The study aim is to verify the association between the changes in markers of disease and patient´s prognosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
In a previous study, 133 COPD patients were followed-up during the period of one-year. Analyses of the association between baseline characteristic and the occurence of disease exacerbation was performed. In this study, the patients included in the previous research will be contacted and invited to participate in a complete evaluation after a three-year period. The association of the changes in dyspnea perception, spirometry variables, body composition, quality of life and exercise tolerance measures with disease prognostic will be studied.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
133
Botucatu School of Medicine
Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
Forced Expiratory Volume in the First Second (FEV1)
FEV1 values were measured by Spirometry using the KOKO Spirometer, before and 15 minutes after the inhalation of 400mcg of salbutamol.
Time frame: Baseline and after three years
Exercise Tolerance
Tolerance exercise was evaluated by six-minute walking distance(6MWD)according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines.Patients were instructed to walk, attempting to cover as much ground as possible within 6 min. A research assistant timed the walk, and standardized verbal encouragement was given.
Time frame: Baseline and after three years
Body Composition
Body composition was evaluated by Body Mass Index (BMI), which is dividing weight in kilograms by height in square meters.
Time frame: Baseline and after three years
Dyspnea
Dyspnea was evaluated by Medical Research Council scale (MRC). MRC scale consists of only five items and it is based on activities that cause dyspnea. The patient reports the degree of dyspnea by choosing a value between 1 and 5. A higher number indicates greater sensation of dyspnea.
Time frame: Baseline and after three years
Health Status
Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)was used to evaluate patient's health status. SGRQ includes three domains: symptoms, activities and impact of the disease. Each domain has a minimum score (zero) and maximum (662.5, 1209.1, and 2117.8, respectively). A total score is also calculated based on the results of three domains, with a score maximum of 3989.4. The total score is referred to as the percentage achieved by the patient related to this maximum score. Minimum score means there is no impairment in the health status and high score means maximum dysfunction.
Time frame: Baseline and after three years
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