Vainshelboim B, et al. - This study focused on the link between lifestyle behaviors and clinical outcomes in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In these subjects, shorter daily sitting and longer weekly walking times were related to attenuated hospitalization and mortality risks. The findings underscore potential clinical benefits of reducing sedentary behaviors among IPF patients.

Methods

• In this study, researchers assessed a total of 34 IPF patients (median age 68 years) for daily sitting and weekly walking times using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire by in-person interview at baseline, and performed follow up for up to 40 months.
• Furthermore, Cox proportional hazard analysis was conducted for cardiorespiratory-related hospitalizations and mortality as outcomes.

Results

• During the follow-up period, it was reported that 50 % of all patients were hospitalized, and 32% died.
• Findings demonstrated that sitting and walking times were associated with hospitalizations and mortality in IPF.
• Researchers found that, compared to patients who reported a sitting time of <5 h/day, patients who sat 5 to <10 and ≥10 h/day experienced an increased risk of 2.4 and 5.8 (p trend = 0.036) for hospitalization and of 4.6 and 21.2 (p trend = 0.018) for mortality, respectively.
• Data also revealed that, compared to patients walking <100 min/week, patients with a walking time of 100 to <150 and ≥150 min/week were associated with a 49 and 74% reduced risk for hospitalizations (p trend = 0.022) and a 62 and 86% reduced risk for mortality (ptrend = 0.018), respectively.
• Additionally, a combination of shorter sitting and extended walking times further attenuated the mortality risk.