Physical activity in COPD patients decreases short-acting bronchodilator use and the number of exacerbations

Physically inactive patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit higher rates of exacerbations and symptoms of dyspnoea than active patients. Whether the use of COPD medication explains these differences is not known.

This study evaluated differences in the use of COPD medication and the number of exacerbations due to physical activity.

A COPD cohort (N = 719) was followed through medical records to identify hospital admissions, and exercise activity was evaluated using mailed questionnaires. The national drug reimbursement registry identified drug purchases for one year.

The use of maintenance therapies, such as long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs), long-acting beta agonists (LABAs), inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), and theophylline, did not differ significantly between physically active (N = 346) and inactive (N = 355) COPD patients. The cumulative dose of salbutamol (85 vs. 218 mg, adjusted P = 0.01) and oral corticosteroids (OCS) (621 vs. 1068 mg, adjusted P = 0.02) were significantly higher in inactive patients, regardless of disease severity. LABAs, LAMAs, and ICS were used in reduced doses in both patient groups compared to daily defined doses (DDD). Physical activity was independently associated with the number of hospital admissions and the use of OCS and short-acting bronchodilators.

Physical inactivity in COPD was not associated with poorer use of maintenance therapies. In contrast, inactivity was independently associated with the number of exacerbations measured by hospital admissions and the use of OCS and short-acting symptom-relieving medications.