Physical activity of patients with bronchiectasis compared with healthy counterparts: A cross-sectional study

A few studies have implied that patients with bronchiectasis have a more inactive lifestyle than healthy counterparts do. The main objective of this study was to compare physical activity (PA) levels subjectively and objectively between patients with bronchiectasis and healthy individuals using an accelerometer and a questionnaire.

The study included 41 patients with bronchiectasis aged 18-65 years and 35 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects. The PA level was assessed objectively using a multisensorial PA monitor, the SenseWear Armband (SWA), and subjectively with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). All participants performed the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) for the assessment of exercise capacity. Pulmonary function, dyspnea, severity of bronchiectasis, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, and quality of life were assessed.

The pulmonary function test parameters, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, exercise capacity, step count, moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA duration were significantly lower in patients with bronchiectasis than in the healthy control group (p < 0.05). Sedentary, moderate, vigorous, and total PA duration measured using the SWA were higher than those obtained using the IPAQ (p < 0.05).

Patients with bronchiectasis have a reduced PA level compared with healthy counterparts. The IPAQ (based on the subjective estimation of PA) outcomes differed from the SWA outcomes, reinforcing the necessity for a disease-specific PA questionnaire. IPAQ underestimates the physical activity level compared with objective measurements.