Physical activity and risk of comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Background Comorbidities are highly prevalent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Low physical activity (PA), a critical feature of COPD, is hypothesized to be an important risk factor for comorbidities. Aims To assess the association of PA with prevalence and incidence of 7 categories of comorbidities in COPD. Methods The study included 409 patients from primary care practice in the Netherlands and Switzerland. We assessed PA using the Longitudinal Ageing Study Amsterdam Physical Activity Questionnaire at baseline and followed patients for up to 5 years. During follow-up, patients reported their comorbidities (cardiovascular, neurological, endocrine, musculoskeletal, malignant, and infectious diseases) and completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire for mental health assessment. We implemented logistic regression and survival analysis models for our analysis. Results Increased PA was cross-sectionally associated with lower risk of mental disorders (anxiety or depression) (adjusted odds ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.60 - 0.81; p Conclusions In COPD patients, those with high PA are less likely to have depression or anxiety and are also less likely to develop depression or anxiety over time. PA promotion programs may be considered to lower the burden of mental disorders in COPD patients.