Pulmonary function in patients with chronic stroke compared with a control group of healthy people matched by age and sex

Abstract

Background: Effects of chronic stroke on pulmonary function are largely unknown. Aim: To compare lung volumes in people with chronic stroke with a control group of healthy people matched by age and sex, as well as to investigate the relationship between the lung volumes and functional capacity. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving people with chronic stroke. Cases were matched to a control group of healthy people. Lung function and the distance walked during the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWD) were the main outcomes. Independent t-tests were used to compare pulmonary function between groups and the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess any relationship between lung volumes and the 6MWD in the stroke group. Results: Sixty-six participants (24 males in each group; 56.5 ± 15.5 years) were included. [...]