Lung function indices for predicting mortality in COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by high morbidity and mortality. It remains unknown which aspect of lung function carries the most prognostic information and if simple spirometry is sufficient. Survival was assessed in COPD outpatients whose data had been added prospectively to a clinical audit database from the point of first full lung function testing including spirometry, lung volumes, gas transfer and arterial blood gases.

Singing classes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is some evidence that singing lessons may be of benefit to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not clear how much of this benefit is specific to singing and how much relates to the classes being a group activity that addresses social isolation.

Methods: Patients were randomised to either singing classes or a film club for eight weeks.

Health status assessment in routine clinical practice: the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test score in outpatients.

Background: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) is a simple, self-completion questionnaire developed to measure health status in patients with COPD, which is potentially suitable for routine clinical use.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish the determinants of the CAT score in routine clinical practice.

Methods: Patients attending the clinic completed the CAT score before being seen.

Stanford Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaire in COPD.

Quantification of daily physical activity is of clinical interest in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objective measures using activity monitors may take several days to obtain reliable results. The aim of our study was to evaluate the Stanford Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaire (PAR) against the SenseWear armband (SWA) and compare its validity with three other physical activity questionnaires.

Physical activity monitoring in COPD: compliance and associations with clinical characteristics in a multicenter study.

Background: Little is known about COPD patients' compliance with physical activity monitoring and how activity relates to disease characteristics in a multi-center setting.

Methods: In a prospective study at three Northern European sites physical activity and clinical disease characteristics were measured in 134 COPD patients (GOLD-stage II-IV; BODE index 0-9) and 46 controls. Wearing time, steps per day, and the physical activity level (PAL) were measured by a multisensory armband over a period of 6 consecutive days (in total, 144 h).