Borg dyspnea scale and 6 Minute Walk Test could be useful tools for assessing respiratory involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Abstract Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which can involve any organ system, including respiratory system and at any stage of disease evolution. Early diagnosis of pulmonary involvement is of a major importance.

Objectives: To assess the correlation between Borg dyspnea scale and 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) with pulmonary function tests (PFT) in patients with SLE and respiratory system (RS) involvement.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, were evaluated 106 consecutive SLE patients (according SLICC/ACR 2012 classification criteria). Lung involvement were assessed in all patients, including 6MWT, dyspnea Borg scale, PFT and imaging techniques (XRay and/or CT).

Results: According to the RS assessment, the patients were divided into 2 groups: group I – patients with RS involvement (n=45) and group II - patients without RS involvement (n=61). Borg dyspnea score in groups I and II was 2,91±1,97 vs. 0,95±1,30, p<0,01 and 6MWT was 461,2±110,1 m vs. 477,2±125,1 m, p>0,05. In patients with SLE lung involvement, Borg dyspneea scale correlated significantly with 6MWT (r= -0,50, p<0,01). Also, the Borg scale showed a significant negative correlation with PFT: FVC (r= -0,49, p<0,01) and FEV1 (r= -0,48, p<0,01).

Conclusion: The Borg dyspnea scale corelated significantly with 6MWT and PFT, which reflects it’s sensibility to the presence of lupus lung involvement. It could be an appropriate tool for screening of respiratory’s system involvement in patients with SLE.