Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in patients with chronic dyspnea

Abstract

Dyspnea, regardless of cause, is frequently associated with neuromuscular disorders. Many adults with chronic dyspnea associated with neuromuscular disorders have associated heart or lung disease. This study aimed to identify the association between chronic dyspnea of different etiologies and musculoskeletal disorders identified at presentation to establish a rehabilitation program. This prospective study was carried out in the Medical Rehabilitation Department of Dr. Pop Mircea Municipal Hospital in Marghita and included 163 consecutive patients with chronic dyspnea of different etiologies. The analysis showed no significant difference in the risk of musculoskeletal disorders between men and women (RR = 1.0090). Similarly, we found no significantly increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders in obese individuals compared to overweight (RR = 1.1223; 95% CI, 0.9648-1.3055; z = 1.495; P = 0.135) or normal-weight individuals (RR = 1.0399; 95% CI, 0.8997-1.2019; z = 0.529; P = 0.597). Overweight individuals also did not show a significantly increased risk compared to normal weight (RR = 1.0793; 95% CI, 0.9132-1.2756; z = 0.895; P = 0.371). The risk of developing head protrusion was 1.5 times higher in obese vs. normal-weight (RR = 1.4943; 95% CI, 1.0426-2.1416; z = 2.187; P = 0.029), and 1.4 times higher in overweight vs. normal-weight individuals (RR = 1.3565; 95% CI, 0.9153-2.0103; z = 1.519; P = 0.129). No significant difference in this risk was found between obese and overweight groups (RR = 1.1015; 95% CI, 0.8494-1.4286; z = 0.729; P = 0.466). As for thoracic kyphosis, we determined a 2.1-fold higher risk of occurrence in obese patients compared to normal-weight (RR = 2.1250; 95% CI, 1.2403-3.6408, z = 2.744; P = 0.006) and 2-fold higher in overweight compared to normal-weight (RR = 2.0357; 95% CI, 1.1812-3.5085; z = 2.560; P = 0.011). The study highlights the correlations between dyspnea, musculoskeletal status, and variations by gender and age, suggesting directions for personalized therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: chronic dyspnea; musculoskeletal disorders; prevalence.

Figure 1

Modified Borg Scale

Figure 2

Distribution of patients by weight status and musculoskeletal findings. A, Distribution by weight category; B, Prevalence of anterior head projection, thoracic kyphosis, and muscle contracture.