Physical activity found to decrease risk of dying in COPD

PUBLIC RELEASE: 16-MAR-2016
Physical activity found to decrease risk of dying in COPD
EUROPEAN LUNG FOUNDATION

Any amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity can effectively reduce the risk of dying after hospitalisation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study.

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The results found that patients who were active had a 47% lower risk of death in the 12 months following a COPD hospitalisation, compared to inactive patients. Patients who were active but at insufficient levels still maintained a 28% lower risk of death, compared to inactive patients.

The authors concluded that monitoring levels of physical activity with a simple exercise "vital sign", could help healthcare professionals identify, monitor and treat those patients at a high risk of death following hospitalisation.

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