Abstract
Post Infectious Obliterative Bronchiolitis (PIOB) is a rare condition arising from a severe insult to the lower respiratory tract causing narrowing or obliteration of the small airways.
We aimed to assess lung function, activity and exercise capacity of 15 children with PIOB and compare 2 forms of exercise testing.
At visit 1, full lung function testing was performed, physical activity questionnaire for older children (PAQ-C) and adolescents (PAQ-A) and additional questions regarding perception of their abilities were completed. All children performed cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and modified shuttle test (MST) in a randomised order at visits 2 and 3.
Preliminary results for the first 8 patients are presented, median age 10.5 (8-14) years, 7 males. Median baseline % predicted FEV1 81 (32-104). Median % predicted TLC 101 (79-108), RV/TLC 104 (65-116), TLCO 105 (80-126). Median VO2 max % predicted from CPET 79 (35-129). Resting SpO2 was normal and no desaturation occurred with exercise. Resting and end Borg scores and heart rates were comparable for both tests and demonstrated good effort. Mean PAQ score 2.7±0.8 (1=low activity, 5= high activity). 44% reported they could run as fast as their friends but 77% felt they got more out of breath and 66% felt unable to exercise for longer than their friends.
We demonstrated significant variation in the exercise capacity and perception amongst children and adolescents with PIOB with some children having normal exercise capacity and some markedly reduced. Both exercise tests appear comparable. Baseline lung function appears to correlate with exercise capacity.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016