Sit-to-stand tests in patients hospitalised for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation: association with pulmonary function tests and risk of future exacerbations

Abstract

Background/Aims The sit-to-stand test is a quick and cost-effective measure of exercise tolerance and lower body strength. The literature focuses on its use in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study in patients hospitalised for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation aimed to investigate possible associations of the sit-to-stand test with pulmonary function and risk of future acute exacerbations. Methods This study was conducted on a sample of 22 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Participants' clinical details were recorded before they undertook spirometry, 30-second and five-repetition sit-to-stand tests. Participants were assessed via a structured telephone interview for the occurrence of acute exacerbation events in the 12 months following discharge. Results Patients were classified based on the presence or absence of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease over 12 months. A negative correlation was observed between five-repetition sit-to-stand test performance time and number of repetitions during the 30-second sit-to-stand test; longer sit-to-stand times and fewer repetitions were observed in patients who experienced exacerbations during follow up. The 30-second sit-to-stand test repetitions correlated positively with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Five-repetition sit-to-stand test performance correlated negatively with FEV1, FEV1% predicted, forced vital capacity and FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio. From the various exercise parameters, five-repetition sit-to-stand test performance time demonstrated a moderate ability to predict exacerbations. Conclusions This study is the first to focus on the use of the sit-to-stand tests in inpatients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There was a significant correlation between the 30-second sit-to-stand test and five-repetition sit-to-stand test results. Both tests were associated with pulmonary function indices and risk of future chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.