Objectives: Patients with chronic respiratory failure due to kyphoscoliosis (CHRF-KS) constitute a specific population with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQL). Thus far, no studies have examined factors related to HRQL. The objective of the present study was to identify clinical, functional and exertion-related factors associated with HRQL.
Methods: We investigated 27 patients (12 males). Respiratory function tests, dyspnea ratings, peripheral and respiratory muscle function and exercise testing were performed. The Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ) was used to assess HRQL. Bivariate correlations were used to investigate the relationships between CRDQ dimensions and the clinical, functional and exertion-related characteristics of the study participants.
Results: The general characteristics of the study sample were as follows: age: 61 (IQR: 12) years, FVC: 32.6% (IQR: 10.2) and pCO2: 48 mmHg (IQR: 8.7). Peripheral muscle strength, dyspnea and exercise capacity were identified as significant factors associated with poorer HRQL. The CRDQ dimensions of fatigue and emotional function showed greater correlations with the patients' general characteristics. Dyspnea CRDQ scores did not correlate with dyspnea in any of the scales used.
Conclusion: Of the various factors examined, dyspnea, exercise capacity and peripheral muscle strength have been identified as significant factors associated with HRQL in CHRF-KS patients.