%0 Journal Article
%T Quantification of breathing irregularity for the diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing using proportional tidal volume variation: a cross-sectional, retrospective real-world study.
%A Knöpfel G
%A Baty F
%A Uhl F
%A Kern L
%A Brutsche M
%J BMJ Open
%V 14
%N 6
%D 2024 Jun 16
%M 38885986
%F 3.006
%R 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083401
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To develop a statistical approach that provides a quantitative index measuring the magnitude of the irregularity of the breathing response to exercise for the diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Cross-sectional, retrospective, real-world study.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Single-centre study.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A population of 209 patients investigated with cardiopulmonary exercise testing in our institution for unexplained or disproportionate exertional dyspnoea between January and July 2022.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A novel statistical approach providing a quantitative index-proportional tidal volume variation (PTVV)-was developed to measure the magnitude of the irregularity of the breathing response to exercise.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>PTVV provided a reliable statistical readout for the objective assessment of DB with a prediction accuracy of 78% (95% CI: 72 to 83%). The prevalence of DB in the investigated population was high with more than half of the patients affected by moderate-to-severe DB.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>PTVV can easily be implemented in the clinical routine. Our study suggests a possible further simplification for the diagnosis of DB with two objective criteria including PTVV and one single criterion for hyperventilation.