COPD patients than for the controls (55 + or - 33 vs. 80 + or - 28 min/day; p = 0.001), as movement intensity was lower (1.9 + or - 0.4 vs. 2.3 + or - 0.6 m/s(2); p = 0.004). The COPD patients also tended to spend more time seated (294 + or - 114 vs. 246 + or - 122 min/day, p = 0.08). Walking time/day correlated with the 6MWT (r = 0.42; p = 0.007) and maximal workload (r = 0.41; p = 0.009), as well as with age, MRC scale score and SGRQ activity domain score (-0.31 < or = r < or = -0.43; p < or = 0.05 for all).


CONCLUSIONS
This sample of Brazilian patients with COPD, although more active than those evaluated in studies conducted in Europe, were less active than were the controls. Walking time/day correlated only moderately with maximal and functional exercise capacity.
Hernandes
Nidia Aparecida
NA
Respiratory Therapy Research Laboratory, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil.
Teixeira
Denilson de Castro
Dde C
Probst
Vanessa Suziane
VS
Brunetto
Antonio Fernando
AF
Ramos
Ercy Mara Cipulo
EM
Pitta
Fábio
F
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000503:physiopathology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data