title: Does spirometry predict dyspnoea in advanced cancer?
abstract: This study explores the similarities and differences between subjective assessments of dyspnoea and objective spirometric indices of respiratory function in advanced cancer. Of 155 patients investigated, 71 (46%) were dyspnoeic and 108 (70%) had spirometry (94 post-salbutamol). Of the 94, 84 had height and weight measured to calculate predicted spirometry. Average dyspnoea levels over 24 h were measured by patient visual analogue scales (VASMe 24). Forced expiratory volume after 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were almost always lower than predicted, indicating frequent impaired respiratory function. Mean spirometric increase post-salbutamol was 21% for FEV1 and 12% for FVC. Correlations between VAS dyspnoea scores and spirometry were low; hence, the latter cannot be relied upon as a measure of the former. Respiratory impairment tended to be obstructive (mean FEV1/FVC = 65%).
authors.affiliation: Countess Mountbatten House, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heyse-Moore
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beynon
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D000420:Albuterol; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010166:Palliative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods*; D013727:Terminal Care; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000420:Albuterol