Levels of physical activity and predictors of mortality in COPD.
To compare the Body mass index, airway Obstruction, Dyspnea, and E xercise capacity (BODE) index scores and its individual components between COPD patients with and without severe physical inactivity, as well as to correlate the number of steps/day with scores of physical activity questionnaires, age, and the BODE index (including its components).



We included 30 patients, who were evaluated for body composition, pulmonary function (FEV1), perception of dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council scale), and exercise capacity (six-minute walk distance [6MWD]). The patients also completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), short version, and the modified Baecke questionnaire (mBQ). The level of physical activity was assessed by the number of steps/day (as determined by pedometer), using the cut-off of 4,580 steps/day to form two groups: no severe physical inactivity (SPI-) and severe physical inactivity (SPI+). We used the Mann-Whitney test or t-test, as well as Pearson's or Spearman's correlation tests, in the statistical analysis.



In comparison with the SPI- group, the SPI+ group showed more advanced age, higher mBQ scores (leisure domain), lower 6MWD (in m and % of predicted), and lower IPAQ scores (metabolic equivalent-walk/week domain and total). The IPAQ scores showed weak correlations with steps/day (r = 0.399), age (r = -0.459), and 6MWD-in m (r = 0.446) and in % of predicted (r = 0.422).



In our sample, the cut-off of 4,580 steps/day was not sensitive enough to identify differences between the groups when compared with the predictors of mortality. The IPAQ, short version score correlated with steps/day.
Federal University of São Carlos, Department of Physical Therapy, São Carlos, Brazil.
Samantha Maria
SM
Nyssen
Federal University of São Carlos, Department of Physical Therapy, São Carlos, Brazil.
Júlia Gianjoppe dos
JG
Santos
Federal University of São Carlos, Department of Physical Therapy, São Carlos, Brazil.
Marina Sallum
MS
Barusso
Federal University of São Carlos, Department of Physical Therapy, São Carlos, Brazil.
Antônio Delfino de
AD
Oliveira
Federal University of São Carlos, Department of Physical Therapy, São Carlos, Brazil.
Valéria Amorim Pires Di
VA
Lorenzo
Federal University of São Carlos, Department of Physical Therapy, São Carlos, Brazil.
Mauricio
M
Jamami
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015984:Causality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000401:mortality* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012107:Research Design; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires