Validation of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Questionnaire in Older Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Purpose: There are not many questionnaires that have proven validity and reliability in evaluating the level of physical activity in older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In clinical and scientific studies, it is important to quickly determine the physical activity level of patients in terms of time management. The aim of the study was to examine the validity of the rapid assessment of physical activity (RAPA) questionnaire in older patients with COPD. Methods: A total of 105 older patients with COPD surveyed the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) and after 2 weeks RAPA questionnaire as well. The IPAQ-SF was accepted as the gold standard for physical activity assessment in COPD. Furthermore, patients were assessed for a 6-min walking test (6MWT) and perceived dyspnea (with modified medical research dyspnea scale (mMRC)). Correlation coefficients (r) was used for the relationship between RAPA and IPAQ-SF. Results: There were significant positive correlations between RAPA and IPAQ-SF total score (r = 0.968, p<0.001), 6MWT (r = 0.626, p<0.001), in addition to significant negative correlation between the RAPA and mMRC scores (r = -0.454, p<0.001). The RAPA showed good sensitivity (87.5%) and a specificity (100%) value. Positive and negative predictive values of the RAPA were 100% and 96.4% respectively. Conclusion: This study showed the RAPA was an easy-to-use, valid, and reliable questionnaire to measure physical activity levels in older patients with COPD.