OBJECTIVE: To compare the Body mass index, airway Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise
capacity (BODE) index scores and its individual components between COPD
patients with and without severe physical inactivity, as well as to
correlate the number of steps/day with scores of physical activity
questionnaires, age, and the BODE index (including its components). METHODS: We included 30 patients, who were evaluated for body composition, pulmonary
function (FEV1), perception of dyspnea (modified Medical Research
Council scale), and exercise capacity (six-minute walk distance [6MWD]). The
patients also completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire
(IPAQ), short version, and the modified Baecke questionnaire (mBQ). The
level of physical activity was assessed by the number of steps/day (as
determined by pedometer), using the cut-off of 4,580 steps/day to form two
groups: no severe physical inactivity (SPI−) and severe physical inactivity
(SPI+). We used the Mann-Whitney test or t-test, as well as Pearson's or
Spearman's correlation tests, in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: In comparison with the SPI− group, the SPI+ group showed more advanced age,
higher mBQ scores (leisure domain), lower 6MWD (in m and % of predicted),
and lower IPAQ scores (metabolic equivalent-walk/week domain and total). The
IPAQ scores showed weak correlations with steps/day (r = 0.399), age (r =
−0.459), and 6MWD-in m (r = 0.446) and in % of predicted (r = 0.422). CONCLUSIONS: In our sample, the cut-off of 4,580 steps/day was not sensitive enough to
identify differences between the groups when compared with the predictors of
mortality. The IPAQ, short version score correlated with steps/day.
