What is restrictive lung disease?

Restrictive lung disease refers to a group of thoracic deformities that result in inefficient coupling between the respiratory muscles and the thoracic cage. The disorders are usually characterised by a restrictive defect and share the potential to cause long term hypercapnic respiratory failure.¹

The most common thoracic abnormality leading to respiratory failure is thoracoplasty. Scoliosis and/or kyphoscoliosis may also cause severe respiratory failure.
Symptoms of respiratory failure include:

• dyspnoea on exertion¹
• peripheral edema¹
• orthopnoea¹
• morning headaches¹
• fatigue¹
• poor sleep quality¹
• loss of appetite.