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Relationship between pulmonary function and exercise tolerance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
U Seçkin1, N Bölükbasi, G Gürsel
1Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Turkey. pinarb@ato.org.tr
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|August 19, 2000
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with restricted chest movement maintain exercise capacity due to moderate physical activity. Pulmonary function tests show restrictive lung disease, but this does not impact exercise tolerance.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Pulmonology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) commonly causes restricted chest wall movement, impacting pulmonary function.
- Altered pulmonary function in AS may affect exercise capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between pulmonary function changes and exercise capacity in AS patients.
- To determine if chest wall movement limitations influence exercise tolerance in AS.
Main Methods:
- Compared 20 male AS patients with 20 healthy controls.
- Assessed functional status (BASFI), physical activity, chest expansion, and lumbar flexion.
- Performed pulmonary function tests and treadmill exercise testing (Bruce protocol).
Main Results:
- AS patients exhibited significantly reduced chest expansion and modified Schober measurements.
- Pulmonary function tests indicated restrictive lung disease in the AS group.
- Exercise tolerance test results were similar between groups, except for a higher rate of perceived exertion in AS patients.
Conclusions:
- Exercise capacity in AS patients is not significantly influenced by chest wall movement limitations.
- Maintenance of moderate physical activity and an active lifestyle likely preserve exercise capacity in AS.
- Despite restrictive lung disease, AS patients can achieve comparable exercise tolerance to healthy individuals.