TY - JOUR T1 - The VE/VCO<sub>2</sub> slope as a factor associated with the health status in patients with COPD JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P4393 AU - Miek Hornikx AU - Hans Vanremoortel AU - Heleen Demeyer AU - Kristien Debent AU - Erica Balligand AU - Laurence Vrancken AU - Marc Decramer AU - Rik Gosselink AU - Wim Janssens AU - Thierry Troosters Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P4393.abstract N2 - RationaleSubmaximal exercise test outcomes are seldomly linked to health status in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Our aim was to explore whether a poor ventilatory efficiency is associated with symptoms, functionality and mental status in these patients.Methods86 patients with COPD (FEV1=70±22%) underwent an incremental exercise test to determine the VE/VCO2 slope. To identify symptoms, activity limitation and emotional dysfunction, the Chronic COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) was used.ResultsData on ventilatory efficiency and the subscore of each of the three domains of the CCQ are presented in Table 1.View this table:Table 1: General dataThe VE/VCO2 slope is modestly related to functional status in COPD (R=0.30; p=0.005). (Figure 1)Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed the VE/VCO2 slope to be the only significant variable explaining the variance in CCQ_funct.ConclusionVentilatory efficiency is modestly associated with functional status in patients with COPD. Interventions, impacting on the VE/VCO2 slope may potentially enhance the functioning of the patient. ER -