The difference in SPPB between patients with severe exacerbations and a stable COPD population

Abstract

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often experience functional limitations. Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a quick and simple functional test that has proven to be important in the assessment of patients with stable COPD. However, no studies have explored the use of SPPB in a population with severe exacerbations. This study aimed to compare the performance of patients with stable COPD and patients with severe exacerbations for each subtest of SPPB; and to explore the relationship between the SPPB, quadriceps muscle strength and FEV1% in both groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with stable COPD and patients with severe exacerbations. 28 patients with stable COPD and 22 patients with a severe exacerbation participated. In patients with stable COPD and patients with a severe exacerbation, the correlation between the quadriceps muscle strength and SPPB score was strong and very strong respectively (r=0.428; r=0.774) . A very weak correlation was found between the FEV1% and SPPB score in both groups (r=0.025; r=0.154). Patients with severe exacerbations performed significantly worse on SPPB, namely on the 5STS (p=0.002) and 4MGT (p=0.002). Balance tests were similar in both groups (p=0.078). Patients with more muscle weakness perform worse on SPPB. During a severe exacerbation, 5STS and 4MGT are even more impaired. These aspects should be focussed on during rehabilitation.