Oxygen therapy during exercise training in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The effect of virtual reality technology in exercise and lung function of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious chronic disease worldwide, with significant negative impacts on the quality of life, family economic burden, and social healthcare burden of patients.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of virtual reality technology on exercise function and lung function in COPD patients.

METHODS

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was utilized. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Weipu Database (VIP), and Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) were systematically searched. We included randomized controlled trials published from the establishment of the database to August 10, 2022, on virtual reality technology in COPD patients. Literature retrieval and screening was carried out independently by two reviewers to obtain literature that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria and to extract relevant data. Two reviewers assessed the risk of bias in the included literature. A meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 Software.

RESULTS

A total of 10 randomized controlled trials with 539 participants were included. The results showed that virtual reality technology significantly improved the lung function of COPD patients, such as forced expiratory volume (FEV1; MD = 7.29, 95% CI [4.34, 10.24], p < .01) and forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC; MD = 6.71, 95% CI [4.72, 8.71], p < .01). The combined intervention with different virtual reality technology had different effects on motor function. Compared with endurance training (ET) alone, virtual reality technology combined with ET had no significant effect on the 6-minute walk test (6WMT) in COPD patients (p > .05). Compared with pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) alone, virtual reality technology combined with PR was more effective in increasing 6WMT in COPD patients (MD = 30.80, 95% CI [10.85, 50.74], p < .01).

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

Virtual reality technology can help to improve lung function in COPD patients, and virtual reality combined with PR can improve exercise tolerance in COPD patients. However, due to the limited number of included studies, large-sample, multicenter, high-quality randomized controlled trial studies are needed to provide clear evidence.

High-flow nasal cannula during pulmonary rehabilitation for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an increasingly concerning global public health issue due to its high burden of morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a comprehensive intervention to improve patients' physical and psychological conditions, commonly involving oxygen supplementation. The potential benefits of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) have recently sparked interest as oxygen therapy. In this context, this study aims to assess the effects of HFNC during the exercise training component of a PR program in people with COPD.

METHODS

Systematic review (CRD42022330929). We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including crossover RCTs with adults with stable COPD. We included trials using oxygen therapy with HFNC during the exercise training component of a PR programme.

PRIMARY OUTCOMES

disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL), exercise capacity (EC) and adverse events.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES

treatment adherence, breathlessness and future exacerbations.

RESULTS

We included five studies with 300 participants with moderate to severe COPD. The certainty of the evidence was primarily low or very low for all outcomes of interest due to risk of bias, inconsistency or imprecision. HFNC has little to no difference in HRQoL (4 studies, 129 participants, MD 0.17, 95% CI -1.20 to 1.54; I2 50%). HFNC may result in little to no difference in EC (3 studies, 212 participants, mean difference 18.73, 95% CI -20.49 to 28.94; I2 56%), and we are uncertain about the effect of HFNC on breathlessness (4 studies; 244 participants, MD of -0.07, 95% CI -0.4 to 0.26; I2 63%). Only one study with 44 participants reported a participant's withdrawal because of progressive dyspnoea during lower limb exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

We are uncertain about the effect of HFNC during the exercise component of a PR programme in HRQoL, EC or dyspnoea compared to usual care or conventional supplementary oxygen. Non-domiciliary oxygen patients showed improvements in HRQoL, EC and dyspnoea.

The effectiveness of supplemental oxygen during exercise training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who show severe exercise-induced desaturation: a protocol for a meta-regression analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

Supplemental oxygen during exercise training is used to increase the training effect of an exercise program in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who show exercise-induced desaturation. Exercise-induced desaturation is not clearly defined in the guidelines; however, it is generally defined in clinical studies as a decrease in SpO2 of more than 4% from rest or a decrease to less than 88% during exercise. Although some meta-analyses examined the effectiveness of supplemental oxygen during exercise training, these studies concluded that it does not further improve exercise tolerance compared to exercise training alone. However, supplemental oxygen during exercise training may be effective in improving exercise tolerance in COPD patients with severe exercise-induced desaturation. Therefore, this study will be performed to elucidate the effectiveness of supplemental oxygen during exercise training and the relationship between its effectiveness and severity of exercise-induced desaturation at baseline.

METHODS

We will first assess the effectiveness of supplemental oxygen during exercise training in COPD. The main outcome is the change in exercise tolerance before and after the intervention, indicated by the 6-min walking distance, the walking distance, or the walking time in incremental shuttle walking test, and analyzed as the standardized mean difference (SMD). The quality and risk of bias in individual studies will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system and risk-of-bias tool (RoB ver.2). If statistical heterogeneity in terms of the effectiveness of exercise tolerance is shown, we will conduct meta-regression analyses to examine the association between the effectiveness of exercise training with supplemental oxygen and severity of exercise-induced desaturation at baseline.

DISCUSSION

One strength of this study is that it is a systematic review with meta-regression analysis to elucidate the effectiveness of supplemental oxygen during exercise training in patients with COPD who show severe exercise-induced desaturation. Furthermore, we will assess the severity of exercise-induced desaturation for which exercise training with supplemental oxygen is effective, the influence of acute effects at baseline, and the effect of supplemental oxygen on adverse events.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

Registration number, UMIN000039960.

Impact of exercise training and supplemental oxygen on submaximal exercise performance in patients with COPD

Functional impairment caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impacts on activities of daily living and quality of life. Indeed, patients' submaximal exercise capacity is of crucial importance. It was the aim of this study to investigate the effects of an exercise training intervention with and without supplemental oxygen on submaximal exercise performance. This is a secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover trial. 29 COPD patients (63.5 ± 5.9 years; FEV₁ 46.4 ± 8.6%) completed two consecutive 6-week periods of high-intensity interval cycling and strength training, which was performed three times/week with either supplemental oxygen or medical air (10 L/min). Submaximal exercise capacity as well as the cardiocirculatory, ventilatory, and metabolic response were evaluated at isotime (point of termination in the shortest cardiopulmonary exercise test), at physical work capacity at 110 bpm of heart rate (PWC 110), at the anaerobic threshold (AT), and at the lactate-2 mmol/L threshold. After 12 weeks of exercise training, patients improved in exercise tolerance, shown by decreased cardiocirculatory (heart rate, blood pressure) and metabolic (respiratory exchange ratio, lactate) effort at isotime; ventilatory response was not affected. Submaximal exercise capacity was improved at PWC 110, AT and the lactate-2 mmol/L threshold, respectively. Although supplemental oxygen seems to affect patients' work rate at AT and the lactate-2 mmol/L threshold, no other significant effects were found. The improved submaximal exercise capacity and tolerance might counteract patients' functional impairment. Although cardiovascular and metabolic training adaptations were shown, ventilatory efficiency remained essentially unchanged. The impact of supplemental oxygen seems less important on submaximal training effects.

Treatment of severe stable COPD: the multidimensional approach of treatable traits

Now that additional treatment options for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have emerged in recent years, patients with severe COPD should not be left in the rather hopeless situation of “there is nothing to improve” any more. Inertia or fatalism is a disservice to our patients. Ranging from advanced care planning to quite intense and demanding therapies such as multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation, (endoscopic) lung volume reduction, chronic noninvasive ventilation and lung transplantation, caregivers should try to provide a personalised treatment for every severe COPD patient. In this review, we aim to describe the multidimensional approach to these patients at our centre along the lines of treatable traits leading to specific additional treatment modalities on top of standard care.

Severe COPD is not hopeless; in light of treatment options such as pulmonary rehabilitation, bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, chronic noninvasive ventilation and lung transplantation, every patient deserves a personalised assessment of treatable traitshttps://bit.ly/2TO7jxB

Is Structured Exercise Performed with Supplemental Oxygen a Promising Method of Personalized Medicine in the Therapy of Chronic Diseases?

Aim: This systematic review aimed to explore the literature to identify in which types of chronic diseases exercise with supplemental oxygen has previously been utilized and whether this type of personalized therapy leads to superior effects in physical fitness and well-being. Methods: Databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, CINHAL, EMBASE, Web of knowledge and Cochrane Library) were searched in accordance with PRISMA. Eligibility criteria included adult patients diagnosed with any type of chronic diseases engaging in supervised exercise training with supplemental oxygen compared to normoxia. A random-effects model was used to pool effect sizes by standardized mean differences (SMD). Results: Out of the identified 4038 studies, 12 articles were eligible. Eleven studies were conducted in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while one study included coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. No statistical differences were observed for markers of physical fitness and patient-reported outcomes on well-being between the two training conditions (SMD −0.10; 95% CI −0.27, 0.08; p = 0.26). Conclusions: We found that chronic exercise with supplemental oxygen has mainly been utilized for COPD patients. Moreover, no superior long-term adaptations on physical fitness, functional capacity or patient-reported well-being were found, questioning the role of this method as a personalized medicine approach. Prospero registration: CRD42018104649.

Oxygen supplementation increases the total work and muscle damage markers but reduces the inflammatory response in COPD patients

INTRODUCTION

Oxygen supplementation (O₂-Suppl) is recommended for pulmonary rehabilitation with higher exercise intensities. However, high-intensity exercise tends toward muscle damage and a greater inflammatory response. We aimed to investigate the effect of O₂-Suppl during exercise test (EET) on CRP level and muscle damage (CPK, LDH, lactate) in non-hypoxemic COPD patients.

METHODS

Eleven non-depleted patients with COPD (FEV₁ 65.5 ± 4.3 %) performed two EET (room-air or O₂-Suppl-100 %), through a blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled crossover design. CPK, LDH and CRP were measured before, immediately after and 24 h after EET.

RESULTS

Exercise time was higher with O₂-Suppl (49.9 ± 37.3 %; p = 0.001) and increases in CPK and LDH were observed compared to basal values in the O₂-Suppl (28.4UI/L and 28.3 UI/L). The O₂-Suppl protocol resulted in a lower increase in CRP (92.1 ± 112.4 % vs. 400.1 ± 384.9 %; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

O₂-Suppl increases exercise-tolerance, resulting in increased muscle injury markers in COPD. However, oxygen supplementation attenuates the inflammatory response, even upon increased physical exercise.

Pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

As a highly infectious respiratory tract disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause respiratory, physical, and psychological dysfunction in patients. Therefore, pulmonary rehabilitation is crucial for both admitted and discharged patients of COVID-19. In this study, based on the newly released pulmonary rehabilitation guidelines for patients with COVID-19, as well as evidence from the pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome, we investigated pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with COVID-19 having complications, such as chronic pulmonary disease, and established an intelligent respiratory rehabilitation model for these patients.

Effect of Breathing Oxygen-Enriched Air on Exercise Performance in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience dyspnea and hypoxemia during exercise.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of breathing oxygen-enriched air on exercise performance and associated physiological changes in patients with COPD.

METHODS

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind, cross-over trial, 20 patients with COPD (11 women, age 65 ± 6 years, FEV1 64 ± 19% pred., resting SpO2 ≥90%) performed 4 cycle ergospirometries to exhaustion using an incremental exercise test (IET) and a constant work rate (at 75% maximal workload with air) exercise test (CWRET), each with ambient (FiO2 0.21) and oxygen-enriched (FiO2 0.5) air. The main outcomes were the change in maximal workload in the IET and the change in exercise duration in the CWRET with oxygen versus air. Electrocardiogram, pulmonary gas exchange, thoracic volumes by inductance plethysmography, arterial blood gases, and cerebral and quadriceps muscle tissue oxygenation (CTO and MTO) were additionally measured.

RESULTS

In the IET, maximal workload increased from 96 ± 21 to 104 ± 28 W with oxygen. In the CWRET, exercise duration increased from 605 ± 274 to 963 ± 444 s with oxygen. At end-exercise with oxygen, CTO, MTO, PaO2, and PaCO2 were increased, while V'E/V'CO2 was reduced and thoracic volumes were similar. At the corresponding time to end of exercise with ambient air, oxygen decreased heart rate, respiratory rate, minute ventilation, and V'E/V'CO2, while oxygenation was increased.

CONCLUSION

In COPD patients without resting hypoxemia, breathing oxygen-enriched air improves exercise performance. This relates to a higher arterial oxygen saturation promoting oxygen availability to muscle and cerebral tissue and an enhanced ventilatory efficiency. COPD patients may benefit from oxygen therapy during exercise training.

Determination of whether supplemental oxygen therapy is beneficial during exercise training in patients with COPD: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Exercise training is an integral component of the pulmonary rehabilitation program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to systematically search the published literature and analyze the evidence on the efficacy of supplemental oxygen in improving outcomes during exercise training in patients with COPD. The PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Google scholar databases were searched electronically for articles in the English language published up to May, 2019. In total, 7 trials were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. There was considerable heterogeneity amongst the included studies. Meta-analysis indicated no significant difference in power (random: MD = −2.38; 95% CI, −5.79 to 1.03; P=0.86) and maximum energy expenditure (VO₂ max) (random: MD = −0.01; 95% CI, −0.06 to 0.07; P=0.45) between the oxygen and control groups on maximal exercise testing. Qualitative analysis of the included studies revealed no benefits of supplemental oxygen in improving exercise capacity and dyspnea scores. Data on the quality of life assessed by the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire was pooled for 95 participants in the study group and 91 participants in the control group. The results indicated no beneficial effects of supplemental oxygen in improving quality of life outcomes (random: MD = −0.09; 95% CI, −0.16 to −0.01; P=0.59). On the whole, the findings of this study indicate that supplemental oxygen during the exercise training of patients with COPD does not improve exercise capacity, dyspnea scores and quality of life. However, the quality of the evidence is weak. Multi-center randomized controlled trials with homogenous methodology and intervention are required to provide stronger evidence on this subject.

Методи дослідження ефективності фізичної терапії та легеневої реабілітації осіб з хронічним обструктивним захворюванням легень (аналіз систематичних оглядів)

Вступ. У більшості сучасних протоколів легеневої реабілітації та менеджменту пацієнтів із ХОЗЛ подано рекомендації щодо діагностичних методів дослідження та обґрунтування показників з урахуванням стратегії лікування. Недостатніми є рекомендації щодо методів дослідження та показників, які доцільно використовувати як критерії ефективності фізіотерапевтичного втручання. Мета дослідження. Проаналізувати методи дослідження, що найчастіше використовують для оцінювання ефективності фізичної терапії та легеневої реабілітації осіб з хронічним обструктивним захворюванням легень. Матеріали і методи дослідження. Проаналізовано 8 систематичних оглядів веб-бібліотеки Cochrane, присвячених фізичній терапії та легеневій реабілітації, які базувалися на аналізі 145 рандомізованих досліджень. Визначено методи дослідження та показники, використані для оцінювання результатів і ефективності фізичної терапії та легеневої реабілітації. Результати. Проаналізовано 550 методів дослідження та показників. Висновки. Більшість методів обстежень, використаних у рандомізованих дослідженнях, які стосуються легеневої реабілітації та фізичної терапії пацієнтів з ХОЗЛ, можна умовно розподілити на такі групи оцінювання: 1) якість життя та його компоненти, прояв симптомів захворювання; 2) рівень фізичної працездатності та витривалості, рухової сфери; 3) стан кардіореспіраторної системи; 4) інтегральні показники; 5) показники госпіталізації, загострень і смертності; 6) показники інформованості, грамотності й освіченості пацієнтів. Жоден окремий метод дослідження не може відобразити різноманіття патогенетичних проявів ХОЗЛ або належно описати характер чи важкість захворювання, дати інформацію про ефективність фізичної терапії. Для всебічного реабілітаційного оцінювання пацієнтів із ХОЗЛ доцільно застосовувати хоча б по одному із методів дослідження з кожної виокремленої групи.

WITHDRAWN: Interventions for fatigue and weight loss in adults with advanced progressive illness

BACKGROUND

Fatigue and unintentional weight loss are two of the commonest symptoms experienced by people with advanced progressive illness. Appropriate interventions may bring considerable improvements in function and quality of life to seriously ill people and their families, reducing physical, psychological and spiritual distress.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct an overview of the evidence available on the efficacy of interventions used in the management of fatigue and/or unintentional weight loss in adults with advanced progressive illness by reviewing the evidence contained within Cochrane reviews.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) for all systematic reviews evaluating any interventions for the management of fatigue and/or unintentional weight loss in adults with advanced progressive illness (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 8). We reviewed titles of interest by abstract. Where the relevance of a review remained unclear we reached a consensus regarding the relevance of the participant group and the outcome measures to the overview. Two overview authors extracted the data independently using a data extraction form. We used the measurement tool AMSTAR (Assessment of Multiple SysTemAtic Reviews) to assess the methodological quality of each systematic review.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 27 systematic reviews (302 studies with 31,833 participants) in the overview. None of the included systematic reviews reported quantitative data on the efficacy of interventions to manage fatigue or weight loss specific to people with advanced progressive illness. All of the included reviews apart from one were deemed of high methodological quality. For the remaining review we were unable to ascertain the methodological quality of the research strategy as it was described. None of the systematic reviews adequately described whether conflict of interests were present within the included studies. Management of fatigueAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND) - we identified one systematic review (two studies and 52 participants); the intervention was exercise.Cancer - we identified five systematic reviews (116 studies with 17,342 participants); the pharmacological interventions were eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and any drug therapy for the management of cancer-related fatigue and the non pharmacological interventions were exercise, interventions by breast care nurses and psychosocial interventions.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - we identified three systematic reviews (59 studies and 4048 participants); the interventions were self management education programmes, nutritional support and pulmonary rehabilitation.Cystic fibrosis - we identified one systematic review (nine studies and 833 participants); the intervention was physical training.Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) - we identified two systematic reviews (21 studies and 748 participants); the interventions were progressive resistive exercise and aerobic exercise.Multiple sclerosis (MS) - we identified five systematic reviews (23 studies and 1502 participants); the pharmacological interventions were amantadine and carnitine. The non pharmacological interventions were diet, exercise and occupational therapy.Mixed conditions in advanced stages of illness - we identified one systematic review (five studies and 453 participants); the intervention was medically assisted hydration. Management of weight lossALS/MND - we identified one systematic review but no studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review; the intervention was enteral tube feeding.Cancer - we identified three systematic reviews with a fourth systematic review also containing extractable data on cancer (66 studies and 5601 participants); the pharmacological interventions were megestrol acetate and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (this systematic review is also included in the cancer fatigue section above). The non pharmacological interventions were enteral tube feeding and non invasive interventions for patients with lung cancer.COPD - we identified one systematic review (59 studies and 4048 participants); the intervention was nutritional support. This systematic review is also included in the COPD fatigue section.Cystic fibrosis - we identified two systematic reviews (three studies and 131 participants); the interventions were enteral tube feeding and oral calorie supplements.HIV/AIDS - we identified four systematic reviews (42 studies and 2071 participants); the pharmacological intervention was anabolic steroids. The non pharmacological interventions were nutritional interventions, progressive resistive exercise and aerobic exercise. Both of the systematic reviews on exercise interventions were also included in the HIV/AIDS fatigue section.MS - we found no systematic reviews which considered interventions to manage unintentional weight loss for people with a clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis at any stage of illness.Mixed conditions in advanced stages of illness - we identified two systematic reviews (32 studies and 4826 participants); the interventions were megestrol acetate and medically assisted nutrition.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is a lack of robust evidence for interventions to manage fatigue and/or unintentional weight loss in the advanced stage of progressive illnesses such as advanced cancer, heart failure, lung failure, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia and AIDS. The evidence contained within this overview provides some insight into interventions which may prove of benefit within this population such as exercise, some pharmacological treatments and support for self management.Researchers could improve the methodological quality of future studies by blinding of outcome assessors. Adopting uniform reporting mechanisms for fatigue and weight loss outcome measures would also allow the opportunity for meta-analysis of small studies.Researchers could also improve the applicability of recommendations for interventions to manage fatigue and unintentional weight loss in advanced progressive illness by including subgroup analysis of this population within systematic reviews of applicable interventions.More research is required to ascertain the best interventions to manage fatigue and/or weight loss in advanced illness. There is a need for standardised reporting of these symptoms and agreement amongst researchers of the minimum duration of studies and minimum percentage change in symptom experience that proves the benefits of an intervention. There are, however, challenges in providing meaningful outcome measurements against a background of deteriorating health through disease progression. Interventions to manage these symptoms must also be mindful of the impact on quality of life and should be focused on patient-orientated rather than purely disease-orientated experiences for patients. Systematic reviews and primary intervention studies should include the impact of the interventions on standardised validated quality of life measures.

Clinical, physiologic, and radiographic factors contributing to development of hypoxemia in moderate to severe COPD: a cohort study

Background

Hypoxemia is a major complication of COPD and is a strong predictor of mortality. We previously identified independent risk factors for the presence of resting hypoxemia in the COPDGene cohort. However, little is known about characteristics that predict onset of resting hypoxemia in patients who are normoxic at baseline. We hypothesized that a combination of clinical, physiologic, and radiographic characteristics would predict development of resting hypoxemia after 5-years of follow-up in participants with moderate to severe COPD

Methods

We analyzed 678 participants with moderate-to-severe COPD recruited into the COPDGene cohort who completed baseline and 5-year follow-up visits and who were normoxic by pulse oximetry at baseline. Development of resting hypoxemia was defined as an oxygen saturation ≤88% on ambient air at rest during follow-up. Demographic and clinical characteristics, lung function, and radiographic indices were analyzed with logistic regression models to identify predictors of the development of hypoxemia.

Results

Forty-six participants (7%) developed resting hypoxemia at follow-up. Enrollment at Denver (OR 8.30, 95%CI 3.05–22.6), lower baseline oxygen saturation (OR 0.70, 95%CI 0.58–0.85), self-reported heart failure (OR 6.92, 95%CI 1.56–30.6), pulmonary artery (PA) enlargement on computed tomography (OR 2.81, 95%CI 1.17–6.74), and prior severe COPD exacerbation (OR 3.31, 95%CI 1.38–7.90) were independently associated with development of resting hypoxemia. Participants who developed hypoxemia had greater decline in 6-min walk distance and greater 5-year decline in quality of life compared to those who remained normoxic at follow-up.

Conclusions

Development of clinically significant hypoxemia over a 5-year span is associated with comorbid heart failure, PA enlargement and severe COPD exacerbation. Further studies are needed to determine if treatments targeting these factors can prevent new onset hypoxemia.

Trial registration

COPDGene is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00608764 (Registration Date: January 28, 2008)

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12890-016-0331-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Treating Dyspnea: Is Oxygen Therapy the Best Option for All Patients?

The high prevalence of dyspnea at the end of life carries with it significant health and economic burden. Given the complex mechanism of dyspnea, management should be tailored to the individual patient experience and the underlying disease process. No clear role for supplemental oxygen has been established in the treatment of dyspnea in patients without no hypoxemia, and providers should consider the negative effects of oxygen supplementation. Symptom control with medications, exercise, behavioral therapy, treatment of associated anxiety, and the use of fans may be more effective and less costly than oxygen therapy. Further research is needed in the assessment and treatment of this symptom to more effectively treat patients.

Ambulatory Oxygen for Exercise-Induced Desaturation and Dyspnea in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Ambulatory oxygen therapy is indicated in patients that use long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and current guidelines suggest its use in patients who exhibit exertional desaturation if there is a demonstrable improvement in exercise capacity. Evidence for this is largely derived from single assessment studies which have shown clear benefit in this setting when oxygen versus air is used. The long term effects, however, of ambulatory oxygen therapy in this particular group of patients is controversial. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of published literature from 1980 to June 2014 for trials in which ambulatory oxygen was compared to placebo in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients not on LTOT. We also reviewed the effectiveness of devices delivering ambulatory oxygen. Outcome measures were focused towards exercise capacity, Borg scores and the ability of the delivery devices to maintain oxygen saturations on exercise. Results: Twenty three studies (620 patients) were included in the review. Nine studies evaluated the clinical effectiveness of ambulatory oxygen and 14 studies evaluated the impact of the delivery devices. Ambulatory oxygen had no statistical effect on improving exercise capacity when assessed by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) or the endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT);p=0.44 and p=0.29 respectively. End of test Borg scores showed no statistical improvement with ambulatory oxygen therapy during 6MWT (p=0.68). Oxygen conserving devices significantly improved oxygen saturations on exercise compared with continuous flow nasal cannulae (p=0.04). Conclusion: Ambulatory oxygen therapy has limited long term benefit in improving functional exercise capacity or Borg dyspnea scores.

Time to adapt exercise training regimens in pulmonary rehabilitation--a review of the literature

Exercise intolerance, exertional dyspnea, reduced health-related quality of life, and acute exacerbations are features characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients with a primary diagnosis of COPD often report comorbidities and other secondary manifestations, which diversifies the clinical presentation. Pulmonary rehabilitation that includes whole body exercise training is a critical part of management, and core programs involve endurance and resistance training for the upper and lower limbs. Improvement in maximal and submaximal exercise capacity, dyspnea, fatigue, health-related quality of life, and psychological symptoms are outcomes associated with exercise training in pulmonary rehabilitation, irrespective of the clinical state in which it is commenced. There may be benefits for the health care system as well as the individual patient, with fewer exacerbations and subsequent hospitalization reported with exercise training. The varying clinical profile of COPD may direct the need for modification to traditional training strategies for some patients. Interval training, one-legged cycling (partitioning) and non-linear periodized training appear to be equally or more effective than continuous training. Inspiratory muscle training may have a role as an adjunct to whole body training in selected patients. The benefits of balance training are also emerging. Strategies to ensure that health enhancing behaviors are adopted and maintained are essential. These may include training for an extended duration, alternative environments to undertake the initial program, maintenance programs following initial exercise training, program repetition, and incorporation of approaches to address behavioral change. This may be complemented by methods designed to maximize uptake and completion of a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

Optimizing nonpharmacological management following an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Though the guidelines for the optimal management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following an acute exacerbation (AE) are well established, issues associated with poor adherence to nonpharmacological interventions such as self-management advice and pulmonary rehabilitation will impact on hospital readmission rates and health care costs. Systems developed for clinically stable patients with COPD may not be sufficient for those who are post-exacerbation. A redesign of the manner in which such interventions are delivered to patients following an AECOPD is necessary. Addressing two or more components of the chronic care model is effective in reducing health care utilization in patients with COPD, with self-management support contributing a key role. By refining self-management support to incorporate the identification and treatment of psychological symptoms and by providing health care professionals adequate time and training to deliver respiratory-specific advice and self-management strategies, adherence to nonpharmacological therapies following an AE may be enhanced. Furthermore, following up patients in their own homes allows for the tailoring of advice and for the delivery of consistent health care messages which may enable knowledge to be retained. By refining the delivery of nonpharmacological therapies following an AECOPD according to components of the chronic care model, adherence may be improved, resulting in better disease management and possibly reducing health care utilization.

Strategies to enhance the benefits of exercise training in the respiratory patient

Despite the well-established benefits of exercise training in people with chronic respiratory disease, there are a group of people in whom it confers minimal gains. Furthermore, there is increasing recognition of the prevalence of comorbid conditions among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory diseases, such as musculoskeletal disorders, which make participation in traditional exercise training programs challenging. This article focuses on several adjuncts or strategies that may be implemented by clinicians during exercise training, with the goal of optimizing the proportion of pulmonary rehabilitation participants who achieve significant and meaningful gains on program completion.

Palliative care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: current perspectives

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory illness with a myriad of disabling symptoms and a decline in the functional parameters that affect the quality of life. The mortality and morbidity associated with severe COPD is high and the patients are mostly housebound and in need of continuous care and support. The uncertain nature of its prognosis makes the commencement of palliative care and discussion of end-of-life issues difficult even in the advanced stage of the disease. This is often compounded by inadequate communication and counseling with patients and their relatives. The areas that may improve the quality of care include the management of dyspnea, oxygen therapy, nutritional support, antianxiety, and antidepressant treatment, and advance care planning. Hence, it is necessary to pursue a holistic care approach for palliative care services along with disease-specific medical management in all such patients to improve the quality of life in end-stage COPD.

Four types of coping with COPD-induced breathlessness in daily living: a grounded theory study

Coping with breathlessness is a complex and multidimensional challenge for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and involves interacting physiological, cognitive, affective, and psychosocial dimensions. The aim of this study was to explore how people with moderate to most severe COPD predominantly cope with breathlessness during daily living. We chose a multi-modal grounded theory design that holds the opportunity to combine qualitative and quantitative data to capture and explain the multidimensional coping behaviour among people with COPD. The participants’ main concern in coping with breathlessness appeared to be an endless striving to economise on resources in an effort to preserve their integrity. In this integrity-preserving process, four predominant coping types emerged and were labelled: ‘Overrater’, ‘Challenger’, ‘Underrater’, and ‘Leveller’. Each coping type comprised distinctive physiological, cognitive, affective and psychosocial features constituting coping-type-specific indicators.

In theory, four predominant coping types with distinct physiological, cognitive, affective and psychosocial properties are observed among people with COPD. The four coping types seem to constitute a coping trajectory. This hypothesis should be further tested in a longitudinal study.

Clinical features of patients on home oxygen therapy due to chronic respiratory failure at one university hospital

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Home oxygen therapy (HOT) costs a great deal every year and demand for the service is growing. In Korea, health insurance has covered HOT since November 1, 2006. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical features of patients who used long-term HOT due to chronic respiratory failure and to determine the appropriateness of oxygen prescriptions.

METHODS

Between November 2006 and April 2010, patients prescribed long-term HOT were enrolled in the study at a tertiary university referral hospital and their medical records and telephone survey information were evaluated. In total, 340 patients were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Regarding the initial indications for HOT, their mean PaO(2) was 49.8 mmHg and mean SpO(2) was 82.2%. Underlying diseases included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, 19.8%), lung cancer (12.6%), and interstitial lung disease (11.2%). The admission rate within 1 year was 53.4% and the average number of admissions was 1.64/patient. Other underlying diseases for which oxygen was prescribed, despite not meeting the insurance coverage criteria, were lung cancer (36.6%) and interstitial pneumonia (16.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Home oxygen prescriptions have increased since health insurance coverage was extended. However, cases of oxygen prescriptions frequently do not meet the coverage criteria. It is important to discuss extending the coverage criteria to other disease groups, such as interstitial lung disease and lung cancer, in terms of cost-effectiveness. Further, physicians prescribing oxygen therapy should be educated regarding the criteria.

Silicosis

Silicosis is a fibrotic lung disease caused by inhalation of free crystalline silicon dioxide or silica. Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust particles occurs in many industries. Phagocytosis of crystalline silica in the lung causes lysosomal damage, activating the NALP3 inflammasome and triggering the inflammatory cascade with subsequent fibrosis. Impairment of lung function increases with disease progression, even after the patient is no longer exposed. Diagnosis of silicosis needs carefully documented records of occupational exposure and radiological features, with exclusion of other competing diagnoses. Mycobacterial diseases, airway obstruction, and lung cancer are associated with silica dust exposure. As yet, no curative treatment exists, but comprehensive management strategies help to improve quality of life and slow deterioration. Further efforts are needed for recognition and control of silica hazards, especially in developing countries.

Evaluation of a multi-modal grounded theory approach to explore patients’ daily coping with breathlessness due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Conventional methods have not yet succeeded in capturing the complexity of how people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cope with breathlessness during daily living. We used a multi-modal grounded theory (GT) approach to investigate coping. In this paper, we describe and evaluate the multi-modal GT approach, which encompasses videos of daily life activity, interviews, medical history, demographics, self-rated sensation of breathlessness, and physiological measurements. A formative evaluation was conducted according to the criteria that the data collection should strengthen the participants’ ability to remember and narrate how they cope with breathlessness; capture the multidimensional aspects involved in coping with breathlessness; encompass tools for collecting both qualitative and quantitative data, providing the opportunity to generate, synchronize, and combine data; and be ethically justifiable. The approach should also be consistent with the GT methodology of generating a theory. Striving to develop and perfect the multi-modal GT approach was time-consuming. Apart from this practical challenge, the multimodal GT approach met all evaluation criteria. This approach has the potential to generate new knowledge and may become an important methodological contribution towards understanding the multidimensionality of coping with breathlessness.

Interventions for fatigue and weight loss in adults with advanced progressive illness

BACKGROUND

Fatigue and unintentional weight loss are two of the commonest symptoms experienced by people with advanced progressive illness. Appropriate interventions may bring considerable improvements in function and quality of life to seriously ill people and their families, reducing physical, psychological and spiritual distress.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct an overview of the evidence available on the efficacy of interventions used in the management of fatigue and/or unintentional weight loss in adults with advanced progressive illness by reviewing the evidence contained within Cochrane reviews.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) for all systematic reviews evaluating any interventions for the management of fatigue and/or unintentional weight loss in adults with advanced progressive illness (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 8). We reviewed titles of interest by abstract. Where the relevance of a review remained unclear we reached a consensus regarding the relevance of the participant group and the outcome measures to the overview. Two overview authors extracted the data independently using a data extraction form. We used the measurement tool AMSTAR (Assessment of Multiple SysTemAtic Reviews) to assess the methodological quality of each systematic review.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 27 systematic reviews (302 studies with 31,833 participants) in the overview. None of the included systematic reviews reported quantitative data on the efficacy of interventions to manage fatigue or weight loss specific to people with advanced progressive illness. All of the included reviews apart from one were deemed of high methodological quality. For the remaining review we were unable to ascertain the methodological quality of the research strategy as it was described. None of the systematic reviews adequately described whether conflict of interests were present within the included studies.Management of fatigue Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND) - we identified one systematic review (two studies and 52 participants); the intervention was exercise.Cancer - we identified five systematic reviews (116 studies with 17,342 participants); the pharmacological interventions were eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and any drug therapy for the management of cancer-related fatigue and the non pharmacological interventions were exercise, interventions by breast care nurses and psychosocial interventions.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - we identified three systematic reviews (59 studies and 4048 participants); the interventions were self management education programmes, nutritional support and pulmonary rehabilitation.Cystic fibrosis - we identified one systematic review (nine studies and 833 participants); the intervention was physical training.Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) - we identified two systematic reviews (21 studies and 748 participants); the interventions were progressive resistive exercise and aerobic exercise.Multiple sclerosis (MS) - we identified five systematic reviews (23 studies and 1502 participants); the pharmacological interventions were amantadine and carnitine. The non pharmacological interventions were diet, exercise and occupational therapy.Mixed conditions in advanced stages of illness - we identified one systematic review (five studies and 453 participants); the intervention was medically assisted hydration.Management of weight loss ALS/MND - we identified one systematic review but no studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review; the intervention was enteral tube feeding.Cancer - we identified three systematic reviews with a fourth systematic review also containing extractable data on cancer (66 studies and 5601 participants); the pharmacological interventions were megestrol acetate and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (this systematic review is also included in the cancer fatigue section above). The non pharmacological interventions were enteral tube feeding and non invasive interventions for patients with lung cancer.COPD - we identified one systematic review (59 studies and 4048 participants); the intervention was nutritional support. This systematic review is also included in the COPD fatigue section.Cystic fibrosis - we identified two systematic reviews (three studies and 131 participants); the interventions were enteral tube feeding and oral calorie supplements.HIV/AIDS - we identified four systematic reviews (42 studies and 2071 participants); the pharmacological intervention was anabolic steroids. The non pharmacological interventions were nutritional interventions, progressive resistive exercise and aerobic exercise. Both of the systematic reviews on exercise interventions were also included in the HIV/AIDS fatigue section.MS - we found no systematic reviews which considered interventions to manage unintentional weight loss for people with a clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis at any stage of illness.Mixed conditions in advanced stages of illness - we identified two systematic reviews (32 studies and 4826 participants); the interventions were megestrol acetate and medically assisted nutrition.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is a lack of robust evidence for interventions to manage fatigue and/or unintentional weight loss in the advanced stage of progressive illnesses such as advanced cancer, heart failure, lung failure, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia and AIDS. The evidence contained within this overview provides some insight into interventions which may prove of benefit within this population such as exercise, some pharmacological treatments and support for self management.Researchers could improve the methodological quality of future studies by blinding of outcome assessors. Adopting uniform reporting mechanisms for fatigue and weight loss outcome measures would also allow the opportunity for meta-analysis of small studies.Researchers could also improve the applicability of recommendations for interventions to manage fatigue and unintentional weight loss in advanced progressive illness by including subgroup analysis of this population within systematic reviews of applicable interventions.More research is required to ascertain the best interventions to manage fatigue and/or weight loss in advanced illness. There is a need for standardised reporting of these symptoms and agreement amongst researchers of the minimum duration of studies and minimum percentage change in symptom experience that proves the benefits of an intervention. There are, however, challenges in providing meaningful outcome measurements against a background of deteriorating health through disease progression. Interventions to manage these symptoms must also be mindful of the impact on quality of life and should be focused on patient-orientated rather than purely disease-orientated experiences for patients. Systematic reviews and primary intervention studies should include the impact of the interventions on standardised validated quality of life measures.

Symptomatic oxygen for non-hypoxaemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Dyspnoea is a common symptom in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People who are hypoxaemic may be given long-term oxygen relief therapy (LTOT) to improve their life expectancy and quality of life. However, the symptomatic benefit of home oxygen therapy in mildly or non-hypoxaemic people with COPD with dyspnoea who do not meet international funding criteria for LTOT (PaO(2)< 55 mmHg or other special cases) is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy of oxygen versus medical air for relief of subjective dyspnoea in mildly or non-hypoxaemic people with COPD who would not otherwise qualify for home oxygen therapy. The main outcome was patient-reported dyspnoea and secondary outcome was exercise tolerance.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE, to November 2009, to identify randomised controlled trials. We handsearched reference lists of included articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We only included randomised controlled trials of oxygen versus medical air in mildly or non-hypoxaemic people with COPD. Two review authors independently assessed articles for inclusion.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

One review author completed data extraction and methodological quality assessment. A second review author then over-read evidence tables to assess for accuracy.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-eight trials on 702 patients met the criteria for inclusion; 18 trials (431 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. Oxygen reduced dyspnoea with a standardised mean difference (SMD) of -0.37 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.50 to -0.24, P < 0.00001). We observed significant heterogeneity.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Oxygen can relieve dyspnoea in mildly and non-hypoxaemic people with COPD who would not otherwise qualify for home oxygen therapy. Given the significant heterogeneity among the included studies, clinicians should continue to evaluate patients on an individual basis until supporting data from ongoing, large randomised controlled trials are available.

Effects of oxygen on exercise duration in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients before and after pulmonary rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

Supplemental oxygen therapy has been shown to improve exercise performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unknown whether the magnitude of this benefit would be affected by participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of supplemental oxygen on exercise capacity in nonhypoxemic COPD patients before and after participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

METHODS

Sixteen patients with COPD underwent two pairs of constant-load exercise tests before and after participation in a three-month outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program. Each pair of exercise tests consisted of a test performed with room air and a second test performed with 50% supplemental oxygen, in random order. The primary outcome was the difference in exercise duration between tests performed with supplemental oxygen and with room air. This difference was compared before and after participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

RESULTS

Supplemental oxygen therapy improved exercise duration by 75 s before participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program and by 153 s following pulmonary rehabilitation. Rehabilitation alone improved exercise duration by 28 s, but rehabilitation appeared to augment the exercise benefits of supplemental oxygen therapy by a mean of 78 s (95% CI 11 s to 145 s; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

The effects of supplemental oxygen therapy were augmented after pulmonary rehabilitation. The improvement in exercise duration with supplemental oxygen following rehabilitation was greater than either supplemental oxygen or pulmonary rehabilitation alone.

An integrative review of systematic reviews related to the management of breathlessness in respiratory illnesses

BACKGROUND

Breathlessness is a debilitating and distressing symptom in a wide variety of diseases and still a difficult symptom to manage. An integrative review of systematic reviews of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for breathlessness in non-malignant disease was undertaken to identify the current state of clinical understanding of the management of breathlessness and highlight promising interventions that merit further investigation.

METHODS

Systematic reviews were identified via electronic databases between July 2007 and September 2009. Reviews were included within the study if they reported research on adult participants using either a measure of breathlessness or some other measure of respiratory symptoms.

RESULTS

In total 219 systematic reviews were identified and 153 included within the final review, of these 59 addressed non-pharmacological interventions and 94 addressed pharmacological interventions. The reviews covered in excess of 2000 trials. The majority of systematic reviews were conducted on interventions for asthma and COPD, and mainly focussed upon a small number of pharmacological interventions such as corticosteroids and bronchodilators, including beta-agonists. In contrast, other conditions involving breathlessness have received little or no attention and studies continue to focus upon pharmacological approaches. Moreover, although there are a number of non-pharmacological studies that have shown some promise, particularly for COPD, their conclusions are limited by a lack of good quality evidence from RCTs, small sample sizes and limited replication.

CONCLUSIONS

More research should focus in the future on the management of breathlessness in respiratory diseases other than asthma and COPD. In addition, pharmacological treatments do not completely manage breathlessness and have an added burden of side effects. It is therefore important to focus more research on promising non-pharmacological interventions.

Oxygen therapy for patients with COPD: current evidence and the long-term oxygen treatment trial

Long-term use of supplemental oxygen improves survival in patients with COPD and severe resting hypoxemia. However, the role of oxygen in symptomatic patients with COPD and more moderate hypoxemia at rest and desaturation with activity is unclear. The few long-term reports of supplemental oxygen in this group have been of small size and insufficient to demonstrate a survival benefit. Short-term trials have suggested beneficial effects other than survival in patients with COPD and moderate hypoxemia at rest. In addition, supplemental oxygen appeared to improve exercise performance in small short-term investigations of patients with COPD and moderate hypoxemia at rest and desaturation with exercise, but long-term trials evaluating patient-reported outcomes are lacking. This article reviews the evidence for long-term use of supplemental oxygen therapy and provides a rationale for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Long-term Oxygen Treatment Trial. The trial plans to enroll subjects with COPD with moderate hypoxemia at rest or desaturation with exercise and compare tailored oxygen therapy to no oxygen therapy.

[Pharmacological treatment of hyperinflation]

Introduction Lung hyperinflation leads to breathlessness, limitation in exercise capacity and tolerance, and impaired quality of life. Thus, it is important to target this key and characteristic feature of COPD. Current knowledge Available pharmacological approaches rely mainly on bronchodilators, in particular beta2 agonists and anticholinergic agents. These treatments act through the reduction of expiratory airflow limitation. However, changes in classical indices of airflow obstruction do not accurately predict effects on hyperinflation and symptoms. The decrease in operating lung volumes (as reflected by inspiratory capacity or functional residual capacity) at rest and during exercise is one of the mechanisms by which these treatments improve quality of life and maybe also decrease the impact of exacerbations. The effect of beta2 agonists on hyperinflation might be amplified by concurrent treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. Perspectives The effect of new treatments targeting airways inflammation on hyperinflation remains to be explored. Conclusions Measuring the reduction in the degree of lung hyperinflation allows a better understanding of the symptomatic effect of COPD pharmacological treatments.

Updating the evidence-base for suctioning adult patients: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To update a previous clinical practice guideline on suctioning in adult patients, published in the Canadian Respiratory Journal in 2001.

METHODS

A primary search of the MEDLINE (from 1998), CINAHL, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library (all from 1996) databases up to November 2007, was conducted. These dates reflect the search limits reached in the previous clinical practice guideline. A secondary search of the reference lists of retrieved articles was also performed. Two reviewers independently appraised each study before meeting to reach consensus. Study quality was evaluated using the Jadad and PEDro scales. When sufficient data were available, a meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model. Data are reported as ORs, weighted mean differences and 95% CIs. When no comparisons were possible, qualitative analyses of the data were completed.

RESULTS

Eighty-one studies were critically appraised from a pool of 123. A total of 28 randomized controlled trials or randomized crossover studies were accepted for inclusion. Meta-analysis was possible for open versus closed suctioning only. Recommendations from 2001 with respect to hyperoxygenation, hyperinflation, use of a ventilator circuit adaptor and subglottic suctioning were confirmed. New evidence was identified with respect to indications for suctioning, open suction versus closed suction systems, use of medications and infection control.

CONCLUSIONS

While new evidence continues to be varied in strength, and is still lacking in some areas of suctioning practice, the evidence base has improved since 2001. Members of the health care team should incorporate this evidence into their practice.

A clinical practice guideline for physiotherapists treating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on a systematic review of available evidence

PURPOSE

Update of a clinical practice guideline for the physiotherapy management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease supporting the clinical decision-making process.

METHODS

A systematic computerized literature search was performed on different modalities for improving physical exercise capacity, reducing exertional dyspnoea, improving airway clearance and encouraging changes in physical activity behaviour. Methodological quality was scored with the PEDro Scale. Scientific conclusions were graded according to the criteria of the; Dutch Evidence Based Guideline Development Platform'. These, together with practical considerations, were used to formulate recommendations for clinical practice.

RESULTS

A total of 103 studies were included in the systematic review, consisting of five meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, 84 randomized controlled trials and 14 uncontrolled studies. Twenty scientific conclusions supported six recommendations on physical exercise training. Nineteen scientific conclusions supported eight recommendations on interventions for reducing dyspnoea. Five scientific conclusions supported seven recommendations concerning treatment modalities to improve mucus clearance, and two scientific conclusions supported two recommendations on strategies for encouraging permanent changes in physical activity behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

Strong recommendations support the use of physical exercise training to improve health-related quality of life and functional exercise capacity. Future research should investigate whether additional interventions for reducing exertional dyspnoea have a place as adjuncts to physical exercise training in selected patients. In addition, treatment of impaired mucus clearance, especially during acute exacerbations, requires further research. With the advance of new technologies for objective measurements of physical activities in daily life more research is needed concerning interventions to initiate and maintain physical activity behaviour change during and after supervised physical exercise training programmes.

Oxygen therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Since the introduction of oxygen as a therapeutic agent 70 years ago, much has been learned regarding the detrimental effects of hypoxemia and the beneficial impact of oxygen therapy. It is projected that there are close to 800,000 patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in the United States, at a cost of approximately $1.8 billion annually. The large numbers of patients receiving supplemental oxygen as treatment and the high costs incurred in providing oxygen therapy necessitate the practitioner to know the indications for LTOT as well its effects on survival, pulmonary hemodynamics, sleep, and exercise capacity. It is now recognized that the basis for LTOT prescription for all patients is founded on data that are over 25 years old and that only involve a very select cohort of patients. It is clear that further studies are required to assess the effects of oxygen on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with only mild hypoxemia, not only survival but also on neurocognitive function, quality of life, exercise physiology, and sleep quality. In addition, although proven to be safe when prescribed long term to individuals with lung disease, there are some concerns about worsening carbon dioxide retention and increased oxidant injury. The goals of this article are to briefly describe the indications for chronic oxygen administration, the physiologic effects of treatment, and potential toxicities, as well as its effect on morbidity and mortality.

Medical therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 2007

Medical treatment for patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has evolved significantly over the past 2 decades. Current World Health Organization recommendations suggest a stepwise approach to therapy depending upon disease severity. As-needed use of short-acting bronchodilators is recommended for patients with mild disease. Scheduled dosing of bronchodilators is recommended for patients with more advanced disease. Inhaled beta-agonists and anti-cholinergic agents in combination have proved to be more effective than either agent alone. Long-acting preparations are associated with better disease control and have not been associated with tachyphylaxis. Inhaled corticosteroids are useful for reducing the frequency of exacerbations in patients who experience one or more episodes per year. Oxygen therapy is clearly beneficial in patients with advanced COPD and chronic respiratory failure, and its potential benefits in less severe disease are currently being studied. Pulmonary rehabilitation benefits patients with mild-to-severe disease, although the greatest benefits have been demonstrated in those with moderate COPD. New ultra-long-acting inhaled bronchodilators, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, and retinoids intended to promote tissue regeneration are currently being evaluated in clinical trials as future therapeutic agents.

Canadian Thoracic Society recommendations for management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - 2007 update

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major respiratory illness in Canada that is both preventable and treatable. Our understanding of the pathophysiology of this complex condition continues to grow and our ability to offer effective treatment to those who suffer from it has improved considerably. The purpose of the present educational initiative of the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) is to provide up to date information on new developments in the field so that patients with this condition will receive optimal care that is firmly based on scientific evidence. Since the previous CTS management recommendations were published in 2003, a wealth of new scientific information has become available. The implications of this new knowledge with respect to optimal clinical care have been carefully considered by the CTS Panel and the conclusions are presented in the current document. Highlights of this update include new epidemiological information on mortality and prevalence of COPD, which charts its emergence as a major health problem for women; a new section on common comorbidities in COPD; an increased emphasis on the meaningful benefits of combined pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies; and a new discussion on the prevention of acute exacerbations. A revised stratification system for severity of airway obstruction is proposed, together with other suggestions on how best to clinically evaluate individual patients with this complex disease. The results of the largest randomized clinical trial ever undertaken in COPD have recently been published, enabling the Panel to make evidence-based recommendations on the role of modern pharmacotherapy. The Panel hopes that these new practice guidelines, which reflect a rigorous analysis of the recent literature, will assist caregivers in the diagnosis and management of this common condition.