Pain in Veterans with COPD: relationship with physical activity and exercise capacity

Abstract Background Pain is a common but underappreciated symptom experienced by people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The relationships between pain and physical activity (PA) exercise capacity are poorly understood. Methods This retrospective secondary analysis includes three cohorts of Veterans COPD who participated in longitudinal studies evaluating PA objective measures daily step counts 6-min walk test (6MWT) distance, respectively. was assessed using the bodily domain RAND-36. In two cohorts, participants were randomly assigned to web-based, pedometer-mediated intervention which has previously been demonstrated improve PA. Results Three-hundred seventy-three (373) unique study included this analysis. Eighty-three percent (n = 311) population reported at least mild and/or little bit interference due baseline. Cross-sectionally, greater associated lower 6MWT distance (β 0.51; 95% CI 0.20, 0.82; p 0.0013). Longitudinally, worsening decline 0.30; 0.03, 0.58; 0.0312). There no association baseline counts, change PA, or Compared usual care, our improved scores 6.17; 1.84, 10.45; 0.0054). Bodily did not affect impact on counts. Conclusion highly prevalent significantly among COPD. Worsening co-occurred Our reduced pain, although