Functional independence and physical activity levels in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33897/fujrs.v6i1.526Keywords:
Activities of daily living, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, functional statusAbstract
Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Beyond the biological symptoms, COPD significantly affects patients’ daily activities and overall quality of life.
Objective: To determine the level of functional independence and physical activity level in patients with COPD.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study (DIR/KMU-AS&RB/LP/001450) conducted on patients visiting pulmonology outpatient department (OPD) with diagnosis of COPD in Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Total 207 patients (mean age= 66.52±7.825 years consisting of both male (n=131) and female (n=76) were included in the study using convenience sampling technique. Demographic information was collected from all patients. Functional independence and physical activity were assessed using the Barthel Index (BI) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form respectively, as the outcome measures.
Results: The results of this study showed that patients reported decrease in physical activity levels as (inactive =27.5%, minimally active= 44.93% and highly active=27.54%) on IPAQ and decline in activities of daily living (Slight dependence=40%, moderate dependence=36.29%, severe dependence=4%, total dependence=19%) on Barthal Index.
Conclusion: The study concludes that patients with COPD reported only a slight to moderate reduction in functional independence and exhibited moderate to high physical activity levels. Contributing factors such as body mass index and cigarette smoking were found to have a negative association with patients’ ability to perform daily functional activities.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sanaullah, Seema Gul, Nazish Faiz, Zarmina Behram Durrani, Marina Khan, Shafaq Syed
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