Physical activity and its associated factors in Canadian individuals with and without COPD: a sub-analysis from the CanCOLD study

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has a prevalence of 500.000 in Canada and an estimated equal number of individuals undiagnosed. Dyspnea in COPD patients decreases physical activity (PA), which is related to high mortality. Studies on associated factors of PA in the COPD population give insight in who are more prone to worse outcomes. However, studies on related factors of PA in COPD lack in participants from general population samples. Aim To assess the relationship between symptom burden and diagnosis status with moderate PA levels in individuals with COPD, and explore possible predictive factors of PA in individuals with and without COPD. Methods From the CanCOLD cohort 1561 individuals from a general population were assessed in this sub-study. The study included participants with mild to severe COPD, healthy individuals and those who are at risk and included patients that were newly diagnosed at enrollment of study. Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire measured PA levels in all participants. Differences between COPD groups, categorized respectively in low-high symptom burden and diagnosed-undiagnosed, were tested. General Linear Modeling (GLM) was performed for associations of symptom burden and diagnosis status with PA in patients with COPD and for exploration of possible predictors in COPD and non-COPD participants. Results Significant associations were found between high symptom burden and lower PA in the total COPD group and in moderate to severe COPD. Undiagnosed patients were significantly more active than diagnosed patients, for the total COPD group and for moderate to severe COPD. PA was lower in mild COPD with high symptom burden, however this result failed to be significant. Other factors, such as poor exercise habits showed significant associations with lower PA levels in both COPD and non-COPD participants. Conclusion and key findings As health symptom burden is associated with PA, this factor could help identify patients with mild to severe COPD and undiagnosed COPD that are less active. Follow-up of the study population is needed to investigate if health status and other predictors for low PA levels indeed show deterioration in PA levels and progression or onset of COPD.