Patienter med kronisk obstruktiv lungsjukdom (KOL) upplever ofta oro relaterat till dyspné. Syftet med studien var att undersöka vilka icke-farmakologiska åtgärder som kan vidtas för att lindra patienters oro relaterat till dyspné vid KOL.  En litteraturstudie genomfördes där vetenskapliga artiklar granskades och sammanställdes. Resultatet visade att det finns ett flertal icke-farmakologiska åtgärder så som andningstekniker, fysisk träning, avledning, nutrition och kommunikation som sjuksköterskan kan undervisa och informera om för att lindra oro relaterad till dyspné. Åtgärderna bör vara individanpassade, eftersom varje patient är unik. Sjuksköterskan bör själv eller tillsammans med andra vårdinstanser försäkra sig om att patienten får den information och utbildning om sin sjukdom som krävs för att lindra patientens oro i möjligast mån. Informationen och utbildningen bör vara omfattande, för att patienten ska kunna finna de strategier och hjälpmedel som hjälper just dem vid oro. Lungrehabiliteringsprogram visade sig vara av betydelse för patienternas möjlighet att finna strategier för att lindra oro relaterad till dyspné. Ytterligare forskning men även utbildning av sjuksköterskor behövs angående specifika icke-farmakologiska åtgärder som kan lindra oro relaterad dyspné. Det behövs även forskning om vilka icke-farmakologiska åtgärder som bör ingå i ett lungrehabiliteringsprogram. / Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often experience anxiety related to dyspnea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the non-pharmacological interventions that can be performed to alleviate patients' anxiety related dyspnea. A literature review was conducted and scientific articles were reviewed and summarized. The results showed that there are several non-pharmacological interventions that nurses can conduct to relieve anxiety related dyspnea, such as breathing techniques, physical exercise, diversion, nutrition and communication. Every patient is unique and therefore should the nurse interventions be individualized. It is the nurse task together with other health care professionals to ensure that the patients receives and understands the information that is given. The information and education should be extensive so that the patient will be able to find the right strategies that will help them to alleviate their anxiety. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs proved to be of great importance to patients' ability to find strategies to relieve anxiety related to dyspnea. Further research and education to nurses are needed on specific non- pharmacological interventions that can relieve anxiety related dyspnea. Research is also needed on which non-pharmacological interventions that should be part of a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

Syfte: Syftet med studien var att, utifrån vetenskaplig litteratur, beskriva hur patienter med KOL upplever att livskvaliteten påverkas av sjukdomen och hur sjuksköterskor kan bidra till att bibehålla livskvaliteten hos dessa patienter samt att beskriva artiklarnas kvalitet gällande deltagare och bortfall i undersökningsgruppen. Metod: Deskriptiv litteraturstudie. Artiklarna har sökts i databasen Medline och via manuella sökningar vilket resulterade i 13 artiklar. Resultat: Patienter med KOL beskriver att oro och ångest över de fysiska begränsningarna som kommer med sjukdomen kan ha en negativ inverkan på livskvaliteten. Genom att delta i fritidsaktiviteter samt att umgås med familj och vänner höjdes välmående och livskvaliteten. Trots att de flesta patienterna var påverkade av symtom, sjukdom och oförmåga att delta i aktiviteter ansåg sig de flesta ha en god livskvalitet. För sjuksköterskan är det viktigt att inge hopp, ge stöd och stärka patienternas hanteringsförmåga. En viktig del i sjuksköterskans roll är att lindra patienternas oro och ångest genom att visa en vänlig attityd och empati. Slutsats: Det är olika från person till person hur livskvaliteten påverkas. Att umgås med anhöriga och delta sociala aktiviteter främjar livskvaliteten. Vårdpersonal behöver mer utbildning i hur man ska stötta och hjälp patienterna till att bibiehålla livskvaliteten.

The overall aim of this thesis was to assess measurement properties of methods suitable for screening or monitoring of physical capacity and physical activity in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to explore factors associated with physical activity levels. Methods: Four observational studies were conducted. Participants in studies I-III (sample sizes) (n=49, n=15, n=73) were recruited from specialist clinics, and in study IV from a population-based cohort (COPD n=470 and Non-COPD n=659). Psychometric properties of methods assessing physical capacity (study I) and physical activity (study II) were investigated in laboratory settings. Daily physical activity and clinical characteristics were assessed with objective methods (study III) and with subjective methods (study IV). Results: Physical capacity as measured by walking speed during a 30-metre walk test displayed high test-retest correlations (ICC>0.87) and small measurement error. The accuracy for step count and body positions differed between activity monitors and direct observations. In study III 92% of subjects had an activity level below what is recommended in guidelines. Forty five percent of subjects’ activity could be accounted for by clinical characteristics with lung function (22.5%), walking speed (10.1%), quadriceps strength (7.0%) and fat-free mass index (3.0%) being significant predictors. In study IV, low physical activity was significantly more prevalent in COPD subjects from GOLD grade ≥II than among Non-COPD subjects (22.4 vs. 14.6%, p = 0.016). The strongest factors associated with low activity in COPD subjects were a history of heart disease, OR (CI 95%) 2.11 (1.10-4.08) and fatigue, OR 2.33 (1.31-4.13) while obesity was the only significant factor in Non-COPD subjects, OR 2.26 (1.17-4.35). Conclusion: The 30 meter walk test and activity monitors are useful when assessing physical capacity and physical activity, respectively in patients with COPD. Impaired physical activity in severe COPD is related to low lung function, low walking speed, low muscle strength and altered body composition, whereas comorbidities and fatigue are linked to insufficient physical activity in patients with moderately severe COPD.

Darbo tikslas. Įvertinti endoskopinio tyrimo reikšmę neužkrečiamųjų ligų diagnostikai arkliams. Darbo uždaviniai. Susipažinti su užsienio autorių publikuojama literatūra, apie endoskopinių tyrimų pritaikymą veterinarinėje medicinoje; įvertinti, kokiems tikslams naudojami endoskopijos metodai; įvertinti, kuris endoskopinis tyrimas dažniausiai atliekamas; įvertinti, kokios patologijos dažniausiai aptinkamos; nustatyti, pagal kokius simptomus atliekamas endoskopinis tyrimas. Tyrimo metodika. Tyrimas buvo atliekamas 2011 – 2013 metais magistrantūros studijų metais LSMU VA Stambiųjų gyvūnų klinikose. Tyrimo metu buvo atliekami endoskopiniai tyrimai: gastroskopija, bronchoskopija, laringoskopija. Tyrimo įranga – videoendoskopo sistema VIDEO MED. Iš viso konsultuoti 169 pacientai, iš jų 35 pacientams buvo atliktas endoskopinis tyrimas. Tyrimas buvo atliekamas remiantis klinikiniais simptomais. Rezultatai. Endoskopiniu tyrimu tirti 35 pacientai, kuriems pasireiškė būdingi klinikiniai simptomai. Gastroskopija buvo atlikta 17 pacientų (49 proc.), bronchoskopija atlikta 12 arklių (34proc.), o laringoskopija – 6 arkliams (17 proc.). Tyrimo metu nustatytos šios patologijos: EGUS, LOPL, gerklų paralyžius. Arklių skrandžio opų sindromas buvo nustatytas visiems 17 pacientų, kuriems buvo atliekama gastroskopija, tai sudaro 100 proc. LOPL nustatyta 10 pacientų iš 18, kuriems buvo atliekamas kvėpavimo takų endoskopinis tyrimas, tai sudaro 56 proc. Gerklų paralyžius buvo nustatytas visiems 6... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Objectives of the research paper. To get acquainted with material, about the appliance of endoscopic diagnosis in veterinary medicine, published by foreign authors; to study what these are the aims to use endoscopy methods; to discover the most highly endoscopic diagnosis used; to research what most common cases of pathology are diagnosed; to identify which symptoms are clues to determine an endoscopic diagnosis. Methodology. The research was carried out in 2011 – 2013, during the years of obtaining Master’s Degree in Heavy Animals clinics at LHSU VA. The following diagnoses of endoscopy were made in the course of the research: gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy. The research equipment used was a video endoscopy system VIDEO MED. In total 169 patients were consulted and 35 out of the total were examined using endoscopy. The study was carried out on the basis of clinical symptoms. Results. 35 patients with clinical symptoms were examined using the method of endoscopy. Gastroscopy was carried out on 17 patients which make 49 per cent, bronchoscopy – 12 horses ( 34 per cent), laryngoscopy – 6 horses (17 per cent). During the research, the following cases of pathology were diagnosed: EGUS, COPD, laryngeal paralysis. Gastric ulcer syndrome in horses was diagnosed in all 17 patients (100 per cent), which underwent the medical examination. COPD was diagnosed in 10 patients out of 18 examined by the method of endoscopy, which makes 56 per cent. Laryngeal paralysis was... [to full text]

Background and objectives: Recent research has shown an association between a healthy diet and reduced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) incidence. However, the potential role of diet in COPD prognosis is unknown. This thesis aimed to describe the characteristics of diet in COPD patients and to estimate its association with the disease evolution, in terms of pathophysiological impairment and hospitalizations. A secondary objective was to study the role of diet in asthma, as a COPDrelated phenotype. Methods: A dietary ancillary protocol was included in a well phenotyped cohort of 342 COPD patients recruited during their first admission for a COPD exacerbation in Spain. Dietary data of the last 2 years was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (122 items). Levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were measured in serum. Hospital admissions during follow-up were obtained from national datasets. Additionally, data from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) in Mexico was used to assess the effect of diet in childhood asthma. Results: (i) COPD patients report an adequate intake of the main food groups and macro- and micro-nutrients according to local recommendations, excepting vitamin D; (ii) vitamin E and olive oil intakes are associated with reduced oxidative stress in COPD active smokers; (iii) intake of _3 and _6 fatty acids is related to the levels of serum inflammatory markers; (iv) cured meat intake increases the risk of COPD admission during follow-up; and (v) children adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern relates to reduced childhood asthma prevalence. Conclusions: Dietary habits may modify COPD prognosis and childhood asthma. Therefore, advice on healthy diet should be considered in chronic respiratory diseases guidelines. / Antecedents i objectius: Estudis recents mostren associacions entre una dieta sana i reduccions en la incidència de malaltia pulmonar obstructiva crònica (MPOC). Tanmateix, el possible rol de la dieta en l'evolució de l'MPOC és desconegut. L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi és descriure les característiques de la dieta en pacients amb MPOC i estimar-ne l’associació amb l'evolució de la malaltia en termes d’alteracions fisiopatològiques i hospitalitzacions. Com a objectiu secundari, també es vol estudiar el paper de la dieta en l'asma, com a malaltia estretament relacionada amb l'MPOC. Mètodes: Es va aniuar un protocol d’epidemiologia nutricional en una cohort de 342 malalts d’MPOC, ben fenotipats, reclutats a Espanya durant la seva primera hospitalització per agudització de l'MPOC. Es va administrar un qüestionari de freqüència de consum d'aliments (122 ítems) preguntant per la dieta dels darrers 2 anys. Es van mesurar en sèrum els nivells de marcadors d'estrès oxidatiu i d'inflamació. Les hospitalitzacions durant el temps de seguiment s’obtingueren a partir de registres nacionals. Per últim, s'utilitzaren dades de l'International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) a Mèxic per a estimar l'efecte de la dieta en l'asma infantil. Resultats: (i) El consum d'aliments i macro- i micro-nutrients fou considerat adient respecte a les recomanacions locals, exceptuant la vitamina D; (ii) la ingesta de vitamina E i oli d’oliva s’associà a menors nivells d’estrès oxidatiu en pacients fumadors actius; (iii) els nivells de ingesta d'àcids grassos _3 i _6 es va relacionar amb els nivells d’inflamació sistèmica; (iv) la ingesta d’embotits i carns curades va incrementar el risc d'hospitalització per MPOC durant el seguiment; i (v) l’adherència a un patró mediterrani d'alimentació s’associà a menor prevalença d'asma infantil. Conclusions: Els hàbits alimentaris poden modificar l'evolució de l'MPOC i el desenvolupament d'asma infantil. Per tant, s’hauria de considerar l’inclusió de consells alimentaris en les guies clíniques per a malalties respiratòries cròniques.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2005. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Η ΧΑΠ είναι νόσος με πολλούς φαινοτύπους, με παθοφυσιολογία που διαφέρει σε κάθε έναν από αυτούς, με κοινό χαρακτηριστικό την πτώση του λόγου FEV1/FVC. Παρόλα ταύτα πολύ πρόσφατες μελέτες δείχνουν πως δεν υπάρχει σαφής συσχέτιση μεταξύ της προσεκτικά μετρούμενης φλεγμονής στους αεραγωγούς και της πτώσης της FEV1 σε ομάδες ασθενών με ΧΑΠ, κάτι που δυνητικά μπορεί να ανατρέψει βιβλιογραφία 40 ετών [Roy K, et al 2009]. Στόχος όλων των γενετικών μελετών στη ΧΑΠ είναι ο διαχωρισμός των φαινοτύπων και η δημιουργία του γενετικού προφίλ της νόσου. Γνωρίζοντας πως η ΧΑΠ είναι πολυγονιδιακή νόσος και σε συνδυασμό με τη μεγάλη ποικιλότητα των φαινοτύπων της, οι γενετικές αλλοιώσεις φαίνεται πως οδηγούν σε διαφορετικό φαινότυπο, που τώρα ολιστικά ορίζεται ως νόσος «ΧΑΠ», αλλά σίγουρα στο εγγύς μέλλον θα διαχωριστεί σε επιμέρους ομάδες στα πλαίσια μιας πιο αποτελεσματικής και εξατομικευμένης θεραπευτικής προσέγγισης. Η παρούσα μελέτη μεταξύ άλλων, συνέβαλε στα εξής: α. Σχεδιασμός και αξιολόγηση εκκινητών και ιχνηθέτων για τον +134InsA/DelA πολυμορφισμό, με υψηλή διακριτική ικανότητα έναντι των αλληλίων 3Α και 4Α. β. Ανέδειξε την εμπλοκή των πολυμορφισμών+134InsA/DelA και G198T στην εμφάνιση αλλά και στη βαρύτητα της ΧΑΠ (όπως αυτή αξιολογείται με την FEV1), ενώ σκιαγραφήθηκε και το γενετικό προφίλ του ευαίσθητου στον καπνό του τσιγάρου καπνιστή, με λεπτομερή συσχέτιση των απλοτύπων των πολυμορφισμών της ΕΤ-1 που εμπλέκονται στη ΧΑΠ. γ. Ανέδειξε πιθανή εμπλοκή του +134InsA/DelA πολυμορφισμού στην στατική υπερδιάταση και στις αυξημένες αντιστάσεις στη ροή του αέρα στους πνεύμονες δ. Σκιαγράφησε τη σχέση των +134InsA/DelA και G198T με την ανοχή στην άσκηση και συνέκρινε τα αποτελέσματα αυτά με όσα ήδη υπάρχουν στη βιβλιογραφία. Η παρούσα μελέτη είναι η πρώτη που συσχετίζει πολυμορφισμούς με πολλαπλές αξιολογήσεις της αναπνευστικής λειτουργίας, πέραν της FEV1, κάτι που σκιαγραφεί με λεπτομέρεια το φαινότυπο της ΧΑΠ. / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an entity with many phenotypes, different pathophysiological characteristics, that exhibits in all cases a diminished FEV to FVC ratio. Nevertheless, recent studies show that there is not a strict relationship between airway inflammation and FEV1 decline in patients with COPD, contrasting a 40 year literature [Roy K, et al 2009]. The aim of all recent studies dealing with genetics in COPD is the distinction of different phenotypes and the elucidation of the genetic profile of the disease. COPD is a multi-gene disorder, and knowing that it is composited by many phenotypes, one can say that, in the near future, “holistic COPD phenotype” will be unraveled in many distinguished phenotypes, leading to a personalized and patient-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic approach. The current study contributed in: a. Designing primers and probes for the +134InsA/DelA polymorphism, that could clearly distinguish both 3A and 4A alleles. b. Exhibiting that both +134InsA/DelA & G198T polymorphisms are implicated in COPD progression and severity (as defined by FEV1 values). At the same time, we managed to highlight the genetic profile of the susceptible to smoke smoker, associating haplotypes and polymorphisms of Endothelin-1 (ET-1) gene (+134InsA/DelA & G198T ) with COPD. c. Showing the implication of the +134InsA/DelA polymorphism with static lung hyperinflation and increased airway resistance. d. Revealing the association of +134InsA/DelA & G198T polymorphisms with exercise tolerance. According to our knowledge, the current study is the first in the literature showing association of ET-1 gene with lung function deterioration.

This thesis is concerned with a very common disorder of iron homeostasis: iron deficiency. The specific focus is the manner in which iron deficiency influences physiological responses to hypoxia in humans. This work is predicated on observations made over many decades in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that variations in the bioavailability of iron have important consequences for certain biological processes known to depend on oxygen availability. Three separate but related studies together form the basis for this thesis. The first two, Study A and Study B, adopt a similar approach in recruiting healthy volunteers who differ according to iron status, yielding iron-deficient and iron-replete groups in both cases. In Study A, the behaviour of the pulmonary circulation is investigated during a sustained hypoxic exposure, before and after an intravenous infusion of iron. In Study B, skeletal muscle metabolism is explored, both at the level of high-energy phosphate metabolism and the integrated physiological responses to exercise on a cycle ergometer. In the third study, Study C, a different approach is taken, recruiting patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and exploring the prevalence and associations of iron deficiency in this condition. Chapters 2 and 3 describe experiments using sustained hypoxia in a normobaric chamber, during which the pulmonary circulation is assessed non-invasively using Doppler echocardiography. These reveal augmented hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) in iron-deficient individuals, who also exhibit greater sensitivity to the effects of an infusion of intravenous iron. Additionally, the way in which certain circulating mediators important for iron haemostasis change over the course of these hypoxic exposures, and how iron status influences these responses, is explored. Chapter 4 reports the findings of experiments using 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and cardiopulmonary exercise testing, which demonstrate abnormal whole-body metabolism in iron-deficient individuals during large muscle-mass exercise, despite the absence of a clear defect in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Intravenous iron is found to have significant effects to alter the lactate threshold in healthy individuals, but the effects are more striking in iron-deficient individuals. Collectively, these experiments imply that iron deficiency promotes a more glycolytic phenotype. Chapter 5 explores iron deficiency in COPD, a condition in which pulmonary vascular disease, hypoxia and skeletal muscle dysfunction coexist, and examines some of the difficulties in assessing iron status in the setting of a chronic inflammatory disorder. Iron deficiency is found to be common, and unexpectedly associated with significantly more severe hypoxaemia, in patients with COPD. Possible reasons for these findings, and their clinical implications, are considered. Chapter 6 provides a summary of the main conclusions to be drawn from the studies presented in this thesis.

O aumento no número de células inflamatórias, a produção anormal de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e o desequilíbrio entre a formação de radicais livres e a capacidade antioxidante geram alterações locais e sistêmicas na doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), associada com disfunção e perda da massa muscular. A reabilitação pulmonar é uma modalidade de tratamento com evidência A, cujos desfechos são medidos através da melhora da capacidade de exercício físico e qualidade de vida, mas estudos recentes demonstram uma redução no estresse oxidativo induzido pelo exercício, o que potencialmente também reduziria o dano tecidual. A análise do dano de DNA em linfócitos de sangue periférico foi utilizada como possível medida de desfecho em 13 de 39 portadores de DPOC submetidos a um programa de reabilitação pulmonar (PRP) com duração de 4 meses. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao teste da caminhada dos seis minutos (TC6) e ao questionário de qualidade de vida Saint George (QQVSG), sendo que 13 pacientes coletaram sangue antes e depois do PRP para análise do dano de DNA pela técnica de micronúcleos. Do total de 39 portadores de DPOC, 69,23% eram do sexo masculino com idades de 63,33 ± 8,60 anos e média de VEF1 de 1,06 ± 0,55L. Após o PRP, ocorreu aumento significativo na distância percorrida no TC6 (366,84±108,42 [pré PRP] vs. 400,76±94,55 [pós PRP], p=0,001) e melhora em todos os domínios do QQVSG (Sintomas: 47,05±21,28 [pré PRP] vs. 35,28±16,92 [pós PRP], p=0,005; Atividades: 62,84±27,07 [pré PRP] vs. 56,02±24,09 [pós PRP], p=0,038; Impacto: 33,30±18,71 [pré PRP] vs. 19,97±12,11 [pós PRP], p<0,001; Total: 49,41±21,99 [pré PRP] vs. 37,61±18,96 [pós PRP], p<0,001). Quanto à avaliação do dano genético, obteve-se uma diminuição estatisticamente significativa (p=0,014) na freqüência de micronúcleos (5,53±2,14 [pré PRP] vs. 3,07±2,13 [pós PRP] ), o que não ocorreu na análise das pontes nucleoplasmáticas e buds nucleares (1,15±0,89 [pré PRP] vs. 0,76±1,01 [pós PRP], p=0,244 e 1,69±1,43 [pré PRP] vs. 1,69±2,13 [pós PRP], p=0,804, respectivamente). A redução na freqüência de micronúcleos demonstrou que o PRP não somente melhorou a qualidade de vida e o desempenho na capacidade de exercício, mas também foi capaz de reduzir o dano de DNA. / Pulmonary rehabilitation is a treatment supported by level A evidence, and its outcomes are measured by the improvement in physical exercise capacity and quality of life. The objective of this study is to investigate if pulmonary rehabilitation reduces DNA damage in peripheral blood of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes was used as an outcome measure in 13 of 39 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who underwent a 4-month pulmonary rehabilitation program. All patients underwent the 6- minute walk test and answered the Saint George’s respiratory questionnaire to assess quality of life. Blood was collected from 13 patients before and after pulmonary rehabilitation program to analyze DNA damage using the micronucleus technique. After pulmonary rehabilitation program, there was a significant increase in 6- minute walk distance and improvement in all the Saint George’s respiratory questionnaire domains. The evaluation of genetic damage revealed a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.014) of micronucleus frequency. No significant differences were found in the analysis of nucleoplasmic bridges or nuclear buds. The decrease of micronucleus frequency demonstrated that PRP not only improved quality of life and performance in work capacity exercises, but also reduced DNA damage.

A hiperinsuflação dinâmica (HD) é considerada um importante contribuinte para a sensação de dispnéia e interrupção do esforço físico em pacientes portadores de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). Diversas estratégias são testadas para tentar amenizar a HD e, frequentemente, utiliza-se a capacidade inspiratória (CI) para avaliar esse efeito. Os objetivos deste estudo foram verificar a presença de HD através da pletismografia logo após a suspensão do exercício e avaliar os efeitos da pressão expiratória positiva em via aérea (EPAP) na HD em pacientes portadores de DPOC submetidos ao exercício. Foram incluídos portadores de DPOC moderada a muito grave, de ambos os sexos, considerados capazes de realizarem o teste de esforço. Todos os participantes submeteram-se à mensuração de fluxos expiratórios, volumes e capacidades pulmonares, além da análise de difusão dos gases através da pletismografia. Essas medidas foram feitas antes e após o uso do broncodilatador. A seguir utilizou-se um protocolo de exercício submáximo e nova prova de função pulmonar era realizada imediatamente após o esforço físico para avaliar a presença de hiperinsuflação, ainda sob efeito do broncodilatador. Os pacientes que apresentaram sinal de HD na pletismografia foram convidados a retornar após 48 horas para repetir o mesmo protocolo de estudo, porém com uso de máscara de EPAP durante o exercício. Os parâmetros de função pulmonar foram analisados e comparados nos diferentes momentos e entre os protocolos. A amostra foi composta inicialmente por 46 pacientes, com média de idade de 65±8,5 anos, sendo 32 (70%) do sexo masculino, 25 (54%) com doença em estágio IV. Do total, 17(37%) apresentaram HD na pletismografia realizada após o teste de exercício. Após o exercício, observou-se diferença significativa entre pacientes com e sem HD apenas nas variáveis: CI (p<0,0001), CI/CPT (p=0,001), CRF/CPT (p=0,002). O uso da EPAP durante o exercício aplicado em 17 pacientes com HD não alterou de maneira significativa a capacidade pulmonar total (CPT; p=0,64), a capacidade residual funcional (CRF; p=0,09) e o volume residual (VR; p=0,10) quando comparado aos valores obtidos após exercício sem EPAP. Entretanto na comparação da CI observou-se uma menor perda de CI (p=0,02) com o uso da máscara. Verificou-se diferença significativa na comparação da relação CI/CPT antes e após o exercício em cada protocolo, ambos apresentando uma queda do valor com o exercício. Na comparação entre protocolos observou-se diferença significativa (p=0,01), representado uma queda menor da relação CI/CPT no protocolo com EPAP. Também se observaram relações VR/CPT e CRF/CPT significativamente menores (p=0,03) após o exercício com EPAP em relação ao exercício isolado. Conclui-se que 37% dos 46 pacientes apresentaram HD, detectada através da redução da CI e da sua relação com a CPT, quando avaliados imediatamente após o teste de exercício através da pletismografia. O uso da EPAP através de máscara facial reduziu a HD em teste de exercício submáximo, observado através da redução significativa da queda da CI e da relação CI/CPT, e pela menor alteração das relações VR/CPT e CRF/CPT. / Dynamic hyperinflation (DH) contributes substantially to the sensation of dyspnea and the interruption of physical exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Several strategies have been tested to mitigate DH, and inspiratory capacity (IC) is often used to measure it. The purpose of this study was investigate the presence of DH immediately after exercise interruption using plethysmography and to evaluate the effects of expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) on DH of patients with COPD that underwent a exercise test. The study enrolled men and women with moderate to very severe COPD who were able to perform a exercise test. All participants underwent measurement of expiratory flows, volumes and lung capacities, and gas diffusion using plethysmography before and after the use of bronchodilators. A submaximal exercise test and repeated pulmonary function tests were conducted immediately after physical exercise to evaluate hyperinflation, still under the effect of the bronchodilator. The patients with DH according to plethysmography were invited to return 48 hours later to repeat the same protocol using an EPAP mask during exercise test. Pulmonary function parameters were analyzed and compared at the different time points and between the two tests. The sample consisted of 46 patients whose mean age was 65±8.5 years; 32 (70%) were men, and 25 (54%) had stage IV disease. Plethysmography performed after the exercise test revealed DH in 17 (37%) participants. After exercise, there was a significant difference between patients with and without DH only in IC (p<0.0001), IC/TLC (p=0.001), and FRC/TLC (p=0.002). The use of EPAP during exercise in 17 patients with DH did not significantly change total lung capacity (TLC; p=0.64), functional residual capacity (FRC; p=0.09), or residual volume (RV; p=0.10) when compared with the values obtained after exercise without EPAP. However, there was a lower loss of IC (p=0.02) in the EPAP mask group. There was a significant difference in IC/TLC before and after the exercise in each test, and both groups had a decrease in this value after exercise. The comparison between groups revealed a significant difference (p=0.01) and a smaller decrease in the IC/TLC ratio in the EPAP group. Moreover, significantly lower RV/TLC and FRC/TLC (p=0.03) were found after exercise with EPAP than after exercise alone. Of the 46 study patients, 37% developed DH, detected by a reduction in IC and in IC/TLC when evaluated immediately after exercise test using plethysmography. The use of EPAP delivered by face mask reduced DH in submaximal exercise tests, indicated by a significant reduction in IC and IC/TLC decreases and smaller changes in RV/TLC and FRC/TLC.