An evaluation of self-reported physical activity levels and health related quality of life in people with and without COPD in Saudi Arabia

Gale, Nichola ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5207-9863, Alruwaili, Rawan, Jones, Una ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7156-8531 and Albarrati, Ali 2026. An evaluation of self-reported physical activity levels and health related quality of life in people with and without COPD in Saudi Arabia. Physiotherapy in Respiratory Care 58 (1) , pp. 22-28. 10.56792/DVMC1924

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Abstract

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with progressive airflow limitation, commonly resulting in breathlessness, reduced physical activity (PA) and impaired health related quality of life (HRQoL). As there is limited research in Saudi Arabia this study aimed to explore PA levels, and HRQoL in people with COPD and comparators, without COPD in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey using validated questionnaires in people with and without COPD. An online survey including the Arabic version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF) and the EuroQol-five dimensions-five levels (EQ-5D-5L) which includes an index score and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was completed by both groups and Dyspnea-12 (D-12) was completed only by people with COPD. Results: Participants included 50 people with COPD and 51 comparators. There was no difference in total IPAQ-SF between the two groups (p>0.05). EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS scores were significantly different between the two groups: Median interquartile range [IQR] EQ-5D-5L index in COPD was 0.722 [0.50-0.840], and comparators 0.877 [0.736-1.00] p<0.001; EQ-VAS was 67 [40-81] in COPD indicating worse HRQoL than comparators 82 [70-90], p<0.001. In COPD, IPAQ-SF and the D-12 were inversely correlated (r= -0.567, p<0.01). Conclusion: This study found people with COPD and comparators living in Saudi Arabia had similarly low levels of physical activity although people with COPD had worse HRQoL. In COPD physical activity was related to dyspnea. Efforts are needed to understand barriers and facilitators to encourage people with and without COPD living in Saudi Arabia to be more physically active.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Healthcare Sciences
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	5 August 2026
Last Modified:	05 Aug 2026 09:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188739

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