Monthly Follow-Ups of Functional Status in People with COPD: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Functional status is an important and meaningful outcome in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), although its measurement is not embedded in routine clinical assessments. This study described the functional status of people with COPD using the 1-min sit-to-stand test (1minSTS) over a 6-month period and the examined sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with this outcome. Data from a prospective study including people with COPD were analyzed. Functional status was assessed monthly with the 1minSTS over 6 months. Linear-mixed effect models assessed the 1minSTS number of repetitions mean change. One-hundred and eight participants (82.4% men; 66.9 ± 9.5 years) were included. A significantly lower number of repetitions in the 1minSTS over the 6-month period was associated with being female (estimate: −4.69, 95%CI: −8.20; −1.18), being older (estimate: −0.56, 95%CI: −0.77; −0.34), having higher BMI (estimate: −0.55, 95%CI: −0.81; −0.28) and having higher activity-related dyspnea (estimate: −2.04, 95%CI: −3.25; −0.83). Half of the participants showed improvements above three repetitions in the 1minSTS over the 6-month period, independently of their baseline impairment (1minSTS < 70% predicted: 52.5%; ≥70% predicted: 54.4%). To conclude, monthly follow-up assessments were associated with clinically relevant benefits in the functional status of people with COPD. Age, body composition, and activity-related dyspnea were the main predictors of functional status over time. Further research is needed to corroborate our findings and to support the beneficial effects of regular COPD monitoring.

One-minute sit-to-stand test as a quick functional test for people with COPD in general practice

“…These results on the 1 M STST are supported in an extensive systematic review from 2019, where the 1 M STST is recommended, especially in settings where time and space are limited 36 . A recent study from 2022 also found that having a follow-up using the 1 M STST also had a clinically relevant benefit on functional status in people with COPD 41 .…”

Functional capacity using sit-to-stand tests in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its relationship with disease severity–a cross-sectional study with matched controls

“…Similar characteristics in people with functional impairment have been previously reported. 7 , 67 , 68 Because most of these characteristics are preventable and modifiable, attention to interventions in this population should be given. In fact, different stakeholders have stated that people with functional impairment should be prioritized to pulmonary rehabilitation, 69 and these programs have shown to be effective in improving the FC of people with COPD.…”