A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that patients with COPD living at high altitudes had worse functional performance compared to those living at lower altitudes. The study looked at outcomes such as lung function, symptoms, and mortality among participants with COPD living at different altitudes. Results showed that high-altitude residence was associated with decreased exercise capacity and oxygenation, but not with differences in self-reported symptoms or health status. High-altitude residents had a lower incidence of severe exacerbations but higher mortality rates, which were attenuated after controlling for air pollution. The study has limitations related to study design and potential confounders.
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In COPD, Living at a High Altitude Linked to Worse Functional Status
