Abnormally high exertional breathlessness predicts mortality in people referred for incremental cycle exercise testing.

Bibliographic Details
Title: Abnormally high exertional breathlessness predicts mortality in people referred for incremental cycle exercise testing.
Authors: Elmberg, Viktor, Zhou, Xingwu, Lindow, Thomas, Hedman, Kristofer, Malinovschi, Andrei, Lewthwaite, Hayley, Jensen, Dennis, Brudin, Lars, Ekström, Magnus
Source: PLoS ONE; 12/18/2024, Vol. 19 Issue 12, p1-16, 16p
Subject Terms: AEROBIC capacity, BODY mass index, SYMPTOMS, DYSPNEA, CAUSES of death, EXERCISE tests
Abstract: Background: Exertional breathlessness is a key symptom in cardiorespiratory disease and can be quantified using incremental exercise testing, but its prognostic significance is unknown. We evaluated the ability of abnormally high breathlessness intensity during incremental cycle exercise testing to predict all-cause, respiratory, and cardiac mortality. Study design and methods: Longitudinal cohort study of adults referred for exercise testing followed prospectively for mortality assessed using the Swedish National Causes of Death Registry. Abnormally high exertional breathlessness was defined as a breathlessness intensity response (Borg 0–10 scale) > the upper limit of normal using published reference equations. Mortality was analyzed using multivariable Cox regression, unadjusted and adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index. A further mortality analysis was also done adjusted for select common comorbidities in addition to age, sex and body mass index. Results: Of the 13,506 people included (46% female, age 59±15 years), 2,867 (21%) had abnormally high breathlessness during exercise testing. Over a median follow up of 8.0 years, 1,687 (12%) people died. No participant was lost to follow-up. Compared to those within normal predicted ranges, people with abnormally high exertional breathlessness had higher mortality from all causes (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.3, [95% confidence interval] 2.1–2.6), respiratory causes (aHR 5.2 [3.4–8.0]) and cardiac causes (aHR 3.0 [2.5–3.6]). Even among people with normal exercise capacity (defined as peak Watt ≥75% of predicted exercise capacity, n = 10,284) those with abnormally high exertional breathlessness were at greater risk of all-cause mortality than people with exertional breathlessness within the normal predicted range (aHR 1.5 [1.2–1.8]). Conclusion: Among people referred for exercise testing, abnormally high exertional breathlessness, quantified using healthy reference values, independently predicted all-cause, respiratory and cardiac mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of PLoS ONE is the property of Public Library of Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Complementary Index
Full text is not displayed to guests.
More Details
ISSN:19326203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0302111
Published in:PLoS ONE
Language:English