Clinical and functional status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atrial fibrillation

The aim of this study was to investigate functional status and typical symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods. Stable patients with moderate to very severe COPD (n = 94) with or without AF were involved in the study. Spirometry, 24-h monitoring of electrocardiogram and arterial pressure were done in all patients. COPD symptoms were assessed using Modified Medical Research Council Scale (mMRC) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT). We analyzed a rate of moderate and severe acute exacerbations of COPD during the previous year; parameters of 6-minute walk test (distance, pulse oximetry and dyspnea using Borg’s scale) and BODE index. Results. AF paroxysms were registered in 46 patients; AF was asymptomatic in 22 patients. Thereafter, COPD patients were divided into two clusters, with and without AF. Comparison of the two clusters showed that patients with COPD and AF had more severe bronchial obstruction (p < 0.001), more frequent acute exacerbations of COPD (р = 0.038), more severe COPD symptoms (CAT, р < 0.001; mMRC, р = 0.007) and higher BODE index (р < 0.001). Also, patients with COPD and AF had more severe hypoxemia (р = 0.012), more severe dyspnea evaluated with Borg’s scale (р < 0.001) and shorter distance in 6-minute walk test (р ˂ 0.001) compared to COPD patient without AF. Conclusion. Higher rate of acute exacerbations of COPD, prominent decrease both in FEV1 and in physical tolerance, higher BODE index and higher mMRC and CAT scores were typical for COPD patients with AF paroxysms.

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