Results of the lung function tests study in the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident in a remote post-emergency period

Aim — to examine the parameters of spirometry, bodipletismography, diffusion function in liquidators of the Chernobyl accident in a remote post-emergency period. The object and methods of research. Сlinical and instrumental study were conducted to examine 120 liquidators of the Chernobyl accident (47 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 73 — without diseases of the bronchopulmonary system) and 50 people of control group (20 with COPD and 30 — without diseases of the bronchopulmonary system). Results. It was found that in the Chernobyl liquidators compared to the control group were significantly nosological worst dyspnea by MMRC: 2,5±0,8 and 2,0±0,4 points, respectively. Spirography was not significantly differ between the groups of patients with COPD. According to the results of body plethysmography in patients with COPD and participants in the liquidators, a significant increase in intrathoracic gas volume was observed (141.8±19.8 and 123.4±17.5%, respectively), total lung capacity (132.3± 6.9 and 117.7±18.7%, respectively), residual volume (187.6±43.5 and 162.4±39.1%, respectively), indicating a decrease in lung elasticity, more pronounced respiratory disorders due to pulmonary hyperinflation. In groups of patients with COPD, significantly lower diffusion capacity of the lungs was found in the liquidators with COPD, compared to the nosological control group (61.1±13.5 and 69.9±15.1%, respectively), which indicates a greater severity of pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, and confirms a more severe course of the disease.