Physical activity patterns and clusters in 1001 patients with COPD.

We described physical activity measures and hourly patterns in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after stratification for generic and COPD-specific characteristics and, based on multiple physical activity measures, we identified clusters of patients. In total, 1001 patients with COPD (65% men; age, 67 years; forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV], 49% predicted) were studied cross-sectionally. Demographics, anthropometrics, lung function and clinical data were assessed.

Analysis of nocturnal actigraphic sleep measures in patients with COPD and their association with daytime physical activity.

Background: Sleep disturbances are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a considerable negative impact on their quality of life. However, factors associated with measures of sleep in daily life have not been investigated before nor has the association between sleep and the ability to engage in physical activity on a day-to-day basis been studied.

Aims: To provide insight into the relationship between actigraphic sleep measures and disease severity, exertional dyspnoea, gender and parts of the week; and to investigate the association between sleep measures and next day physical activity.

Predictors of the overlap syndrome and its association with comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The occurrence of both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in an individual patient has been described as 'overlap syndrome', which has been associated with poor prognosis. Little is known about the possible predictors of the overlap syndrome and its association with comorbidities contributing to impaired outcome.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and possible predictors of the overlap syndrome and its association with comorbidities in a cohort of COPD patients.

Relationship between domain-specific physical activity and different body composition measures in a working population.

Objective: With respect to the overweight epidemic, this study aimed to investigate the association between domain-specific physical activity and body composition measures in Swiss male employees.

Methods: A total of 192 healthy male adults in full-time employment were investigated. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured and body mass index was calculated.

Differences in classification of COPD patients into risk groups A-D: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease proposed in 2011 a new system to classify chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients into risk groups A-D, which considers symptoms and future exacerbation risk to grade disease severity. The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement between COPD risk group classifications using COPD assessment test (CAT) or modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) and severity grades or past-year exacerbations. Furthermore, physical activity across risk groups was examined.

Daily physical activity, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with COPD.

Introduction: In the therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it is a major goal to improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients with COPD often suffer from exertional dyspnea and adopt a sedentary lifestyle, which could be associated with poorer HRQOL. The aim of this study was to investigate the independent association of objectively measured daily physical activity and functional capacity with HRQOL in patients with COPD.

Sleep quality and the risk of work injury: a Swiss case-control study.

Sleep problems are a well-known risk factor for work injuries, but less is known about which vulnerable populations are most at risk. The aims of this study were to investigate the association between sleep quality and the risk of work injury and to identify factors that may modify the association. A case-control study including 180 cases and 551 controls was conducted at the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland, from 1 December 2009 to 30 June 2011.

Sleep problems and work injury types: a study of 180 patients in a Swiss emergency department.

Introduction: Sleep problems present a risk for work injuries and are a major occupational health concern worldwide. Knowledge about the influence of sleep problems on work injury patterns is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify potential associations between different types of work injuries and sleep quality, sleep duration, and daytime sleepiness.