Change in physical activity related to admission for exacerbation in COPD patients

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of hospitalizations on levels of physical activity (PA) and whether other factors were associated with subsequent changes in PA. Prospective observational cohort study with a nested case-control study, with follow-up 60 days from the index hospital admission. Nine hospitals participated in the study. Patients were recruited consecutively. Several variables and questionnaires of the clinical baseline status of the patients were recorded including: the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the Hospital Anxiety-Depression scale (HADS), comorbidities and the Yale Physical Activity Survey. Patients’ data related to admission and up to two months after discharge were also recorded. 883 patients were studied: 79.7% male; FEV1 48%; Charlson index 2; 28.7% active smokers. The baseline PA level for the total sample was 23 points. A statistically significant difference in PA was found between patients readmitted up to 2 months after the index admission and those not readmitted (17vs. 27, p