Analysis of bronchodilation test in 212 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes and significance of pulmonary function indexes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) after bronchodilation test.

MethodsThe clinical data of 212 patients with COPD were retrospectively analyzed.The pulmonary function was assessed using pulmonary function meter, the lung ventilation was assessed using bronchodilation test, and the severity of dyspnea was assessed using modified British Medical Research Council dyspnea scale(mMRC).

ResultsWith the increasing of COPD grade, the mMRC value of patients significantly increased(P < 0.01).The age of patients in severe and extremely severe groups were significantly higher than that in mild and moderate groups(P < 0.01).After bronchodilation test, the forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1) and forced vital capacity(FVC) in COPD patients increased to some extent, the FVC change value in severe and extremely severe groups were significantly greater than that in mild and moderate groups(P < 0.01).The change rates of FEV1 and FVC increased with the exacerbation of COPD(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01), but there was no statistical significance in the change of FEV1 among patients with different degrees of COPD(P>0.05).The mMRC in COPD patients was positively correlated with the age, FVC change value and FVC change rate(r=0.267, 0.825, 0.330, P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with FEV1(r=-0.804, P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe FEV1 is an indicator of airflow limitation in patients with COPD, and the changes of FVC between before and after bronchodilation test can be used to evaluate gas entrapment, and the gas entrapment is associated with symptoms of dyspnea.