Multidimensional ratings of breathlessness sensations during cardiopulmonary cycle exercise testing (CPET) provides further insight into differences in exertional symptom perceptions among people with and without COPD, according to a study published in Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. For the study, patients with COPD and adults without the disease performed CPET and then rated overall breathlessness intensity, unsatisfied inspiration, breathing too shallow, work/effort of breathing, and breathlessness-related unpleasantness, fear, and anxiety using the 0-10 Borg scale. Patients with COPD rated all breathlessness sensations higher than both older and younger adults—who reported similar outcomes—at any given percent predicted peak minute ventilation. Although most between-group differences disappeared upon examination in relation to inspiratory reserve volume, patients with COPD reported higher levels of unsatisfied inspiration and breathing too shallow when compared with younger adults and breathlessness-related fear and anxiety when compared with all adults.
