This research investigates quadriceps muscle fatigability (MF) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) at different levels of lung obstruction [severe obstruction (SO)=FEV1 <50% and >30% versus very severe obstruction (VSO)=FEV1 ≤30%]. It explores the relationships between quadriceps MF and lung function, respiratory muscles, and oxygenation status.

A post hoc cross-over analysis in 45 COPD patients (20 SO and 25 VSO) undergoing long-term oxygen therapy was performed. Delta change in quadriceps maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) (absolute value and percentage) before and after a constant workload was calculated. Associations between quadriceps MF and lung function, respiratory muscles, and gas exchange were examined using Pearson's correlation and multivariate linear regression analysis.

SO patients experience a more substantial reduction in MVC compared to VSO (−15.15±9.13% vs −9.29±8.90%, p=0.0357), despite comparable resting MVC. Dyspnea is more pronounced in VSO at the beginning and end of the exercise. Correlations were found between MF and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) (r=−0.4412, p=0.0056), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) (r=−0.3561, p=0.0282), and a tendency for FEV1% (r=−0.2931, p=0.0507). The regression model (R2=0.4719) indicates that lower MIP and FEV1 and high total lung capacity are significant factors in reducing quadriceps muscle fatigability after a fatiguing task.

COPD patients with more severe pulmonary obstruction and hyperinflation and lower respiratory muscle strength have lower quadriceps MF but higher dyspnea both at rest and during exercise.