This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Mutluay, F K Articles by Saip, S Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mutluay, F K Articles by Saip, S Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Effects of multiple sclerosis on respiratory functions

Neurology Department, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Turkey

H N Gürses

Cardiopulmonary Department, Cardiology Institute, now at School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Istanbul University, Turkey

S Saip

Neurology Department, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Turkey

Objectives: To measure respiratory functions of ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis and compare the results with expected values from healthy general population data. Further, to study the correlation of respiratory function impairment with the multiple sclerosis-induced disability level.

Subjects: Thirty-eight patients with definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis from the multiple sclerosis outpatient clinic.

Methods: The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores (mean 4.34±1.39) were evaluated to measure disability level. Respiratory functions tested in the laboratory included spirometric (FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC), maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) mouth pressure measurements. Patients were clinically assessed using a pulmonary dysfunction index (PDI) and dyspnoea index; various breathing features were also recorded.

Results: With respect to expected values from healthy general population, important decreases were found in mouth pressures with MIP (77%±23%, p 0) and MEP (60%±13%, p 0) while spirometric measures were significantly but less affected (FVC 94%±12%, p < 0.01, FEV₁ 91%±16%, p < 0.001). FEV₁/FVC ratios were normal. Notable increases in PDI (5.58±0.68, p 0) and dyspnoea index (0.32±0.47, p 0) were observed. Significant relationships (p < 0.01) between respiratory function impairment and the multiple sclerosis disability level could be detected for FVC, MEP and PDI.

Conclusions: Multiple sclerosis clearly impairs respiratory functions; maximal mouth pressures are more severely reduced. This impairment increases with multiple sclerosis-induced disability level but is found to be independent from duration of disease.

Clinical Rehabilitation, Vol. 19, No. 4, 426-432 (2005)
DOI: 10.1191/0269215505cr782oa


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				I. Yeldan, H N. Gurses, and H. Yuksel Comparison study of chest physiotherapy home training programmes on respiratory functions in patients with muscular dystrophy Clinical Rehabilitation, August 1, 2008; 22(8): 741 - 748. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F.K. Mutluay, R. Demir, S. Ozyilmaz, A.T. Caglar, A. Altintas, and H.N. Gurses Breathing-enhanced upper extremity exercises for patients with multiple sclerosis Clinical Rehabilitation, July 1, 2007; 21(7): 595 - 602. [Abstract] [PDF]