Physical activity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE
Physical activity is an important parameter in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but has not been studied in detail in patients with interstitial lung disease. This study aimed to evaluate physical activity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).


METHODS
Physical activity was monitored in 31 stable IPF patients using an accelerometer for 1 month. The following factors reflecting physical activity were measured: the number of steps, walking distance, the time spent at magnitude of movement (MM) 1-6, physical activity-related energy expenditure (PAEE) and total energy expenditure. We also measured the following clinical parameters: the modified Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), pulmonary function parameters, 6-min walk test (6MWT) results and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of the chest. We determined the relationship between these parameters and physical activity.


RESULTS
We recorded 24 days of physical activity data. The time spent at MM < 1 was more than 10 h per day, whereas that at MM > 1 was approximately 1 h per day. The modified MRC scale, serum KL-6 levels, 6MWT distance, and the extent of honeycomb and reticular abnormality on HRCT were associated with several facets of physical activity. In particular, lower KL-6 levels were correlated with higher physical activity based on the number of steps, walking distance, the time spent at MM 1-4 and PAEE.


CONCLUSIONS
The modified MRC scale, 6MWT distance, extent of fibrosis on HRCT and serum KL-6 levels are strongly associated with physical activity.
Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan.
Masayuki
M
Nakayama
Masashi
M
Bando
Koji
K
Araki
Toshie
T
Sekine
Fumio
F
Kurosaki
Tetsuro
T
Sawata
Shoko
S
Nakazawa
Naoko
N
Mato
Hideaki
H
Yamasawa
Yukihiko
Y
Sugiyama
D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
6-min walk test; Krebs von den Lungen-6; accelerometer; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; physical activity