Lipid profile and statin use: the paradox of survival after acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Statins and Mortality in COPD: A Methodological Review of Observational Studies

Randomized controlled trials and observational studies have reported conflicting results on the potential beneficial effects of statins on mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We performed a systematic search of the literature to review all observational studies reporting relative risks of death with statin use in COPD, focusing on potential sources of bias. We identified 15 observational studies, out of 2835, of which 12 were affected by time-related and other biases and the remaining 3 by confounding bias. All 15 studies were also subject to confounding bias due to lack of adjustment for important COPD-related factors. The risk of death associated with statin use was reduced across all 15 studies (pooled relative risk (PRR) 0.66; 95% CI: 0.59-0.74). The reduction was observed in 7 studies with immortal time bias (PRR 0.62; 95%: 0.53-0.72), two with collider-stratification bias (PRR 0.60; 95% CI: 0.45-0.80), one with time-window bias (RR 0.61; 95% CI: 0.38-0.98), one with immeasurable time bias (RR 0.50; 95% CI: 0.40-0.62), and one with exposure misclassification (RR 0.86; 95% CI: 0.72-1.03). The three studies that avoided these biases were, however, affected by confounding bias resulting in a PRR of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.61-0.98). In conclusion, the observational studies investigating statin use and mortality in COPD are affected by major biases, many of which can result in spurious protective effects. Well-designed observational studies that carefully emulate randomized trials are needed to resolve this uncertainty regarding the potential beneficial benefits of statins on mortality in patients with COPD.

Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: An inverse marker of morbidity and mortality in patients with myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease increases with levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Yet, a paradox may exist where lower LDL-C levels at myocardial infarction (MI) are associated with poorer prognoses.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between LDL-C levels at MI with risk factor burden and cause-specific outcomes.

METHODS

Statin-naive patients hospitalized for a first MI and registered in SWEDEHEART were included. Data were linked to Swedish registers. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and nonfatal MI. Associations between LDL-C and outcomes were assessed using adjusted proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Among 63,168 patients (median age, 66 years), the median LDL-C level was 3.0 mmol/L (interquartile range 2.4-3.6). Patient age and comorbidities increased as LDL-C decreased. During a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 10,236 patients died, and 4973 had nonfatal MI. Patients with the highest LDL-C had a lower risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71-0.80). The risk of hospitalization for pneumonia, hip fracture, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and new cancer diagnosis was lower with higher LDL-C (HR range, 0.40-0.81). Patients with the highest LDL-C had a greater risk of recurrent MI (HR 1.16; 95% CI 1.07-1.26).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with the highest LDL-C levels at MI had the lowest incidence of mortality and morbidity. This seems to reflect lower age at MI, less underlying morbidities, paired with the modifiability of LDL-C. However, supporting the causal association between LDL-C and ischemic heart disease, elevated LDL-C was simultaneously associated with an increased risk of nonfatal MI.

Downregulated level of insulin in COPD patients during AE; role beyond glucose control?

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the insulin level in the serum of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients during acute exacerbation (AE).

Methods

The study population consisted of 22 acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients, 20 COPD patients and 20 healthy controls. Fasting blood glucose, insulin and serum lipid levels were measured. After the patients recovered from AE, the insulin and glucose levels were also analyzed.

Results

Insulin level, glucose level and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) of AECOPD patients were higher than healthy controls (7.19±6.02 vs 3.28±1.09 μIU/mL, P<0.05, 126.61±50.92 vs 96.21±12.66 mg/dL, P<0.05, 2.66±2.72 vs 0.78±0.26, P<0.05). For stable COPD patients, the insulin level, glucose level and HOMA-IR were 6.52±2.56 μIU/mL, 95.58±11.44 mg/dL, and 1.52±0.53, respectively. The triglyceride (TG) level, total cholesterol (CHOL) level and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CHOL) level were decreased in AECOPD patients (0.78±0.33 vs 1.05±0.35 mmol/L, P<0.05, 3.88±0.72 vs 4.49±0.7 mmol/L, P<0.05, 2.01±0.59 vs 2.59±0.58 mmol/L, P<0.05). When the patients had recovered from AE, the insulin levels increased (10.67±6.22 vs 7.12±6.19 μIU/mL, P<0.05) and the glucose levels decreased (122.69±41.41 vs 134.08±53.19 mg/dL, P>0.05).

Conclusion

A high insulin level and a high HOMA-IR status in COPD patients were demonstrated. Downregulated levels of insulin during AE compared with the convalescent state were detected, while the variation in the glucose level was not as great as expected, indicating a potentially important role for insulin in AECOPD.

Prognostic value of lipid levels in short-term outcome after TAVI

BACKGROUND

A satisfactory risk score specific to transaortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure is strongly needed for accurate assessment of postprocedural mortality and outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between certain clinical and laboratory parameters, particularly serum cholesterol levels, and major adverse cardiac events in patients who underwent TAVI.

METHOD

We retrospectively analyzed 119 patients who underwent TAVI at our institution between 2008 and 2016. The independent relationship between clinical and laboratory parameters and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was analyzed by regression analysis.

RESULTS

In all, 34 patients (28%) experienced MACCE during hospitalization and within 30 days of the procedure. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower in the MACCE(+) group compared with the MACCE(-) group (91.9 ± 38 vs. 110.8 ± 38.1 mg/dl, p = 0.01; 33.7 ± 7.3 vs. 38.1 ± 9.8 mg/dl, p = 0.02, respectively). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, white blood cell count (WBC), and lower levels of LDL-C and HDL-C were found to be independently correlated with MACCE in the study population. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis revealed that an LDL value higher than 71 mg/dl predicted MACCE with a sensitivity of 45.4% and a specificity of 91.8% (AUC: 0.814; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that lower serum LDL-C and HDL-C levels are independently associated with short-term MACCE in post-TAVI patients. Lower levels of LDL and HDL cholesterol may indicate a poor prognosis. Measurement of serum lipid levels might improve the preoperative risk assessment of potential TAVI candidates.

Predicting of the risk of major cardiovascular events developing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in combination with renal dysfunction

Aim.To identify the independent predictors of major cardiovascular events (MCVE) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in combination with the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Material and methods.The study included 279 patients with GOLD 2014 2-4 severity COPD. At the first stage, we surveyed the potential risk factors for MCVE and the level of 25-OH vitamin D. After 12 months, all patients had a history of MCVE. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who had MCVE during the previous 12 months, and without them. The risk factors for the development of MCVE, significantly differing between the two groups according to the results of a univariate analysis, were included in the logistic regression to determine reliable independent predictors of MCVE. We also studied ROC curve to identify the prognostic cut-off point.

Results.The group of patients who had MCVE consisted of 37 people with 40 MCVE cases. In patients with COPD in combination with the early stage of CKD, the level of vitamin D, the frequency of exacerbations in the preceding 12 months, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the score of PROCAM scale significantly influence to the development of MCVE. For the constructed regression equation, the determination coefficient is defined as R2=0,76, Hosmer-Lemeshov criterion =0,8. The area under the curve for the model =0,95. According to the results of the ROC analysis, it was found that independent predictors of MCVE in a 12-month period in patients with COPD and CKD (early stages) are: the sum of PROCAM scale points >56, the frequency of COPD exacerbations for the previous 12 months >2, GFR <80 ml/min/1,73 m2, the level of vitamin D <34,3 ng/ml.

Conclusion.Independent predictors of MCVE in a 12-month period in patients with COPD and the early stages of CKD are: the score of the PROCAM scale >56, the frequency of exacerbations of COPD in the preceding 12 months >2, GFR <80 ml/min/1,73 m2, the level of vitamin D <34,3 ng/ml.

Possible Serological Markers to Predict Mortality in Acute Exacerbation of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Background and objectives: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has a particularly poor prognosis, and most IPF-related deaths are due to acute exacerbation (AE) of this condition. Few reports about biomarkers to predict prognosis of AE-IPF have been published since the release of the new AE-IPF criteria in 2016. The present study investigated relationships between serological markers and in-hospital mortality after the onset of AE-IPF. Methods: Demographic, serological, and imaging data from patients hospitalized at the Maebashi Red Cross Hospital (Gunma, Japan) between 1 January 2013, and 31 December 2017, were retrospectively reviewed. Subjects fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for AE-IPF were divided into those who survived or died; statistical analysis of risk factors was performed using data from these two groups. Results: Diagnostic criteria for AE-IPF were fulfilled by 84 patients (59 males (70.2%)), with a median age of 78 years (range, 56-95 years). IPF was diagnosed before hospitalization in 50 (59.5%) patients and 38 (45.2%) died in hospital. Among the serological markers at hospitalization in the deceased group, C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher than in the survivor group (p = 0.002), while total serum protein (p = 0.031), albumin (p = 0.047) and total cholesterol (p = 0.039) were significantly lower. Cox hazard analysis of factors predicting mortality, corrected for age, sex and BMI, revealed the following: CRP (hazard ratio (HR) 1.080 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.022-1.141); p = 0.006), LDH (HR 1.003 (95% CI 1.000-1.006); p = 0.037), and total cholesterol (HR 0.985 (95% CI 0.972-0.997); p = 0.018). Conclusions: Our data suggest that CRP, LDH, and total cholesterol may be biomarkers predicting mortality in patients with AE-IPF. However, only prospective controlled studies can confirm or not our observation as a generalizable one.

The Hypercholesterolemia Paradox in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Analysis of a Multicenter PCI Registry

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between hypercholesterolemia (HC) and clinical events through a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry. HC is a well-known independent risk factor for long-term cardiovascular events after PCI. However, it has been reported to be associated with a lower risk of adverse events in patients with cancer or acute coronary syndrome. Methods We analyzed the relationship between HC and adverse events in patients treated with everolimus-eluting stents (EESs) through the Tokyo-MD PCI study (an all-comer, multicenter, observational registry). The propensity score method was applied to select two groups with similar baseline characteristics. Results The unadjusted population included 1,536 HC patients and 330 non-HC patients. Propensity score matching yielded 314 matched pairs. After baseline adjustment, the outcomes of HC patients were significantly better than those of the non-HC patients with respect to the primary endpoint, which was a combination of mortality from all causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal neurological events, and major bleeding [hazard ratio (HR) 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39-0.81; p=0.002], and the secondary endpoints, which included a combination of mortality from all causes, nonfatal MI, and nonfatal neurological events (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.88; p=0.01), and major bleeding (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.20-0.88; p=0.02). A subgroup analysis showed age as an interaction factor for the primary endpoint (interaction p=0.035). Conclusion HC was associated with better outcomes in patients who underwent EES implantation, even after baseline adjustment.

The "cholesterol paradox" among inpatients - retrospective analysis of medical documentation

Introduction

There is evidence of positive relationships between cholesterol concentration and risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, higher mortality in patients with a low cholesterol level has been reported (the “cholesterol paradox”).

Material and methods

Medical records of 34 191 inpatients between 2014 and 2016 were reviewed and the relationships between total (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol and triglyceride blood concentrations and all-cause in-hospital death and readmission within 14 and 30 days and 1 year were determined in univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Patients with TC in the lower quartile and LDL-C < 70 mg/dl had greater risk of the outcomes measured than individuals with a TC level in the remaining quartiles and LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dl. Moreover, patients with TC in the highest quartile, OR (95% CI): 0.36 (0.13–0.99), p < 0.05, and LDL-C ≥ 115 mg/dl, OR (95% CI): 0.53 (0.37–0.77), p < 0.05, had the lowest all-cause in-hospital mortality. However, multivariate analysis using logistic regression and a Cox proportional hazard model showed no significant influence of blood lipid levels on the occurrence of the outcomes measured.

Conclusions

A significant effect of a “cholesterol paradox” linking better prognosis with higher blood lipid concentration was found only in univariate analysis but, after adjustment for clinical characteristics in multivariate analysis, the plasma lipid level had a neutral influence on the occurrence of the measured outcomes. This suggests that a low cholesterol level should be interpreted as a biomarker of illness severity.

Acute and chronic effects of treatment with mesenchymal stromal cells on LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation, emphysema and atherosclerosis development

BACKGROUND

COPD is a pulmonary disorder often accompanied by cardiovascular disease (CVD), and current treatment of this comorbidity is suboptimal. Systemic inflammation in COPD triggered by smoke and microbial exposure is suggested to link COPD and CVD. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) possess anti-inflammatory capacities and MSC treatment is considered an attractive treatment option for various chronic inflammatory diseases. Therefore, we investigated the immunomodulatory properties of MSC in an acute and chronic model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation, emphysema and atherosclerosis development in APOE*3-Leiden (E3L) mice.

METHODS

Hyperlipidemic E3L mice were intranasally instilled with 10 μg LPS or vehicle twice in an acute 4-day study, or twice weekly during 20 weeks Western-type diet feeding in a chronic study. Mice received 0.5x106 MSC or vehicle intravenously twice after the first LPS instillation (acute study) or in week 14, 16, 18 and 20 (chronic study). Inflammatory parameters were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung tissue. Emphysema, pulmonary inflammation and atherosclerosis were assessed in the chronic study.

RESULTS

In the acute study, intranasal LPS administration induced a marked systemic IL-6 response on day 3, which was inhibited after MSC treatment. Furthermore, MSC treatment reduced LPS-induced total cell count in BAL due to reduced neutrophil numbers. In the chronic study, LPS increased emphysema but did not aggravate atherosclerosis. Emphysema and atherosclerosis development were unaffected after MSC treatment.

CONCLUSION

These data show that MSC inhibit LPS-induced pulmonary and systemic inflammation in the acute study, whereas MSC treatment had no effect on inflammation, emphysema and atherosclerosis development in the chronic study.

Statins reduce all-cause mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Recently, a number of observational studies have suggested that use of statins reduces mortality in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To obtain a more valid assessment, we update the meta-analysis of the effect of statins on COPD exacerbation and mortality. We searched for eligible articles using PubMed, Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Databases and Web of Science between January 2006 and February 2017, with no restrictions. The hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plot and Begg's test. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Twenty studies with a total of 303,981 patients were included. Thirteen articles provided data on all-cause mortality (165,221 participants), and the pooled hazard ratio of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.57–0.74, P < 0.001). Nine cohorts involving 155,435 patients reported data for COPD exacerbation with or without hospitalization, and they gave a HR of 0.58(95%CI: 0.48–0.72, P < 0.001). Our systematic review of exclusively observational studies showed a clear benefit of statins for patients suffering from COPD.

Statin Effects on Exacerbation Rates, Mortality, and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Review of Prospective Studies

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating, irreversible disease with currently available therapies targeting symptom control and exacerbation reduction. A need for alternative disease-modifying therapies remains, specifically those that may have antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that impact the pathophysiologic components of COPD. Statin drugs, the current gold standard for the treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), contain properties that affect the inflammatory disease processes seen in COPD. Several retrospective studies have demonstrated that statins may have a benefit in the reduction of morbidity and mortality in patients with COPD. This has led to prospective trials evaluating the impact of statins on various COPD-related outcomes. This article reviews the current body of prospective evidence for use of statins in patients with COPD. A search of the PubMed/Medline database of English-language articles was conducted from 1964 through November 2015; references of relevant articles were also reviewed for qualifying studies. Prospective studies of all types relating to statin use in patients with COPD were included if they had COPD- or respiratory-related outcomes; ultimately, eight studies were identified for this review. Statin effects on exacerbation rates, mortality, and inflammatory markers in patients with COPD are discussed. Strong prospective evidence does not currently exist to suggest that statins provide a clinical benefit in patients with COPD who do not have other CVD risk factors. Benefits from statins that have been illustrated are likely explained by their impact on underlying CVD risk factors rather than the COPD disease process. An opportunity exists for unanswered questions to be addressed in future studies.

Understanding COPD: A vision on phenotypes, comorbidities and treatment approach

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) phenotypes have become increasingly recognized as important for grouping patients with similar presentation and/or behavior, within the heterogeneity of the disease. The primary aim of identifying phenotypes is to provide patients with the best health care possible, tailoring the therapeutic approach to each patient. However, the identification of specific phenotypes has been hindered by several factors such as which specific attributes are relevant, which discriminant features should be used for assigning patients to specific phenotypes, and how relevant are they to the therapeutic approach, prognostic and clinical outcome. Moreover, the definition of phenotype is still not consensual. Comorbidities, risk factors, modifiable risk factors and disease severity, although not phenotypes, have impact across all COPD phenotypes. Although there are some identified phenotypes that are fairly consensual, many others have been proposed, but currently lack validation. The on-going debate about which instruments and tests should be used in the identification and definition of phenotypes has contributed to this uncertainty. In this paper, the authors review present knowledge regarding COPD phenotyping, discuss the role of phenotypes and comorbidities on the severity of COPD, propose new phenotypes and suggest a phenotype-based pharmacological therapeutic approach. The authors conclude that a patient-tailored treatment approach, which takes into account each patient's specific attributes and specificities, should be pursued.