Perseverant, non-indicated treatment of obese patients for obstructive lung disease

Inhaled Medication Use in Smokers With Normal Spirometry

BACKGROUND

The objective of our study was to identify variables associated with inhaled medication use in smokers with normal spirometry (GOLD-0) and to examine the association of inhaled medication use with development of exacerbations and obstructive spirometry in the future.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective multivariable analysis of GOLD-0 subjects identified in data from the COPDGene study to examine factors associated with medication use. Five categories were identified: (1) no medications, (2) short-acting bronchodilator, (3) long-acting bronchodilator; long-acting muscarinic antagonists and/or long-acting β agonist, (4) inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with or without long-acting bronchodilator, and (5) dual bronchodilator with ICS. Sensitivity analysis was performed excluding subjects with history of asthma. We also evaluated whether long-acting inhaled medication use was associated with exacerbations and obstructive spirometry at the follow-up visit 5 y after enrollment.

RESULTS

Of 4,303 GOLD-0 subjects within the analysis, 541 of them (12.6%) received inhaled medications. Of these, 259 (6%) were using long-acting inhaled medications and 282 (6.6%) were taking short-acting bronchodilator. Female sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.47, P = .003), numerous medical comorbidities, radiographic emphysema (OR 2.22, P = .02), chronic bronchitis (OR 1.77, P < .001), dyspnea (OR 2.24, P < .001), asthma history (OR 15.56, P < .001), prior exacerbation (OR 8.45, P < .001), and 6-min walk distance (OR 0.9, P < .001) were associated with medication use. Minimal changes were noted in a sensitivity analysis. Additionally, inhaled medications were associated with increased total (incidence rate ratio 2.83, P < .001) and severe respiratory exacerbations (incidence rate ratio 3.64, P < .001) and presence of obstructive spirometry (OR 2.83, P = .002) at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Respiratory symptoms, history of asthma, and radiographic emphysema were associated with inhaled medication use in smokers with normal spirometry. These individuals were more likely to develop obstructive spirometry, which suggests that health care providers may be able to identify obstructive lung disease prior to meeting the current criteria for COPD.

[The obese patient and acute respiratory failure, a challenge for intensive care]

As a result of the constantly increasing epidemic of obesity, it has become a common problem in the intensive care unit. Morbid obesity has numerous consequences for the respiratory system. It affects both respiratory mechanics and pulmonary gas exchange, and dramatically impacts on the patient's management and outcome. With the potential for causing devastating respiratory complications, the particular anatomical and physiological characteristics of the respiratory system of the morbidly obese subject should be carefully taken into consideration. The present article reviews the management of obese patients in respiratory failure, from noninvasive ventilation to tracheostomy, including postural and technical issues, and explains the physiologically based ventilatory strategy both for NIV and invasive mechanical ventilation up to the weaning from the ventilatory support.

Avoiding Management Errors in Patients with Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

The prevalence of obesity hypoventilation syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea are increasing rapidly in the United States in parallel with the obesity epidemic. As the pathogenesis of this chronic illness is better understood, effective evidence-based therapies are being deployed to reduce morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, patients with obesity hypoventilation still fall prey to at least four avoidable types of therapeutic errors, especially at the time of hospitalization for respiratory or cardiovascular decompensation: (1) patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome may develop acute hypercapnia in response to administration of excessive supplemental oxygen; (2) excessive diuresis for peripheral edema using a loop diuretic such as furosemide exacerbates metabolic alkalosis, thereby worsening daytime hypoventilation and hypoxemia; (3) excessive or premature pharmacological treatment of psychiatric illnesses can exacerbate sleep-disordered breathing and worsen hypercapnia, thereby exacerbating psychiatric symptoms; and (4) clinicians often erroneously diagnose obstructive lung disease in patients with obesity hypoventilation, thereby exposing them to unnecessary and potentially harmful medications, including β-agonists and corticosteroids. Just as literary descriptions of pickwickian syndrome have given way to greater understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity hypoventilation, clinicians might exercise caution to consider these potential pitfalls and thus avoid inflicting unintended and avoidable complications.