Diaphragm Morphology Assessed by Computed Tomography in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with abnormal skeletal muscle morphology and function. Objectives: To test the hypothesis that in vivo diaphragm muscle morphology assessed by computed tomography (CT) imaging would be associated with COPD severity, exacerbations, health status, and exercise capacity. Methods: The COPD Morphometry Study is a cross-sectional study that enrolled a clinical sample of smokers with COPD. Spirometry was performed and COPD severity was defined according to guidelines. Three-dimensional left hemidiaphragm morphology was segmented from contiguous axial CT images acquired at maximal inspiration, yielding quantitative measures of diaphragm CT density in Hounsfield units, dome height, and muscle volume. Exacerbations prompting pharmacotherapy or hospitalization in the preceding 12 months and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD were assessed. Incremental symptom-limited cycle ergometry quantified peak oxygen uptake ((V)over dotO(2Peak)). Associations were adjusted for age, sex, body height, body mass index, and smoking status. Results: Among 65 smokers with COPD (75% male; [mean +/- standard deviation (SD)] 56 +/- 26 pack-years; forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] percentage predicted 55 +/- 23%), mean diaphragm CT density was 3.1 +/- 10 Hounsfield units, dome height was 5.2 +/- 1.3 cm, and muscle volume was 57 +/- 24 cm(3). A 1-SD decrement in the diaphragm CT density was associated with 8.3% lower FEV1, 3.27-fold higher odds of exacerbation history, 9.7-point higher score on the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD, and 2.5 ml/kg/min lower (V)over dotO(2Peak). A 1-SD decrement in dome height was associated with 11% lower FEV1 and 1.3 ml/kg/min lower (V)over dotO(2Peak). There were no associations with diaphragm volume observed. Conclusions: CT-assessed diaphragm morphology was associated with COPD severity, exacerbations, impaired health status, and exercise intolerance. The mechanisms and functional impact of lower diaphragm CT density merit investigation.

Automated summary

The study found that CT-assessed diaphragm morphology was associated with COPD severity, exacerbations, impaired health status, and exercise intolerance.