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Bronchiectasis leads to a largely inactive, sedentary lifestyle in patients

People with bronchiectasis have a more sedentary and less active lifestyle when compared with the recommended guidelines for physical activity, according to study results.

“These findings are important as recent research has suggested a link with inactivity and decreased survival, poorer [health-related quality of life (HRQoL)] and increased health care utilization in chronic disease populations such as COPD and diabetes,” Judy M. Bradley, PhD, professor of physiotherapy at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, and colleagues wrote. “Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that a high level of sedentary behavior is associated with adverse health outcomes in chronic disease populations.”

Bradley and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study of 55 patients with bronchiectasis to analyze any patterns and correlates of sedentary behavior and physical inactivity.

Patients completed questionnaires regarding health-related quality of life and attitude toward physical activity, underwent spirometry and completed the modified shuttle test.

The daily time patients spent being sedentary averaged 634 minutes, light-lifestyle physical activity averaged 207 minutes and moderate to vigorous physical activity averaged 25 minutes.

Eleven percent of patients met the recommended physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes or more of moderate physical activity each week.

The researchers classified 42% of the patients as inactive, 29% as low active and 29% as somewhat active.

Patients with moderate to severe disease, identified by a bronchiectasis severity index of five or greater, spent significantly less time partaking in moderate to vigorous physical activity (P = .005), had lower activity energy expenditure (P = .001), fewer daily step counts (P = .017) and achieved lower modified shuttle test distance (P = .03) than patients with mild disease.

The researchers stressed the data show the importance of assessing patients’ sedentary behavior and activity levels directly.

“We also propose that it may be important to focus on behavior change techniques and other behavioral strategies such as motivational interviewing rather than exercise training alone if targeting a decrease in sedentary behavior as well as improved physical activity levels in patients with bronchiectasis,” the researchers wrote.  

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.