Physical activity, spirometry and quality-of-life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a high level of morbidity. There is limited information about levels of physical activity among community dwelling subjects with the disease and its association with lung function and quality of life. In this study, 176 subjects with COPD were recruited from general practices. Physical activity was measured over 7 days using pedometers, quality-of-life using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and lung function using spirometry, 124 subjects, 60% male, aged 70 +/- 8 years were included in the analysis. Physical activity levels were low, median steps/day for males = 3621, IQR = 4247 and for females = 4287, IQR = 3063. Overall physical activity (median steps/day = 3716, IQR = 3682) was significantly associated with the forced expiratory volume in one second (r = 0.39, p < 0.001) and with St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire score (r = -0.28, p < 0.01). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that in a community-based sample of people with COPD, daily physical activity levels were low compared with usual levels reported for the general population. Physical activity was significantly associated with disease severity, measured by lung function, and quality-of-life.