Accuracy of pulmonary function tests in predicted exercise capacity in COPD patients

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine exercise tolerance in patients with COPD from measurements of resting pulmonary function parameters. A total of 57 COPD patients were administered the pulmonary function test (PFT) and cardiopulmonary exercise test. The results were analyzed and essentially linear relationships emerged when each subject's VO2 peak was plotted against his individual PFT parameters. Those significant contributors were then introduced in a stepwise multiple regression analysis to determine the best predictor of the VO2 peak. Stepwise multiple regressions in variables revealed that peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) was predicted best by the following equation: VO2 peak=(maximum voluntary ventilation x 0.024)+(forced mid-expiratory flow x 0.47)+(body surface area x 0.988)-0.913 (r=0.90; r2=0.81 SE=0.29 L/min). We conclude that exercise capacity was predicted from measurements of resting pulmonary function parameters with excellent accuracy in the COPD patient.