The Reduced Ability to Perform Activities of Daily Living Is Associated with Prolonged Duration before Rehabilitation Initiation and Lower Dietary Intake of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation.

Introduction: Patients with exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a reduced ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Rehabilitation programs (RPs) and nutritional therapy may affect the ability to perform ADLs.

Objective: The objective of the study was to clarify the factors associated with reduced ability to perform ADLs in patients with COPD exacerbation.

Subjects/methods: A multivariate analysis of 75 patients (mean age, 77 years) with COPD exacerbation, divided into the Barthel index (BI) decline (△BI decreased ≥15) and without BI decline (△BI decreased ≤10) groups, was performed. Patient characteristics, duration before RP initiation, functional variables, and nutrition-related variables were compared between the groups.

Results: The degree of dyspnea and serum albumin levels before and at RP initiation were significantly lower in the BI decline group. The Hoffer classification score and duration between hospital admission and RP initiation were significantly higher and longer, respectively, in the BI decline group. The duration between hospital admission and RP initiation and dietary intake at RP initiation were independent predictors of reduced ability to perform ADLs.

Conclusions: Early RP initiation and aggressive nutritional therapy may mitigate the risk of reduced ability to perform ADLs, thus decreasing dependence and disability in patients with COPD exacerbation.