RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Muscle function in patients with COPD JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P1194 VO 40 IS Suppl 56 A1 Margareta Emtner A1 Mikael Andersson A1 Anne Marie Grönberg A1 Linda Moberg A1 Frode Slinde A1 Ulla Svantesson YR 2012 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P1194.abstract AB Introduction: Patients with COPD are likely to decrease their level of physical activity due to dyspnea which often results in impaired muscle function. The aim of this study was to make a survey of muscle function in patients with COPD and to relate these findings to health related quality of life.Methods: One hundred patients with COPD (FEV1 % predicted, 43±17, stage II-IV) (59 % women) with a mean age of 64±7 years for the women and 67±6 years for the men participated in the study. All patients carried out performance based tests including isometric muscle strength of the quadriceps muscle, hand grip strength, and 30 meter walking test (self chosen and maximal speed). Health related quality of life was assessed with SF-36 and SGRQ.Results: Muscle strength in the quadriceps muscle reached 85 % in patients with COPD in comparison with a reference group of healthy persons. Comparable values for hand grip strength were 90 % and walking speed 74-80 %. Maximal walking speed correlated with SF-36 (r=0.38, p<0.001) and SGRQ (r=0.36, p=0.001).Conclusion: Muscle function is generally impaired in patients with COPD, and should be measured in addition to lung function.