Exercise Reduces All-Cause Mortality Following COPD Hospitalization

Any level of exercise following chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related hospitalization decreases the risk of all-cause mortality, according to a recent study.

While exercise has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with COPD, the direct relationship between physical activity and mortality rates following COPD-related hospitalization are unknown.
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Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized following COPD between January 2011 and December 2011. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality in the 12 months following discharge.

Exercise was self-reported and assessed at outpatient visits prior to hospitalization.

Of the participants, 1727 were inactive, 412 were insufficiently active, and 231 were active (150 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week.)

Among the 2370 participants, there were 464 deaths. Participants who were active had a 47% lower risk of death than those who were not active in the months following COPD-related hospitalization. Those who were insufficiently active had a 28% lower risk of death.

“Any level of moderate to vigorous physical activity is associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality after a COPD hospitalisation. Routine assessment of physical activity in clinical care would identify persons at high risk for dying after COPD hospitalization,” they concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Moy ML, Gould MK, Liu IA, et al. Physical activity assessed in routine care predicts mortality after a COPD hospitalization. ERJ.March 17, 2016. [epub ahead of print]. DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00062-2015.