Examination of diaphragm thickness, mobility and thickening fraction in individuals with COPD of different severity

Diaphragm thickness and mobility assessed by ultrasound in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) reflect the function of the diaphragm. The aim of this study is to compare the diaphragm thickness, mobility, and thickening fraction in individuals with COPD of different severity and healthy individuals and examine the relationship between these parameters and pulmonary function test parameters.

A cross-sectional observational study design was used. Thirty individuals (mild = 11; moderate = 13; severe = 6) with COPD and 29 healthy male individuals aged between 40-75 years were included in the study. The individuals included in the study were evaluated between October 2020/May 2021. Pulmonary functions were measured with a spirometer, while diaphragm thickness, mobility, and thickening fraction were measured by ultrasound.

The right and left diaphragm thickness, mobility, thickness variation, thickening fraction, and mobility were lower in individuals with COPD than in healthy individuals (p < 0.05). The left Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) diaphragm thickness, right Total Lung Capacity (TLC), and FRC diaphragm thickness were higher in mild COPD than moderate COPD and moderate COPD than severe COPD (p < 0.05). The right diaphragmatic thickening fraction and rate were higher in mild COPD than in moderate and severe COPD (p < 0.05). The left mobility was lower in severe COPD than in mild COPD (p < 0.05).

Diaphragm ultrasound parameters decrease as disease severity increases in individuals with COPD. We think that adding diaphragm ultrasound parameters together with pulmonary function test to the evaluation of individuals with COPD will provide additional contributions to determining the course of the disease.