USEFULNESS OF MODIFIED BORG SCALE FOR DYSPNOEA IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES AND ASTHMA IN A RURAL POPULATION OF KARACHI

Abstract

Objective: To assess Modified Borg Scale (MBS) for subjective rating ofdyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) andasthma and to find correlation between MBS and spirometry.Background: Measurement of dyspnoea in acute asthma is difficult. Rating ofdyspnoea by subjective assessment and objective parameters becomes difficultwhen patient is in respiratory distress. Modified Borg Scale , a vertical subjective rating scale was tested to see whether it provides an alternative, flexible and easy means of assessment of dyspnoea as perceived by patients.Methodology: 53 patients between 16-70 years, 25 females with mean age46.24±5.56 and 28 males with mean age 39.5±5.43 suffering from COPD andasthma who presented with dyspnoea were included in the study. They wereasked to mark the MBS prior to and after the bronchodilators administration.Simultaneous recording of spirometry was also done.Results: The mean MBS decreased from 3.39±1.87 to 1.51±1.27 (p<0.01).Themean Forced vital capacity (FVC) increased from 1.81±0.84 to 2.21±0.92 L/min(p<0.01) after the treatment. The mean Forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) increased from 1.21±0.73 to 1.62±0.85 L/min (p<0.01) after the treatment. The mean Peak expiratory flow (PEF) increased from 1.67±1.07 to 2.37±1.28 L/min (p<0.01).The mean Percentage ratio (FEV1/FVC) increased from 66.47±18.01 to 71.19±16.47 (p<0.01). As the spirometry improved, theperception decreased showing inverse relationship with MBS. The regressionanalysis showed R²=-0.3418, R²=-0.2407 and R²=-0.4025 respectively for theabove parameters.Conclusion: Modified Borg Scale is a reliable and valid tool for perception ofdyspnoea and can be used for subjective assessment of shortness of breath. Itcorrelates with spirometry.