Physical inactivity, functional status and exercise capacity in COPD patients receiving home-based oxygen therapy

Physical activity is an influencing factor in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), contributing to quality of life, number of exacerbations and mortality. Understanding the causes of reduced physical activity in daily life (PADL) could lead to the implementation of interventions to help reduce its impact on patients.

This study explored the connection between severe PADL and pulmonary function, fatigue, dyspnea, functional status and exercise capacity in individuals with COPD on home-based long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). They also aimed to understand which of these variables could influence inactivity in COPD patients. Pulmonary function, fatigue, dyspnea, functional status, exercise capacity and PADL (steps/day) were assessed in 39 COPD patients on LTOT using electric oxygen concentrators.

Based on their number of steps/day, all participants were classified as severely inactive (mean = 973), with reports of fatigue, dyspnea, reduced functional status and limited exercise capacity. No correlation was observed between the number of steps/day and severity of airway obstruction, but there was a significant correlation between steps/day and daily duration of LTOT, fatigue, functional status and capacity to exercise. Researchers concluded that longer daily duration of LTOT, fatigue, worse functional status and exercise capacity were related to reduced PADL in individuals with COPD on LTOT.