Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between rest spirometry values and treadmill exercise testing parameters (TETP) in patients with COPD. We studied 45 patients with COPD (9 female and 36 male, age 61±11years) and as a control group, 21 healthy subjects (5 female and 16 male, age 60±10 years). Patients with COPD (group I) divided into three subgroup [mild (group II): FEV1 %60-79, moderate (group III): FEV1 %40-59, severe (group IV): FEV1 < 40%] according to FEV1values. Arterial blood samples were taken for blood gas and pH before spirometry. Resting pulmonary function parameters were obtained from subjects by spirometer. Symptom-limited maximal exercise testing was completed on treadmill ergometer. High correlation between FEV 1 and TETP [total treadmill time (TTT), total MET values (TMETs), maximal mVO2(mVO2), maximal heart rate (mHR)] were found in the patients with COPD (respectively: p<0. 01, p<0. 02, p<0.01, p<0.01). Additionally, the lower corelation between PaO22 and TETP (mVO2, TTT, TMETs, mHR) were found (p<0.03, p<0.04, p<0.045, p<0.04, respectively). This study shows significant correllations between resting expiratory flow parameters (FEV1 values), arterial blood gas values and TETP in patients with COPD. As a result of this study, we concluded that exercise stress testing (treadmill ergometer) may have important role, to estimate severity of disease, to follow patients and to organize exercise training especially in moderate and severe patients with COPD.