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Background/Objectives: The extensive range of instruments designed for evaluating functional performance (FP) in chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents a challenge in selecting the most appropriate one. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to summarise FP instruments, their measurement properties, their minimum clinically important differences, and their associations with CRD course-related events or prognosis in non-COPD CRD. Methods: Studies employing patient-reported or performance-based instruments to assess FP in non-COPD CRD were systematically identified in the PubMed, PEDro, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. COPD-exclusive studies or those solely reporting exercise capacity tests were excluded. Examination focused on measurement properties and associations with CRD course-related events or prognosis. The risk of bias was evaluated using the COSMIN, Downs and Black, and PEDro checklists based on the study design. Results: A total of 216 studies across seven CRD categories [asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), pre-/post-lung-transplantation] from various study types were included. Thirty-three instruments were identified, with the SF-36 questionnaire's physical function domain being the most commonly used patient-reported tool. The 1 min sit-to-stand test was the most extensively studied performance-based measure, with its measurement properties frequently reported in non-COPD CRD studies. Associations with events were infrequently documented, primarily in ILD and PAH studies related to mortality. Conclusions: Despite the prevalent use of FP instruments, limited information exists concerning their measurement properties and clinical implications. This review furnishes a concise summary of available evidence, aiding informed clinical decisions when selecting FP tools for non-COPD CRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

End-of-life care (EOLC) is palliative support provided in the last 6 months to 1 year of a patient's life. Although there are established criteria for its indication, few studies describe the clinical and functional characteristics of individuals with interstitial lung diseases (ILD) in EOLC. ILD individuals underwent various assessments, including lung function, exercise capacity (6 min walk test), physical activity in daily life (PADL), peripheral muscle strength, maximal respiratory pressures, body composition, quality of life (SGRQ-I), symptoms of anxiety and depression, dyspnea (MRC scale), and sleep quality. Fifty-eight individuals were included and divided into two groups according to the indication for commencing EOLC (ILD with an indication of EOLC (ILD-EOLC) or ILD without an indication of EOLC (ILD-nEOLC). There were differences between the groups, respectively, for steps/day (2328 [1134–3130] vs. 5188 [3863–6514] n/day, p = 0.001), time spent/day carrying out moderate-to-vigorous physical activities (1 [0.4–1] vs. 10 [3–19] min/day, p = 0.0003), time spent/day in standing (3.8 [3.2–4.5] vs. 4.8 [4.1–6.7] h/day, p = 0.005), and lying positions (5.7 [5.3–6.9] vs. 4.2 [3.6–5.1] h/day, p = 0.0004), the sit-to-stand test (20 ± 4 vs. 26 ± 7 reps, p = 0.01), 4 m gait speed (0.92 ± 0.21 vs. 1.05 ± 0.15 m/s, p = 0.02), quadriceps muscle strength (237 [211–303] vs. 319 [261–446] N, p = 0.005), SGRQ-I (71 ± 15 vs. 50 ± 20 pts, p = 0.0009), and MRC (4 [3–5] vs. 2 [2–3] pts, p = 0.001). ILD individuals with criteria for commencing EOLC exhibit reduced PADL, functional performance, peripheral muscle strength, quality of life, and increased dyspnea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the level of physical activity in daily life (PADL) plays a vital role concerning the health of subjects with chronic lung diseases, it remains uncertain how PADL patterns compare among different conditions. This study's objective was to compare the PADL levels of subjects with COPD, asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); and to investigate PADL behaviour in different diseases' severity. Stable subjects who had not undergone pulmonary rehabilitation in the previous year were included. Subjects were divided into two subgroups according to disease severity: mild/moderate and severe/very severe. The primary outcome was time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activities (MVPA) (Actigraph GT3x) measured during one week over 12 h/day; other assessments included pulmonary function, peripheral muscle strength and exercise capacity. Comparisons among subgroups were corrected for age, BMI and sex. The analysis involved 119 subjects (47 asthma, 48 COPD and 24 IPF). Subjects with asthma had higher PADL levels than those with COPD and IPF (MVPA 18(14–22) vs. 8(4–12) vs. 7(1–12) min/day, respectively; p ancova = 0.002). Subjects with severe/very severe IPF had the lowest PADL level among all subgroups. Adult subjects with asthma have higher PADL levels than those with COPD and IPF, whereas patients with severe and very severe IPF are the most physically inactive subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]