Balance impairment and cognitive dysfunction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease under 65 years

Balance and cognitive problems may develop in COPD. Studies investigating cognitive functions are mostly in elderly patients, and the number of studies on balance impairment is less than studies about cognitive dysfunction in COPD. We aimed to evaluate both balance and cognitive functions in patients with COPD under 65 years.

A total of 60 COPD patients and 60 healthy control group were enrolled. The patients with COPD were divided into two groups due to dyspnea severity. Demographic data and dyspnea scores of all patients were recorded. BECK depression scale, standardized Mini Mental Test (MMT), and BERG balance scale were applied to the individuals. Factors affecting BERG balance scale were evaluated.

BERG balance scale and MMT values were found to be significantly lower in patients with COPD compared with the control group (p = 0.009). It was observed that the mean values of BERG balance scale and MMT were significantly low in the severe dyspnea group. BERG scale had significant correlations with MMT (rho = 0.331, p = 0.001), BECK (rho = -0.222, p = 0.016), age (rho = -0.318, p = 0.018), MMRC (rho = -0.368, p < 0.001), CAT (rho = -0.338, p = 0.008), FEV1% (rho = 0.307, p = 0.017), SpO₂ (rho = 0.448, p < 0.001), and number of hospitalization per year (rho = -0.316, p = 0.014). According to the results of multiple linear regression analysis, the effect of oxygen saturation on BERG was found to be statistically significant (B = 0.512, p = 0.008).

Balance tests in patients with COPD under the age of 65 are significantly low when compared with healthy controls at the same age. Balance and cognitive functions are significantly associated with each other. It may be beneficial to perform balance and cognitive function tests earlier even at the beginning of the treatment period of COPD, and strategies should be planned to prevent the progression of functional losses.