Digital habits of pulmonary rehabilitation service-users following the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: We previously demonstrated low levels of digital literacy amongst pulmonary rehabilitation service-users prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to identify whether the pandemic accelerated digital literacy in this population, resulting in greater acceptance of remote web-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme models. METHODS: We surveyed digital access and behaviours and pulmonary rehabilitation delivery preferences of service-users referred to pulmonary rehabilitation in 2021 (cohort 2021) and propensity score-matched them to a cohort who completed the survey in 2020 (cohort 2020). RESULTS: There were indicators that digital access and confidence were better amongst the Cohort 2021 but no difference was seen in the proportion of patients choosing remote web-based pulmonary rehabilitation as an acceptable method of receiving pulmonary rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: In an unselected cohort of service-users, remote web-based pulmonary rehabilitation was considered acceptable in only a minority of patients which has implications on healthcare commissioning and delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation.

COPD discharge bundle and pulmonary rehabilitation referral and uptake following hospitalisation for acute exacerbation of COPD.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) following hospitalisations for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is associated with improved exercise capacity and quality of life, and reduced readmissions. However, referral for, and uptake of, post-hospitalisation PR are low. In this prospective cohort study of 291 consecutive hospitalisations for AECOPD, COPD discharge bundles delivered by PR practitioners compared with non-PR practitioners were associated with increased PR referral (60% vs 12%, p<0.001; adjusted OR: 14.46, 95% CI: 5.28 to 39.57) and uptake (40% vs 32%, p=0.001; adjusted OR: 8.60, 95% CI: 2.51 to 29.50). Closer integration between hospital and PR services may increase post-hospitalisation PR referral and uptake.

Supervised pulmonary rehabilitation using minimal or specialist exercise equipment in COPD: a propensity-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many trials supporting the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) have used specialist exercise equipment, such as treadmills and cycle ergometers. However, access to specialist equipment may not be feasible in some settings. There is growing interest in delivering PR programmes with minimal, low-cost equipment, but uncertainty remains regarding their efficacy compared with programmes using specialist equipment. METHODS: Using propensity score matching, 318 consecutive patients with COPD undergoing supervised PR using minimal equipment (PR-min) were compared 1:1 with a control group of 318 patients with COPD who underwent supervised PR using specialist equipment (PR-gym). A non-inferiority analysis was performed for the primary outcome (incremental shuttle walk (ISW)) and secondary outcomes (Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ)-domain and total scores). RESULTS: Similar improvements in ISW and CRQ-domains were observed in PR-min and PR-gym groups (mean difference ISW: 3 m (95% CI -16 to 9); CRQ-total: 0.9 (95% CI -2.7 to 4.5)). The 95% CI between group differences for ISW and CRQ-total did not cross the predefined non-inferiority margins. However, completion rates were lower in PR-min compared with PR-gym (64% vs 73%; p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COPD, PR delivered using minimal equipment produces clinically significant benefits in exercise capacity and health-related quality of life that are non-inferior to rehabilitation delivered using specialist equipment. This study provides support for the provision of PR using minimal exercise equipment, particularly in areas where access to specialist exercise equipment is limited.

Gait speed and adverse outcomes following hospitalised exacerbation of COPD.

BACKGROUND: The 4-m gait speed (4MGS) test is a simple physical performance measure and surrogate marker of frailty that is associated with adverse outcomes in older adults. We aimed to assess the ability of 4MGS to predict prognosis in patients hospitalised with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). METHODS: 213 participants hospitalised with AECOPD (52% male, mean age 72 years and mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 35% predicted) were enrolled. 4MGS and baseline demographics were recorded at hospital discharge. All-cause readmission and mortality were collected for 1 year after discharge and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regressions were performed. Kaplan-Meier and competing risks analyses were conducted comparing time to all-cause readmission and mortality between 4MGS quartiles. RESULTS: 111 participants (52%) were readmitted and 35 (16%) died during the follow-up period. 4MGS was associated with all-cause readmission, with an adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio of 0.868 (95% CI 0.797-0.945; p=0.001) per 0.1 m·s-1 increase in gait speed, and with all-cause mortality, with an adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio of 0.747 (95% CI 0.622-0.898; p=0.002) per 0.1 m·s-1 increase in gait speed. Readmission and mortality models incorporating 4MGS had higher discrimination than age or FEV1 % pred alone, with areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves of 0.73 and 0.80, respectively. Kaplan-Meier and competing risks curves demonstrated that those in slower gait speed quartiles had reduced time to readmission and mortality (log-rank, both p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: 4MGS provides a simple means of identifying at-risk patients with COPD at hospital discharge. This provides valuable information to plan post-discharge care and support.

The Effects of a Video Intervention on Posthospitalization Pulmonary Rehabilitation Uptake. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Rationale: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) after hospitalizations for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) improves exercise capacity and health-related quality of life and reduces readmissions. However, posthospitalization PR uptake is low. To date, no trials of interventions to increase uptake have been conducted.Objectives: To study the effect of a codesigned education video as an adjunct to usual care on posthospitalization PR uptake.Methods: The present study was an assessor- and statistician-blinded randomized controlled trial with nested, qualitative interviews of participants in the intervention group. Participants hospitalized with COPD exacerbations were assigned 1:1 to receive either usual care (COPD discharge bundle including PR information leaflet) or usual care plus the codesigned education video delivered via a handheld tablet device at discharge. Randomization used minimization to balance age, sex, FEV1 % predicted, frailty, transport availability, and previous PR experience.Measurements and Main Results: The primary outcome was PR uptake within 28 days of hospital discharge. A total of 200 patients were recruited, and 196 were randomized (51% female, median FEV1% predicted, 36 [interquartile range, 27-48]). PR uptake was 41% and 34% in the usual care and intervention groups, respectively (P = 0.37), with no differences in secondary (PR referral and completion) or safety (readmissions and death) endpoints. A total of 6 of the 15 participants interviewed could not recall receiving the video.Conclusions: A codesigned education video delivered at hospital discharge did not improve posthospitalization PR uptake, referral, or completion.

Digital habits of PR service-users: Implications for home-based interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remote models of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) are vital with suspension of face-to-face activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. We surveyed digital access and behaviours and PR delivery preferences of current PR service users. There was significant heterogeneity in access to and confidence in using the Internet with 31% having never previously accessed the Internet, 48% confident using the Internet and 29% reporting no interest in accessing any component of PR through a Web-based app. These data have implications for the remote delivery of PR during the COVID-19 pandemic and raise questions about the current readiness of service users to adopt Web-based delivered models of PR.

Anxiety and depression in bronchiectasis: Response to pulmonary rehabilitation and minimal clinically important difference of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

The aims of the study were to evaluate the responsiveness of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A) subscale and HADS-Depression (HADS-D) subscale to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with bronchiectasis compared to a matched group of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and provide estimates of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of HADS-A and HADS-D in bronchiectasis. Patients with bronchiectasis and at least mild anxiety or depression (HADS-A ≥ 8 or/and HADS-D ≥ 8), as well as a propensity score-matched control group of patients with COPD, underwent an 8-week outpatient PR programme (two supervised sessions per week). Within- and between-group changes were calculated in response to PR. Anchor- and distribution-based methods were used to estimate the MCID. HADS-A and HADS-D improved in response to PR in both patients with bronchiectasis and those with COPD (median (25th, 75th centile)/mean (95% confidence interval) change: HADS-A change: bronchiectasis -2 (-5, 0), COPD -2 (-4, 0); p = 0.43 and HADS-D change: bronchiectasis -2 (-2 to -1), COPD -2 (-3 to -2); p = 0.16). Using 26 estimates, the MCID for HADS-A and HADS-D was -2 points. HADS-A and HADS-D are responsive to PR in patients with bronchiectasis and symptoms of mood disorder, with an MCID estimate of -2 points.

Pulmonary rehabilitation in bronchiectasis: a propensity-matched study.

International guidelines recommend pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with bronchiectasis, supported by small trials and data extrapolated from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it is unknown whether real-life data on completion rates and response to pulmonary rehabilitation are similar between patients with bronchiectasis and COPD.Using propensity score matching, 213 consecutive patients with bronchiectasis referred for a supervised pulmonary rehabilitation programme were matched 1:1 with a control group of 213 patients with COPD. Completion rates, change in incremental shuttle walk (ISW) distance and change in Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ) score with pulmonary rehabilitation were compared between groups.Completion rate was the same in both groups (74%). Improvements in ISW distance and most domains of the CRQ with pulmonary rehabilitation were similar between the bronchiectasis and COPD groups (ISW distance: 70 versus 63 m; CRQ-Dyspnoea: 4.8 versus 5.3; CRQ-Emotional Function: 3.5 versus 4.6; CRQ-Mastery: 2.3 versus 2.9; all p>0.20). However, improvements in CRQ-Fatigue with pulmonary rehabilitation were greater in the COPD group (bronchiectasis 2.1 versus COPD 3.3; p=0.02).In a real-life, propensity-matched control study, patients with bronchiectasis show similar completion rates and improvements in exercise and health status outcomes as patients with COPD. This supports the routine clinical provision of pulmonary rehabilitation to patients with bronchiectasis.

Gait speed and pedestrian crossings in COPD.

The assumed minimum walking speed at pedestrian crossings is 1.2 m/s. In this prospective cohort study, usual walking speed was measured over a 4 m course in 926 community-dwelling, ambulatory patients with stable COPD. Mean (SD) walking speed was 0.91 (0.24) m/s with only 10.7% walking at a speed equal or greater than 1.2 m/s. In order for 95% of this cohort to safely negotiate a pedestrian cross, traffic lights would have to assume a minimum walking speed of 0.50 m/s (2.4 times longer than current times). The current assumed normal walking speed for pedestrian crossings is inappropriate for patients with COPD.The studies were registered on clinicaltrials.gov and these data relate to the pre-results stage: NCT01649193, NCT01515709 and NCT01507415.

Pedometer Step Count Targets during Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

RATIONALE: Increasing physical activity is a key therapeutic aim in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves exercise capacity, but there is conflicting evidence regarding its ability to improve physical activity levels. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether using pedometers as an adjunct to PR can enhance time spent in at least moderate-intensity physical activity (time expending ≥3 metabolic equivalents [METs]) by people with COPD. METHODS: In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, participants were assigned 1:1 to receive a control intervention (PR comprising 8 wk, two supervised sessions per week) or the trial intervention (PR plus pedometer-directed step targets, reviewed weekly for 8 wk). In the randomization process, we used minimization to balance groups for age, sex, FEV1 percent predicted, and baseline exercise capacity and physical activity levels. Outcome assessors and PR therapists were blinded to group allocation. The primary analysis was based on the intention-to-treat principle. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was change from baseline to 8 weeks in accelerometer-measured daily time expending at least 3 METs. A total of 152 participants (72% male; mean [SD] FEV1 percent predicted, 50.5% [21.2]; median [first quartile, third quartile] time expending ≥3 METs, 46 [21, 92] min) were enrolled and assigned to the intervention (n = 76) or control (n = 76) arm. There was no significant difference in change in time expending at least 3 METs between the intervention and control groups at 8 weeks (median [first quartile, third quartile] difference, 0.5 [-1.0, 31.0] min; P = 0.87) or at the 6-month follow-up (7.0 [-9, 27] min; P = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: Pedometer-directed step-count targets during an outpatient PR program did not enhance moderate-intensity physical activity levels in people with COPD. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01719822).

Validity, responsiveness and minimum clinically important difference of the incremental shuttle walk in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a prospective study.

The incremental shuttle walk (ISW) is well validated in COPD but limited psychometric data restrict its use in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Study 1: 50 patients performed the ISW and 6 min walk test (6MWT). Study 2: 72 patients completed the ISW before and after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). The ISW correlated strongly with 6MWT distance (r=0.81,p<0.0001). Mean (95% confidence interval) improvement in ISW with PR was 54 (38 to 70) m with an effect size of 0.29. Distribution-based and anchor-based minimum clinically important difference (MCID) estimates ranged from 31 to 46 m. The ISW is valid and responsive in IPF, with an anchor-based MCID estimate similar to that observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Pre-results; NCT02530736, NCT02436278.

Sarcopenia and frailty in chronic respiratory disease.

Sarcopenia and frailty are geriatric syndromes characterized by multisystem decline, which are related to and reflected by markers of skeletal muscle dysfunction. In older people, sarcopenia and frailty have been used for risk stratification, to predict adverse outcomes and to prompt intervention aimed at preventing decline in those at greatest risk. In this review, we examine sarcopenia and frailty in the context of chronic respiratory disease, providing an overview of the common assessments tools and studies to date in the field. We contrast assessments of sarcopenia, which consider muscle mass and function, with assessments of frailty, which often additionally consider social, cognitive and psychological domains. Frailty is emerging as an important syndrome in respiratory disease, being strongly associated with poor outcome. We also unpick the relationship between sarcopenia, frailty and skeletal muscle dysfunction in chronic respiratory disease and reveal these as interlinked but distinct clinical phenotypes. Suggested areas for future work include the application of sarcopenia and frailty models to restrictive diseases and population-based samples, prospective prognostic assessments of sarcopenia and frailty in relation to common multidimensional indices, plus the investigation of exercise, nutritional and pharmacological strategies to prevent or treat sarcopenia and frailty in chronic respiratory disease.

Physical activity patterns and clusters in 1001 patients with COPD.

We described physical activity measures and hourly patterns in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after stratification for generic and COPD-specific characteristics and, based on multiple physical activity measures, we identified clusters of patients. In total, 1001 patients with COPD (65% men; age, 67 years; forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1], 49% predicted) were studied cross-sectionally. Demographics, anthropometrics, lung function and clinical data were assessed. Daily physical activity measures and hourly patterns were analysed based on data from a multisensor armband. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were applied to physical activity measures to identify clusters. Age, body mass index (BMI), dyspnoea grade and ADO index (including age, dyspnoea and airflow obstruction) were associated with physical activity measures and hourly patterns. Five clusters were identified based on three PCA components, which accounted for 60% of variance of the data. Importantly, couch potatoes (i.e. the most inactive cluster) were characterised by higher BMI, lower FEV1, worse dyspnoea and higher ADO index compared to other clusters ( p < 0.05 for all). Daily physical activity measures and hourly patterns are heterogeneous in COPD. Clusters of patients were identified solely based on physical activity data. These findings may be useful to develop interventions aiming to promote physical activity in COPD.

Physical frailty and pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is an important clinical syndrome that is consistently associated with adverse outcomes in older people. The relevance of frailty to chronic respiratory disease and its management is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of frailty among patients with stable COPD and examine whether frailty affects completion and outcomes of pulmonary rehabilitation. METHODS: 816 outpatients with COPD (mean (SD) age 70 (10) years, FEV1% predicted 48.9 (21.0)) were recruited between November 2011 and January 2015. Frailty was assessed using the Fried criteria (weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slowness and weakness) before and after pulmonary rehabilitation. Predictors of programme non-completion were identified using multivariate logistic regression, and outcomes were compared using analysis of covariance, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: 209/816 patients (25.6%, 95% CI 22.7 to 28.7) were frail. Prevalence of frailty increased with age, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage, Medical Research Council (MRC) score and age-adjusted comorbidity burden (all p≤0.01). Patients who were frail had double the odds of programme non-completion (adjusted OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.39 to 3.46, p=0.001), often due to exacerbation and/or hospital admission. However, rehabilitation outcomes favoured frail completers, with consistently better responses in MRC score, exercise performance, physical activity level and health status (all p<0.001). After rehabilitation, 71/115 (61.3%) previously frail patients no longer met case criteria for frailty. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty affects one in four patients with COPD referred for pulmonary rehabilitation and is an independent predictor of programme non-completion. However, patients who are frail respond favourably to rehabilitation and their frailty can be reversed in the short term.

The EQ-5D-5L health status questionnaire in COPD: validity, responsiveness and minimum important difference.

BACKGROUND: The EQ-5D, a generic health status questionnaire that is widely used in health economic evaluation, was recently expanded to the EQ-5D-5L to address criticisms of unresponsiveness and ceiling effect. AIMS: To describe the validity, responsiveness and minimum important difference of the EQ-5D-5L in COPD. METHODS: Study 1: The validity of the EQ-5D-5L utility index and visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) was compared with four established disease-specific health status questionnaires and other measures of disease severity in 616 stable outpatients with COPD. Study 2: The EQ-5D-5L utility index and EQ-VAS were measured in 324 patients with COPD before and after 8 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation. Distribution and anchor-based approaches were used to estimate the minimum important difference. RESULTS: There were moderate-to-strong correlations between utility index and EQ-VAS with disease-specific questionnaires (Pearson's r=0.47-0.72). A ceiling effect was seen in 7% and 2.6% of utility index and EQ-VAS. Utility index decreased (worsening health status) with indices of worsening disease severity. With rehabilitation, mean (95% CI) changes in utility index and EQ-VAS were 0.065 (0.047 to 0.083) and 8.6 (6.5 to 10.7), respectively, with standardised response means of 0.39 and 0.44. The mean (range) anchor estimates of the minimum important difference for utility index and EQ-VAS were 0.051 (0.037 to 0.063) and 6.9 (6.5 to 8.0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The EQ-5D-5L is a valid and responsive measure of health status in COPD and may provide useful additional cost-effectiveness data in clinical trials.

Sarcopenia in COPD: prevalence, clinical correlates and response to pulmonary rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Age-related loss of muscle, sarcopenia, is recognised as a clinical syndrome with multiple contributing factors. International European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria require generalised loss of muscle mass and reduced function to diagnose sarcopenia. Both are common in COPD but are usually studied in isolation and in the lower limbs. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in COPD, its impact on function and health status, its relationship with quadriceps strength and its response to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). METHODS: EWGSOP criteria were applied to 622 outpatients with stable COPD. Body composition, exercise capacity, functional performance, physical activity and health status were assessed. Using a case-control design, response to PR was determined in 43 patients with sarcopenia and a propensity score-matched non-sarcopenic group. RESULTS: Prevalence of sarcopenia was 14.5% (95% CI 11.8% to 17.4%), which increased with age and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD) stage, but did not differ by gender or the presence of quadriceps weakness (14.9 vs 13.8%, p=0.40). Patients with sarcopenia had reduced exercise capacity, functional performance, physical activity and health status compared with patients without sarcopenia (p<0.001), but responded similarly following PR; 12/43 patients were no longer classified as sarcopenic following PR. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia affects 15% of patients with stable COPD and impairs function and health status. Sarcopenia does not impact on response to PR, which can lead to a reversal of the syndrome in select patients.

Gait speed and readmission following hospitalisation for acute exacerbations of COPD: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalisation for acute exacerbations of COPD is associated with high risk of readmission. However, no tool has been validated to stratify patients at discharge for risk of readmission. AIM: To evaluate the ability of the 4 m gait speed (4MGS), a surrogate marker of frailty, to predict risk of future readmission in hospitalised patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). METHODS: 213 patients hospitalised with an AECOPD were recruited prospectively. 4MGS was measured on day of discharge. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between 4MGS and readmission at 90 days after discharge. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the cohort: 52% men; mean age 72 years; median FEV1 35%predicted. Mean (SD) 4MGS at hospital discharge was 0.61 (0.26) ms(-1). Significant increased rates of all-cause readmission at 90 days were seen across quartiles of decreasing 4MGS (Q4 fastest: 11.5%; Q3: 20.4%; Q2: 30.2%; Q1 slowest: 48.2%; p trend<0.001). Compared with Q4, those in the slowest 4MGS quartile had unadjusted ORs (95% CIs) for 90-day readmission of 7.12 (2.61 to 19.44) for the whole cohort and 11.56 (3.08 to 43.35) in those aged 65 or over. A multivariate model incorporating 4MGS, Charlson Index, hospital admission in past year, FEV1%predicted and number of exacerbations in past year in those aged 65 or over predicted 90-day readmission with a C-statistic of 0.86. CONCLUSIONS: The 4MGS, a surrogate marker of physical frailty, independently predicts the risk of readmission in older patients hospitalised for acute exacerbation of COPD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01507415.

Rehabilitation following hospitalization in patients with COPD: can it reduce readmissions?

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are one of the commonest causes of emergency hospital admission and are associated with high rates of readmission. Rehabilitation in the peri- and early post-hospitalization setting may counteract the deleterious consequences of an acute hospital admission and target modifiable risk factors for readmission such as physical inactivity, reduced exercise capacity and impaired physical function. Pulmonary rehabilitation in the peri-hospitalization period can improve exercise capacity and health-related quality of life and can also reduce rates of readmission. Consequently, guidelines have recommended the provision of pulmonary rehabilitation in the acute setting. However, recent trials showing less positive results and observational data questioning acceptability may challenge prevailing enthusiasm. This review examines the role of pulmonary rehabilitation in the peri- and early post-hospitalization setting, considering the modifiable risk factors for readmission, the latest evidence regarding rehabilitation in the acute setting, issues around acceptability and uptake, and alternative strategies to help deliver rehabilitation to more patients. The acceptability and effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation offered that post-exacerbation could be improved by overcoming issues around the setting, timing and format of rehabilitation approaches, including their integration with self-management interventions.