Physical activity in patients with COPD: the impact of comorbidities

Device-assessed physical activity and sleep quality of post-COVID patients undergoing a rehabilitation program

BACKGROUND

An infection with SARS-CoV-2 can lead to persistent symptoms more than three months after the acute infection and has also an impact on patients' physical activity behaviour and sleep quality. There is evidence, that inpatient post-COVID rehabilitation can improve physical capacity and mental health impairments, but less is known about the change in physical behaviour and sleep quality.

METHODS

This longitudinal observational study used accelerometery to assess the level of physical activity and sleep quality before and after an inpatient rehabilitation program. The study sample consists of 100 post-COVID patients who acquired COVID-19 in the workplace. Group differences related to sex, age, COVID-19 severity, and pre-existing diseases were also analysed.

RESULTS

Level of physical activity and sleep quality didn't increase after rehabilitation. Overall, there is a high extent of inactivity time and poor sleep quality at both measurement points. Regarding group differences, male patients showed a significantly higher inactivity time before rehabilitation, and younger patients (< 55 years) spend significant more time in vigorous physical activity than older patients. Post-COVID patients with pre-existing cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic disease show slightly less physical activity than post-COVID patients without these comorbidities. Female patients and younger patients showed better sleep quality in some sleep parameters at both measurement points. However, no differences could be detected related to COVID-19 severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Ongoing strategies should be implemented to address the high amount of inactivity time and the poor sleep quality in post-COVID patients.

Technological features of smartphone apps for physical activity promotion in patients with COPD: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Low physical activity (PA) levels have a negative impact on the health status of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Smartphone applications (apps) focused on PA promotion may mitigate this problem; however, their effectiveness depends on patient adherence, which can be influenced by the technological features of the apps. This systematic review identified the technological features of smartphone apps aiming to promote PA in patients with COPD.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in the databases ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Papers including the description of a smartphone app for PA promotion in patients with COPD were included. Two researchers independently selected studies and scored the apps features based on a previously developed framework (38 possible features).

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies were included and 19 apps identified, with an average of 10 technological features implemented. Eight apps could be connected to wearables to collect data. The categories 'Measuring and monitoring' and 'Support and Feedback' were present in all apps. Overall, the most implemented features were 'progress in visual format' (n = 13), 'advice on PA' (n = 14) and 'data in visual format' (n = 10). Only three apps included social features, and two included a web-based version of the app.

CONCLUSIONS

The existing smartphone apps include a relatively small number of features to promote PA, which are mostly related to monitoring and providing feedback. Further research is warranted to explore the relationship between the presence/absence of specific features and the impact of interventions on patients' PA levels.

Impact of structural-level environmental interventions on physical activity: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of structural-level environmental interventions on the changes in PA levels in the populations examined.

METHODS

Natural experiments that involve environmental intervention with structural modification were included. The primary outcome PA levels with consideration of both objective and subjective measurements. An electronic search was carried out in Medline/Pubmed, SCIENCE DIRECT, WEB OF SCIENCE, and CINAHL up to January 2022. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, selected studies, extracted relevant data, and examined study quality. A qualitative synthesis was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-six articles were included. The structural-level environmental interventions included 4 fundamental areas: schools, work environments, streets or cities, and neighborhoods or parks. Of the 26 studies, 21 examined outdoor environments like parks, cities, pedestrian walkways, or steps, while 5 examined indoor or closed environments like schools and workplaces revealing that structural-level environmental interventions improve PA levels with the greatest effect in parks and active transportation. A risk of bias is inherent in natural experiments which is a limitation of this study. In schools and work areas, there is evidence of both decrease in sedentary time and an increase in PA related to environmental modifications.

CONCLUSION

Structural-level environmental modifications in parks and active transportation demonstrated greater effects in promoting PA. Environmental modifications can impact physical activity in the population. Given that the economic and cultural setting is a key variable when considering the effectiveness of structural interventions, and since only 1 of the 26 reviewed articles included such data, more studies examining economic factors are needed especially in low- and middle-income countries like in South America.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42021229718.

Impact of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Comorbidities on Long-term Outcomes of Home-based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD

Background

Cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with higher symptoms burden. Few center-based studies have evaluated the impact of these comorbidities on short-term pulmonary rehabilitation outcomes with contrasting results.

Research Question

This study aimed to determine whether cardiovascular diseases and metabolic comorbidities impacted long-term outcomes of a home-based PR program in COPD patients.

Study Design and methods

Data of 419 consecutive COPD patients addressed to our pulmonary rehabilitation program between January 2010 and June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Our program consisted of once-weekly supervised home sessions, including therapeutic education and self-management support, with unsupervised retraining exercises and physical activities the other days for 8 weeks. Exercise capacity (6-min stepper test [6MST]), quality of life (visual simplified respiratory questionnaire), and anxiety and depression (hospital anxiety and depression scale) were assessed respectively, before (M0) and at the end (M2) of the pulmonary rehabilitation program, and at 6 (M8) and 12 months (M14) after its achievement.

Results

Patients (mean age 64.1±11.2 years, 67% males, mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) 39.2±17.0% predicted) were classified as having cardiovascular comorbidities (n=195), only metabolic disorders (n=122) or none of these comorbidities (n=102). After adjustment, all outcomes appeared similar between groups at baseline and improved after pulmonary rehabilitation with a greater effect at M14 for patients with only metabolic disorders on anxiety and depression score (-5.0±0.7 vs -2.9±0.8 and -2.6±0.6, p=0.021). Quality of life and exercise capacity improvements were not significantly different between the three groups at M2 and M14.

Conclusion

Cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities do not preclude COPD patients from obtaining clinically meaningful improvements in exercise capacity, quality of life and anxiety-depression up to 1 year after a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation.

Computed tomography-based body composition measures in COPD and their association with clinical outcomes: A systematic review

Background

Computed tomography (CT) is commonly utilized in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for lung cancer screening and emphysema characterization. Computed tomography-morphometric analysis of body composition (muscle mass and adiposity) has gained increased recognition as a marker of disease severity and prognosis. This systematic review aimed to describe the CT-methodology used to assess body composition and identify the association of body composition measures and disease severity, health-related quality of life (HRQL), cardiometabolic risk factors, respiratory exacerbations, and survival in patients with COPD.

Methods

Six databases were searched (inception-September 2021) for studies evaluating adult COPD patients using thoracic or abdominal CT-muscle or adiposity body composition measures. The systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Twenty eight articles were included with 15,431 COPD patients, across all GOLD stages with 77% males, age range (mean/median 59–78 years), and BMI range 19.8–29.3 kg/m². There was heterogeneity in assessment of muscle mass and adiposity using thoracic (n = 22) and abdominal (n = 8) CT-scans, capturing different muscle groups, anatomic locations, and adiposity compartments (visceral, subcutaneous, and epicardial). Low muscle mass and increased adiposity were associated with increased COPD severity measures (lung function, exercise capacity, dyspnea) and lower HRQL, but were not consistent across studies. Increased visceral adiposity (n = 6) was associated with cardiovascular disease or risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes). Low muscle CSA was prognostic of respiratory exacerbations or mortality in three of six studies, whereas the relationship with increased intermuscular adiposity and greater mortality was only observed in one of three studies.

Conclusion

There was significant variability in CT-body composition measures. In several studies, low muscle mass was associated with increased disease severity and lower HRQL, whereas adiposity with cardiovascular disease/risk factors. Given the heterogeneity in body composition measures and clinical outcomes, the prognostic utility of CT-body composition in COPD requires further study.

Pharmacological, Nutritional, and Rehabilitative Interventions to Improve the Complex Management of Osteoporosis in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Narrative Review

Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent condition affecting a growing number of patients affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with crucial implications for risk of fragility fractures, hospitalization, and mortality. Several risk factors have been identified to have a role in osteoporosis development in COPD patients, including corticosteroid therapy, systemic inflammation, smoke, physical activity levels, malnutrition, and sarcopenia. In this scenario, a personalized multitarget intervention focusing on the pathological mechanisms underpinning osteoporosis is mandatory to improve bone health in these frail patients. Specifically, physical exercise, nutritional approach, dietary supplements, and smoke cessation are the cornerstone of the lifestyle approach to osteoporosis in COPD patients, improving not only bone health but also physical performance and balance. On the other hand, pharmacological treatment should be considered for both the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in patients at higher risk of fragility fractures. Despite these considerations, several barriers still affect the integration of a personalized approach to managing osteoporosis in COPD patients. However, digital innovation solutions and telemedicine might have a role in optimizing sustainable networking between hospital assistance and community settings to improve bone health and reduce sanitary costs of the long-term management of COPD patients with osteoporosis.

Determination of Daily Life Activity Levels of Hospitalized Individuals Due to COVID-19 Disease

Amaç: Araştırma, COVID-19 hastalığı nedeniyle hastanede yatarak tedavi olan hastaların taburculuk sonrasındaki günlük yaşam aktivite düzeylerini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır.Yöntem: Çalışma, COVID-19 hastalığı nedeniyle hastanede yatmış, taburculuğundan itibaren en az bir ay geçmiş 230 hasta üzerinde yapılmıştır. Veriler Temmuz 2021-Eylül 2021 tarihleri arasında telefon ile görüşme yöntemiyle toplanmıştır. Araştırmanın verileri Tanıtıcı Özellikler Formu ve Katz Günlük Yaşam Aktiviteleri Ölçeği kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Araştırma verileri, normal dağılmayan değişkenler için ortanca ve çeyrekler arası aralık kullanılarak verilmiştir. Verilerilerin karşılaştırılmasında Wilcoxon Sıralı İşaretler testi ile kullanılmıştır.Bulgular: Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 57,28±14,6, %47,8’i kadın, %16,1’i aşısız olup COVID-19 hastalığı öncesi günlük yaşam aktivitesi puan ortalaması 17,5±2,7, COVID-19 hastalığından sonraki günlük yaşam aktivitesi puan ortalaması 17,3±3,3 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Araştırmada hastalık öncesi ve sonrasındaki günlük yaşam aktiviteleri puan ortalamaları arasında anlamlı fark saptanmamıştır.Sonuçlar: COVID-19 hastalığı nedeniyle hastanede yatmış bireylerin taburculuk sonrasındaki sürecinin sağlık profesyonelleri tarafından takip edilmesi, yaşam aktivitelerinin değerlendirilmesi, bakım ihtiyaçlarının belirlenmesi ve buna yönelik olarak bireyselleştirilmiş sağlık hizmetinin hastane dışında da sürdürülmesi önerilmektedir.

COPD Population in US Primary Care: Data From the Optimum Patient Care DARTNet Research Database and the Advancing the Patient Experience in COPD Registry

PURPOSE

To describe demographic and clinical characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients managed in US primary care.

METHODS

This was an observational registry study using data from the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Optimum Patient Care DARTNet Research Database from which the Advancing the Patient Experience COPD registry is derived. Registry patients were aged ≥35 years at diagnosis. Electronic health record data were collected from both registries, supplemented with patient-reported information/outcomes from the Advancing the Patient Experience registry from 5 primary care groups in Texas, Ohio, Colorado, New York, and North Carolina (June 2019 through November 2020).

RESULTS

Of 17,192 patients included, 1,354 were also in the Advancing the Patient Experience registry. Patients were predominantly female (56%; 9,689/17,192), White (64%; 9,732/15,225), current/ex-smokers (80%; 13,784/17,192), and overweight/obese (69%; 11,628/16,849). The most commonly prescribed maintenance treatments were inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting β₂-agonist (30%) and inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (27%). Although 3% (565/17,192) of patitents were untreated, 9% (1,587/17,192) were on short-acting bronchodilator monotherapy, and 4% (756/17,192) were on inhaled corticosteroid monotherapy. Despite treatment, 38% (6,579/17,192) of patients experienced 1 or more exacerbations in the last 12 months. These findings were mirrored in the Advancing Patient Experience registry with many patients reporting high or very high impact of disease on their health (43%; 580/1,322), a breathlessness score 2 or more (45%; 588/1,315), and 1 or more exacerbation in the last 12 months (50%; 646/1,294).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the high exacerbation, symptom, and treatment burdens experienced by COPD patients managed in US primary care, and the need for more real-life effectiveness trials to support decision making at the primary care level.

Medical history, medication use and physical activity in adults in their eighth and ninth decade of life in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study

While there are many known health benefits to maintained physical activity levels in late adulthood, there have been very few studies that have considered relationships between morbidity profile and physical activity in the eighth decade of life. We studied 1097 participants, 555 men and 542 women from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, a UK community based sample. Validated questionnaire based data were used to relate self-reported physical activity (PA) levels to medical history, and medication use. Regression analyses were adjusted for age, BMI, smoker status, alcohol consumption. The mean (SD) age of participants in the study was 80.2 (2.7) years for men and 80.2 (2.6) for women. A higher proportion of men (33.7 %) than women (24 %) were in the high activity score group. 20.8 % of female participants and 22.6 % male participants reported having no comorbid disease; 10.5 % men and 8.4 % women were taking no medication. Higher number of chronic conditions was associated with lower levels of PA [men (OR 0.73, 95 % CI 0.63-0.84, p<0.001); women (OR 0.74, 95 % CI 0.64-0.86, p<0.001)] as was being prescribed a higher number of medications [men (OR 0.88, 95 % CI 0.84-0.93, p<0.001); women (OR 0.86, 95 % CI 0.82-0.91, p<0.001)]. All these associations remained robust following adjustments. Strong relationships were seen in both sexes between PA and taking medication for disorders of the central nervous system and gastrointestinal system, with relationships generally stronger in men. We have observed relationships between comorbid medical history and medication use with physical activity in a cohort of community dwelling older adults. These highlight the need to consider medical history when considering how best to optimize PA in older adults.

Targeting exertional breathlessness to improve physical activity: the role of primary care

Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By working together with patients to target exertional breathlessness and increase physical activity, PCPs have an important role to play, early in the disease course, in improving patient outcomes in both the short and long term. In this article, we consider how physical activity affects disease progression from the PCP perspective. We discuss the role of pharmacological therapy, the importance of an holistic approach and the role of PCPs in assessing and promoting physical activity. The complexity and heterogeneity of COPD make it a challenging disease to treat. Patients' avoidance of activity, and subsequent decline in capacity to perform it, further impacts the management of the disease. Improving patient tolerance of physical activity, increasing participation in daily activities and helping patients to remain active are clear goals of COPD management. These may require an holistic approach to management, including pulmonary rehabilitation and psychological programmes in parallel with bronchodilation therapy, in order to address both physiological and behavioural factors. PCPs have an important role to optimise therapy, set goals and communicate the importance of maintaining physical activity to their patients. In addition, optimal treatment that addresses activity-related breathlessness can help prevent the downward spiral of inactivity and get patients moving again, to improve their overall health and long-term prognosis.

Effects of elastic tape on thoracoabdominal mechanics, dyspnea, exercise capacity, and physical activity level in nonobese male subjects with COPD

Elastic tape can be used as a new and low-cost intervention to reduce thoracoabdominal asynchrony and sedentary behavior as well as improve exercise capacity and physical activity level in nonobese male subjects with severe-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Description of Participation in Daily and Social Activities for Individuals with COPD

This study described the participation in daily and social activities and the perceived barriers and facilitators to participation of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Individuals, recruited from outpatient clinics, responded to a survey on their participation in, and barriers and facilitators towards, 26 daily and social activities, divided into 3 categories: (1) physical activity and movement (PAM); (2) self-care; and (3) social engagement. For each activity, chi-square analyses were used to examine participation differences by individuals': quartiles of airflow obstruction [percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%predicted)] and breathlessness burden and exacerbation risk. Of the 200 participants (47% women; mean ± standard deviation age = 68 ± 9 years), most wanted to increase their participation in PAM activities (range 21-75%) and significant differences were found in 5/10 PAM activities for individuals' breathlessness burden and exacerbation risk (e.g., more individuals than expected in group A (modified Medical Research Council breathlessness score <2 and 0-1 exacerbations in past 12 months) participated in regular exercise as much as they wanted (χ₍₉₎²=20.43, Cramer's V=.23)). Regardless of the degree of airflow obstruction or breathlessness burden and exacerbation risk, the most common barrier to participation was breathlessness (p<.001, η²_p=.86) and the most common facilitator was engaging as part of their routine (p<.001, η²_p=.75). Individuals with COPD want to increase their participation in daily and social activities but are limited by breathlessness. Strategies to alleviate breathlessness should be identified/prioritized and incorporated into individuals' daily routines to meet their self-reported participation objectives in daily and social activities.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: An update on its clinical value and applications

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a debilitating disorder, characterized by airflow limitation, exercise impairment, reduced functional capacity and significant systemic comorbidity, which complicates the course of the disease. The critical inspiratory constraint to tidal volume expansion during exercise (that may be further complicated by the presence of dynamic hyperinflation), abnormalities in oxygen transportation and gas exchange abnormalities are the major pathophysiological mechanisms of exercise intolerance in COPD patients, and thus, exercise testing has been traditionally used for the functional evaluation of these patients. Compared to various laboratory and field exercise tests, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides a thorough assessment of exercise physiology, involving the integrative respiratory, cardiovascular, muscle and metabolic responses to exercise. This review highlights the clinical utility of CPET in COPD patients, as it provides important information for the determination of the major factors that limit exercise among patients with several comorbidities, allows the assessment of the severity of dynamic hyperinflation, provides valuable prognostic information and can be used to evaluate the response to several therapeutic interventions.

Effects of Resistance Exercise on Cerebral Redox Regulation and Cognition: An Interplay Between Muscle and Brain

This review highlighted resistance training as an important training type for the brain. Most studies that use physical exercise for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases have focused on aerobic physical exercise, revealing different behavioral, biochemical, and molecular effects. However, recent studies have shown that resistance training can also significantly contribute to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases as well as to the maintenance, development, and recovery of brain activities through specific neurochemical adaptations induced by the training. In this scenario we observed the results of several studies published in different journals in the last 20 years, focusing on the effects of resistance training on three main neurological aspects: Neuroprotective mechanisms, oxidative stress, and cognition. Systematic database searches of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline were performed to identify peer-reviewed studies from the 2000s. Combinations of keywords related to brain disease, aerobic/resistance, or strength physical exercise were used. Other variables were not addressed in this review but should be considered for a complete understanding of the effects of training in the brain.

Clinical Phenotypes, Comorbidities, and Exacerbations according to Serum 25-OH Vitamin D and Plasma Fibrinogen Levels in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND

Although vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the influence of vitamin D deficiency on COPD has not been fully established. Moreover, the inflammation process is associated with vitamin D deficiency in the general population. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether clinical phenotypes, comorbidities, and exacerbation rates are affected by the level of plasma fibrinogen, well studied by an inflammatory marker in COPD patients, and 25-hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed patients with COPD whose inflammatory marker levels, especially plasma fibrinogen and 25-OH vitamin D levels, had been examined. A correlation analysis was conducted for inflammatory markers and 25-OH vitamin D. Clinical characteristics, comorbidities and exacerbation rates were compared among four groups based on plasma fibrinogen concentrations (threshold, 350 mg/dL) and 25-OH vitamin D levels (threshold, 20 ng/mL).

RESULTS

Among 611 patients with COPD, 236 were included in the study. The levels of inflammatory markers had no statistical correlation with the serum 25-OH vitamin D levels. The four groups showed no statistically significant differences in age, sex, smoking history, inhaler use, and severity of comorbidities. Patients with high plasma fibrinogen concentrations and low 25-OH vitamin D levels had lower lung function, higher severity index, and higher annual rate of severe exacerbations 12 months before (0.23/year) and after (0.41/year) the measurement of 25-OH vitamin D levels than did the other patients.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested an interaction between vitamin D deficiency and COPD. The measurement of plasma fibrinogen concentrations could help identify a severe phenotypic group among patients with vitamin D deficiency.

The association between accelerometer-assessed physical activity and respiratory function in older adults differs between smokers and non-smokers

The association between physical activity and lung function is thought to depend on smoking history but most previous research uses self-reported measures of physical activity. This cross-sectional study investigates whether the association between accelerometer-derived physical activity and lung function in older adults differs by smoking history. The sample comprised 3063 participants (age = 60–83 years) who wore an accelerometer during 9 days and undertook respiratory function tests. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; acceleration ≥0.1 g (gravity)) in smokers but not in never smokers: FVC differences for 10 min increase in MVPA were 58.6 (95% Confidence interval: 21.1, 96.1), 27.8 (4.9, 50.7), 16.6 (7.9, 25.4), 2.8 (−5.2, 10.7) ml in current, recent ex-, long-term ex-, and never-smokers, respectively. A similar trend was observed for forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Functional data analysis, a threshold-free approach using the entire accelerometry distribution, showed an association between physical activity and lung function in all smoking groups, with stronger association in current and recent ex-smokers than in long-term ex- and never-smokers; the associations were evident in never smokers only at activity levels above the conventional 0.1 g MVPA threshold. These findings suggest that the association between lung function and physical activity in older adults is more pronounced in smokers than non-smokers.

Personalized medicine for patients with COPD: where are we?

Chronic airflow limitation is the common denominator of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it is not possible to predict morbidity and mortality of individual patients based on the degree of lung function impairment, nor does the degree of airflow limitation allow guidance regarding therapies. Over the last decades, understanding of the factors contributing to the heterogeneity of disease trajectories, clinical presentation, and response to existing therapies has greatly advanced. Indeed, diagnostic assessment and treatment algorithms for COPD have become more personalized. In addition to the pulmonary abnormalities and inhaler therapies, extra-pulmonary features and comorbidities have been studied and are considered essential components of comprehensive disease management, including lifestyle interventions. Despite these advances, predicting and/or modifying the course of the disease remains currently impossible, and selection of patients with a beneficial response to specific interventions is unsatisfactory. Consequently, non-response to pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments is common, and many patients have refractory symptoms. Thus, there is an ongoing urgency for a more targeted and holistic management of the disease, incorporating the basic principles of P4 medicine (predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory). This review describes the current status and unmet needs regarding personalized medicine for patients with COPD. Also, it proposes a systems medicine approach, integrating genetic, environmental, (micro)biological, and clinical factors in experimental and computational models in order to decipher the multilevel complexity of COPD. Ultimately, the acquired insights will enable the development of clinical decision support systems and advance personalized medicine for patients with COPD.

Prevalence and Predictors of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Undergoing Inpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation programs (PRPs). A retrospective data review of consecutive stable patients with a known diagnosis of COPD, admitted for PRP between January 2007 and December 2013. Full overnight polysomnography (PSG) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were assessed in all patients. Out of 422 evaluated patients, 190 (45%) showed an Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥ 15 events/hour and underwent OSA treatment. Patients with OSA were significantly younger and had a less severe airway obstruction as compared to patients without OSA. There were no significant differences in cardiac comorbidities nor in arterial blood gases. As expected, patients with OSA showed significantly more severe diurnal symptoms, as assessed by the ESS and higher body mass index (BMI). However, only 69 out of 190 patients with OSA (36.3%) showed an ESS >10, whereas 25% of them had BMI ≤25 and 41% of them had a BMI <30. In all, 68% of patients with OSA were discharged with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), 15% with Bilevel ventilation, and 17% without any ventilatory treatment. In conclusion, in the population studied, the combination of OSA and COPD was frequent. BMI and ESS values commonly considered cutoff values for the prediction of OSA in the general population may not be accurate in a subgroup of patients with COPD.