Examination of respiratory muscle function, diaphragm thickness and health related physical fitness parameters in copd individuals

COPD is a disease with pulmonary and extrapulmonary effects. While pulmonary involvement in individuals with COPD has been adequately studied; the number of studies examining extrapulmonary involvement is insufficient. This study was planned to examine respiratory muscle function, diaphragm thickness and health-related physical fitness parameters in individuals with COPD. A total of 59 male individuals, including 30 COPD patients with an average age of 61.57±7.53 years and 29 healthy people with an average age of 57.72±8.44 years, were included in the study. In the evaluation of individuals, intraoral pressure measurement device, increased threshold load endurance test, ultrasonography, pulmonary function test, bioelectrical impedance analysis, hand dynamometer, 6 minutes walking test, 30 seconds sit-stand test, International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form and physical fitness tests used. Respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance, diaphragm thickness, mobility, thickening fraction, amount of thickening and thickening ratio, lateral flexion test , functional exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength and endurance, physical activity (p<0.05); back scratching, sit-reach test, and lean body mass (p<0.05) were significantly lower in COPD subjects. FEV1% and MIP (cmH20) variables had an increasing effect on left and right TLC diaphragm thickness, FRC diaphragm thickness and mobility (p<0.05). As a result of this study, it was seen that examining the diaphragm ultrasound parameters of patients whose clinical condition cannot be predicted by the evaluation of respiratory muscle strength and endurance can gain a different perspective. It was concluded that detailed evaluation of individuals with COPD would contribute significantly to creation of individual pulmonary rehabilitation programs.