Background: Lung diffusing capacity (D LCO ) and lung volume distribution predict exercise performance and are altered in COPD patients. If pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) can modify D LCO parameters is unknown. Objectives: To investigate changes in D LCO and ventilation inhomogeneity following a PR program and their relation with functional outcomes in patients with COPD. Methods: This was a prospective, observational, multicentric study. Patients were evaluated before and after a standardized 3-week PR program. Functional assessment included body plethysmography, DLCO , transfer factor (KCO) and alveolar volume (V A ), gas exchange, the 6-min walking test (6MWT) and exercise-related dyspnea. Patients were categorized according to the severity of airflow limitation and presence of ventilation inhomogeneity, identified by a V A /TLC <0.8. Results: Two hundred and fifty patients completed the study. Baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) % predicted (mean ± SD) was 50.5 ± 20.1 (76% males); 137 patients had a severe disease. General study population showed improvements in 6MWT (38 ± 55 m; p < 0.01), D LCO (0.12 ± 0.63 mmol × min –1 kPa –1 ; p < 0.01), lung function and dyspnea. Comparable improvements in DLCO were observed regardless of the severity of disease and the presence of ventilation inhomogeneity. While patients with V A /TLC <0.8 improved the DLCO increasing their V A (177 ± 69 ml; p < 0.01), patients with V A /TLC >0.8 improved their KCO (8.1 ± 2.8%; p = 0.019). The latter had also better baseline lung function and higher improvements in 6MWT (14.6 ± 6.7 vs. 9.0 ± 1.8%; p = 0.015). Lower D LCO at baseline was associated with lower improvements in 6MWT, the greatest difference being between subjects with very severe and mild DLCO impairment (2.7±7.4 vs. 14 ± 2%; p =0.049). Conclusions: In COPD patients undergoing a PR program, different pathophysiological mechanisms may drive improvements in DLCO , while ventilation inhomogeneity may limit improvements in exercise tolerance.

Improvements in Lung Diffusion Capacity following Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD with and without Ventilation Inhomogeneity / P. Santus, D. Radovanovic, G. Balzano, M. Pecchiari, R. Raccanelli, N. Sarno, F. Di Marco, P.W. Jones, M. Carone. - In: RESPIRATION. - ISSN 0025-7931. - 92:5(2016 Sep 07), pp. 295-307.

Improvements in Lung Diffusion Capacity following Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD with and without Ventilation Inhomogeneity

P. Santus;D. Radovanovic;M. Pecchiari;F. Di Marco;
2016

Abstract

Background: Lung diffusing capacity (D LCO ) and lung volume distribution predict exercise performance and are altered in COPD patients. If pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) can modify D LCO parameters is unknown. Objectives: To investigate changes in D LCO and ventilation inhomogeneity following a PR program and their relation with functional outcomes in patients with COPD. Methods: This was a prospective, observational, multicentric study. Patients were evaluated before and after a standardized 3-week PR program. Functional assessment included body plethysmography, DLCO , transfer factor (KCO) and alveolar volume (V A ), gas exchange, the 6-min walking test (6MWT) and exercise-related dyspnea. Patients were categorized according to the severity of airflow limitation and presence of ventilation inhomogeneity, identified by a V A /TLC <0.8. Results: Two hundred and fifty patients completed the study. Baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) % predicted (mean ± SD) was 50.5 ± 20.1 (76% males); 137 patients had a severe disease. General study population showed improvements in 6MWT (38 ± 55 m; p < 0.01), D LCO (0.12 ± 0.63 mmol × min –1 kPa –1 ; p < 0.01), lung function and dyspnea. Comparable improvements in DLCO were observed regardless of the severity of disease and the presence of ventilation inhomogeneity. While patients with V A /TLC <0.8 improved the DLCO increasing their V A (177 ± 69 ml; p < 0.01), patients with V A /TLC >0.8 improved their KCO (8.1 ± 2.8%; p = 0.019). The latter had also better baseline lung function and higher improvements in 6MWT (14.6 ± 6.7 vs. 9.0 ± 1.8%; p = 0.015). Lower D LCO at baseline was associated with lower improvements in 6MWT, the greatest difference being between subjects with very severe and mild DLCO impairment (2.7±7.4 vs. 14 ± 2%; p =0.049). Conclusions: In COPD patients undergoing a PR program, different pathophysiological mechanisms may drive improvements in DLCO , while ventilation inhomogeneity may limit improvements in exercise tolerance.
pulmonary rehabilitation; lung diffusing capacity; ventilation inhomogeneity; COPD; transfer factor; alveolar volume; exercise tolerance
Settore MED/10 - Malattie dell'Apparato Respiratorio
7-set-2016
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/452709
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