%0 Journal Article %A Olga Corlateanu %A Eugen Tcaciuc %A Alexandru Corlateanu %T Evaluation of pulmonary function and functional capacity in patients with liver cirrhosis %D 2012 %J European Respiratory Journal %P P588 %V 40 %N Suppl 56 %X Background:Various changes can be detected by pulmonary function tests in patients diagnosed with chronic hepatic diseases. These changes characterize the hepatopulmonary syndrome result in hypoxemia and affect one-third of all patients diagnosed with cirrhosis.The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the pulmonary function and functional capacity in patients with liver cirrhosis according to the Child-Pugh score and to correlate these variables within each group.Methods:40 patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled into the study. Spirometry (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC), hemoglobin levels, dyspnoea by BORG scale, exercise capacity by 6-min walking test (6MWT), blood gas analysis were evaluated. Blood gases were measured in supine and sitting positions.Results:The patients were classified into three groups, according to cirrhotic severity, using Childs-Pugh classification (A - 7 patients; B - 24 patients; C - 9 patients). There were significant differences (p<0.01, ANOVA) in FEV1 between 3 groups: there was observed a decrease of pulmonary function with progression of cirrhosis from 107±13.1% in group Childs-Pugh A to 89±17.4% in group Childs-Pugh C. Also there was detected a diminution of PaO2 in supine and sitting positions with progression of cirrhosis. The longest 6MWD was 435±17.8 m by group A, then group B (354.6±43.4 m), and group C (310±63.6 m). There was a strong negative correlation between 6MWD and Child-Pugh classification (r=-0.55, p<0.01).Conclusion:The progress of liver disease contributes to the onset of several complications which together appear to contribute to the reduction of pulmonary function and functional capacity of patients. %U https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/40/Suppl_56/P588.full.pdf