Correlation Between Rectus Femoris Muscle Cross-Sectional Area and Severity of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the correlation between rectus femoris muscle cross-sectional area (RFCSA) and the severity of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ECOPD).

Study design: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Ward, Suzhou Ninth Hospital affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China, from May 2021 to April 2024.

Methodology: Data of seventy-two ECOPD patients were collected regarding their gender, age, height, and weight. The patients' RFCSA, the Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second predicted (FEV1% predicted), the COPD assessment test (CAT), and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnoea Scale were determined. To analyse the data, the patients were divided into four groups, the groups were classified as: Mild group (the value of FEV1% predicted 80% or more), moderate group (the value of FEV1% predicted between 50% and 79%), severe group (the value of FEV1% predicted between 30% and 49%), and very severe group (the value of FEV1% predicted 30% or less).

Results: There were significant differences in RFCSA (H 41.80, p <0.001), FEV1% predicted (H 63.91, p <0.001), and CAT (H 24.50, p <0.001) among the four groups. RFCSA, FEV1% predicted, and CAT varied significantly among the groups. In ECOPD patients, RFCSA showed positive relationship with FEV1% predicted (r = 0.75, p <0.001). A strong negative correlation was obtained between RFCSA and CAT in ECOPD patients (r = -0.69, p <0.001).

Conclusion: RFCSA may be an indicator for evaluating the severity of ECOPD.

Key words: Rectal muscle cross-sectional area, Forced expiratory volume in 1 second predicted, Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD assessment test, Modified medical research council.