Mobility limitations related to reduced pulmonary function among aging people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of disability. We aimed to analyse the impact of reduced pulmonary function on non-respiratory impairments and mobility activity limitations in an elderly population with COPD and to elucidate which specific limitations on mobility are related to reduced pulmonary functionMethodsCross-sectional study of 110 patients with COPD, recruited from public and university hospital. The effect of impaired pulmonary function on the risk of non-respiratory impairments and mobility limitations was analysed using validated measures, including: the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), skeletal muscle strength, the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and self-reported mobility questionnaire. Multivariate analysis was used to control for confounders such as age, sex, height, education, and cigarette smoking.ResultsGreater impairment of pulmonary function was associated with less distance walked during the 6MWT, poorer SPPB scores, and greater risk of self-reported mobility limitations (p<0.05). Lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s was also associated with a greater risk of limitations in carrying items under 10 pounds (4.54 kg), walking alone up and down a flight of stairs, and walking two or three neighbourhood blocks. There was no clear statistical relationship between pulmonary function impairment and skeletal muscle strength.ConclusionsImpaired pulmonary function was associated with the 6MWT score and limitations on performance-based and self-reported mobility activities, but not with skeletal muscle strength among elderly COPD patients.

Association of lung function with functional limitation in older adults: A cross-sectional study

“…restricted cubic spline models examining a non-linear relationship of the decreased ORs of functional limitation with FEV 1 and FVC increasing further supported our findings. Our results were consistent with those previous studies conducted in patients with pulmonary disease [22,23], and provided new evidence for the association between lung function and functional limitation in older adults of general population. Stratified analyses showed that the association of lung function with functional limitation was consistent in different sexes.…”

“…Hence, we speculate that there exists a negative association between lung function and functional limitation. This association has been observed in previous studies in the patients with lung functional impairment [22,23]. However, no research has focused on the association between lung function and function limitation in older adults.…”

Neutrophils and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio: Inflammatory markers associated with intimal-media thickness of atherosclerosis

“…The reason may be that the sample size of the animals is not very large, and the confounding factors intervene the process. Second, the cross-sectional study and design cannot effectively prove the cause and effect relationship between NEU, N/L and the intimal and media thickness in atherosclerosis [40]. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of NEU and N/L as risk factors in cardiac-cerebral vascular diseases.…”

<p>2011 GOLD Stages of COPD: Transitions, Predictor Factors and Comparison with 2017 GOLD Stages</p>

“…At baseline, we obtained data regarding sociodemographic, clinical, pulmonary, and non-pulmonary variables, as described elsewhere. 7 Briefly, the non-pulmonary variables included handgrip, quadriceps, and elbow strength that were assessed on the dominant side with a handgrip dynamometer (KERN MAP 80K1, KERN & Sohn GmbH 1) and hand-held dynamometer (HHD) (Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester, model 01160; Lafayette Instrument). 8 To measure quadriceps strength, participants stayed seated with knee flexed 70º and a break test was performed.…”