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Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate tissue oxygen utilization and blood flow in patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF).[Subjects] The subjects were divided into three groups: twelve subjects with chronic respiratory failure, twelve healthy older subjects, and thirteen healthy young subjects.[Method] A near infrared spectrometer was used to monitor tissue oxygenation, and the probe was placed over the flexor muscle. The subjects performed 3min rhythmic handgrip (HG) exercise at 10 and 30% of maximum voluntary contraction force in a random order. Forearm blood flow was estimated by the rate of increase in the sum of oxy-hemoglobin (OxyHb) and deoxy-hemoglobin (DeoxyHb) during venous occlusion, and muscle oxygen utilization by the rate of decrease in the difference between OxyHb and DeoxyHb during arterial occlusion.[Results] Forearm blood flow in the CRF group was significantly lower compared to the older group during 10% HG and the younger group in 30% HG. Muscle oxygen utilization in the CRF group was significantly higher than the older and young groups in 10% HG.[Conclusion]We conclude that the CRF patients desaturate their muscles more than normal control subjects at a lower work level due to insufficiency of blood flow to the exercising muscles.

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that influence health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with chronic respiratory failure. Subjects were seventeen patients with chronic respiratory failure. HRQL was assessed by means of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the scores were compared with physiological measures, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), activities of daily living (ADL), anxiety and depression. The mean calculated scores of each component (Symptoms, Activity, Impacts and Total) were 69.5, 73.8, 52.6 and 61.8 respectively. The SGRQ scores correlated with degree of dyspnea (the Hugh-Jones scale), vital capacity (VC), VC as percent predicted, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1.0 ), fatigue of the lower limbs, 6MWD, ADL and depression. Four separate stepwise multiple regression analyses were used to identify variables that most influence HRQL. In consequence, body-mass index, ADL, VC, FEV 1.0 and 6MWD entered the equations. These findings suggest that, in order to improve HRQL, teaching adequate ADL to reduce dyspnea, training to improve exercise capacity, and to be careful with nutritional and mental status are needed.

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