The Egyptian Journal of Bronchology (Feb 2016)
Assessment of fitness and exercise tolerance of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in correlation with their lifestyle
Abstract
Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, chronic disease in which the patient’s nutritional status is critical for optimizing outcomes. Pulmonary system abnormalities certainly limit exercise in patients with COPD. Aim of the work The aim of the present study was to assess the fitness and exercise tolerance of COPD patients in correlation with their lifestyle as regards their nutrition and daily activities. Participants and methods This study involved 50 patients diagnosed with COPD who attended the pulmonary outpatient clinic of the Chest Department at Ain Shams University Hospital, as well as COPD inpatients at the time of discharge. All participants were interviewed using a face-to-face questionnaire to assess their nutrition, and their lifestyle as regards daily activities. The BMI, obstruction of the airway (FEV1% predicted), degree of dyspnea [modified Medical Research Council (mMRC)], and exercise capacity cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) were also assessed. Results The mean age of the participants was 51.4 ± 8.2 years and all were men. There were significant positive correlations between mMRC and duration after diagnosis of COPD, age of the participants, and GOLD score. There were significant positive correlations between VO2 max and VO2/kg and spirometric parameters, calorie intake, estimated energy requirement percentage, carbohydrate intake, protein intake, and serum total plasma protein. Ex-smokers had significantly higher spirometric parameters, protein intake, total calorie intake, estimated energy requirement percentage, serum total plasma protein, and CPET parameters; however, they had significantly lower BMI, duration of COPD, and mMRC score. Participants with average nutrition had significantly higher total calorie intake, serum total plasma protein, CPET parameters, and spirometric parameters; however, they had significantly lower duration after diagnosis of COPD, mMRC score, and BMI. Conclusion The lifestyle among COPD patients, as regards physical activity, balanced diet, and caloric intake, is highly related to the severity of the disease and their quality of life.
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