A Lifestyle Physical Activity Intervention Is Associated With Decline In Health Care Utilization (Hcu) Among Patients With Copd

Rationale : Among patients with COPD physical inactivity is associated with increased hospitalizations. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of an intervention to increase physical activity on HCU. Methods : This was a randomized trial among patients with COPD comparing a physical activity intervention (PAI) to usual care (UC). Self-reported HCU during previous 6 months was measured for clinic visits for lung disease (CLD) and non-lung disease (CNLD), emergency/urgent visits for lung disease (ELD) and non-lung disease (ENLD), and hospitalization for lung disease (HLD) and non-lung disease (HNLD). Both cross-sectional differences and longitudinal changes in HCU were examined. Results : A total of 305 were randomized (156 UC, 149 I) and 6-month outcome results available for 92% (144) and 83% (123), respectively. In cross-sectional analysis there were no statistical differences in the prevalence of any HCU (Table). In longitudinal analysis the majority of both groups had no change in HCU. However, the odds of decline vs. increase for each type of HCU were greatest among PAI-group. (Table). Conclusion : After an intervention to increase physical activity there were no overall differences in HCU. In longitudinal sub-group analyses the intervention was consistently associated with less HCU for both lung- and non-lung related disorders.