Medical research council dyspnoea score and forced expiratory volume in one second as the predictors of vertical climbing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading cause of chronic morbidity and mortality throughout the globe. MRC and FEV1 are related with 6MWD in COPD. But stair climbing is mechanically and physiologically different from walking. Dyspnoea is most often the limiting factor to staircase climbing. Hence the study is designed to correlate MRC dyspnoea score and FEV1 with vertical height climbed in COPD patients and to find out whether they are the predictors of vertical climbing in COPD patients.Methods: It was Prospective Cross sectional study. 50 COPD patients satisfying the inclusion criteria were underwent a stair climb test after recording their MRC dyspnoea score and FEV1. FEV1 was measured with mini Wright peak flow meter in sitting position. Vertical height of floor climbed, time taken to climb and recovery time was recorded.Results: A significant negative correlation and positive correlation was observed between vertical height climbed and MRC dyspnoea score (r= -0.76, p=0.001) and between vertical height climbed and FEV1 (r=0.59, p<0.001) respectively. On Multiple linear regression analysis, both are found to be the independent predictors of vertical height climbed by COPD.Conclusions: MRC and FEV1 correlated with vertical height climbed and found to be the independent predictors of vertical climbing in COPD patients. Vertical height climb (m) can be predicted with equation 12.94+5.58(FEV1) – 3.35(MRC).

The Comparison of Clinical Variables in Two Classifications: GOLD 2017 Combined Assessment and Spirometric Stage of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…The latter is not able to evaluate COPD-related symptoms other than dyspnea. In a recent study in which 50 patients with COPD were enrolled, it was found that between MRC scores 3 and 4, exercise performance, SGRQ, and depression scores were major determinants of disability 25 26 . In another recent study, it was found that MRC scores revealed a negative correlation with upper limb muscle strength in patients with COPD 27 .…”