Determination of the relationship between cognitive function and hand dexterity in COPD patients

Introduction: Inflammatuar process that occur in COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) causes systemic problems. Due to systemic inflammation, muscle nutrition decreases. Muscle wasting in patients with COPD negatively affect peripheral muscle function, functional exercise capacity and quality of life. In addition, deterioration of brain perfusion due to hypoxemia leads to a decrease in cognitive functions.Purpose: To investigate affectivity of cognitive function depending on the degree of hypoxemia in patients with COPD and to determine the relationship between cognitive function problems that occur and hand skills.Materials and Methods: Research was done with 35 patients with COPD and 36 healthy individuals in the same age group at Department of Chest Diseases, Dokuz Eylul University of Medicine in september 2010 to May 2011. Socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were evaluated by conversation. Participants? manuel dexterity, cognitive function, physical activity level, functional exercise capacity and overall quality of life were assessed by Minnesota Hand Dexterity Test, MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination), IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), 6MWT (Six Minute Walking Test) and SF-36 (Short Form-36). Disease specific quality of life was assessed by SGRQ (Saint George?s Respiratory Questionnaire) in patients with COPD.Results: Manual dexterity, cognitive function, physical activity level, functional exercise capacity and quality of life scores in COPD group were significantly lower than healthy individuals (p<0.05). Negative way medium power significant relationship was found between the cognitive function and placement and turning parameters of Minnesota hand dexterity in COPD group ( Placement r = -0.411, p = 0.015; Turning r = -0.418, p = 0.013).Conclusion: Impaired cognitive functions due to hypoxemia was detected make difficult to purposeful hand dexterity in patients with COPD. Because of negative impairment of cognitive functions and hand dexterity, it?s thought to have difficulties fulfilling activities of daily living in COPD patients, as the degree of hypoxemia. For these reasons, it?s argued as well as functional exercise capacity and physical activity levels, that is also important and necessary to develop and assess hand dexterity effected by cognitive functions, in medical and pulmonary rehabilitation follow up and application in patients with COPD.Keywords: COPD, hypoxemia, cognitive function, hand dexterity