A comparative assessment of hand grip exercise and 6-minute walk test in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading disease often under-discussed and underdiagnosed causing persistent and chronic obstruction of upper airways. Patients not only suffer respiratory dysfunctions but also, peripheral muscle dysfunction and atrophy leading to muscle fatigue, reduced muscle strength, and endurance impacting exercise capacity, physical activity levels, and decreased ability to perform daily tasks. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines highlight the need to enhance functional status through assessments like Hand Grip Strength and a 6-minute walk test. The study aimed at a comparative assessment of these exercises in COPD patients along with spirometry for diagnosis, and grading and to find out their combined advantages in COPD management. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 patients at the Department of Physiology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, using a questionnaire, and both tests were performed on COPD patients to determine the effectiveness depending on the severity and spirometry results. Results: The recruited patients were classified as per GOLD stages in 4 categories, as disease severity increased, functional and exercise capacity was reduced. There was a negative correlation between GOLD stages and 6-minute walk strength, maximum grip strength, and mean endurance time of COPD patients with r-values of -5.672, -6.874, and -5.879 respectively. Conclusion: COPD patients suffer from functional dysfunctions and exercise limitations, early diagnosis is crucial to limit the severity, and functional tests can play a significant role in determining the health outcomes and improving the quality of life

Newer insights of H1N1: Swine Flu Virus

Swine flu, caused by the H1N1 influenza virus, is a subtype of influenza A that affects both the upper and lower respiratory tracts. It is primarily found in pigs and can be transmitted to humans through genetic variations in the virus. The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic resulted in the deaths of 50 to 100 million individuals. In 2009, the pandemic affected 178 countries, resulting in an estimated 43 to 89 million cases and 1799 deaths. The pathophysiology of H1N1 involves inflammation of the respiratory tract, with an incubation period of 1 to 4 days and a contagious period lasting 5 to 7 days. The signs and symptoms of swine flu include cough, sore throat, fever, myalgia, congestion, headache, rhinorrhoea, dizziness, sneezing, loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, and in rare cases, vomiting and diarrhoea. The most common cause of death is respiratory failure, and neurological symptoms can occur due to high fever. To diagnose swine flu, various tests such as haematological, biochemical, and microbiological tests are conducted, including the collection of nasal or oral swabs for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Prevention and control measures include managing swine flu in pigs through herd management, hygiene practices, and vaccination. Treatment options vary based on the severity of the case. Mild to moderate cases can be managed with rest, antipyretics, NSAIDs, antihistamines, and oral rehydration therapy. Severe cases may require intravenous hydration, antibiotics for bacterial infections, antiviral therapy, and respiratory support