Physical performance and muscular characteristics in different stages of COPD.
Scand J Med Sci Sports
; 19(6): 865-70, 2009 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18980606
ABSTRACT
This study has examined exercise capacity and muscle morphology in patients with different severities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Twenty-three patients and 12 healthy matched controls were recruited. Based on the severity of airflow obstruction, patients were divided into two subgroups. Exercise capacity was determined using a 6-min walk test. Muscle fiber composition, fiber area and number of satellite cells/muscle fiber were determined in muscle biopsies using immunohistochemistry. A progressive decline in exercise capacity was noted with ascending disease severity. Furthermore, a correlation between reduction in exercise capacity and changes in muscle fiber composition was observed in COPD. The group with severe and very severe COPD had a lower proportion of type I and a higher proportion of type IIa fibers compared with the other groups. In severe and very severe COPD, a reduction in fiber area of type IIa fibers was also seen. The number of satellite cells/muscle fiber did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, a decline in exercise capacity occurs already in mild and moderate COPD, indicating that the 6-min walk test is a reliable indicator of disease severity. Furthermore, changes in skeletal muscle morphology are associated with disease severity while muscle regenerative capacity is not altered.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Exercise Tolerance
/
Muscle, Skeletal
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Limits:
Aged
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Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Scand J Med Sci Sports
Journal subject:
MEDICINA ESPORTIVA
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: