Peak flow as predictor of overall mortality in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Using machine learning for early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent respiratory disease and ranks third in global mortality rates, imposing a significant burden on patients and society. This review looks at recent research, both domestically and abroad, on the application of machine learning (ML) for early COPD screening. The review discusses the practical application, key optimization points, and prospects of ML techniques in early COPD screening. The aim is to establish a scientific foundation and reference framework for future research and the development of screening strategies.

Follistatin-respiratory connection predicting all-cause mortality among community-dwelling middle-to-old age individuals: Results from the I-Lan Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVES

The link between aging and pulmonary function decline is well-established, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully revealed. Serum follistatin, a myokine implicated in muscle degeneration, may play a role in age-related pulmonary changes. This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum follistatin levels and pulmonary function decline in community-dwelling older adults, and evaluate their combined association with all-cause mortality.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This longitudinal cohort study utilized data from 751 participants aged ≥50 years in the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study between 2018-2019. Serum follistatin levels, spirometry results, demographic and clinical data were retrieved. Participants were stratified based on their follistatin levels. Survival curves and group comparisons based on follistatin levels and decline in peak expiratory flow (PEF) using Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were further used to identify independent predictors of all-cause mortality during the 52-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Elevated follistatin levels significantly correlated with worse pulmonary function, particularly decreased PEF (p = 0.030). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed the combination of elevated follistatin levels and decreased PEF was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (Log-rank p = 0.023). Cox proportional hazards models further identified that concurrent presence of higher follistatin levels and decreased PEF predicted higher risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 3.58, 95% CI: 1.22-10.53, p = 0.020).

CONCLUSION

Higher serum follistatin levels correlate with decreased pulmonary function, specifically PEF decline, in community-dwelling older adults. Furthermore, the coexistence of elevated follistatin levels and decreased PEF was associated with risk of all-cause mortality. Follistatin may serve as a biomarker for pulmonary aging and related adverse outcomes.

Lung function in relation to brain aging and cognitive transitions in older adults: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

We investigated the association of peak expiratory flow (PEF) with dementia; cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND); and transition from CIND to dementia, and possible underlying neuropathological mechanisms.

METHODS

A population-based cohort of adults aged 60+ was followed over 15 years to detect dementia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition criteria), CIND (assessed through a cognitive battery), and progression from CIND to dementia, in relation to baseline PEF observations. A subsample (n = 462) had 6-year follow-up data on brain magnetic resonance imaging markers of neurodegeneration and small vessel disease.

RESULTS

In fully adjusted models, poor PEF performance (< 10th vs. ≥ 80th percentile) was associated with increased hazards for dementia (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23-2.92) and CIND (HR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.01-2.38) and CIND progression to dementia, although not statistically significantly (HR = 2.44; 95% CI = 0.78-6.88). People with poor PEF also experienced the fastest ventricular enlargement (β coefficient = 0.67 mL/year; 95% CI = 0.13-1.21) and had the highest likelihood of developing lacunes (odds ratio = 5.05; 95% CI = 1.01-25.23).

DISCUSSION

Poor lung function contributes to cognitive deterioration possibly through accelerated brain atrophy and microvascular damage.

HIGHLIGHTS

Poor lung function increased the risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Poor lung function accelerated the progression from MCI to dementia. Poor lung function was linked to brain microvascular damage and global brain atrophy.

Cognition as mediator of pulmonary function and risk of sarcopenia among older adults

BACKGROUND

The relationship between lung function and sarcopenia remains ambiguous. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between lung function and sarcopenia in the older adults, as well as to examine the mediating role of cognitive function in this relationship.

METHODS

The participants were selected from a nationally representative population-based cohort in China. The peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurement was used to evaluate the lung function in older persons. The sarcopenia was diagnosed using the guidelines of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) in 2019. The Cox proportional hazard model was utilized to perform primary analyses of the relationship between PEF and sarcopenia. The mediating effect of cognitive function was evaluated using the counterfactual mediation method.

RESULTS

This cohort study included 4,011 older adults (average age, 66.6 years; 53.3% males). During a follow-up period of 3.86 years, 349 individuals were diagnosed with sarcopenia. After adjusting for potential confounders, each one-standard-deviation increase in PEF was associated with a 28% reduction in the risk of sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63, 0.80). There was a significant mediation of cognition for the association between PEF and incident sarcopenia, and the proportion mediated was 12.2% (95% CI: 4.5%, 23.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Older adults with impaired lung function are more likely to develop sarcopenia. Nevertheless, cognition can explain only a small portion of this association. Thus, other potential pathways between lung function and sarcopenia must be elucidated.

Prospective association between social isolation, loneliness and lung function among Chinese middle-aged and older adults

OBJECTIVE

Previous research has highlighted a heightened occurrence of social isolation and loneliness in older adults diagnosed with chronic lung diseases. Nevertheless, there exists a dearth of studies that have explored the influence of impoverished social relationships on lung function. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal association between social isolation, loneliness and lung function over 4 years among middle-aged and older Chinese adults.

METHODS

This study employed two waves (2011 and 2015) of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The analysis was limited to participants aged 45 years and above and stratified based on gender (3325 men and 3794 women). The measurement of peak expiratory flow (PEF) served as an indicator for assessing lung function. Lagged dependent variable regression models, accounting for covariates, were employed to explore the relationship between baseline social isolation and loneliness and the subsequent PEF.

RESULTS

For women, social isolation was significantly associated with the decline in PEF at follow-up (β = -.06, p < .001) even after adjusting for all covariates; no significant correlation was observed between loneliness and PEF. Among men, there was no significant association found between either social isolation or loneliness and PEF.

CONCLUSIONS

Social isolation is prospectively associated with worse lung function in middle-aged and older Chinese women but not men. The results highlight the importance of promoting social relationships in public health initiatives, especially in groups that are more vulnerable.

Pulmonary function and trajectories of cognitive decline in aging population

BACKGROUND

The number of older people with cognitive impairment is increasing worldwide. Impaired lung function might be associated with cognitive decline in older age; however, results from large longitudinal studies are lacking. In this study, we examined the longitudinal associations between pulmonary function and the trajectories of cognitive decline using prospective population-based SHARE data from 14 countries.

METHODS

The analytic sample included N = 32,049 older adults (Mean age at baseline = 64.76 years). The dependent variable was cognitive performance, measured repeatedly across six waves in three domains: verbal fluency, memory, and numeracy. The main predictor of interest was peak expiratory flow (PEF). The data were analyzed in a multilevel accelerated longitudinal design, with models adjusted for a variety of covariates.

RESULTS

A lower PEF score was associated with lower cognitive performance for each domain as well as a lower global cognitive score. These associations remained statistically significant after adjusting for all covariates Q4 vs Q1 verbal fluency: unstandardized coefficient B = -3.15; numeracy: B = -0.52; memory: B = -0.64; global cognitive score B = -2.65, all p < .001). However, the PEF score was not found to be associated with the rate of decline for either of the cognitive outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large multi-national longitudinal study, the PEF score was independently associated with lower levels of cognitive functions, but it did not predict a future decline. The results suggest that pre-existing differences in lung functions are responsible for variability in cognitive functions and that these differences remained stable across aging.

Screening performance of COPD-PS scale, COPD-SQ scale, peak expiratory flow, and their combinations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the primary healthcare in Haicang District, Xiamen City

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the screening performance of COPD-PS questionnaire, COPD-SQ questionnaire, peak expiratory flow (PEF), COPD-PS questionnaire combined with PEF, and COPD-SQ questionnaire combined with PEF for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. We distributed self-designed surveys and COPD screening scales (COPD-PS questionnaire and COPD-SQ questionnaire) to residents who underwent physical examination in five community health centers in Haicang District, Xiamen City, from February 2023 to May 2023, and measured their lung function and PEF with a portable device. We used logistic regression to obtain the coefficients of COPD-PS questionnaire, COPD-SQ questionnaire, and PEF, and plotted the receiver operating characteristic curves of each tool for diagnosing COPD and moderate-to-severe COPD. We evaluated and compared the optimal cut-off points and scores of sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, and area under the curve (AUC) values, and assessed the screening efficiency of different methods.

Results

Of the 3,537 residents who completed the COPD-SQ questionnaire, COPD-PS questionnaire, and spirometry, 840 were diagnosed with COPD. We obtained the coefficients of COPD-PS questionnaire combined with peak expiratory flow (PEF), and COPD-SQ questionnaire combined with PEF, by logistic regression as -0.479-0.358 × PEF +0.321 × COPD-PS score and - 1.286-0.315 × PEF +0.125 × COPD-SQ score, respectively. The sensitivity of diagnosing COPD by COPD-SQ questionnaire, COPD-PS questionnaire, PEF, COPD-PS questionnaire combined with PEF, and COPD-SQ questionnaire combined with PEF were 0.439, 0.586, 0.519, 0.586, 0.612 respectively, and the specificity were 0.725, 0.621, 0.688, 0.689, 0.663 respectively, with ROC values of 0.606 (95%CI: 0.586-0.626), 0.640 (0.619-0.661), 0.641 (0.619-0.663), 0.678 (0.657-0.699), 0.685 (0.664-0.706) respectively. The sensitivity of diagnosing GOLD II and above by COPD-SQ questionnaire, COPD-PS questionnaire, PEF, COPD-PS questionnaire combined with PEF, and COPD-SQ questionnaire combined with PEF were 0.489, 0.620, 0.665, 0.630, 0.781 respectively, and the specificity were 0.714, 0.603, 0.700, 0.811, 0.629 respectively, with ROC values of 0.631 (95%CI: 0.606-0.655), 0.653 (0.626-0.679), 0.753 (0.730-0.777), 0.784 (0.762-0.806), 0.766 (0.744-0.789) respectively.

Conclusion

Our study found that the accuracy of COPD screening by COPD-SQ questionnaire and COPD-PS questionnaire can be improved by combining the results of PEF. The screening performance of COPD-SQ questionnaire combined with PEF is relatively better. In future research, further studies are needed to optimize the performance of screening tools and understand whether their use will affect clinical outcomes.

Relationships between muscle strength, lung function, and cognitive function in Chinese middle-aged and older adults: A study based on the China health and retirement longitudinal study (CHARLS)

OBJECTIVE

As the population ages, concerns about cognitive decline have become increasingly relevant in medical consultations. This study aims to analyze the interaction between muscle strength, lung function, and cognitive function in Chinese middle-aged and older adults, providing a theoretical basis for better prevention of cognitive decline.

METHODS

This study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) wave 3, including 13 716 participants aged 45 years or older. Cognitive function was assessed through two dimensions, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 31 points, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. Muscle strength was measured using normalized grip strength and chair-standing time, while lung function was evaluated using peak expiratory flow (PEF).

RESULTS

Total cognitive function scores exhibited significant correlations with grip strength, chair-standing time, and PEF. Muscle strength and lung function demonstrated significant associations with cognitive function, with lung function emerging as a notable mediating factor. This relationship persisted even after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Specifically, PEF played a substantial mediating role in linking grip strength to cognitive function scores (estimated indirect effect = 0.0132, boot-strapped standard error = 0.0015, boot-strapped standard 95% confidence interval = 0.0104, 0.0162). Additionally, PEF served as a significant mediator in the association between chair-standing time and cognitive function scores (estimated indirect effect = -0.0204, boot-strapped standard error = 0.0023, boot-strapped standard 95% confidence interval = -0.0251, -0.0159).

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the importance of addressing declines in muscle strength and lung function to identify risk factors associated with cognitive function. Understanding these relationships can provide insights into potential pathways linking these variables and may aid in better prevention of cognitive decline. Further long-term longitudinal cohort studies are needed to explore the causality between these factors.

Responsiveness of respiratory function in Parkinson's Disease to an integrative exercise programme: A prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Respiratory disorders are the most common cause of death in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Conflicting data exist on the aetiology of respiratory dysfunction in PD and few studies examine the effects of exercise-based interventions on respiratory measures. This study was conducted to better understand respiratory dysfunction in PD and to identify measures of dysfunction responsive to an integrative exercise programme.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives were to compare baseline respiratory measures with matched, published population norms and to examine immediate and longer-term effects of a 12-week integrated exercise programme on these measures.

DESIGN

Twenty-three people with mild PD (median Hoehn & Yahr = 2) self-selected to participate in this exploratory prospective cohort study. Evaluation of participants occurred at three time points: at baseline; following the 12-week exercise programme and at 4-month follow-up.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Outcome measures included: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), Inspiratory Muscle Strength (MIP), Expiratory Muscle Strength (MEP), Peak Cough Flow (PCF), and Cardiovascular Fitness measures of estimated VO2 max and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).

RESULTS

Compared to published norms, participants had impaired cough, reduced respiratory muscle strength, FEV, FVC, PEF and cardiovascular fitness. Post exercise intervention, statistically significant improvements were noted in MEP, cardiovascular fitness, and PEF. However only gains in PEF were maintained at 4-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant respiratory dysfunction exists, even in the early stages of PD. Metrics of respiratory muscle strength, peak expiratory flow and cardiovascular fitness appear responsive to an integrative exercise programme.

Reduced peak expiratory flow predicts increased risk of cardiovascular disease: A 10-year prospective cohort study in Eastern China

BACKGROUND

The correlation between impaired lung function and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has attracted more and more attention. We aimed to assess the longitudinal association between decreased peak expiratory flow (PEF) and cardiovascular risk among Eastern Chinese general population.

METHODS

In total, 6295 participants aged>30 years and free of CVD at baseline were followed for up to 10 years in Eastern China. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD and mortality associated with decreased PEF were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among all participants, 421 CVD incident events were reported during 10-year follow-up, and a total of 272 participants died during the follow-up period, 94 of them from CVD. The HRs in the lowest group of PEF (PEF ≤218.33 L/min) were 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI]:1.01 to 1.68) for high CVD incidence (172 vs 116), 2.43 (95% CI:1.72 to 3.42) for all-cause mortality (156 vs 48), and 3.94 (95% CI:1.96 to 7.92) for CVD mortality (59 vs 10) when compared with the highest group (PEF ≥321.68 L/min).

CONCLUSION

The decreased PEF was associated with increased CVD incidence, CVD and all-cause mortality in Eastern Chinese general population.

Too depressed to breathe: The longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and lung function among general middle-aged and older adults

Objective Most previous studies focusing on the association between depressive symptoms and lung function were conducted in patients with chronic lung diseases. This study aims to investigate the association of depressive symptoms with lung function among general Chinese middle-aged and older adults. Participants This study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Analyses were conducted with data from three waves (2011, 2013, and 2015) and restricted to those respondents aged 45 and older. Finally, 9487 individuals [mean age (SD) = 58.47 (9.19); female, 53.1%] were included in analysis. Methods Depressive symptoms were measured by the Chinese version of 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10). Lung function was assessed by peak expiratory flow (PEF). Two-level linear mixed growth models were used to evaluate the longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and PEF. Results Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with PEF among general middle-aged and older adults (b = -1.85, p < 0.001) after adjusting for multiple confounding factors. A significant interaction between depressive symptoms and gender was found (b = 1.29, p < 0.001). The association between depressive symptoms and PEF was greater for men (b = -2.36, p < 0.001) than for women (b = -1.46, p < 0.001). Conclusions This longitudinal study found that increased depressive symptoms were associated with reduced PEF in middle-aged and older adults in China. Compared with women, men with a higher level of depressive symptoms experienced a greater decrement in PEF. Our findings suggest that it is possible to reduce the effects of PEF by improving psychological health among general middle-aged and older populations.

Real-World Efficacy of Treatment with Benralizumab, Dupilumab, Mepolizumab and Reslizumab for Severe Asthma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Severe asthma is a major cause of morbidity. Some patients may benefit from biological therapies. Most evaluations of these treatments are derived from randomised controlled trials (RCTs), but few patients are eligible for these trials. Studies involving more diverse groups of participants exist but there is a lack of precise pooled estimates.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to evaluate the real-world efficacy of recently and nearly licensed biological therapies for severe asthma to assess the generalisability of the RCT data.

METHODS

Clinical outcomes including exacerbation rate, oral corticosteroid (OCS) usage, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁ ) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were examined. Studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist tool. The certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies examining biologicals in real-world settings were identified, they mostly focused on benralizumab and mepolizumab. The introduction of biologicals reduced the annualised exacerbation rate significantly by -3.79 (95% CI -4.53, -3.04), -3.17 (95% CI -3.74, -2.59) and -6.72 (95% CI -8.47, -4.97) with benralizumab, mepolizumab and reslizumab respectively. Likewise, improvements were observed in FEV₁ (0.17 L 95% CI 0.11, 0.24) and FeNO (-14.23 ppb 95% CI -19.71, -8.75) following treatment with mepolizumab. After treatment with benralizumab there was an increase in FEV₁ (0.21 L 95% CI 0.08, 0.34).

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that anti-IL5 biologicals may improve the clinical outcomes of patients with severe asthma in a clinic environment with similar effect sizes to RCTs. The data were mainly retrospective and unadjusted, so estimated effect sizes may not be reliable. More data is needed to acquire accurate effect estimates in different subpopulations of patients.

The effect of acute outdoor air pollution on peak expiratory flow in individuals with asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Acute exposures to outdoor air pollution have been shown to reduce lung function in children with asthma, but the effect on adults with asthma has not been established in a meta-analysis. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of studies that assessed the relationship of outdoor air pollution and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in adults with asthma.

METHODS

Studies that contained data on outdoor air pollution levels (PM_10, PM_2.5, or NO₂) and PEF in adults with asthma were eligible for inclusion. Effect estimates were quantified for each air pollution measure using random effects models. Heterogeneity was investigated with the Q-test and I² statistics. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were conducted to determine differences in effect by air pollution measures and the inclusion of smokers.

RESULTS

A total of 22 effect estimates from 15 studies were included in this review. A 10 μg/m³ increase in acute PM₁₀ exposure was associated with a -0.19 L/min (95% CI: 0.30, -0.09) change in PEF. For both PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, the inclusion of current smokers was a significant source of heterogeneity among studies (meta-regression: p = 0.04 and p = 0.03). Among studies that only included non-smokers, a 10 μg/m³ increase in acute exposure to PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 was associated with changes in PEF of -0.25 L/min (95% CI: 0.38, -0.13) and -1.02 L/min (95% CI: 1.79, -0.24), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that acute increases in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 levels are associated with decreases in PEF in adults with asthma, particularly among non-smokers.

Addressing Reduced Laboratory-Based Pulmonary Function Testing During a Pandemic

To reduce the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, many pulmonary function testing (PFT) laboratories have been closed or have significantly reduced their testing capacity. Because these mitigation strategies may be necessary for the next 6 to 18 months to prevent recurrent peaks in disease prevalence, fewer objective measurements of lung function will alter the diagnosis and care of patients with chronic respiratory diseases. PFT, which includes spirometry, lung volume, and diffusion capacity measurement, is essential to the diagnosis and management of patients with asthma, COPD, and other chronic lung conditions. Both traditional and innovative alternatives to conventional testing must now be explored. These may include peak expiratory flow devices, electronic portable spirometers, portable exhaled nitric oxide measurement, airwave oscillometry devices, and novel digital health tools such as smartphone microphone spirometers and mobile health technologies along with integration of machine learning approaches. The adoption of some novel approaches may not merely replace but could improve existing management strategies and alter common diagnostic paradigms. With these options comes important technical, privacy, ethical, financial, and medicolegal barriers that must be addressed. However, the coronavirus disease 19 pandemic also presents a unique opportunity to augment conventional testing by including innovative and emerging approaches to measuring lung function remotely in patients with respiratory disease. The benefits of such an approach have the potential to enhance respiratory care and empower patient self-management well beyond the current global pandemic.

Nonpharmacological interventions for respiratory health in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Respiratory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) is often an underdiagnosed and untreated impairment associated with the disease. Clinically, a reactive approach to respiratory morbidity is taken, rather than preventative approaches that address underlying impairment/s. This systematic review identifies the current evidence to support nonpharmacological interventions to improve respiratory impairments in individuals with PD.

METHODS

The relevant literature was searched using a customised and systematic strategy. Randomised and nonrandomised control trials of nonpharmacological interventions targeting respiratory outcome measures in PD were included. Outcomes of interest were respiratory morbidity and mortality, respiratory muscle strength, spirometry measures, lung volumes, peak cough flow, and perception of dyspnoea.

RESULTS

Nonpharmacological interventions included: functional training, generalised strength training, respiratory muscle strength training, aerobic exercise, qigong, yoga, breath stacking, incentive spirometry and singing. Methodological quality of included studies varied. Meta-analyses of nonpharmacological interventions demonstrated significant effects for inspiratory muscle strength (mean difference [MD] 19.68; confidence interval [CI] 8.49, 30.87; z = 3.45; p = 0.0006; I²  = 2%), expiratory muscle strength (MD 18.97; CI 7.79, 30.14; z = 3.33; p = 0.0009; I²  = 23%) and peak expiratory flow (MD 72.21; CI 31.19, 113.24; z = 3.45; p = 0.0006; I²  = 0%). Best-evidence synthesis identified level 1 evidence supporting nonpharmacological interventions for improving peak cough flow and perceived dyspnoea. No studies were identified reporting outcomes of respiratory rate, inspiration:expiration ratio or respiratory morbidity or mortality in PD.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonpharmacological interventions improved respiratory muscle strength and peak expiratory flow in PD. Additional trials targeting respiratory dysfunction and longitudinal studies examining the relationship between respiratory dysfunction and morbidity and mortality rates in PD are required.

Remote FEV1 Monitoring in Asthma Patients: A Pilot Study

Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁ ) is a critical parameter for the assessment of lung function for both clinical care and research in patients with asthma. While asthma is defined by variable airflow obstruction, FEV₁ is typically assessed during clinic visits. Mobile spirometry (mSpirometry) allows more frequent measurements of FEV₁ , resulting in a more continuous assessment of lung function over time and its variability. Twelve patients with moderate asthma were recruited in a single-center study and were instructed to perform pulmonary function tests at home twice daily for 28 days and weekly in the clinic. Daily and mean subject compliances were summarized. The agreement between clinic and mobile FEV₁ was assessed using correlation and Bland-Altman analyses. The test-retest reliability for clinic and mSpirometry was assessed by interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Simulation was conducted to explore if mSpirometry could improve statistical power over clinic counterparts. The mean subject compliance with mSpirometry was 70% for twice-daily and 85% for at least once-daily. The mSpirometry FEV₁ were highly correlated and agreed with clinic ones from the same morning (r = 0.993) and the same afternoon (r = 0.988) with smaller mean difference for the afternoon (0.0019 L) than morning (0.0126 L) measurements. The test-retest reliability of mobile (ICC = 0.932) and clinic (ICC = 0.942) spirometry were comparable. Our simulation analysis indicated greater power using dense mSpirometry than sparse clinic measurements. Overall, we have demonstrated good compliance for repeated at-home mSpirometry, high agreement and comparable test-retest reliability with clinic counterparts, greater statistical power, suggesting a potential for use in asthma clinical research.

Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Primer for Emergency Physicians

BACKGROUND

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) impose a significant burden on patients and the emergency health care system. Patients with COPD who present to the emergency department (ED) often have comorbidities that can complicate their management.

OBJECTIVE

To discuss strategies for the management of acute exacerbations in the ED, from initial assessment through disposition, to enable effective patient care and minimize the risk of treatment failure and prevent hospital readmissions.

DISCUSSION

Establishing a correct diagnosis early on is critical; therefore, initial evaluations should be aimed at differentiating COPD exacerbations from other life-threatening conditions. Disposition decisions are based on the intensity of symptoms, presence of comorbidities, severity of the disease, and response to therapy. Patients who are appropriate for discharge from the ED should be prescribed evidence-based treatments and smoking cessation to prevent disease progression. A patient-centric discharge care plan should include medication reconciliation; bedside "teach-back," wherein patients demonstrate proper inhaler usage; and prompt follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

An effective assessment, accurate diagnosis, and appropriate discharge plan for patients with AECOPD could improve treatment outcomes, reduce hospitalization, and decrease unplanned repeat visits to the ED.

Peak Expiratory Flow and the Risk of Injurious Falls in Older Adults: The Role of Physical and Cognitive Deficits

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies showed that peak expiratory flow (PEF) is associated with health-related outcomes in advanced age, but the extent to which it may be related to falls risk remains unclear. We aimed to detect the association between PEF and injurious falls in older adults and to explore the role of cognitive and physical deficits in this association.

DESIGN

Prospective study with a 6-year follow-up.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The study involves 2234 community-dwelling older adults with no history of pulmonary disease.

METHODS

For each study participant, we assessed the PEF at baseline, expressed as standardized residual (SR) percentile and derived from the normalization of residuals between the measured and predicted PEF values (based on individual age, sex, and body height); incident injurious falls over 6 years, from Hospital Discharge Diagnosis; and physical and cognitive functioning at the baseline and at 3- and 6-year follow-ups by evaluating walking speed, balance, chair stand, and Mini-Mental State Examination, respectively.

RESULTS

Over the follow-up, 232 individuals experienced injurious falls. Cox models indicated 7% higher risk of falls per each 10th reduction in PEF SR-percentile. The risk of injurious falls increased by more than twice for those who had PEF SR-percentile <10th as for values of 80th-100th (hazard ratio = 2.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.41-3.76). Physical deficits mediated 63% of the total effect of PEF on falls risk.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our findings suggest that low PEF is associated with higher risk of injurious falls in older adults, and most of this association is explained by balance or muscular strength deficits.

Relationship between peak expiratory flow and incidence of frailty, deaths and falls among nursing home residents: Results of the SENIOR cohort

OBJECTIVE

To correlate peak expiratory flow (PEF) with the incidence of frailty, deaths and falls among nursing home residents.

METHODS

This is a 1-year longitudinal analysis performed on the clinical data of the SENIOR cohort. PEF, measured by peak flow meter, was considered as "low" when the observed value was ≤80% of the theoretical value. Physical capacity was evaluated using Short Physical Performance Battery, balance and gait using Tinetti test and muscle strength using a dynamometer. The incidence of frailty was defined as the transition from a "robust" or "prefrail" status to a "frail" status following Fried's criteria. Deaths and falls were also collected.

RESULTS

Among 646 subjects included at baseline (83.2 ± 9 years and 72.1% women), 297 (45.7%) displayed a low PEF. In this subgroup, physical capacity (p-values from 0.01 to <0.001), muscle strength (p < 0.001), balance and gait score (p < 0.001) were significantly lower compared to subjects displaying normal PEF. Subjects who became frail after one year displayed a lower % of the theoretical PEF value compared to those that did not (88.52 ± 45.06 vs 102.78 ± 50.29, respectively, p = 0.03). After adjustment for potential confounding variables (calf circumference, Tinetti test, SPPB test and handgrip strength), PEF was no longer associated with the occurrence of frailty. There was no association between PEF and mortality and falls.

CONCLUSION

In a nursing home setting, PEF is not an independent factor associated with the incidence of frailty, deaths and falls.

Predischarge screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome and smoking history

BACKGROUND

Several studies suggested that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is largely underdiagnosed in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) contributing to further affect clinical outcome. Our aim was to validate a screening procedure to identify, in ACS patients, those with negligible risk of undiagnosed COPD.

METHODS

From December 2014 to August 2015, 169 ACS patients with smoking history underwent screening procedure. Screening procedure combined peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR, defined as positive if <80% of predicted) and respiratory health status questionnaire (RHSQ, defined as positive if >19.5 points). The screening was considered negative if both tests provided negative results, positive if both were positive, uncertain in presence of discrepancy. Spirometry was planned after 2months to identify or not the presence of irreversible airflow obstruction (undiagnosed COPD). The primary endpoint was the negative predictive value of screening for undiagnosed COPD.

RESULTS

Overall, 137 (81%) patients received spirometry (final study population). Screening was negative, uncertain and positive in 58 (42%), 46 (34%) and 33 (24%) patients, respectively. We found undiagnosed COPD in 39 (29%) patients. Only 3 patients with negative screening showed undiagnosed COPD. Negative screening showed the best ability to discriminate patients without COPD (negative predictive value 95%). Two-month health status in patients with undiagnosed COPD was significantly poor.

CONCLUSIONS

Undiagnosed COPD is relatively frequent in ACS patients with smoking history and a simple screening procedure including PEFR and RHSQ can be administered before hospital discharge to discriminate those at negligible risk of undiagnosed COPD (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02324660).

Predictors of Mortality in Patients with COPD and Chronic Respiratory Failure: The Quality-of-Life Evaluation and Survival Study (QuESS): A Three-Year Study

Previous studies sought to identify survival or outcome predictors in patients with COPD and chronic respiratory failure, but their findings are inconsistent. We identified mortality-associated factors in a prospective study in 21 centers in 7 countries. Follow-up data were available in 221 patients on home mechanical ventilation and/or long-term oxygen therapy.

MEASUREMENTS

diagnosis, co-morbidities, medication, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, pulmonary function, arterial blood gases, exercise performance were recorded. Health status was assessed using the COPD-specific SGRQ and the respiratory-failure-specific MRF26 questionnaires. Date and cause of death were recorded in those who died. Overall mortality was 19.5%. The commonest causes of death were related to the underlying respiratory diseases. At baseline, patients who subsequently died were older than survivors (p = 0.03), had a lower forced vital capacity (p = 0.03), a higher use of oxygen at rest (p = 0.003) and a worse health status (SGRQ and MRF26, both p = 0.02). Longitudinal analyses over a follow-up period of 3 years showed higher median survival times in patients with use of oxygen at rest less than 1.75 l/min and with a better health status. In contrast, an increase from baseline levels of 1 liter in O2 flow at rest, 1 unit in SGRQ or MRF26, or 1 year increase in age resulted in an increase of mortality of 68%, 2.4%, 1.3%, and 6%, respectively. In conclusion, the need for oxygen at rest, and health status assessment seems to be the strongest predictors of mortality in COPD patients with chronic respiratory failure.

Peak expiratory flow rate as a surrogate for forced expiratory volume in 1 second in COPD severity classification in Thailand

BACKGROUND

There are limited studies directly comparing correlation and agreement between peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) for severity classification of COPD. However, clarifying the role of PEFR as a surrogate of COPD severity classification instead of FEV1 is essential in situations and areas where spirometry is not routinely available.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the agreement between FEV1 and PEFR using Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) severity classification criteria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study included stable COPD patients. Both absolute values and % predicted FEV1 and % predicted PEFR were obtained from the same patients at a single visit. The severity of COPD was classified according to GOLD criteria. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between FEV1 and PEFR. The agreement of % predicted FEV1 and % predicted PEFR in assigning severity categories was calculated using Kappa statistic, and identification of the limits of agreement was by Bland-Altman analysis. Statistical significance was set at P-value <0.05.

RESULTS

Three hundred stable COPD patients were enrolled; 195 (65.0%) male, mean age 70.4±9.4 years, and mean % predicted FEV1 51.4±20.1. Both correlations between the % predicted FEV1 and PEFR as well as the absolute values were strongly significant (r=0.76, P<0.001 and r=0.87, P<0.001, respectively). However, severity categories of airflow limitation based on % predicted FEV1 or PEFR intervals were concordant in only 179 patients (59.7%). The Kappa statistic for agreement was 0.41 (95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.48), suggesting unsatisfied agreement. The calculated limits of agreement were wide (+27.1% to -28.9%).

CONCLUSION

Although the correlation between FEV1 and PEFR measurements were strongly significant, the agreement between the two tests was unsatisfied and may influence inappropriate clinical decision making in diagnosis, severity classification, and management of COPD.

Screening for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in an Urban HIV Clinic: A Pilot Study

Increased smoking and a detrimental response to tobacco smoke in the lungs of HIV/AIDS patients result in an increased risk for COPD. We aimed to determine the predictive value of a COPD screening strategy validated in the general population and to identify HIV-related factors associated with decreased lung function. Subjects at least 35 years of age at an HIV clinic in New York City completed a COPD screening questionnaire and peak flow measurement. Those with abnormal results and a random one-third of normal screens had spirometry. 235 individuals were included and 89 completed spirometry. Eleven (12%) had undiagnosed airway obstruction and 5 had COPD. A combination of a positive questionnaire and abnormal peak flow yielded a sensitivity of 20% (specificity 93%) for detection of COPD. Peak flow alone had a sensitivity of 80% (specificity 80%). Abnormal peak flow was associated with an AIDS diagnosis (p=0.04), lower nadir (p=0.001), and current CD4 counts (p=0.001). Nadir CD4 remained associated in multivariate analysis (p=0.05). Decreased FEV1 (<80% predicted) was associated with lower CD4 count nadir (p=0.04) and detectable current HIV viral load (p=0.01) in multivariate analysis. Questionnaire and peak flow together had low sensitivity, but abnormal peak flow shows potential as a screening tool for COPD in HIV/AIDS. These data suggest that lung function may be influenced by HIV-related factors.

Risk factors for death in patients with severe asthma

OBJECTIVE:

To identify risk factors for death among patients with severe asthma.

METHODS:

This was a nested case-control study. Among the patients with severe asthma treated between December of 2002 and December of 2010 at the Central Referral Outpatient Clinic of the Bahia State Asthma Control Program, in the city of Salvador, Brazil, we selected all those who died, as well as selecting other patients with severe asthma to be used as controls (at a ratio of 1:4). Data were collected from the medical charts of the patients, home visit reports, and death certificates.

RESULTS:

We selected 58 cases of deaths and 232 control cases. Most of the deaths were attributed to respiratory causes and occurred within a health care facility. Advanced age, unemployment, rhinitis, symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, long-standing asthma, and persistent airflow obstruction were common features in both groups. Multivariate analysis showed that male gender, FEV₁ pre-bronchodilator < 60% of predicted, and the lack of control of asthma symptoms were significantly and independently associated with mortality in this sample of patients with severe asthma.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this cohort of outpatients with severe asthma, the deaths occurred predominantly due to respiratory causes and within a health care facility. Lack of asthma control and male gender were risk factors for mortality.

Peak flow as a predictor of cause-specific mortality in China: results from a 15-year prospective study of ∼170 000 men

Background Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is inversely associated with mortality in Western populations, but few studies have assessed the associations of peak expiratory flow (PEF) with subsequent cause-specific mortality, or have used populations in developing countries, including China, for such assessments.

Methods A prospective cohort study followed ∼170 000 Chinese men ranging in age from 40–69 years at baseline (1990–1991) for 15 years. In the study, height-adjusted PEF (h-PEF), which was uncorrelated with height, was calculated by dividing PEF by height. Hazard ratios (HR) for cause-specific mortality and h-PEF, adjusted for age, area of residence, smoking, and education, were calculated through Cox regression analyses.

Results Of the original study population, 7068 men died from respiratory causes (non-neoplastic) and 22 490 died from other causes (including 1591 from lung cancer, 5469 from other cancers, and 10 460 from cardiovascular disease) before reaching the age of 85 years. Respiratory mortality was strongly and inversely associated with h-PEF. For h-PEF ≥ 250 L/min, the association was log-linear, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.25–1.34) per 100 L/min reduction in h-PEF. The association was stronger but not log-linear for lower values of h-PEF. Mortality from combined other causes was also inversely associated with h-PEF, and the association was log-linear for all values of h-PEF, declining with follow-up, with HRs per 100 L/min reduction in h-PEF of 1.13 (1.10–1.15), 1.08 (1.06–1.11), and 1.06 (1.03–1.08) in three consecutive 5-year follow-up periods. Specifically, lower values of h-PEF were associated with higher mortality from cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, but not from other cancers.

Conclusions A lower value of h-PEF was associated with increased mortality from respiratory and other causes, including lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, but its associations with the other causes of death declined across the follow-up period.

Body mass index and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis

Background

The association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been a subject of interest for decades. However, the evidence is inadequate to draw robust conclusions because some studies were generally small or with a short follow-up.

Methods

We carried out a search in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE database for relevant studies. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the association between BMI and mortality in patients with COPD. In addition, a baseline risk-adjusted analysis was performed to investigate the strength of this association.

Results

22 studies comprising 21,150 participants were included in this analysis. Compared with patients having a normal BMI, underweight individuals were associated with higher mortality (RR  = 1.34, 95% CI  = 1.01–1.78), whereas overweight (RR  = 0.47, 95% CI  = 0.33–0.68) and obese (RR  = 0.59, 95% CI  = 0.38–0.91) patients were associated with lower mortality. We further performed a baseline risk-adjusted analysis and obtained statistically similar results.

Conclusion

Our study showed that for patients with COPD being overweight or obese had a protective effect against mortality. However, the relationship between BMI and mortality in different classes of obesity needed further clarification in well-designed clinical studies.

Limited lung function: impact of reduced peak expiratory flow on health status, health-care utilization, and expected survival in older adults

The authors examined whether peak expiratory flow (PEF) is a valid measure of health status in older adults. Survey and test data from the 2006 and 2008 cycles of the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study of US adults over age 50 years (with biennial surveys initiated in 1992), were used to develop predicted PEF regression models and to examine relations between low PEF values and other clinical factors. Low PEF (<80% of predicted value) was prevalent among persons with chronic conditions, including frequent pain, obstructive lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, and psychological distress. Persons with higher physical disability scores had substantially higher adjusted odds of having low PEF, on par with those for conditions known to be associated with poor health (cancer, heart disease, and stroke). In a multivariate regression model for difficulty with mobility, PEF remained an independent factor (odds ratio (OR) = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.53, 1.86). Persons with low PEF in 2006 were more likely to be hospitalized (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.43) within the subsequent 2 years and to estimate their chances of surviving for 10 or more years at less than 50% (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.30). PEF is a valid measure of health status in older persons, and low PEF is an independent predictor of hospitalization and poor subjective mortality assessment.

Associations between mortality, asthma, and health-related quality of life in an elderly cohort of Swedes

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a common chronic health condition among the elderly and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Some studies show that subjective assessments of health-related quality of life (HRQL) are important predictors of mortality and survival. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether low HRQL was a predictor of mortality in elderly subjects and whether such an association differed between subjects with and without asthma.

METHODS

In 1990, a cohort in middle Sweden was investigated using a respiratory questionnaire. To assess HRQL, the generic instrument Gothenburg Quality of Life (GQL) was used. The participants were also investigated by spirometry and allergy testing. The present study was limited to the subjects in the oldest age group, aged 60-69 years in 1990, and included 222 subjects with clinically verified asthma, 148 subjects with respiratory symptoms but no asthma or other lung diseases, and 102 subjects with no respiratory symptoms. Mortality in the cohort was followed during 1990-2008.

RESULTS

Altogether, 166 of the 472 subjects in the original cohort had died during the follow-up period of 1990-2008. Mortality was significantly higher in men, in older subjects, in smokers, and subjects with a low forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)). There was, however, no difference in mortality between the asthmatic and the nonasthmatic groups. A higher symptoms score for GQL was significantly related to increased mortality. No association between HRQL and mortality was found when limiting the analysis to the asthmatic group, although the asthmatics had a lower symptom score for GQL compared to the other groups.

CONCLUSION

A higher symptom score in the GQL instrument was significantly related to increased mortality, but this association was not found when analyzing the asthmatic group alone. The negative prognostic implications of a low HRQL in the whole group and the fact that the asthmatic group had a lower HRQL than the other group supports the use of HRQL instruments in clinical health assessments.

More evidence that depressive symptoms predict mortality in COPD patients: is type D personality an alternative explanation?

Background/Purpose

The present study attempted to replicate our previous finding that depressive symptoms are a risk factor for mortality in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but in a different population with a different measure of depressive symptoms. We further investigated whether type D personality is associated with mortality in patients with COPD and whether it explains any relationship observed between depressive symptoms and mortality.

Methods

In 122 COPD patients, mean age 60.8 ± 10.3 years, 52% female, and mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) 41.1 ± 17.6%pred, we assessed body mass index, post bronchodilator FEV₁, exercise capacity, depressive symptoms with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and type D with the Type D Scale.

Results

In the 7 years follow-up, 48 (39%) deaths occurred. The median survival time was 5.3 years. Depressive symptoms (hazard ratio = 1.07, 95% confidence intervals = 1.00–1.14) were an independent risk factor for mortality. Type D was not associated with mortality.

Conclusions

We can rule out type D as an explanation for the relationship between depressive symptoms and mortality observed in this sample. However, ambiguity remains as to the interpretation of the value of depressive symptoms in predicting death.

Depressive symptoms as predictors of mortality in patients with COPD

OBJECTIVE

Prognostic studies of mortality in patients with COPD have mostly focused on physiologic variables, with little attention to depressive symptoms. This stands in sharp contrast to the attention that depressive symptoms have been given in the outcomes of patients with other chronic health conditions. The present study investigated the independent association of depressive symptoms in stable patients with COPD with all-cause mortality.

METHODS

The baseline characteristics of 121 COPD patients (78 men and 43 women; mean [+/- SD] age, 61.5 +/- 9.1 years; and mean FEV(1), 36.9 +/- 15.5% predicted) were collected on hospital admission to a pulmonary rehabilitation center. The data included demographic variables, body mass index (BMI), post-bronchodilator therapy FEV(1), and Wpeak (peak workload [Wpeak]). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck depression inventory. The vital status was ascertained using municipal registrations. In 8.5 years of follow-up, 76 deaths occurred (mortality rate, 63%). Survival time ranged from 88 days to 8.5 years (median survival time, 5.3 years). The Cox proportional hazard model was used to quantify the association of the baseline characteristics (ie, age, sex, marital status, smoking behavior, FEV(1), BMI, Wpeak, and depressive symptoms) with mortality.

RESULTS

Depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 3.33) were associated with mortality in patients with COPD, independent of other factors including male sex (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.92), older age (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.08), and lower Wpeak (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97 to 0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that depressive symptoms assessed in stable patients with COPD are associated with their subsequent all-cause mortality.

Asynchrony between left and right lungs in acute asthma

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a disease of air flow obstruction. Transmitted sounds can be analyzed in detail and may shed light upon the physiology of asthma and how it changes over time. The goals of this study were to use a computerized analytic acoustic tool to evaluate respiratory sound patterns in asthmatic patients during acute attacks and after clinical improvement and to compare asthmatic profiles with those of normal individuals.

METHODS

Respiratory sound analysis throughout the respiratory cycle was performed on 22 symptomatic asthma patients at the time of presentation to the emergency department (ED) and after clinical improvement. Fifteen healthy volunteers were analyzed as a control group. Vibrations patterns were plotted. Right and left lungs were analyzed separately.

RESULTS

Asthmatic attacks were found to be correlated with asynchrony between lungs. In normal subjects, the inspiratory and expiratory vibration energy peaks (VEPs) occurred almost simultaneously in both lungs; the time interval between right and left expiratory VEPs was 0.006 +/- 0.012 seconds. In symptomatic asthmatic patients on admission, the time interval between right and left expiratory VEPs was 0.14 +/- 0.09 seconds and after clinical improvement the interval decreased to 0.04 +/- 0.04 seconds. Compared to healthy volunteers, asynchrony between two lungs was increased in asthmatics (p < 0.05). The asynchrony was significantly reduced after clinical improvement (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Respiratory sound analysis demonstrated significant asynchrony between right and left lungs in asthma exacerbations, a finding which, to our knowledge, has never been reported to date. The asynchrony is significantly reduced with clinical improvement following treatment.

Mortality in COPD: inevitable or preventable? Insights from the cardiovascular arena

Mortality due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease continues to rise, whereas mortality rates related to cardiovascular disease appear to be slowing, or even declining. This is due at least in part to more widespread use of preventative therapies that have been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality, raising the question of whether appropriate use of therapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which potentially reduce mortality could have a similar impact. This article discusses approaches used successfully in managing heart disease and considers whether these can be applied to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and whether a better understanding of the strongest predictors of mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is needed. It reviews the role of inhaled corticosteroids, both alone and in combination with long-acting beta(2)-agonists, in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including the role of combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting beta(2)-agonists (budesonide/formoterol or salmeterol/fluticasone propionate) in decreasing exacerbations and improving health status, potentially providing survival benefits in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This review also discusses the potential impact of treatments indicated for cardiovascular disease on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and possible links between the two diseases.

Asthma in the elderly: mortality rate and associated risk factors for mortality

BACKGROUND

There is a distinct lack of information on the prognosis of asthma in the elderly.

METHODS

In order to compare mortality rates of elderly people with and without asthma and to identify mortality risk factors in those with asthma, 1,233 ambulatory patients aged > or = 65 years with a diagnosis of asthma (n = 210) or chronic nonrespiratory conditions (n = 1,023) were enrolled in a multicentric study. Patients underwent baseline spirometry and multidimensional assessment and were then followed up for a mean of 57.9 months (SD 16.9). We compared mortality rates in the two groups and identified predictors of death using multivariable survival analysis.

RESULTS

The 5-year mortality rate in people with asthma was 24.3%, compared to 16.3% in control subjects (p < 0.01), but asthma per se did not explain the excess risk of death. The main causes of death among people with and without asthma were cardiovascular diseases (36.4% and 21.3%, respectively), nonneoplastic lung diseases (28.8% vs 5.4%), and neoplasms (7.6% vs 22.6%). In people without asthma, death was associated with age, gender, smoking, cardiovascular diseases, worse performance on a 6-min walking test, cognitive impairment, depression, and worse respiratory function. In people with asthma, only the association between death and age, smoking, and depression was confirmed. At variance with control subjects, in asthmatics we found an inverse correlation between being overweight and death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13 to 0.94) and a trend toward a higher mortality rate in people with a body mass index < 22 kg/m(2) (HR, 2.21; 95% CI, 0.94 to 5.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Asthma in the elderly was associated with higher mortality rate, although this condition was not an independent risk factor. Causes of death and factors associated with death were somewhat different between people with and without asthma.

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection after lung transplantation

BACKGROUND

Chlamydia pneumoniae is established as a common agent of acute respiratory tract infection and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Airway disease is a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. We investigated the role of C pneumoniae as a pulmonary pathogen after lung transplantation.

METHODS

Eighty lung transplant recipients underwent 232 bronchoscopies with bronchoalveolar lavage with or without transbronchial lung biopsy during 1 year for surveillance of rejection and infection, or where clinically indicated.

RESULTS

C pneumoniae was detected using nested polymerase chain reaction in 9 of 36 (25%) recipients studied within 30 days of lung transplantation, 3 of whom remained positive on repeat lavage and died from airway disease in the first year post-operatively. By comparison, all 27 recipients with negative lavage survived >1 year. Lavage was positive for C pneumoniae in 18 of 71 (25%) recipients studied >30 days after lung transplantation, 5 of whom had pneumonia and 8 of whom had bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Eleven also had acute pulmonary allograft rejection.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent infection with C pneumoniae (whether donor-derived, de novo or re-activated) appears deleterious to pulmonary allograft function and is associated with early mortality, rejection and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation. A trial of empiric antibiotic therapy for C pneumoniae may therefore be warranted in the attempt to prevent progressive inflammatory airway disease.

Clinical practice guidelines: medical follow-up of patients with asthma--adults and adolescents

The follow-up of patients with asthma should focus on asthma control (disease course over a number of weeks).

Roflumilast--an oral anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by progressive airflow limitation associated with chronic inflammation. There are few treatment options for the disease. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, in patients with moderate to severe COPD.

METHODS

This phase III, multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study was undertaken in an outpatient setting. 1411 patients with COPD were randomly assigned roflumilast 250 microg (n=576), roflumilast 500 microg (n=555), or placebo (n=280) given orally once daily for 24 weeks. Primary outcomes were postbronchodilator FEV1 and health-related quality of life. Secondary outcomes included other lung function parameters and COPD exacerbations. Analyses were by intention to treat.

FINDINGS

1157 (82%) patients completed the study; 32 (11%) withdrew from the placebo group, 100 (17%) from the roflumilast 250 microg group, and 124 (22%) from the roflumilast 500 microg group. Postbronchodilator FEV1 at the end of treatment significantly improved with roflumilast 250 microg (by 74 mL [SD 18]) and roflumilast 500 microg (by 97 mL [18]) compared with placebo (p<0.0001). Improvement in health-related quality of life was greater with roflumilast 250 microg (-3.4 units [0.6]) and roflumilast 500 microg (-3.5 units [0.6]) than with placebo (-1.8 units [0.8]), although the differences between treatment groups were not significant. The mean numbers of exacerbations per patient were 1.13 (2.37), 1.03 (2.33), and 0.75 (1.89) with placebo, roflumilast 250 microg, and roflumilast 500 microg, respectively. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in intensity and resolved during the study.

INTERPRETATION

Roflumilast is a promising candidate for anti-inflammatory COPD treatment because it improved lung function and reduced exacerbations compared with placebo. Long-term studies are needed to fully assess the effect on health-related quality of life.

Early onset of effect of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Combined treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long acting beta2 agonists is approved for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the onset of effect of the combination.

METHODS

Data were used from 1465 patients with COPD entered into a large 1 year double blind trial with daily measurements of peak expiratory flow (PEF) and symptom scores.

RESULTS

PEF was significantly higher after 1 day in patients treated with salmeterol 50 microg twice daily or the salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination 50/500 microg twice daily than placebo. In patients treated with fluticasone propionate 500 microg twice daily alone, PEF differed from placebo after 2 days. The differences after 2 weeks compared with placebo were 16 l/min (95% confidence interval (CI) 11 to 21), 11 l/min (95% CI 6 to 16), and 27 l/min (95% CI 22 to 33) for salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, and the salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination, respectively. For all treatments the effect on PEF after 2 weeks was comparable to that seen at the end of the study. The difference between the salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination and placebo after 2 weeks as a percentage of baseline was similar for PEF and clinic forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Differences in breathlessness scores were statistically significant after 1 day for the group treated with salmeterol alone and after 2 days for the combination group. The 2 week change in FEV1 was only partly indicative of a long term response in individual patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, alone or in combination, on PEF and breathlessness are seen within days and most of the obtainable effect on these parameters is reached within 2 weeks.

Peak expiratory flow rate as predictor of inpatient death in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVES

Few studies analyze hospital deaths and related factors in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who require hospitalization.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was done with 284 patients who had been admitted consecutively to the Short Stay Medical Unit at the Juan Canalejo Hospital in A Coruña.

RESULTS

Eleven patients (3.9%) died. The independent variables for predicting death were the peak expiratory flow (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94 to 0.98), long-term oxygen therapy (OR, 12.46; 95% CI, 2.1 to 72.4), and body mass index (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.90). A peak expiratory flow < 150 L/min showed the best specificity and positive predictive value with maximum sensitivity for predicting death. The results of the arterial blood gasses and the functional tests did not predict hospital death.

CONCLUSIONS

Peak expiratory flow was the most important predictive value for determining the risk of death in patients who required hospitalization for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Additional studies are required to validate these findings.

Asthma and COPD: differences and similarities. With special reference to the usefulness of budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler (Symbicort) in both diseases

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) both have a high prevalence worldwide and yet each condition remains underdiagnosed. Despite a number of common features, these inflammatory respiratory syndromes have distinct clinical outcomes. COPD represents a greater economic burden than asthma because it has a less favourable prognosis and is associated with greater morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between these two diseases at an early stage, so that appropriate therapy can be prescribed to prevent deterioration. However, effective treatments that may be used in both conditions can minimise the effects of misdiagnosis and maximise the impact of treatment without the associated complexity when both conditions occur together. The current review summarises the differences and similarities of asthma and COPD, in terms of risk factors, pathophysiology, symptoms and diagnosis, to provide greater understanding of the role of budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler in both diseases.

Categorizing asthma severity and monitoring control of chronic asthma

Asthma is a distressing disease, affecting up to 8% of the US population and causing considerable morbidity. Effective management of asthma requires accurate categorization of asthma severity and effective methods for monitoring the activity of the disease with treatment. Currently, symptoms, lung function, and requirements for corticosteroid treatment are the most accepted factors used for asthma severity categorization. Measures of airway hyperresponsiveness, particularly the use of methacholine, may provide additional information regarding the duration of asthma. Assessing airway inflammation using either sputum eosinophilia or exhaled nitric oxide levels has added little to clinical methods for determining asthma severity, but may be useful in monitoring the activity of the disease.