Mechanical Muscle Proprieties in Patient with COPD

Inclusion criteria for the COPD group:

Diagnosis of COPD: Confirmed diagnosis of COPD based on GOLD spirometry criteria:

Post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.70 Documented history of respiratory symptoms (e.g., dyspnea, cough, sputum production) Stable COPD: No COPD exacerbations requiring hospitalization in the past 6 months.

Smoking History: Current or former smoker with a documented smoking history of at least 10 pack-years (cumulative cigarette consumption).

Age: 45-75 years old. Ability to Understand and Follow Instructions: Mentally competent and able to understand the study procedures, risks, and benefits, providing written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria for the COPD group:

Other respiratory disease than COPD. Severe COPD exacerbation: anyone with a COPD exacerbation requiring hospitalization within the last six months.

Conditions limiting chest wall movement: severe kyphosis, ankylosing spondylitis, or similar conditions that significantly impact the ability to expand the chest wall and perform respiratory muscle assessments.

Muscular or neuromuscular disorders: primary muscular diseases (e.g., muscular dystrophy) or neuromuscular disorders affecting muscle function (e.g., Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis).

Recent Surgery or Trauma: Significant surgery or trauma within the past three months that might affect muscle function or the ability to perform assessments.

Uncontrolled comorbidities: severe, uncontrolled medical conditions that could significantly impact muscle function or confound the study results (e.g., uncontrolled heart failure, advanced renal disease).

Inclusion criteria for the healthy control group:

No History of Respiratory Disease: free from any current or past respiratory diagnoses, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, or recurrent respiratory infections.

Normal lung function: spirometry testing will confirm normal lung function with a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio > 0.70 and no evidence of airflow obstruction.

No significant chronic conditions: free from any major chronic medical conditions that could impact muscle function or confound the results (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, heart failure, advanced liver disease).

Age: 45-75 years old Ability to understand and follow instructions: mentally competent and able to understand the study procedures, risks, and benefits, providing written informed consent.

No recent infections: free from any recent respiratory or other infections within the past 4 weeks.

Non-smoker or minimal smoking history: non-smokers or have a very minimal smoking history (less than 10 pack-years)

Exclusion criteria for the healthy control group:

Recent respiratory infection: anyone with a current respiratory tract infection (viral or bacterial) within the past four weeks.

Mild respiratory symptoms: Even mild, persistent respiratory symptoms (chronic cough, sputum production) within the past 4 weeks.

Conditions limiting chest wall movement: severe kyphosis, ankylosing spondylitis, or similar conditions that significantly impact the ability to expand the chest wall and perform respiratory muscle assessments.

Muscular or neuromuscular disorders: primary muscular diseases (e.g., muscular dystrophy) or neuromuscular disorders affecting muscle function (e.g., Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis).

Recent Surgery or Trauma: Significant surgery or trauma within the past three months that might affect muscle function or the ability to perform assessments.

Uncontrolled comorbidities: severe, uncontrolled medical conditions that could significantly impact muscle function or confound the study results (e.g., uncontrolled heart failure, advanced renal disease).