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Arm Span to Height Ratio Is Related to Severity of Dyspnea, Reduced Spirometry Volumes, and Right Heart Strain

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Maw Tan, Dr Shahid Junejo, Dr Sushil Bansal

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Abstract

Background: Arm span is the closest physiologic measurement to standing height. Increased arm span to standing height ratio, therefore, indicates possible loss of height, which is a feature of aging, often resulting from osteoporosis-related vertebral collapse. We hypothesize that the discrepancy between arm span and height is associated with reduced airflow volumes, severity of dyspnea, and right-sided cardiac structural changes in older individuals with symptoms of dyspnea. Method: Patients with conditions investigated with transthoracic echocardiography for suspected heart failure were invited to participate in our study. All subjects were evaluated with a clinical history and physical examination followed by measurements of arm span, standing height, weight, FEV1, and FVC. Results: Sixty-six subjects aged 71 +/- 10 years were recruited for our study. Arm span to height ratio was significantly negatively correlated with FEV1 (r = -0.464; p

Publication metadata

Author(s): Tan MP, Wynn NN, Umerov M, Henderson A, Gillham A, Junejo S, Bansal SK

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Chest

Year: 2009

Volume: 135

Issue: 2

Pages: 448-454

ISSN (print): 0012-3692

ISSN (electronic): 1931-3543

Publisher: American College of Chest Physicians

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1378/chest.08-1270

DOI: 10.1378/chest.08-1270

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