Tailored exercise is safe and beneficial for acutely hospitalised older adults with COPD

Abstract

COPD is predicted to affect approximately half of the older population in the next decade. The incidence of hospitalisations associated with this condition is also likely to rise, even surpassing those caused by major conditions (notably, ischaemic cardiomyopathy) [1]. In this context, the collateral effects of hospitalisation, even for a few days, must not be overlooked, especially in the oldest segment (>80 years). Nearly one third of older adults lose their ability to independently perform one or more activities of daily living from hospital admission to discharge even if successfully treated from the condition that caused hospitalisation, the so-called “hospital induced-disability”. This condition has major short- and long-term consequences, notably an increased risk of re-admission and mortality. Moreover, hospitalised patients with COPD present with a proinflammatory profile ( i.e. elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP)) and high range of variation in red blood cell volume ( i.e. elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW)), both features associated with poorer outcomes [2]. Tailored exercise is safe and beneficial for acutely hospitalised older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease The authors would like to thank the patients and their families for their confidence in the research team.