Comparative study on physical activity and its influencing factors in patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease between China and the United Kingdom

Abstract

Objective: To compare physical activity and its influencing factors in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) between China and the United Kingdom. Methods: We analyzed baseline data from China Kadoorie Biobank and the United Kingdom Biobank among COPD patients who were diagnosed with a one-second rate (FEV1/FVC) less than 70%. Physical activity level was calculated as metabolic equivalent (MET) and divided into three levels: low, medium, and high, according to tertiles stratified by gender and age. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate ORs and 95%CIs for COPD and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grade about physical activity level, and subgroup analysis was conducted. Results: A total of 506 073 Chinese adults and 231 884 British adults were included. After adjusting for potential confounders, COPD was associated with lower physical activity levels in both Chinese and British COPD patients, with OR (95%CI) of 1.07(1.03-1.10) and 1.03(1.01-1.06) compared with non COPD patients, respectively. The GOLD grade was inversely correlated with physical activity level, particularly in a dose-response manner in the CKB population (trend test P<0.001). The negative relationship was stronger among the elderly, people with less education and lower economic status, and those with a smoking or chronic disease history. Chinese rural COPD patients were at high risk of decline of physical activity. Conclusions: Physical activity is inversely related to COPD, with a dose-response connection to GOLD grade. Therefore, physical activity maintenance and improvement should be encouraged and promoted in COPD patients, especially in high-risk groups.