Abstract
Purpose: To determine whether body composition, physical function, activities of daily life (ADL), quality of life (QOL), and physical activity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) differ according to the degree of dyspnea.
Method: The subjects were 25 patients with stable COPD. The measures were body composition, muscle strength, exercise tolerance, nutrition, ADL, quality of life, cognitive function, and physical activity. Patients were divided into two groups: those with mild dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council [mMRC] scale 0 to 1); and those with severe dyspnea (mMRC scale 2 to 4).
Result: There were 10 patients in the mild dyspnea group and 15 in the severe dyspnea group. Lower extremity muscle mass, trunk muscle mass, Skeletal Muscle Mass Index, incremental shuttle walk test distance, Nagasaki University Respiratory ADL questionnaire scores, number of steps in a day, walking time, each Ex amount, activity time over 3 metabolic equivalents, and weekly Ex amount were significantly higher in the mild dyspnea group. COPD Assessment Test and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire scores were significantly lower in the mild dyspnea group.
Conclusion: COPD patients with severe dyspnea showed lower muscle mass, exercise tolerance, ADL, QOL, and less physical activity.
