Decline in function in preclinical COPD patients: a 6 years follow up study

Introduction: Little is known on the decline in function with age in the early stages of COPD. We investigated the decline in physical activity (PA), exercise capacity, muscle strength, pulmonary function, bone & vascular health in ‘early’ COPD patients and (ex-) smoking control subjects. Methods: 101 (ex)-smokers of which 44 had ‘preclinical’ COPD, defined as a post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC Results: The decline in functional exercise capacity (6MWD) and PA was significantly more accelerated and clinically relevant in preclinical COPD patients compared to smoking controls (p Conclusion: At a preclinical stage of the disease, the decline in PA and functional exercise capacity was significantly more accelerated compared to smoking controls. The overall decline in other variables remains modest, suggesting that to develop complex disease, events resulting in sudden decline are required.