Table 3.

Dyspnea item bank scores and corresponding level of dyspnea with various activities

Activity (in order of decreasing level of exertion)	Item bank score
	25	30	35	40	45	50	55	60	65	70	75	80	85	90
Walking faster than your usual speed for >1 mile	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Walking faster than your usual speed for 1 mile	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Walking faster than your usual speed for 1/2 mile	1	1	2	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Lifting more than 20 pounds	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Walking 1 mile on flat ground without stopping	1	1	1	2	2	2	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Walking up 20 stairs without stopping	1	1	1	2	2	2	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Carrying something weighing 10–20 pounds	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Hurrying such as to catch a bus	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	3	4	4	4	4	4	4
Walking faster than your usual speed for 50 steps	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Lifting 10–20 pounds	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Walking 1/2 mile on flat ground without stopping	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	3	4	4	4	4	4	4
Sexual activity	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4
Walking up 10 stairs without stopping	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4
Being angry or upset	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4
Sweeping or mopping	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4
Scrubbing the floor or counter	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	4	4	4	4	4	4
Walking 50 steps on flat ground without stopping	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4
Picking up 5–10 pounds	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4
Carrying something weighing 5–10 pounds	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4
Walking up 5 stairs without stopping	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4
Playing with children or grandchildren	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	2	4	4	4	4	4
Putting on socks or stockings	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	2	3	4	4	4	4
Shopping (such as for groceries)	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	2	3	4	4	4	4
Bending over	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	2	3	4	4	4	4
Making a bed	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	2	3	4	4	4	4
Talking while walking	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4
Dressing yourself without help	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4
Going out socially	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4
Taking a shower	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	3	4	4	4
Taking a bath without assistance	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4	4
Walking 10 steps on flat ground without stopping	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	3	4	4	4
Light home repair	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	2	4	4	4	4
Getting in or out of a car	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	2	3	4	4	4
Carrying something weighing less than 5 pounds	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4
Picking up less than 5 pounds	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4
Preparing meals	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4	4
Washing dishes	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	3	4	4
Standing for at least 5 minutes	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4	4
Attending religious services	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	2	4	4
Brushing teeth	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	2	3	4
Washing face	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	3	4
Working at a desk or table	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2	4	4
Eating	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	4	4
Sleeping	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	4	4

(1= no shortness of breath; 2= mildly short of breath; 3=moderately short of breath; 4=severely short of breath)