Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Diaphragm and Quadriceps in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic role of echographic diaphragmatic assessment and vastus lateralis muscle ultrasound (US) in two independent populations of patients hospitalized for exacerbated Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation. Specific aims of this protocol are: 1) to analyze the correlation between qualitative and quantitative US parameters and severity of illness indicators and respiratory function data; 2) to detect the postrehabilitation outcomes in terms of diaphragmatic and vastus lateralis muscle function, assessed by US, and the correlation between these outcomes and indicators of pulmonary rehabilitation treatment effectiveness; 3) to evaluate the ability of qualitative and quantitative US parameters to predict in-hospital mortality and length of stay; 4) to evaluate the ability of qualitative and quantitative US parameters to predict exacerbation rate, hospitalization rate and mortality rate six months after the discharge.