Ultrasound assessment of diaphragmatic excursion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with different severities

Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with dysfunctional diaphragmatic breathing we assess the diaphragmatic excursion at different stages of COPD patients by transthoracic ultrasound. Objective The present study aimed to assess the diaphragmatic excursion at different stages of COPD patients by transthoracic ultrasound. Patients and methods In this observational case–control study, 80 COPD patients were included according to GOLD guidelines 2020 attending the Chest Clinic in Badr Hospital, Helwan University. All patients were divided equally into 5 groups according to FEV1 measured by spirometer: group (1) normal person; group (2) mild stage FEV1_80% predicted; group (3) moderate stage 50%_FEV1