Year: 2026 | Month: February | Volume: 16 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 350-359
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260239
Association Between Dyspnea Severity, Functional Exercise Capacity, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Ravi Kumar Sharma1, Man Mohan Puri2
1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Respiratory Medicine, GMC Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India
2Professor, Chest Physician, Respiratory Medicine, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, (NITRD), New Delhi, India
Corresponding Author: Dr Ravi Kumar Sharma
ABSTRACT
Background: Dyspnea and reduced exercise capacity are hallmark features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Emerging evidence suggests that systemic vascular changes, particularly increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), may contribute to functional limitation.
Objective: To evaluate the association between dyspnea severity (mMRC), functional exercise capacity (6MWD), and CIMT in patients with COPD.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 31 stable COPD patients. Demographics, spirometry, GOLD staging, CIMT (measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography), mMRC dyspnea grade, and six-minute walk distance (6MWD) were recorded. Correlations between CIMT, mMRC, and 6MWD were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Results: Patients with higher dyspnea scores (mMRC ≥3) demonstrated significantly higher CIMT (2.1 ± 0.6 mm) and lower 6MWD (320 ± 80 m) compared with those with mMRC ≤1 (CIMT 0.7 ± 0.2 mm, 6MWD 500 ± 60 m; p<0.01). CIMT positively correlated with mMRC (r = 0.61, p<0.01) and inversely with 6MWD (r = –0.58, p<0.01).
Conclusion: Increased CIMT is strongly associated with higher dyspnea severity and reduced exercise capacity in COPD patients, suggesting systemic vascular remodeling as a contributor to functional limitation beyond airflow obstruction.
Key words: COPD, dyspnea, CIMT, six-minute walk distance, systemic atherosclerosis