• Irene Torres-Sánchez, Irene Cabrera-Martos, Ana Díaz-Pelegrina, Gerald Valenza-Demet, Maria Paz Moreno-Ramírez, and Marie Carmen Valenza.
• Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences. University of Granada, Spain.
• Respir Care. 2017 Feb 1; 62 (2): 209-214.

BackgroundCOPD 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.MethodsThis 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.ResultsQuadriceps 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.ConclusionsHospitalization 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.Copyright © 2017 by Daedalus Enterprises.

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