Prevalence of frailty and recovery of physical activity in patients after an AECOPD

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Frailty, an important clinical syndrome, remains poorly understood in patients experiencing an acute exacerbation of COPD(AECOPD). <bold>Aim:</bold> To assess the prevalence of frailty in patients after an AECOPD and explore patient’s characteristics and physical activity(PA) recovery in patients with and without frailty. <bold>Methods:</bold> Patients experiencing an AECOPD were included in a multicentre RCT(<ext-link>NCT05233137</ext-link>) and were assessed at baseline prior to randomisation. Demographics, patient reported outcomes and physical measures were assessed. Frailty was defined as a score <9 on the Short Physical Performance Battery. PA recovery was assessed with an activity tracker(Fitbit) using a mixed linear models including time, frailty and their interaction. <bold>Results:</bold> Frailty was observed in 35% of 78 patients(age 68±8, FEV1 45± 17%pred, 59% requiring hospitalisation). Patients with frailty were significantly older, had more symptoms of dyspnoea, a lower 6MWD and quadriceps force and did less steps per day Δ-2187±820(mean±SEM)(p=0.001) than patients without frailty. We observed more frailty in patients hospitalised with AECOPD compared to the non-hospitalised group (74% versus 50%). The comorbidity index, previous AECOPDs, FEV1 and BMI were comparable. PA improved in the 5 weeks post AECOPD (p<0.001), with no difference between groups(p=0.77)(Figure 1). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Frailty affects 35% of patients after an AECOPD. Frailty does not exclude recovery in PA. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/OA3692/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>