The relationship between cough strength and exercise capacity in patients with bronchiectasis: Pilot study

<b>Objective:</b> Exercise capacity is adversely affected by symptoms such as excessive sputum production in bronchiectasis patients, ineffective coughing due to inadequate sputum excretion, dyspnea and decreased muscle strength. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between cough strength and exercise capacity of patients with bronchiectasis. <b>Methods:</b> The study included patients with bronchiectasis. After demographic information, dyspnea perception was measured by Modified Medical Research Council(MMRC) scale. Exercise capacity was evaluated with 6 minutes walking test(6MWT). The cough strength was determined using the Cough PEF. The peak cough flow rate was determined by measuring the values achieved by the coughing maneuver following deep inspiration(both nozzle and mask). Spearman correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis were used. <b>Results:</b> The mean age of the 21 patients was 50.19±4.63 years. The mean body mass index was 26.05±5.16 kg/m2. The disease duration was 22.73±15.31 years. MMRC dyspnea score was 2.35±1.03. 6MWT distance average 403,40 ± 133,38 m, Cough PEF nozzle and mask for measurements with 325±146 L/min and 284 ± 112 L/min(p&gt;0,05). Correlation was found 6MWT and both Cough Pef nozzle and mask(r=0,532 p=0,013; r=0,517 p=0,017). When the same analysis was performed independently of age, a positive mid-level correlation was found between the 6MWT and the cough PEF nozzle and mask(r=0.489, p=0.034; r=0.488, p=0.034 respectively). <b>Conclusions:</b> The decrease in cough strength was associated with a decrease in exercise capacity, independent of age patients with bronchectasis. We think that cough strength should be added to the evaluation parameters.