A simple measure to assess hyperinflation and air trapping: 1-forced expiratory volume in three second / forced vital capacity

Background: Several recent studies have suggested that 1 minus-forced expiratory volume expired in 3 seconds / forced vital capacity (1-FEV3/FVC) may be an indicator of distal airway obstruction and a promising measure to evaluate small airways dysfunction. Aims: To investigate the associations of 1-FEV3/FVC with the spirometric measures and lung volumes that assess small airways dysfunction and reflects hyperinflation and air trapping. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: Retrospective assessment of a total of 1110 cases who underwent body plethysmographic lung volume estimations between a time span from 2005 to 2012. Patients were assigned into two groups: firstly by FEV1/FVC (FEV1/FVC = 70%); secondly by FEV3/FVC = LLN). Spirometric indices and lung volumes measured by whole-body plethysmography were compared in groups. Also the correlation of spirometric indices with measured lung volumes were assessed in the whole-study population and in subgroups stratified according to FEV1/FVC and FEV3/FVC. Results: Six hundred seven (54.7%) were male and 503 (45.3%) were female, with a mean age of 52.5 +/- 15.6 years. Mean FEV3/FVC and 1-FEV3/FVC were 87.05%, 12.95%, respectively. The mean 1-FEV3/FVC was 4.9% in the FEV1/FVC >= 70% group (n=644) vs. 24.1% in the FEV1/FVC = 70% or FEV3/FVC >= LLN, respectively. Conclusion: 1-FEV3/FVC can be easily calculated from routine spirometric measurements. 1-FEV3/FVC is a promising marker of air trapping and hyperinflation. We suggest that 1-FEV3/FVC is complementary to FEV1/FVC and recommend clinicians to routinely report and evaluate together with FEV1/FVC during spirometry

Assessment of the functional performance and quality of life in patients with COPD and asthma

Amaç: Bu çalışma, kronik obstrüktif akciğer hastalığı ve astımı olan bireylerin kendi kendilerine deneyimleri ve belirgin bir analitik yapıya dayalı fonksiyonel durumun performans boyutu ile yaşam kalitesi düzeyleri ve spirometrik testlerle aralarındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Verilerin toplanmasında Hasta Bilgi Formu, Fonksiyonel Performans Ölçeği (FPÖ) ve St.George Yaşam Kalitesi Ölçeği (SGRQ) ve spirometrik test sonuçları kullanılmıştır. Örneklem grubuna randomize olarak alınan 60 KOAH ve 60 astım hastasıyla poliklinik odasında görüşme yapılmış ve aynı gün ölçülen spirometrik test sonuçları alınarak veriler toplanmıştır. Bulgular: Araştırmadan elde edilen sonuçlara göre; KOAH ve astımlıların performans düzeylerinin kötü ve KOAH'lılarda fonksiyonel performansın fiziksel egzersiz alt boyutu ile FEVl arasında pozitif orta derecede bir ilişki (r=0.38), astımlılarla zayıf bir ilişki (r=0.27) bulunmuştur. Astım ve KOAH'lıların yaşam kalitesi düzeylerinin iyi ve astımlılarda total yaşam kalitesi, aktivite ve etki alt boyutu ile FEVl arasında negatif zayıf bir ilişki, KOAH'lılarda total yaşam kalitesi, semptom ve aktivite alt boyutları ile FEVl arasında pozitif zayıf bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Sonuç: KOAH ve astımlı hastaların sübjektif fonksiyonel performans düzeylerinin kötü, yaşam kalitelerinin iyi düzeyde olduğu görüldü. KOAH ve astım tanısı konmuş hastaların tedavilerinin her aşamasında fonksiyonel performans ve yaşam kalitesi her boyutu ile Türkçe'ye uyarlanmış, geçerli ve güvenilir ölçme araçları kullanılarak değerlendirilmelidir.Aim: The aim of this study was to test the Functional Performance (FPI) and quality of life in Turkish COPD and asthma patients. Methods: Patient Data Form, Functional Performance Inventory, St. George Respiratory Questionnaire and spirometric tests were used in order to collect the data. 60 COPD and 60 asthma patients who were randomly selected included in the study. They were interviewed in the outpatient clinic and spirometry tests were performed on the same day. Results: According to results, COPD and asthma patients's performance levels were low and, a weak relation between FEVl and physical exercise subgroup in COPD patients (r=0.38) and asthma patients (r=0.27) were found. COPD and asthma patients's quality of life levels were good and, a negative weak relation between FEVl and total quality of life, activity and impact subgroup in asthma patients, a positive weak relation between FEVl and quality of life and symptom, activity subgroup in COPD patients were found. Conclusion: Although their quality of life levels were well, COPD and asthma patients performance levels were found to be deteriorated. In each step of the therapy of COPD and asthma patients, Turkish adapted version of functional performance and quality of life questionnenes should be used as valid and reliable measuring tools

The role of FEV6 in the detection of airway obstruction

Objectives: There are recent reports regarding the use of forced expiratory volume in 6 s (FEV6) in place of forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC) in the detection of airway obstruction. We aimed to investigate the role of FEV6 in comparison with FVC in the evaluation of airway obstruction

Exercise duration rather than peak oxygen uptake better correlates with Fev(1) and inspiratory capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background. Exercise duration of constant-load endurance tests has been recently demonstrated to be more sensitive in detecting the changes after bronchodilator administration than either walking distance or peak oxygen uptake in patients with COPD. In the present study, we questioned whether exercise duration of progressive load is better correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and inspiratory capacity than other indices of submaximal exercise test during stable period in patients with COPD