Pulmonary muscle strength, pulmonary function tests, and dyspnea in women with major depression

Objective: To evaluate the subjective sensation of dyspnea compared with pulmonary function tests, pulmonary muscle strength, and chest expansion in depressed women and control subjects free of cardiorespiratory disease. Methods: Thirty female patients with major depression (MD) and 30 age-matched female control subjects were included in the study. All subjects were assessed by pulmonary function tests (spirometry) and pulmonary muscle strength measurement (maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures [MIP and MEP]) by mouth pressure meter (MPM). Chest expansion was measured, and body mass index (kg/m(2)) (BMI) was calculated. The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was used to evaluate the activities of daily living, and a dyspnea score was used to determine dyspnea severity. Results: There were no significant differences between groups regarding pulmonary function tests, pulmonary muscle strength, and chest expansion. HAQ scores were significantly lower in women, and dyspnea was higher with MD compared with controls (p < 0.05). BMI was also lower in depressed patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The subjective sensation of dyspnea is increased in women with MD in the presence of normal lung function and is associated with the level of anxiety rather than that of depression.