Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the lifetime pattern of physical activity (PA) in chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and sedentary healthy subjects
(SHS) using a PA questionnaire with a lifetime period of recall (Quantification
de l'Activite Physique [QUANTAP] system), and to compare the pattern of PA
reduction in COPD patients with the onset of breathlessness and other relevant
clinical events in this disease (diagnosis, first rehabilitation, onset of
smoking). DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparative study. SETTINGS: Outpatient
university hospital and inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS:
COPD patients (n=129; mean age +/- SD, 61+/-10y; forced expiratory volume in 1s,
57+/-23%) and SHS (n=29; mean age +/- SD, 61+/-5y; <150min.wk(-1) of
moderate-vigorous PA). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Lifetime PA was compared in COPD patients and SHS using the QUANTAP system. The
patients with COPD and SHS underwent pulmonary function, exercise, and quadriceps
endurance testing. The current PA level was assessed with a triaxial
accelerometer and the Voorrips questionnaire. The age at the onset of
breathlessness was also recorded. RESULTS: Accelerometry showed no significant
difference between patients and SHS (in vector magnitude units, 136+/-56 vs
135+/-47; P=.95). Within the past 15 years, the cumulated PA level was not
different for each 5-year period. Then, from the period of 16 to 40 years ago, it
was systematically higher in patients compared with SHS (in metabolic
equivalent/y(-1); median [interquartile range], 6973 [5400-12,207] vs 4248
[3545-5919]; P<.05). The COPD patients reduced their PA earlier than the SHS (45y
vs 55y; P<.01), and the PA was dropped before the onset of breathlessness (45y vs
49y; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The observation of an early PA reduction, preceding
the onset of breathlessness, suggests the implication of prior pathologic
mechanisms in the PA reduction of COPD patients.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS