Walking Patterns in Older Adults with COPD
Author Information
Author(s): Delgado-Ortiz Laura, Becker Clemens, Troosters Thierry, Garcia-Aymerich Judith
Primary Institution: Barcelona Institute for Global Health
Hypothesis
We aimed to assess the levels and distribution of real-world walking in people with COPD compared with healthy adults.
Conclusion
Real-world walking in older adults with COPD is impaired compared to healthy peers and worsens with disease severity.
Supporting Evidence
- Most digital mobility outcomes were reduced in older adults with COPD compared to healthy adults.
- Differences in walking patterns remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, height, and comorbidities.
- Factor analysis identified six distinct walking domains related to COPD.
Takeaway
Older people with COPD walk less and in different ways compared to healthy older people, and this gets worse as their condition gets more serious.
Methodology
Cross-sectional study using digital technology to assess walking in 550 older adults with COPD and 19 healthy older adults.
Limitations
The study is cross-sectional, which limits causal inferences.
Participant Demographics
Older adults with COPD and healthy older adults from ten cities across eight countries.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website