PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Torres-Sánchez, Irene AU - Cabrera-Martos, Irene AU - Díaz-Pelegrina, Ana AU - Valenza-Demet, Gerald AU - Moreno-Ramírez, Maria Paz AU - Valenza, Marie Carmen TI - Physical and Functional Impairment During and After Hospitalization in Subjects With Severe COPD Exacerbation AID - 10.4187/respcare.04597 DP - 2017 Feb 01 TA - Respiratory Care PG - 209--214 VI - 62 IP - 2 4099 - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/62/2/209.short 4100 - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/62/2/209.full AB - BACKGROUND: COPD exacerbations are frequent events that have a negative impact on the lives of patients. The aims of this study were to analyze physical and functional impairment during hospital stay in subjects hospitalized due to COPD exacerbation and to assess the physical and functional impact of hospitalization at a 1-month follow-up in patients with severe COPD.METHODS: This was a prospective observational study on a sample of 52 subjects hospitalized due to COPD exacerbation. The assessments were performed at baseline, discharge, and 1-month follow-up. The outcome measures were dyspnea, muscle strength, functional capacity, and postural steadiness.RESULTS: Quadriceps strength [1.036 (P = .043) kg mean difference] and the one-leg stance test [1.04 (P = .02) and 0.73 (P = .032) s mean difference right and left leg] showed significant impairment during hospitalization. Dyspnea perception improved significantly (P = .004) during hospitalization. Additionally, strength in the upper and lower limbs [4.04 (P = .002) and 1.23 (P = .038) kg mean difference], functional capacity [3.0 number of steps mean difference (P = .032)], and the one-leg stance test [2.12 (P = .006) and 0.53 (P = .047) s mean difference right and left leg] showed significant impairment 1-month follow-up.CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization due to COPD exacerbation leads to physical and functional impairment in patients; impairment is greater at 1-month follow-up. It would be interesting to conduct physical therapy interventions to prevent the impairment.