Regular Exercise Reduces Mortality in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Study Finds
A groundbreaking study led by professors Park Hye-yoon and Kang Dan-bi at Samsung Hospital Seoul has revealed that regular exercise can lead to a 16% reduction in mortality among individuals diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD, a respiratory disease and the third leading cause of death worldwide, is primarily caused by smoking, but can also be triggered by exposure to harmful substances, air pollution, and aging. Initially presenting with minimal symptoms, the disease gradually progresses to coughing, sputum production, and breathing difficulties.
Visiting the hospital regularly for treatment and inhaler prescriptions is crucial for COPD patients. Additionally, incorporating exercise into their daily routines offers numerous benefits beyond medication.
Unfortunately, studies have shown that COPD patients are less physically active compared to healthy individuals. As the disease advances, shortness of breath worsens, leading to decreased physical activity and muscle loss. This detrimental cycle leads to more severe symptoms and a further decline in physical activity.
While the importance of exercise for COPD patients is well-established, previous intervention studies conducted in hospitals have revealed that the benefits do not extend to real-life settings. To address this, Professor Park and her team, in collaboration with the Samsung Convergent Medicine Research Professor Kong Seong-ah, embarked on a study that followed 110,097 patients aged 40 and older who had not previously engaged in regular moderate to vigorous exercise prior to their COPD diagnosis.
In order to eliminate any biases arising from the identification of patients who survived long enough to start exercising, the researchers applied a cutting-edge methodology called “sequential object imitation experiment.” This methodology ensured that assignment to exercise initiation groups was matched and sequentially executed, simulating multiple overlapping clinical trials to prevent errors.
To further minimize potential biases, the research team continuously matched and compared the “group with more exercise” to the “group of COPD patients without exercise,” re-evaluating all associated diseases and medication history for each exerciser.
The study demonstrated that specific combinations of moderate-intensity exercise can significantly reduce mortality and disease exacerbation in COPD patients. “High intensity exercise at least 3 days a week” (such as running, climbing, or high-speed cycling) or “5 or more days a week of moderate-intensity exercise” (such as brisk walking, cycling at a moderate speed, light object lifting, cleaning, etc.) were identified as effective exercises that caused breathlessness or sweating.
As a result of the research, the team discovered that the group engaging in regular moderate-intensity exercise had a 16% lower risk of death and a 10% lower risk of serious exacerbation compared to inactive patients. Furthermore, patients who were not initially interested in exercise but later engaged in high or moderate-intensity exercise for at least 5 days a week following their COPD diagnosis experienced clinical improvements.
The research team recommends starting with light walking exercises, particularly for older individuals or those with comorbidities. As patients become accustomed to walking, they should gradually increase the intensity by incorporating brisk walking and climbing exercises on inclined paths. Additionally, lower body strength exercises targeting the calves and hips are advised to improve walking ability.
Professor Park Hye-yoon emphasized the importance of regular exercise for COPD patients. “As life expectancy increases, the prevalence of chronic diseases rises. Regardless of personal interest, regular exercise is the first step toward achieving a healthy and long life,” she said. “Alongside using inhalers and quitting smoking, the significance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. However, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate intensity and exercise regimen based on the patient’s current physical condition and underlying diseases.”
Source: Reporter Hellotti Ham Soo-mi
As a result of a research team led by professors Park Hye-yoon and Kang Dan-bi at Samsung Hospital Seoul, a 16% reduction in mortality through regular exercise
A domestic study has found that starting regular moderate-intensity exercise after a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is effective in reducing the risk of future death and worsening of the disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease that is the third leading cause of death worldwide. It is mainly caused by smoking, but it can also be caused by exposure to various harmful substances in daily life, fine dust associated with air pollution, and aging. Symptoms are known to be minimal at first, but gradually progress to cause coughing, sputum, and difficulty breathing.
It is important for COPD patients to visit the hospital regularly for treatment and an inhaler prescription. Even in everyday life, there are many ways to relieve symptoms other than medication, one of which is exercise.
COPD patients are known to exercise less than healthy people. As COPD progresses, shortness of breath worsens and physical activity decreases. This leads to muscle loss and skeletal muscle wasting, leading to a vicious cycle that leads to more severe symptoms and a reduction in physical activity.
The importance of exercise for COPD patients is well known, and it has been reported that improving exercise capacity and improving symptoms through exercise intervention studies are mainly conducted in hospitals. However, it is known that exercise cannot be continued in real life and the ability to exercise decreases again after the exercise intervention in the hospital environment has ended.
Samsung Seoul Hospital Pulmonary Medicine Professor Park Hye-yoon and Clinical Instructor Kim Tae-yoon, Clinical Epidemiology Research Center Professor Kang Dan-bi and Researcher Kim Hyeon-soo, and the research team of Samsung Convergent Medicine Research Professor Kong Seong- ah between January 2010 and December 2018 based on data from the Health Insurance Corporation. , followed 110,097 patients aged 40 years or older who had not participated in regular moderate to vigorous exercise before a diagnosis of COPD.
In the case of a study looking at the effect of exercise, it is easy to make the mistake of being included in the exercise initiation group only if you survive long until you start exercising. Such an error is called an early detection phase error, and the research team used the latest methodology called ‘sequential object imitation experiment’ to prevent the error. It is a method that can match the assignment of each group and start the sequence by simulating the sequential execution of multiple overlapping clinical trials.
To reduce the misconception that clinical outcomes are good because exercisers are healthy enough to exercise, the research team re-evaluates all associated diseases and drug history each time an exerciser is given body was evaluated, The ‘group with more exercise’ and the ‘group of COPD patients without’ are continuously matched and compared.
The research team showed the following specific combinations of moderate intensity exercise were effective in reducing mortality and deterioration in patients with COPD. ‘High intensity exercise at least 3 days a week (exercises that get you out of breath for at least 20 minutes, such as running, climbing, or riding a bike at high speed)’ or ‘5 or more days a week on for moderate intensity exercise (more than 30 minutes of shortness of breath)’ It was defined as ‘exercises that caused kicking or sweating in the back, such as brisk walking, riding a bicycle at a moderate speed, carrying light objects, cleaning, etc. .)’.
As a result of the study, it was confirmed that the group with more moderate intensity exercise had a 16% lower risk of death and a 10% lower risk of serious exacerbation compared to patients who did not. When regular high or moderate intensity exercise was carried out, for patients who were not interested in exercise, there were clinical effects even if they did exercise that caused breathlessness or back sweating at least 5 days a week after diagnosis of COPD.
The research team recommended starting with light walking exercise for those who are older or have co-morbidities. If you have become accustomed to walking exercise, it is important to gradually develop it to brisk walking and gradually increase the intensity by climbing exercise using an inclined path. In addition, it was recommended to do lower body strength exercises, including calves and hips, to walk well.
Professor Park Hye-yoon said, “As life expectancy increases, more and more people suffer from various chronic diseases. Even if you’re not interested in exercise, regular exercise is the first step towards healthy longevity,” he said. “The importance of regular exercise, along with using inhalers and quitting smoking, cannot be overemphasized. age for COPD patients. However, it is also important to consult the doctor responsible for the intensity and method of exercise in accordance with the current physical condition and the underlying disease and to go into ‘personal form’.”
Reporter Hellotti Ham Soo-mi |
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