Correlation between lung function tests and peak oxygen consumption in post-TB lung disease

The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, vol. 26, pp. 259–267

Abstract

BACKGROUND: After TB treatment, many patients have post-TB lung disease (PTLD), associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Nevertheless, relationships between lung function testing and exercise capacity in people with PTLD are poorly understood.METHODS: This single-centre study investigated the association between lung function testing and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) and percentage-predicted VO2peak (VO2peak (%pred)) in adults with PTLD investigated for surgery.RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (52 males, 30 females) with a mean age of 43.2 years (SD 11.3) were included. Spirometric values of forced vital capacity (FVC) percentage predicted (%pred) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) %pred suggested significant correlations with VO2peak (%pred) (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001), whereas FEV1/FVC did not. Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) %pred also correlated significantly with VO2peak (%pred) (P = 0.002). However, the magnitude of all significant correlation coefficients were weak. No significant correlations for any plethysmographic values with VO2peak (%pred) could be robustly concluded. Correlations with VO2peak (ml/kg/min) for most physiological variables were less robust than for VO2peak (%pred).CONCLUSIONS: Although statistically significant, the correlations between any measure of lung function and VO2peak or VO2peak (%pred) were weak, with only FVC correlation coefficient surpassing 0.50.

Authors 7

1. Emily Van ’t Wout Aachen Division of Pulmonology Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Elizna Maasdorp

   Stellenbosch University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa

3. André Nortje

   Stellenbosch University · Tygerberg Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

4. Elvis Malcolm Irusen

   Stellenbosch University · Tygerberg Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

5. David Maree

   Stellenbosch University · Tygerberg Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

6. Coenraad F.N. Koegelenberg

   Stellenbosch University · Tygerberg Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

7. Brian Allwood

   Stellenbosch University · Tygerberg Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa