Relation between dyspnea and quality of life with body mass index and pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive airways disease and emphysema

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the differences in pulmonary function, quality of life (CVRS) and dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disese (COPD) and emphysema according to the body mass index (BMI). Moreover, we analyzed the relation between BMI, pulmonary function, CVRS and dyspnea. PATIENT AND METHOD: This was a prospective, 12-months Study including 20 patients with COPD and emphysema. They were classified in group A (BMI < 21 kg/m(2) group B (BMI greater than or equal to 21 kg/m(2)). We performed pulmonary function tests and determined the levels of dyspnea and CVRS according to a scale of dyspnea and a CVRS questionnaire. RESULTS: Seven patients had a BMI < 21 kg/m(2) and it was greater than or equal to 21 kg/m(2) in 13 patients. DLCO in group A patients was lower than in group B. After a multiple regression analysis, the FVC accounted for 52% of dyspnea variability. Both PEM and dyspnea were the parameters that better predicted the CVRS. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COPD and emphysema with a VMI < 21 kg/m(2) have a lower DLCO than patients with a BMI greater than or equal to 21 kg/m(2). in our patients, dyspnea sensation depended on the FVC. In addition, the CVRS depended on dyspnea sensation and PEM.