Home assessment of activities of daily living in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on long-term oxygen therapy

In patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), few studies have investigated activities of daily living (ADL). We examined the relationships between ADL, quality of life, mood state and airways obstruction in patients using long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and in patients not requiring LTOT. We studied 23 patients (14 males, 9 females; median age 71, range 60-84 yrs) with COPD who received LTOT using oxygen concentrators (LTOT group). We also studied a control group of 19 patients (14 males, 5 females; median age 72, range 62-75 yrs) with COPD but without severe hypoxaemia (non-LTOT group). We found no significant difference between groups in health status using the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Median Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (EADL) total scores were: LTOT group 10, non-LTOT 17; (p=0.01). Significant correlations (p<0.001) with Nottingham EADL score were found for Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) score (rho=0.59), SGRQ Total score (rho=0.65) and percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (rho=0.66). In conclusion, in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and broadly similar health status, those using long-term oxygen therapy were less independent in activities of daily living than those not requiring long-term oxygen therapy. Reduced independence in activities of daily living is, however, associated with the extent of airflow limitation, depression and poor health status, and does not, therefore, appear to be simply a result of restriction in movements imposed by the stationary device.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Cullen and D Stiffler Long-term oxygen therapy: review from the patients' perspective Chronic Respiratory Disease, August 1, 2009; 6(3): 141 - 147. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F. Di Meo, C. Pedone, S. Lubich, C. Pizzoli, M. Traballesi, and R. A. Incalzi Age does not hamper the response to pulmonary rehabilitation of COPD patients Age Ageing, September 1, 2008; 37(5): 530 - 535. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P P Walker, A Burnett, P W Flavahan, and P M A Calverley Lower limb activity and its determinants in COPD Thorax, August 1, 2008; 63(8): 683 - 689. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Cazzola, W. MacNee, F. J. Martinez, K. F. Rabe, L. G. Franciosi, P. J. Barnes, V. Brusasco, P. S. Burge, P. M. A. Calverley, B. R. Celli, et al. Outcomes for COPD pharmacological trials: from lung function to biomarkers Eur. Respir. J., February 1, 2008; 31(2): 416 - 469. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Pitta, T. Troosters, V. S. Probst, M. A. Spruit, M. Decramer, and R. Gosselink Quantifying physical activity in daily life with questionnaires and motion sensors in COPD. Eur. Respir. J., May 1, 2006; 27(5): 1040 - 1055. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D L Cullen and J A Koss Oxygen tubing lengths and output flows: implications for patient care Chronic Respiratory Disease, October 1, 2005; 2(4): 193 - 197. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Statement on Home Care for Patients with Respiratory Disorders Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., June 15, 2005; 171(12): 1443 - 1464. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. A. Incalzi, A. Corsonello, C. Pedone, F. Corica, P. Carbonin, R. Bernabei, and on Behalf of the GIFA Investigators Construct Validity of Activities of Daily Living Scale: A Clue To Distinguish the Disabling Effects of COPD and Congestive Heart Failure Chest, March 1, 2005; 127(3): 830 - 838. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. C. Donaldson, T. M. A. Wilkinson, J. R. Hurst, W. R. Perera, and J. A. Wedzicha Exacerbations and Time Spent Outdoors in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 1, 2005; 171(5): 446 - 452. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.R. Curtis and D.L. Patrick The assessment of health status among patients with COPD Eur. Respir. J., June 1, 2003; 21(41_suppl): 36S - 45s. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. A. Sant'Anna, R. Stelmach, M. I. Zanetti Feltrin, W. J. Filho, T. Chiba, and A. Cukier Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life in Low-Income Patients With COPD Receiving Long-term Oxygen Therapy Chest, January 1, 2003; 123(1): 136 - 141. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Wedzicha Exacerbations* : Etiology and Pathophysiologic Mechanisms Chest, May 1, 2002; 121 (2009): 136S - 141S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P W Jones Health status measurement in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Thorax, November 1, 2001; 56(11): 880 - 887. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J M Gore, C J Brophy, and M A Greenstone How well do we care for patients with end stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? A comparison of palliative care and quality of life in COPD and lung cancer Thorax, December 1, 2000; 55(12): 1000 - 1006. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. R.-v. Mölken, B. Roos, and J A Van Noord An empirical comparison of the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ) in a clinical trial setting Thorax, November 1, 1999; 54(11): 995 - 1003. [Abstract] [Full Text]