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Research ArticleOriginal Research

Risks of N95 Face Mask Use in Subjects With COPD

Sun Young Kyung, Yujin Kim, Hyunjoong Hwang, Jeong-Woong Park and Sung Hwan Jeong
Respiratory Care May 2020, 65 (5) 658-664; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.06713
Sun Young Kyung
Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
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Yujin Kim
Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
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Hyunjoong Hwang
Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
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Jeong-Woong Park
Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
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Sung Hwan Jeong
Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) is the most popular individual protective device to reduce exposure to particulate matter. However, concerns have been raised with regard to its use because it can increase respiratory resistance and dead space. Therefore, this study assessed the safety of N95 use in patients with COPD and air-flow limitation.

METHODS: This prospective study was performed at a tertiary hospital and enrolled 97 subjects with COPD. The subjects were monitored for symptoms and physiologic variables during a 10-min rest period and 6-min walking test while wearing an N95.

RESULTS: Of the 97 subjects, 7 with COPD did not wear the N95 for the entire test duration. This mask-failure group showed higher British modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale scores and lower FEV1 percent of predicted values than did the successful mask use group. A modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale score ≥ 3 (odds ratio 167, 95% CI 8.4 to >999.9; P = .008) or a FEV1 < 30% predicted (odds ratio 163, 95% CI 7.4 to >999.9; P = .001) was associated with a risk of failure to wear the N95. Breathing frequency, blood oxygen saturation, and exhaled carbon dioxide levels also showed significant differences before and after N95 use.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that subjects with COPD who had modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale scores ≥ 3 or FEV1 < 30% predicted wear N95s only with care.

  • Air pollution
  • COPD
  • particulate matter
  • respirators
  • respiratory protective devices
  • safety

Footnotes

  • Correspondence: Sung Hwan Jeong MD PhD, Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, 21565 Namdong-daero 774-21, Guwol-dong, Incheon, Republic of Korea. E-mail: jsw{at}gilhospital.com
  • This study was supported by a Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant [HD15A1482].

  • The authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.

  • Copyright © 2020 by Daedalus Enterprises
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Respiratory Care: 65 (5)
Respiratory Care
Vol. 65, Issue 5
1 May 2020
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Risks of N95 Face Mask Use in Subjects With COPD
Sun Young Kyung, Yujin Kim, Hyunjoong Hwang, Jeong-Woong Park, Sung Hwan Jeong
Respiratory Care May 2020, 65 (5) 658-664; DOI: 10.4187/respcare.06713

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Risks of N95 Face Mask Use in Subjects With COPD
Sun Young Kyung, Yujin Kim, Hyunjoong Hwang, Jeong-Woong Park, Sung Hwan Jeong
Respiratory Care May 2020, 65 (5) 658-664; DOI: 10.4187/respcare.06713
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Keywords

  • Air pollution
  • COPD
  • particulate matter
  • respirators
  • respiratory protective devices
  • safety

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