Physical inactivity and arterial stiffness in XXXX .

@entity1 @entity1030
BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness is an important predictor of cardiovascular risk besides classic cardiovascular risk factors. Previous studies showed that arterial stiffness is increased in @entity1 with @entity1030 compared to healthy controls and exercise training may reduce arterial stiffness. Since physical inactivity is frequently observed in @entity1 with @entity1030 and exercise training may improve arterial stiffness, we hypothesized that low daily physical activity may be associated with increased arterial stiffness. METHODS: In 123 @entity1 with @entity1030 (72% @entity1 ; mean [standard deviation] age: 62 [7.5] years; median [quartile] forced expiratory volume in 1 second 35 [27/65] %predicted), arterial stiffness was assessed by augmentation index (AI). Daily physical activity level (PAL) was measured by an activity monitor (SenseWear Pro   ) >1 week. The association between AI and PAL was investigated by univariate and multivariate regression analysis, taking into account disease-specific characteristics and comorbidities. RESULTS: @entity1 suffered from moderate (35%), severe (32%), and very severe (33%) @entity1030 , and 22% were active smokers. Median (quartile) PAL was 1.4 (1.3/1.5) and mean (standard deviation) AI 26% (9.2%). PAL showed a negative association with AI (B=-9.32, P=0.017) independent of age, sex, blood pressure, and airflow limitation. CONCLUSION: In @entity1030 @entity1 , a higher PAL seems to favorably influence arterial stiffness and therefore may reduce cardiovascular risk. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01527773.
