[The effect of physical exercise on lung diffusing capacity in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease].

Diffusing lung capacity (DLCO) was determined at various levels of exercise in three groups of subjects: group with normal spirometry, patients with moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Subjects were males with similar anthropometric characteristics and age. Positive correlation between progressive exercise and DLCO was obtained only for the first and second group. Resting and exercise DLCO values were statistically different between the groups. COPD attenuated DLCO at all levels of exercise. However, patients with moderate COPD had DLCO in the normal range, while severe COPD patients had reduction in DLCO during rest and exercise. This test is useful in assessing the working capacity in COPD patients and also as a screening test for exercise-induced hypoxemia.