β-Blockers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: inappropriate avoidance?

Prevalence and Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Ischemic Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 18 Million Patients

Background

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains uncertain, and its association with adverse outcomes is frequently overlooked. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of COPD, and its impact on pharmacological treatment, and clinical outcomes in patients with IHD.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed until November 20, 2023. All studies that reported the prevalence of COPD in IHD patients were included, and a random-effects model was employed to calculate the pooled prevalence. Data on cardiovascular risk factors/comorbidities, beta-blockers (BBs) prescription, acute phase outcomes [in-hospital mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute heart failure (AHF), and cardiogenic shock], and long-term mortality were compared according to COPD status.

Results

A total of 82 eligible studies that reported the prevalence of COPD in 18 million IHD patients were included. The pooled prevalence of COPD was 12.0% [95% confidence intervals (CI): 9.9%-14.1%] in patients with IHD. In subgroup analysis, the prevalence of COPD was highest in North America (15.3%), followed by Europe (10.0%), and Asia (8.8%). In addition, COPD was associated with a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors/comorbidities, but lower BBs prescription [odds ratio (OR) 0.50, 95% CI 0.38-0.66]. Moreover, COPD was linked to an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.37-1.58), MACE (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.44-2.27), AHF (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.86-2.46), cardiogenic shock (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.01-1.68), as well as long-term mortality (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.80-2.20).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrated that COPD is prevalent in IHD, involving 12.0% of IHD patients, and is linked to a lower prescription of BBs, an increased burden of comorbidities, and worse acute phase outcomes and long-term mortality.

The Correlation of Lung Function Parameters, Blood Pressure and Beta-Blocker Medication in a General Population

OBJECTIVES

 Prior studies have investigated possible links between blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, especially beta-blockers and impairment of lung function. The aim of our study was to investigate an association between blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, focusing on beta-blockers, and its influence on lung function parameters in our adult population.

METHODS

 From the two analysed cohorts of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-1 and SHIP-TREND), pooled data for interview-based information, lung function variables including bodyplethysmography and blood pressure variables were used to perform adjusted linear regression analyses. Association analyses were conducted for the pooled population.

RESULTS

 Within the whole pooled population we found some minor statistically significant interrelations in the multivariate analyses for blood pressure and lung function parameters. Statistical correlation between lung function and blood pressure were significant but too weak to be deemed clinically relevant.We also found interrelations between lung function and use of beta-blocker medication. Within the subgroup of individuals with antihypertensive medication containing beta-blockers compared to the reference group we found lower dynamic and static volumes e. g. for FEV1 (-70 ml), FVC (-90 ml), a reduction of TLC (-130 ml) and ITGV (-100 ml), however we did not find an increase in airway resistance (Rtot).

CONCLUSION

 Based on the data of SHIP-1 and SHIP TREND our results confirm a minor association between blood pressure and lung function. More importantly, we have seen a significant decrease of lung volumes for hypertensive patients with beta- blocker medication as described in literature before. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to examine the interrelation between blood pressure, medication and lung function in an epidemiological study using data of spirometry, body plethysmography and CO transfer.

Association of β-blocker use with survival and pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of β-blockers (BBs) on respiratory function and survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as the difference between the effects of cardioselective and noncardioselective BBs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We searched for relevant literature in four electronic databases, namely, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, and compared the differences in various survival indicators between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease taking BBs and those not taking BBs. Forty-nine studies were included, with a total sample size of 670 594. Among these, 12 studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs; seven crossover and five parallel RCTs) and 37 studies were observational (including four post hoc analyses of data from RCTs). The hazard ratios (HRs) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were not treated with BBs and those who were treated with BBs, cardioselective BBs, and noncardioselective BBs were 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67, 0.89], 0.72 [95% CI 0.56, 0.94], and 0.98 [95% CI 0.71, 1.34, respectively] (HRs <1 indicate favouring BB therapy). The HRs of all-cause mortality between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were not treated with BBs and those who were treated with BBs, cardioselective BBs, and noncardioselective BBs were 0.70 [95% CI 0.59, 0.83], 0.60 [95% CI 0.48, 0.76], and 0.74 [95% CI 0.60, 0.90], respectively (HRs <1 indicate favouring BB therapy). Patients with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated with cardioselective BBs showed no difference in ventilation effect after the use of an agonist, in comparison with placebo. The difference in mean change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 0.06 [95% CI -0.02, 0.14].

CONCLUSION

The use of BBs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not only safe but also reduces their all-cause and in-hospital mortality. Cardioselective BBs may even reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. In addition, cardioselective BBs do not affect the action of bronchodilators. Importantly, BBs reduce the heart rate acceleration caused by bronchodilators. BBs should be prescribed freely when indicated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease.

Beta-blocker Use in Moderate and Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introduction:

The most appropriate choice of pharmacological treatment of heart rhythm disorders occurring in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular comorbidity is often a topic of debate between pulmonologists and cardiologists in clinical practice, although numerous studies and clinical trials have demonstrated evidence to support the use of selective beta-blockers (BBs) in these patients.

Aim:

To examine the difference in the number of exacerbations in patients treated with a combination of verapamil and digoxin or BB alone in patients with different COPD stages.

Patients and methods:

The study included 68 patients (n = 68) diagnosed with COPD who were followed-up during a 12-month period, and the number of exacerbations were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the stage of COPD: GOLD II (moderate), and GOLD III (severe), and in each group a subdivision was established in relation to the use of either a combination of verapamil and digoxin or the use of BBs alone in pharmacological treatment. The inclusion criteria for patients were defined as following: a) established diagnosis of COPD according to present or deteriorated relevant clinical symptoms and signs, b) the ejection fraction (EF) of a left ventricle (LV) >35%, and c) spirometric cut-points classified as GOLD II (FEV1 / FVC <0.7, FEV1 predicted 50-80%), or GOLD III (FEV1/FVC <0.7, FEV1 predicted 30-50%) stage of the COPD. The exclusion criteria were EF of LV <35% and a lethal outcome during a follow-up period (2 patients were encountered). Exacerbation was defined as functional deterioration of the COPD symptoms verified by spirometric functional testing, frequency of hospitalizations according to GOLD stage assignment or verified clinical symptoms deterioration.

Results:

Regardless the pharmacological treatment, there is a statistically significant increase in the number of COPD exacerbations, in a 12-month period follow-up, in the GOLD III group (severe) compared to the GOLD II group (moderate). In the group of patients taking verapamil and digoxin, a two-tailed t-test was used to analyze the results between the GOLD II and GOLD III stage groups, p = 0.01, and 2. In the group of patients taking BBs, a two-tailed t-test was also used to analyze the results between the GOLD II and GOLD III stage groups, p = 0.003). Within the COPD GOLD II stage group, there appears to be no statistically significant difference in the number of exacerbations between the patients taking verapamil and digoxin (n = 24) and the patients taking BBs alone (n = 15), although, in patients taking BBs alone, there appears to be a trend towards a decrease in the exacerbations compared to the number of exacerbations in patients taking verapamil and digoxin (p = 0.007). Within the COPD GOLD III stage group, there is no difference in the number of exacerbations between the patients taking verapamil and digoxin (n = 20), and the patients taking BBs alone (n = 9), as analyzed by a two-tailed t-test, p = 0.577.

Conclusion:

Use of selective BBs in the treatment of cardiovascular comorbidity in patients with COPD represents a far better choice of pharmacological approach in the treatment of patients diagnosed with COPD GOLD II (moderate) stage.

Rate control and clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and obstructive lung disease

BACKGROUND

Rate-control medications are considered first-line treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, obstructive lung disease (OLD), a condition prevalent in those with AF, often makes it difficult to use those medications because of the lack of studies on new-onset AF in patients with OLD.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes after administration of each class of rate-control medication in patients with concomitant AF and OLD (AF-OLD).

METHODS

This study used the entire database provided by the National Health Insurance Service from 2002 to 2015. Risk of all-cause mortality was compared between use of calcium channel blocker (CCB) and use of other drug classes in AF-OLD patients using Cox regression analyses after propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Among the 13,111 patients, the number of AF-OLD patients treated with a CCB, cardioselective β-blocker (BB), nonselective BB, and digoxin was 2482, 2379, 2255, and 5995, respectively. The risk of mortality was lower with use of selective BB (hazard ratio [HR] 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-0.94; P = .002) and nonselective BB (HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.77-0.95; P = .003) compared to use of CCBs. Digoxin use was related with worse survival, with marginal statistical significance (HR 1.09; 95% CI 1.00-1.18; P = .053).

CONCLUSION

Among patients with AF-OLD, rate-control treatment using selective and nonselective BB was associated with a significant reduction in mortality compared with CCB use. Further prospective randomized trials are required to confirm these findings.

Breathing SPACE-a practical approach to the breathless patient

Breathlessness is a common symptom that may have multiple causes in any one individual and causes that may change over time. Breathlessness campaigns encourage people to see their General Practitioner if they are unduly breathless. Members of the London Respiratory Network collaborated to develop a tool that would encourage a holistic approach to breathlessness, which was applicable both at the time of diagnosis and during ongoing management. This has led to the development of the aide memoire “Breathing SPACE”, which encompasses five key themes—smoking, pulmonary disease, anxiety/psychosocial factors, cardiac disease, and exercise/fitness. A particular concern was to ensure that high-value interventions (smoking cessation and exercise interventions) are prioritised across the life-course and throughout the course of disease management. The approach is relevant both to well people and in those with an underling diagnosis or diagnoses. The inclusion of anxiety draws attention to the importance of mental health issues. Parity of esteem requires the physical health problems of people with mental illness to be addressed. The SPACE mnemonic also addresses the problem of underdiagnosis of heart disease in people with lung disease and vice versa, as well as the systematic undertreatment of these conditions where they do co-occur.

Asthma-COPD overlap 2015: now we are six

BACKGROUND

The overlap between asthma and COPD is increasingly recognised. This review examines the new insights, treatment and remaining knowledge gaps for asthma-COPD overlap.

METHOD

A systematic literature review of cluster analyses of asthma and COPD was performed. Articles from 2009 to the present dealing with prevalence, morbidity and treatment of asthma-COPD overlap were identified and reviewed.

RESULTS

Asthma-COPD overlap was consistently recognised in studies using a variety of different study designs and sampling. The prevalence was approximately 20% in patients with obstructive airways diseases. Asthma-COPD overlap was associated with increased morbidity and possibly an increased mortality and comorbidity. There was evidence of a heterogeneous pattern of airway inflammation that included eosinophilic (in adult asthma), neutrophilic or mixed patterns (in severe asthma and COPD). Systemic inflammation was present in asthma-COPD overlap and resembled that of COPD. Within asthma-COPD overlap, there is evidence of different subgroups, and recognition using bronchodilator responsiveness has not been successful. Guidelines generally recommend a serial approach to assessment, with treatment recommendations dominated by an asthma paradigm. Research is needed into key clinical features that impact outcome, mechanisms and treatment approaches in asthma-COPD overlap. Identifying and treating disease components by multidimensional assessment shows promise.

CONCLUSIONS

Asthma-COPD overlap has drawn attention to the significant heterogeneity that exists within obstructive airway diseases. It should be replaced by novel approaches that identify and manage the components of this heterogeneity, such as multidimensional assessment and treatment. Future research is needed to test these novel and personalised approaches.

Excess costs of comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Comorbidities are often reported in patients with COPD and may influence the cost of care. Yet, the extent by which comorbidities affect costs remains to be determined.

OBJECTIVES

To review, quantify and evaluate excess costs of comorbidities in COPD.

METHODS

Using a systematic review approach, Pubmed and Embase were searched for studies analyzing excess costs of comorbidities in COPD. Resulting studies were evaluated according to study characteristics, comorbidity measurement and cost indicators. Mark-up factors were calculated for respective excess costs. Furthermore, a checklist of quality criteria was applied.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included. Nine evaluated comorbidity specific costs; three examined index-based results. Pneumonia, cardiovascular disease and diabetes were associated with the highest excess costs. The mark-up factors for respective excess costs ranged between 1.5 and 2.5 in the majority of cases. On average the factors constituted a doubling of respective costs in the comorbid case. The main cost driver, among all studies, was inpatient cost. Indirect costs were not accounted for by the majority of studies. Study heterogeneity was high.

CONCLUSIONS

The reviewed studies clearly show that comorbidities are associated with significant excess costs in COPD. The inclusion of comorbid costs and effects in future health economic evaluations of preventive or therapeutic COPD interventions seems highly advisable.

β2-Adrenoceptor involved in smoking-induced airway mucus hypersecretion through β-arrestin-dependent signaling

Progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with small airway obstruction by accumulation of inflammatory mucous exudates. However, the mechanism of mucin hypersecretion after exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) is still not clear. In this study, we explored the contribution of β2-adrenoceptor (β2-AR) signaling to CS extract (CSE)-induced mucus hypersecretion in vitro and examined the effect of a β-blocker on airway mucin hypersecretion in vivo. NCI-H292 epithelial cell line was used to determine the contribution of β2-AR signaling to CSE-induced MUC5AC production by treatment with β2-AR antagonists propranolol and ICI118551 and β2-AR-targeted small interfering RNA. The effect of propranolol on airway mucus hypersecretion was examined in a rat model exposed to CS. MUC5AC expression was assayed by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and ELISA. β2-AR and its downstream signaling were detected by western blot analysis. We found that pretreating NCI-H292 cells with propranolol, ICI118551 for 30 min or β2AR-targeted siRNA for 48 h reduced MUC5AC mRNA and protein levels stimulated by CSE. However,inhibiting the classical β2AR-cAMP-PKA pathway didn't attenuate CSE-induced MUC5AC production, while silencing β-arretin2 expression significantly decreased ERK and p38MAPK phosphorylation, thus reduced the CSE-stimulated MUC5AC production. In vivo, we found that administration of propranolol (25 mg kg(-1) d(-1)) for 28 days significantly attenuated the airway goblet cell metaplasia, mucus hypersecretion and MUC5AC expression of rats exposed to CS. From the study, β2-AR-β-arrestin2-ERK1/2 signaling was required for CS-induced airway MUC5AC expression. Chronic propranolol administration ameliorated airway mucus hypersecretion and MUC5AC expression in smoking rats. The exploration of these mechanisms may contribute to the optimization of β2-AR target therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.