The St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Objective To examine the correlation between the health-related quality of life measured by the St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ) and the commonly used physiological measures in lymphangioleiomyomatosis(LAM).Methods This study retrospectively analyzed the SGRQ scores and other measures(the Borg scale of breathlessness at rest,6-minute walking distance,blood oxygen levels,and pulmonary function) of patients diagnosed and confirmed with LAM.Altogether 38 patients between June 2007 and November 2009 were included.Results The mean values of the SGRQ three components(symptoms,activity,and impacts) and total scores in the LAM patients were 46.95±28.90,58.47±25.41,47.89±29.66,and 51.11±26.35,respectively.The SGRQ total or component scores were correlated well with the Borg scale of breathlessness,6-minute walking distance,partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood,spirometry and diffusion capacity of lung.There were poor correlations between SGRQ score and residual volume or total lung capacity.In our preliminary observation,sirolimus improved the SGRQ total and three component scores and the Borg scale of breathlessness significantly after 101-200 days of treatment(n=6).Conclusions The SGRQ score in LAM is correlated well with physiological measures(Borg scale of breathlessness,6-minute walking distance,blood oxygen levels,and pulmonary function tests).The SGRQ could therefore be recommended in baseline and follow-up evaluation of patients with LAM.Treatment with sirolimus,an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin,may improve the quality of life and patient's perception of breathlessness in LAM.

The effects of Chinese Yam-Epimedium mixture on respiratory function and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE:To examine the clinical effects of a mixture of Chinese Yam and Epimedium in patients with stable moderate or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).METHODS:Forty-nine patients with COPD were randomly allocated to a group whose usual treatment was supplemented with oral Chinese Yam-Epimedium mixture,or a control group given placebo.For each patient,body mass index,airflow obstruction,dyspnea,and exercise capacity were measured and converted into the BODE index before treatment and at one and three months after initiation of treatment.Participants also completed the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ) at the same intervals.RESULTS:After one month,improvements were seen in the BODE index and SGRQ of participants taking Chinese Yam-Epimedium mixture compared to controls.There were statistically significant differences in the SGRQ:three of its components and the total SGRQ scores were significantly decreased(P<0.05),respiratory symptom scores had improved(P<0.01),and the dyspnea component of the BODE index had significantly decreased(P<0.05).Similar improvements were observed after three months of treatment,but exercise tolerance had also improved:the six-minute walking distance had significantly increased(P<0.05) in the treatment group when compared with controls.CONCLUSION:Chinese Yam-Epimedium mixture can significantly improve dyspnea,exercise capacity,and the quality of life of patients with stable moderate or severe COPD.