# Assessing Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients: A Comprehensive Analysis Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System-Web Enabled Analysis Tool (BRFSS-WEAT) Data

## TL;DR

This study finds that COPD patients in the U.S. are significantly less physically active than non-COPD individuals, with activity levels influenced by demographics, socioeconomic factors, and healthcare access.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into disparities in physical activity among COPD patients using a large national dataset and identifies key demographic and socioeconomic factors.

## Key findings

- 55% of COPD patients reported physical activity compared to 77.4% of non-COPD individuals.
- Physical activity levels varied significantly by age, gender, race, education, employment, income, and healthcare access.
- Targeted interventions are needed to improve physical activity among COPD patients.

## Abstract

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema and is characterized by persistent airflow limitation. It is caused by long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, leading to significant breathing difficulties and substantially impacting quality of life. Understanding the complexity and socioeconomic burden of COPD is vital for improving patient outcomes and addressing broader implications. This study assesses the self-reported physical activity levels of COPD patients in the United States using the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, exploring the impact of demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare access variables.

Methodology

The 2021 BRFSS data were analysed, focusing on 34,061 individuals diagnosed with COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. Fisher’s exact test and the chi-square test were used to examine associations between self-reported physical activity levels and demographic (age, gender, race), socioeconomic (education, employment, income), and healthcare access (last routine check-up) variables, with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Of the 435,780 BRFSS participants, 7.8% reported having COPD. Among these, 55% engaged in physical activity compared to 77.4% of non-COPD individuals. Physical activity levels were significantly lower among COPD patients (p < 0.001), with notable variations across age groups, genders, races, education levels, employment statuses, income categories, and time since the last routine check-up.

Conclusions

The findings reveal a significant disparity in physical activity between COPD patients and non-COPD individuals. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve physical activity among COPD patients to enhance their health outcomes and quality of life.