An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Thoracic Dimensions between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients and Healthy Controls

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Thoracic dimensions play a vital role in thepathogenesis and management of dyspnea among Chronicobstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] patients. COPD maycause changes in the shape of thoracic cage by increasing lungvolume and hyperinflation. Hence it is essential to know thevariations in thoracic dimensions among normal and COPDpatients. Study aimed to compare the thoracic dimensionsAntero posterior [AP] diameter, Transverse diameter andHeight of diaphragm [HDI] between COPD patients andhealthy controls.Material and Methods: The present study was a crosssectional study. The study included 80 subjects diagnosedwith COPD as per GOLD guidelines and 80 healthy controls.Both the groups underwent chest radiographic evaluation withPA and Lateral views.Results: The average AP diameter was significantly greaterin subjects with COPD [10.64cms ± 2.16cms] compared tohealthy controls [9.29cms ± 1.47cms]. The difference wasstatistically significant [p <0.001]. The Mean transversediameter was 22.5cms ± 2.1cms in COPD subjects and amongthe healthy controls [21.83cms ± 2.02cms]. The difference wasstatistically significant (P value 0.041). Also, among COPDmean HDI was 23.35cms ± 2.6cms and among the healthycontrols was 20.57cms ± 0.91cms which was statisticallysignificant [p<0.001].Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that AP,Transverse diameters of thoracic cage, and HDI evaluatedusing Chest X-ray, were increased in COPD subjects comparedto healthy controls.