Relationship between Quadriceps Muscle Thickness and Activities of Daily Living of Patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure

Abstract

[Purpose] It is thought that quadriceps muscle strength of patients with respiratory diseases is related to their daily living activities (ADL). However, quadriceps force (QF) requires patient effort and often cannot be measured. This study examined the relationship between quadriceps muscle thickness and ADL. [Participants and Methods] The study included 39 patients with chronic respiratory failure. The muscle thicknesses of the rectus femoris and the vastus medialis were measured. The Nagasaki University Respiratory ADL Questionnaire (NRADL) was used for ADL evaluation. In addition, lung function tests, echocardiography tests, and biochemical tests were conducted. For the analysis, Spearman’s correlation coefficient was calculated and multiple regression analysis was performed. [Results] Body mass index (BMI), quadriceps muscle thickness (Qt), %DLco, serum albumin (ALB) and FiO₂ showed significant correlations with total NRADL. In addition, Qt and %DLco were identified by multiple regression analysis as being related to total NRADL. [Conclusion] The results of this study show that Qt is related to NRADL. Therefore, it should be possible to estimate ADL from the Qt of patients with chronic respiratory failure.