Relationship between thoracic kyphosis angle, dyspnea perception, and disease-specific health status in patients with COPD

Abstract

Purpose: This study was carried out to examine the relationship between thoracic kyphosis angle, dyspnea perception, and disease-specific health status in patients with COPD and thus to reveal the postural effect.Methods: A total of 105 patients (68.10±8.59 years, FEV1:47.59±21.50%) diagnosed with COPD were included in the study. The thoracic kyphosis angle was evaluated using the Spinal Mouse® device and the dyspnea perception with the Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) Dyspnea Scale. For the disease-specific health status, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) were used. The patients were separated into three groups according to the thoracic kyphosis angle as Group 1: 20°-50°, Group 2: 51°-60°, and Group 3: 61°-90° and groups were compared.Results: While a significant positive relationship at a low level was observed between the thoracic kyphosis angle and the dyspnea perception (rho=0.23, p=0.02), no relationship was determined with the disease-specific health status (rho<0.20, p>0.05). CAT and CCQ scores were similar between groups (p>0.05). In group 3 with thoracic kyphosis angle>60°, the dyspnea perception was significantly higher (p=0.03).Conclusion: As the thoracic kyphosis angle increase in patients with COPD, the dyspnea perception increases, but the disease-specific health status remains stable. The postures of patients with COPD should be evaluated in detail in physiotherapy and rehabilitation practices due to increased dyspnea caused by thoracic kyphosis. Also, preventive measures such as exercise and ergonomic arrangements should be taken for thoracic kyphosis in the early period.