Thorax
-
Several studies have shown that both objective and subjective measurements are related to exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this study the relative contribution of lung function, maximal inspiratory pressure, dyspnoea, and quality of life to the performance in a walking distance test and a bicycle ergometer test was investigated. ⋯ The results show that exercise capacity in patients with COPD with severe airways obstruction is more strongly related to inspiratory muscle strength and lung function than to dyspnoea and quality of life. The significant correlation between dyspnoea and the six minute walking test suggests that subjective variables are more strongly related to walking tests than to bicycle ergometer tests.
-
Inspiratory muscle strength in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be affected by mechanical factors which influence the length of the diaphragm, and by non-mechanical factors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate firstly the effects of body position on respiratory pressures and, secondly, to determine the relative contribution of age, body mass index (BMI), lung volumes, and arterial blood gas tensions to respiratory muscle strength. ⋯ Inspiratory muscle strength in patients with COPD is influenced by mechanical factors (body position, lung volumes) and non-mechanical factors (BMI, FEV1, and blood gases). PImax and PEmax are lower in the supine position while, in contrast to healthy subjects, PDI is higher in the supine position than in the sitting position.
-
Traditionally the radiological assessment of diaphragmatic movement has relied on fluoroscopy. Ultrasound scanning has recently been shown to be a sensitive and reproducible method of assessing hemidiaphragmatic movement in normal subjects. A study was undertaken to examine how movement of the diaphragm measured by ultrasound scanning relates to inspired lung volumes measured by spirometric testing. ⋯ Ultrasound scanning is a simple, non-invasive and reproducible means of assessing hemidiaphragmatic movement, yielding quantitative information which relates to inspired lung volumes.