The Role of Physical Activity for Acute Exacerbations of COPD

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigators plan to study the association between physical activity, malnutrition and sarcopenia and the occurrence of acute exacerbations of COPD / the evolution of the COPD assessment test (CAT) over 1 year in a telehealthcare cohort of patients with COPD. The investigators hypothesize that malnutrition and/or sarcopenia at baseline and a decline in the fat-free mass index over time is associated with an increased rate of acute exacerbations of COPD and an increased CAT score meaning a higher risk for mortality, morbidity and impairment of quality of life.

Official Title
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The Role of Physical Activity, Malnutrition and Sarcopenia for the Prediction of Acute Exacerbations and the Evolution of COPD Assessment Test (CAT) in Patients With COPD

Conditions
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COPD

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: COPD GOLD stage B or higher Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Inability to provide written informed consent Insufficient knowledge of the trial language
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rate of acute exacerbations of COPD | The primary outcome measure is the rate of acute exacerbations of COPD. | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Physical activity | The rate of acute exacerbations of COPD will be correlated to the degree of physical activity measured using an activity tracker in everyday life. The following parameters will be recorded: step count distance travelled calories burned | 12 months | 
| Fat-free mass index | The rate of acute exacerbations of COPD will be correlated to the fat-free mass index (FFMI) measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). | 12 months | 
| Hand grip strenght | The rate of acute exacerbations of COPD will be correlated to the hand grip strength (HGS) measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months using a dynamometer. | 12 months | 
| C-reactive protein | The rate of acute exacerbations of COPD will be correlated to the level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. | 12 months | 
| Total protein | The rate of acute exacerbations of COPD will be correlated to the level of total serum protein measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. | 12 months | 
| Albumin | The rate of acute exacerbations of COPD will be correlated to the level of serum albumin measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. | 12 months | 
| 25-OH vitamin D3 | The rate of acute exacerbations of COPD will be correlated to the level of serum 25-OH vitamin D3 measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. | 12 months | 
| COPD assessment test | The rate of acute exacerbations of COPD will be correlated to the COPD assessment test (CAT) score which interrogated on a weekly basis. | 12 months |