The relationship between thoracal kyphosis angle and pulmonary functions, respiratory muscle strength and dyspnea severity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between thoracal kyphosis angle and pulmonary functions, respiratory muscle strength and dyspnea severity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A total of 105 patients that were in the age of 44-85 years (mean age was 68.10±8.59) were included in the study. The demographic data of all patients were recorded. Spinal Mouse was used to evaluate thoracal kyphosis angle. Pulmonary functions were assessed by with pulmonary function tests and chest circumference measurements. Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP) for respiratory muscle strength, Modified Medical Medical Research Council Scale (MMRC) for dyspnea severity were used. COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) were utilized to evaluate general health status of the patients with COPD. This study indicated that there were poor negative significant correlation between thoracal kyphosis angle and FVC (L), FVC %, FEV1(L), FEV1 %, PEF (L/s), PEF %, MEP % parameters. There was poor positive significant correlation between the thoracal kyphosis angle and dyspnea severity. In the results of this study it was determined that the increase of the thoracal kyphosis angle affects pulmonary functions, respiratory muscle strength and dyspnea severity negatively. Key Words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Kyphosis, Respiratory functions, Respiratory muscle strength, Dyspnea