Reduced exercise tolerance in mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The contribution of combined abnormalities of diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide and ventilatory efficiency

The combination of both reduced resting diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO ) and ventilatory efficiency (increased ventilatory requirement for CO2 clearance [V˙E /V˙CO2 ]) has been linked to exertional dyspnoea and exercise intolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The current study examined if low resting DLCO and higher exercise ventilatory requirements were associated with earlier critical dynamic mechanical constraints, dyspnoea and exercise limitation in patients with mild COPD.In this retrospective analysis, we compared V˙E /V˙CO2 , dynamic inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), dyspnoea and exercise capacity in groups of patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage 1 COPD with (1) a resting DLCO at or greater than the lower limit of normal (≥LLN; Global Lung Function Initiative reference equations [n = 44]) or (2) below the