Patients’ and physiotherapists’ perspectives on most relevant treatable traits of functioning in patients with severe exacerbation of COPD: An international survey

<bold>Background:</bold> Exacerbations of COPD (ECOPD) are associated with physical and functional impairments. Identifying relevant treatable traits (TT) of functioning in ECOPD patients is crucial for individualised care. <bold>Aim:</bold> To investigate the physiotherapists and patients’ perceptions towards relevant TT of functioning in severe ECOPD <bold>Methods:</bold> Physiotherapists from 15 countries completed an online survey, while COPD patients from Brazil, with at least one ECOPD hospitalisation, completed in-person interviews. All participants rated TT on a 0-10 scale, with relevance based on the percentage of participants who judged the category ≥ 7. <bold>Results:</bold> 67 physiotherapists (age 38±9 years) and 10 patients (age 62 ± 5 years) identified exercise tolerance and sensations associated with cardiorespiratory functions as the most relevant TT. Physiotherapists identified changing basic body position, muscle power and respiratory muscle functions, while patients identified maintaining basic body position, gait pattern function, control of voluntary movement, hand and arm use, and walking as relevant. <bold>Figure 1</bold> <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Both groups identified exercise tolerance and sensations associated with cardiorespiratory functions as relevant TT; however, differing opinions on other TT emerged. This study emphasizes the importance of valuing both perspectives in rehabilitative approaches. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA625/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>