Reported dyspnea and fatigue using different scales during the physical effort in COPD

Comparison of pulmonary function, respiratory symptoms, functional level, and health-related quality of life in patients with systemic sclerosis according to smoking status

BACKGROUND

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are at high risk for pulmonary and vascular complications. Smoking is an important risk factor for respiratory symptoms and vascular complications of many diseases in the general population. However, studies on the role of smoking in SSc are insufficient.

AIMS

This study aimed to compare pulmonary function, respiratory symptoms, functional level, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with SSc according to smoking status and to assess the correlation between cigarette consumption and these parameters in patients with SSc.

METHODS

Seventy-two patients with SSc (smoker group; n = 35 or nonsmoker group; n = 37) were included. The pulmonary function test was measured with a spirometer. Respiratory symptoms were questioned and the perceived severity of dyspnea and fatigue was evaluated. The functional levels were determined by questioning the patients' average daily walking distance, exercise habits, and daily sedentary time. HRQoL was assessed by Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The rate of respiratory symptoms including dyspnea, cough, and sputum were higher in the smoker group (p < .001, p = .041, and p < .001, respectively). Also, the perceived severity of dyspnea and fatigue was higher in the smoker group (p < .05). The mean daily walking distance, exercise habits, and overall HRQoL were lower (p = .004, p = .002, and p = .034, respectively) and the sedentary time and vascular complications were higher (p < .001 and p = .038, respectively) in the smoker group. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the pulmonary function test (p > .05). There was a weak to moderate correlation between cigarette consumption and respiratory symptoms, dyspnea and fatigue severity, functional level, and HRQoL in the smoker group (0.001 ≤ p ≤ .024).

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking may increase respiratory symptoms and vascular complications and decrease the functional level and HRQoL in patients with SSc. To maintain functional independence in patients with SSc, awareness of the harms of smoking should be increased and smoking cessation should be encouraged, along with physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs including exercise and physical activity recommendations.

The effect of unsupported arm elevations on regional chest wall volumes and thoracoabdominal asynchrony in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective: To compare the effect of unsupported arm elevation (UAE) in different planes on chest wall volumes, thoracoabdominal asynchrony (TAA), ventilatory demands, dyspnea, and arm fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and healthy subjects. Methods: Twenty-one patients with COPD and healthy-matched subjects performed UAE in shoulder flexion, scaption, abduction, and resting. Pulmonary total and regional chest wall volumes (V_RCp), abdominal rib cage volume, abdominal volume, TAA, and ventilatory demands during arm positions were measured using optoelectronic plethysmography. Results: In both groups, V_RCp and TAA were significantly affected during UAEs compared with the resting position. The healthy subjects had significantly decreased V_RCp (L) (p < 0.05) during scaption (0.14 ± 0.07) and abduction (0.15 ± 0.06) than during flexion (0.18 ± 0.07) and no significantly different TAA between UAEs. The COPD group had no significantly different V_RCp between UAEs, had significantly increased TAA (p < 0.05) during scaption (31.1°±9.5°) and abduction (32.3°±9.9°) than during flexion (29.7°±9.1°); and had significantly worse V_RCp (p = 0.007), TAA (p = 0.0001), ventilatory demands (p < 0.05), dyspnea ((p = 0.03), and arm fatigue (p = 0.002). Conclusions: In patients with COPD, UAE in different planes similarly restricted the upper chest wall volume. Shoulder scaption and abduction significantly impaired TAA, ventilation, dyspnea, and arm fatigue compared with flexion. These results may help to select the appropriate UAE during physical activities.

Pattern of respiratory muscle activity during exercise tests in children born prematurely

INTRODUCTION

Preterm children display only slightly lower exercise capacity than term children do during their development, despite their previous cardiopulmonary impairments. This raises doubts about the role of the respiratory muscles' influence on exercise capacity. This study aimed to compare respiratory muscle activity in preterm and term children using an exercise test.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved comparison of 35 term children and 39 matched preterm children aged 6-9 years, who were born prematurely with a birth weight <1500 g. An adapted treadmill incremental test was utilized and surface electromyography of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), upper trapezius (UT), and rectus abdominis (RA) muscles was performed. The root mean square was calculated every minute and compared between and within groups. A Monte Carlo simulation was also applied, and the area under the curve was calculated to evaluate the differences between groups.

RESULTS

During the entire exercise, the SCM muscle activity was higher in preterm children with a larger area under the curve than in the term children. There was no difference in the RA and UT muscle activity between groups throughout the test.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest a greater contribution of the SCM muscle sin preterm children's performance than in term children's performance during high-intensity exercises.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry (ReBec) - RBR-89hr2h.