Association between lung function and dyspnoea and its variation in the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study.

BACKGROUND

Dyspnoea is a common symptom of respiratory disease. However, data on its prevalence in general populations and its association with lung function are limited and are mainly from high-income countries. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of dyspnoea across several world regions, and to investigate the association of dyspnoea with lung function.

METHODS

Dyspnoea was assessed, and lung function measured in 25,806 adult participants of the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study. Dyspnoea was defined as ≥2 on the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale. The prevalence of dyspnoea was estimated for each of the study sites and compared across countries and world regions. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association of dyspnoea with lung function in each site. Results were then pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dyspnoea varied widely across sites without a clear geographical pattern. The mean prevalence of dyspnoea was 13.7 % (SD=8.2 %), ranging from 0 % in Mysore (India) to 28.8 % in Nampicuan-Talugtug (Philippines). Dyspnoea was strongly associated with both spirometry restriction (FVC<LLN: OR 2.07, 95 %CI 1.75-2.45) and spirometry airflow obstruction (FEV

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of dyspnoea varies substantially across the world and is strongly associated with lung function impairment. Using the mMRC scale in epidemiological research should be discussed.

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2024 Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Conflicts of interest • FR reports grants and personal fees from A. Menarini, Boehringer Ingelheim, Teva Pharma, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, VitalAire and Nippon Gases outside the submitted work. • FMEF reports grants from AstraZeneca, consulting fees from MSD, Pieris and Verona Pharma payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers’ bureaus, manuscript writing or educational events from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis, support for attending meetings and/or travel from Chiesi and receipt of equipment, materials, drugs, medical writing, gifts or other services from Novartis and Chiesi. • DJAJ reports non-personal lecture fees from Chiesi, AstraZeneca and Abbott within the previous three years outside the submitted work. • All other authors report no conflicts of interest.