Youxi Lin1, Haining Tan1, Tianhua Rong1, Chong Chen1, Jianxiong Shen1, Shufen Liu2, Wangshu Yuan2, Hui Cong2, Lixia Chen2, Jinmei Luo3, Kenny Yat Hong Kwan4. 1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. 2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. 3. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. 4. Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of cardiopulmonary function in patients with congenital scoliosis (CS). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of thoracic cage deformity and exercise tolerance in CS patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Congenital thoracic scoliosis and chest deformity lead to restrictive pulmonary dysfunction and in some severe cases cause cardiopulmonary failure. However, it is still unknown the relationship between thoracic deformity and exercise performance. METHODS: Patients with congenital thoracic spinal deformity were included and had radiological assessment of thoracic cage, pulmonary function testing, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Thoracic dimension including height, width, and depth were measured and geometry parameters were calculated. Two-tailed Pearson and Spearman correlation test and linear regression analysis were performed to investigate correlation of radiographic parameters, pulmonary function, and physical capacity. RESULTS: Sixty patients (41 females and 19 males) were included, with an average age of 18.9 years. Patients with smaller thoracic height (P < 0.001) and width (P < 0.01) and larger depth (P < 0.05) had significantly worse static pulmonary function. In exercise testing, these patients showed significant tendency of ventilation insufficiency, including lower minute ventilation (P < 0.05), faster breathing frequency (P < 0.05), and smaller tidal volume (P < 0.01). Thoracic depth was negatively correlated to exercise capacity, reflected by work rate (P < 0.001), peak oxygen intake (P < 0.001), and heart rate (P = 0.043). Patients with abnormal thoracic geometry, especially a lower ratio of height to depth and a lower ratio of width to depth, have significantly worse static pulmonary function and exercise capacity (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Decreasing thoracic height and width results in restrictive pulmonary dysfunction. Distortion and asymmetry of the thoracic cage are associated with abnormal breathing pattern and reduction of exercise capacity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.
STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of cardiopulmonary function in patients with congenital scoliosis (CS). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of thoracic cage deformity and exercise tolerance in CSpatients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Congenital thoracic scoliosis and chest deformity lead to restrictive pulmonary dysfunction and in some severe cases cause cardiopulmonary failure. However, it is still unknown the relationship between thoracic deformity and exercise performance. METHODS:Patients with congenital thoracic spinal deformity were included and had radiological assessment of thoracic cage, pulmonary function testing, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Thoracic dimension including height, width, and depth were measured and geometry parameters were calculated. Two-tailed Pearson and Spearman correlation test and linear regression analysis were performed to investigate correlation of radiographic parameters, pulmonary function, and physical capacity. RESULTS: Sixty patients (41 females and 19 males) were included, with an average age of 18.9 years. Patients with smaller thoracic height (P < 0.001) and width (P < 0.01) and larger depth (P < 0.05) had significantly worse static pulmonary function. In exercise testing, these patients showed significant tendency of ventilation insufficiency, including lower minute ventilation (P < 0.05), faster breathing frequency (P < 0.05), and smaller tidal volume (P < 0.01). Thoracic depth was negatively correlated to exercise capacity, reflected by work rate (P < 0.001), peak oxygen intake (P < 0.001), and heart rate (P = 0.043). Patients with abnormal thoracic geometry, especially a lower ratio of height to depth and a lower ratio of width to depth, have significantly worse static pulmonary function and exercise capacity (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Decreasing thoracic height and width results in restrictive pulmonary dysfunction. Distortion and asymmetry of the thoracic cage are associated with abnormal breathing pattern and reduction of exercise capacity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.