Clinical Outcomes of Male Subjects With Moderate COPD Based on Maximum Mid-Expiratory Flow

Respir Care. 2021 Mar;66(3):442-448. doi: 10.4187/respcare.07794. Epub 2020 Sep 8.

Abstract

Background: Although FEV1 and FEV1/FVC are accepted as standard parameters in treatment follow-up, these parameters have a limited ability to predict clinical outcomes in patients with COPD. However, small airways dysfunction, which is determined by maximum mid-expiratory flow, is variable in the same stage of patients with COPD, even if their FEV1 and FEV1/FVC are similar. The aim of this study was to compare pulmonary function, the severity of perceived dyspnea, the severity of fatigue, physical activity level, and health-related quality of life based on the severity of small airways dysfunction in male subjects with moderate COPD.

Methods: The study consisted of 96 subjects with moderate COPD. Pulmonary function tests, the distance achieved on the 6-min walk test, the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - short form, the Fatigue Severity Scale, the St George Respiratory Questionnaire, and Short Form 36 questionnaire were evaluated in all subjects. After calculating the mean percent of predicted maximum mid-expiratory flow for the entire sample, subjects were divided into 2 groups: below average (Group 1, n = 54 subjects) and above average (Group 2, n = 42 subjects).

Results: There were no differences between the groups in age, body mass index, cigarette consumption, percent of predicted FEV1, and FEV1/FVC (P = .55, .61, .19, .09, and .15, respectively). Scores from the Fatigue Severity Scale and the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale were significantly higher in Group 1 (P = .003 and P = .002, respectively); in addition, results from the 6-min walk test and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - short form scores were significantly lower (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively).

Conclusions: Increased small airways dysfunction led to increased perception of dyspnea and fatigue, as well as poor exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in male subjects with COPD. We suggest that it may be useful to consider the maximum mid-expiratory flow in addition to FEV1 and FEV1/FVC in the treatment and follow-up of male patients with moderate COPD.

Keywords: COPD; airway obstruction; chronic obstructive; maximum mid-expiratory flow; pulmonary disease.

MeSH terms

  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Humans
  • Lung
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*
  • Quality of Life
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Severity of Illness Index