Comorbidities of COPD have a major impact on clinical outcomes, particularly in African Americans

Treatment of race and ethnicity in shoulder and elbow research: An analysis of the most cited papers on rotator cuff repair

Background

This study examined the current approach to the inclusion of race and ethnicity among frequently referenced shoulder surgery literature and discussed guidance for best practices for the inclusion of race and ethnicity in shoulder research.

Methods

The shoulder literature were systematically reviewed for the most frequently cited studies discussing rotator cuff repair, total shoulder arthroplasty, and Bankart repair. All reviewed studies met the timeline criteria (2013-2022). Only studies with clinical outcomes were included. Review articles, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, basic science studies, or any manuscript that did not represent clinical outcomes research were excluded. Author, year issued, the journal in which the paper was published, study design, the number of subjects, duration of follow-up, independent variables, dependent variables, results, and conclusions were extracted from the articles that met the inclusion criteria. Whether race and/or ethnicity were included in the study design in any way was also recorded. For those studies in which race and ethnicity were included, a detailed analysis of the paper's treatment of race using the JAMA Updated Guidance on Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Medical and Science Journals was performed and recorded.

Results

In the "rotator cuff repair" cohort of papers, there were 2 articles that mention race. Out of the 2 articles that mentioned race, neither included race appropriately using the JAMA Updated Guidance on Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Medical and Science Journals. In the "Bankart repair" cohort of papers, each article lacked the mention of race among their patient population. The "total shoulder arthroplasty" manuscripts also did not include treatment of race and ethnicity in any way.

Discussion

Race and ethnicity and other social determinants of health can be used to understand the source of healthcare disparities. Unless a thoughtful and deliberate consideration of race and ethnicity is undertaken, their inclusion in clinical research can be a double-edged sword due to the potential race and ethnicity-centered treatment involvement can be rooted in fallacies. In shoulder surgery clinical research, race and ethnicity should be considered in concert with social factors that could exacerbate poor patient outcomes in our patient population.

Level of evidence

Level V.

Comorbidities and mortality among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

INTRODUCTION

Comorbidities are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Estimates of prevalence, incidence and prognostic impact of comorbidities provide foundational knowledge of COPD epidemiology. We examined the prevalence, incidence and prognostic impact of 21 comorbidities among patients with COPD compared with the Danish general population.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide, population-based cohort study based on longitudinal Danish registry data, covering all Danish hospitals (2010-2021). The cohorts comprised 142 973 patients with a first-time hospital-based diagnosis of COPD and 428 917 age-matched and sex-matched comparators from the general population. During follow-up, we estimated the 5-year risk and risk difference, using competing risk methods when applicable.

RESULTS

At time of diagnosis, the comorbidities with the highest prevalence were mood, stress-related or anxiety disorders (25.2% for patients with COPD vs 13.1% for comparators), osteoporosis/hip fractures (17.4% vs 9.9%), diabetes (15.6% vs 10.5%), peripheral arterial disease (13.5% vs 4.9%) and heart failure (13.3% vs 4.0%). During follow-up, the risk of most incident comorbidities was markedly elevated among patients with COPD. The five comorbidities associated with the highest 5-year absolute risk difference with respect to the risk in the general population were mood, stress-related or anxiety disorders (5.7%), osteoporosis/hip fractures (5.6%), heart failure (4.2%), smoking-related cancers (2.8%) and peripheral arterial disease (2.7%). The 5-year mortality risk was 43% vs 17.7%. Among patients with COPD, the 5-year mortality risk markedly increased with the number of comorbidities present.

CONCLUSIONS

Our population-based findings underscore the importance of considering comorbidities in the management of COPD.

Tobacco smoking is associated with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema and worse outcomes in interstitial lung disease

Tobacco smoking is an established cause of pulmonary disease whose contribution to interstitial lung disease (ILD) is incompletely characterized. We hypothesized that compared with nonsmokers, subjects who smoked tobacco would differ in their clinical phenotype and have greater mortality. We performed a retrospective cohort study of tobacco smoking in ILD. We evaluated demographic and clinical characteristics, time to clinically meaningful lung function decline (LFD), and mortality in patients stratified by tobacco smoking status (ever vs. never) within a tertiary center ILD registry (2006-2021) and replicated mortality outcomes across four nontertiary medical centers. Data were analyzed by two-sided t tests, Poisson generalized linear models, and Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age, sex, forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), ILD subtype, antifibrotic therapy, and hospital center. Of 1,163 study participants, 651 were tobacco smokers. Smokers were more likely to be older, male, have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), coronary artery disease, CT honeycombing and emphysema, higher FVC, and lower DLCO than nonsmokers (P < 0.01). Time to LFD in smokers was shorter (19.7 ± 20 mo vs. 24.8 ± 29 mo; P = 0.038) and survival time was decreased [10.75 (10.08-11.50) yr vs. 20 (18.67-21.25) yr; adjusted mortality HR = 1.50, 95%CI 1.17-1.92; P < 0.0001] compared with nonsmokers. Smokers had 12% greater odds of death for every additional 10 pack yr of smoking (P < 0.0001). Mortality outcomes remained consistent in the nontertiary cohort (HR = 1.51, 95%CI = 1.03-2.23; P = 0.036). Tobacco smokers with ILD have a distinct clinical phenotype strongly associated with the syndrome of combined PF and emphysema, shorter time to LFD, and decreased survival. Smoking prevention may improve ILD outcomes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Smoking in ILD is associated with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema and worse clinical outcomes.

Community-Based Approach to Assess Obstructive Respiratory Diseases and Risk in Urban African American Churches

Asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are significant health problems that have disparate effects on many Americans. Misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis are common and lead to ineffective treatment and management. This study assessed the feasibility of applying a two-step case-finding technique to identify both COPD and adult asthma cases in urban African American churches. We established a community-based partnership, administered a cross-sectional survey in step one of the case-finding technique and performed spirometry testing in step two. A total of 219 surveys were completed. Provider-diagnosed asthma and COPD were reported in 26% (50/193) and 9.6% (18/187) of the sample. Probable asthma (13.9%), probable COPD (23.1%), and COPD high-risk groups (31.9%) were reported. It is feasible to establish active case-finding within the African American church community using a two-step approach to successfully identify adult asthma and COPD probable cases for early detection and treatment to reduce disparate respiratory health outcomes.

Physical Activity, Muscle Oxidative Capacity, and Coronary Artery Calcium in Smokers with and without COPD

Introduction

Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is partly characterized by diminished skeletal muscle oxidative capacity and concurrent dyslipidemia. It is unknown whether such metabolic derangements increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study explored associations among physical activity (PA), muscle oxidative capacity, and coronary artery calcium (CAC) in COPDGene participants.

Methods

Data from current and former smokers with COPD (n = 75) and normal spirometry (n = 70) were retrospectively analyzed. Physical activity was measured for seven days using triaxial accelerometry (steps/day and vector magnitude units [VMU]) along with the aggregate of self-reported PA amount and PA difficulty using the PROactive D-PPAC instrument. Muscle oxidative capacity (k) was assessed via near-infrared spectroscopy, and CAC was assessed via chest computerized tomography.

Results

Relative to controls, COPD patients exhibited higher CAC (median [IQR], 31 [0–431] vs 264 [40–799] HU; p = 0.003), lower k (mean ± SD = 1.66 ± 0.48 vs 1.25 ± 0.37 min⁻¹; p < 0.001), and lower D-PPAC total score (65.2 ± 9.9 vs 58.8 ± 13.2; p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis—adjusting for age, sex, race, diabetes, disease severity, hyperlipidemia, smoking status, and hypertension—revealed a significant negative association between CAC and D-PPAC total score (β, −0.05; p = 0.013), driven primarily by D-PPAC difficulty score (β, −0.03; p = 0.026). A 1 unit increase in D-PPAC total score was associated with a 5% lower CAC (p = 0.013). There was no association between CAC and either k, steps/day, VMU, or D-PPAC amount.

Conclusion

Patients with COPD and concomitantly elevated CAC exhibit greater perceptions of difficulty when performing daily activities. This may have implications for exercise adherence and risk of overall physical decline.

Race and Sex Differences in Mortality in Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Rationale: Despite differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comorbidities, race- and sex-based differences in all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality are not well described. Objectives: To examine mortality differences in COPD by race-sex and underlying mechanisms. Methods: Medicare claims were used to identify COPD among REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) cohort participants. Mortality rates were calculated using adjudicated causes of death. Hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality comparing race-sex groups were modeled with Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: In the 2,148-member COPD subcohort, 49% were women, and 34% were Black individuals; 1,326 deaths occurred over a median 7.5 years (interquartile range, 3.9-10.5 yr) follow-up. All-cause mortality per 1,000 person-years comparing Black versus White men was 101.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.3-115.8) versus 93.9 (95% CI, 86.3-102.3; P = 0.99); comparing Black versus White women, all-cause mortality per 1,000 person-years was 74.2 (95% CI, 65.0-84.8) versus 70.6 (95% CI, 63.5-78.5; P = 0.99). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was the leading cause-specific mortality among all race-sex groups. HR for CVD and chronic lung disease mortality were nonsignificant comparing Black versus White men. HR for CVD death was higher in Black compared with White women (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.06-1.95), whereas chronic lung disease death was lower (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25-0.77). These differences were attributable to higher CVD risk factor burden among Black women. Conclusions: In the REGARDS COPD cohort, there were no race-sex differences in all-cause mortality. CVD was the most common cause of death for all race-sex groups with COPD. Black women with COPD had a higher risk of CVD-related mortality than White women. CVD comorbidity management, especially among Black individuals, may improve mortality outcomes.

Prevalence and Newly Diagnosed Rates of Multimorbidity in Older Medicare Beneficiaries with COPD

Few studies have quantified the multimorbidity burden in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using large and generalizable data. Such evidence is essential to inform evidence-based research, clinical care, and resource allocation. This retrospective cohort study used a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with COPD and 1:1 matched (on age, sex, and race) non-COPD beneficiaries to: (1) quantify the prevalence of multimorbidity at COPD onset and one-year later; (2) quantify the rates [per 100 person-years (PY)] of newly diagnosed multimorbidity during in the year prior to and in the year following COPD onset; and (3) compare multimorbidity prevalence in beneficiaries with and without COPD. Among 739,118 eligible beneficiaries with and without COPD, the average number of multimorbidity was 10.0 (SD = 4.7) and 1.0 (SD = 3.3), respectively. The most prevalent multimorbidity at COPD onset and at one-year after, respectively, were hypertension (70.8% and 80.2%), hyperlipidemia (52.2% and 64.8%), anemia (42.1% and 52.0%), arthritis (39.8% and 47.7%), and congestive heart failure (CHF) (31.3% and 38.8%). Conditions with the highest newly diagnosed rates before and following COPD onset, respectively, included hypertension (39.8 and 32.3 per 100 PY), hyperlipidemia (22.8 and 27.6), anemia (17.8 and 20.3), CHF (16.2 and 13.2), and arthritis (12.9 and 13.2). COPD was significantly associated with increased odds of all measured conditions relative to non-COPD controls. This study updates existing literature with more current, generalizable findings of the substantial multimorbidity burden in medically complex older adults with COPD-necessary to inform patient-centered, multidimensional care.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15412555.2021.1968815 .

Association Between Rural Residence and In-Hospital and 30-Day Mortality Among Veterans Hospitalized with COPD Exacerbations

Background

We explored the relationship between rural residency and in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized with COPD exacerbations.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed COPD hospitalizations from 2011 to 2017 at 124 acute care Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals in the US. Patient residence was classified using Rural Urban Commuting Area codes as urban, rural, or isolated rural. We stratified patient hospitalizations into quartiles by travel time from patient residence to the nearest VHA primary care provider clinic and hospital. Multivariate analyses utilized generalized estimating equations with a logit link accounting for repeated hospitalizations among patients and adjusting for patient- and hospital-level characteristics.

Results

Of 64,914 COPD hospitalizations analyzed, 43,549 (67.1%) were for urban, 18,673 (28.8%) for rural, and 2,692 (4.1%) for isolated rural veterans. In-hospital mortality was 4.9% in urban, 5.5% in rural, and 5.2% in isolated rural veterans (P=0.008). Thirty-day mortality was 8.3% in urban, 9.9% in rural, and 9.2% in isolated rural veterans (P<0.001). Travel time to a primary care provider and VHA hospital was not associated with in-hospital mortality among isolated rural and rural veterans. In the multivariable analysis, compared to urban veterans, isolated rural patients did not have increased mortality. Rural residence was not associated with in-hospital (OR=0.87; 95% CI=0.67-1.12, P=0.28) but was associated with increased 30-day mortality (OR=1.13; 95% CI=1.04-1.22, P=0.002). Transfer from another acute care hospital (OR=14.97; 95% CI=9.80-17.16, P<0.001) or an unknown/other facility (OR=33.05; 95% CI=22.66-48.21, P<0.001) were the strongest predictors of increased in-hospital mortality compared to patients coming from the outpatient sector. Transfer from another acute care facility was also a risk factor for 30-day mortality.

Conclusion

Potential gaps in post-discharge care of rural veterans may be responsible for the rural-urban disparities. Further research should investigate the exact mechanism that inter-hospital transfers affect mortality.

Patient Selection for Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction

Purpose

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) is a valuable treatment option for carefully selected patients with severe COPD. There is limited knowledge about the characteristics and outcomes of patients referred to a specialized center for BLVR. The study objectives were to investigate the selection rate for BLVR treatment in patients referred for this treatment and to investigate the differences between patients that were selected for BLVR and patients that were not.

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with severe COPD who were referred to our hospital to assess eligibility for BLVR treatment. Our parameters included demographics, comorbidity, chest computed tomography characteristics, reasons for rejection from BLVR treatment and patient survival.

Results

In total, 1500 patients were included (mean age 62 years, 50% female and forced expiratory volume in 1 s 33% of predicted). Out of this group, 282 (19%) patients were selected for BLVR treatment. The absence of a suitable target lobe for treatment, an unsuitable disease phenotype and insufficient lung hyperinflation were the most important factors for not being selected. Patients that were selected for any BLVR option lived significantly longer than the group of patients that were not selected for BLVR (median 3060 versus 2079 days, P<0.001).

Conclusion

We found that only a small proportion of patients that are referred for BLVR treatment is eligible for a BLVR treatment, indicating a need for both better referral tools and for the development of new therapies for this group of patients. Furthermore, our data suggest that selection for BLVR is associated with a significant survival benefit.

Beta-blockers in COPD: A systematic review based on recent research

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with cardiovascular complications is very common. Due to fear of exacerbating airway spasm, β-blockers are rarely used in such patients. Many observational studies suggest that β-blockers can reduce the disease progression and the risk of mortality in patients with COPD, but lack of confirmation from randomized controlled trials. This article reviews the application of β-blockers in patients with COPD based on the results of the latest published randomized controlled trials.

Prevalence of disability among adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2016-2017

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of disabilities is rising steadily, reflecting an aging population and an increasing burden of chronic conditions affecting quality of life. There are scant national data on the prevalence of disability among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The main objective was to estimate the prevalence of common disabilities among US-based individuals diagnosed with COPD.

METHODS

Data from the BRFSS, a national telephone survey examining health-related behaviors in 2016-2017 were analyzed. The study population consisted of individuals with self-reported COPD (N = 38352 in 2016 and N = 35423 in 2017). The prevalence of disabilities in hearing, vision, cognition, mobility, and independent living were obtained and adjusted with sampling weights. Healthcare access measures were described by type of disability.

RESULTS

Mobility disability had the highest prevalence of 45.9 (44.8-47.0) % in 2016 and 48.4 (47.3-49.5) % in 2017 among respondents with COPD. The prevalence of disabilities was highest among those 45-64 years old, except for hearing and cognition. Hearing disabilities were most prevalent among males with COPD while cognitive and mobility disabilities were most prevalent among females with COPD. While differences in the prevalence of disabilities were observed, access to health care was similar by disability type and age group among respondents.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to expectation, the highest prevalence of disabilities was found not to be among those 65 years old and above. Further research is needed to explain this age-specific shift in the burden of disability, as long-term care planning and prevention support systems should be informed by the demographical patterns of disabilities among individuals with COPD.

Coagulation Status and Venous Thromboembolism Risk in African Americans: A Potential Risk Factor in COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (COVID-19) is known to induce severe inflammation and activation of the coagulation system, resulting in a prothrombotic state. Although inflammatory conditions and organ-specific diseases have been shown to be strong determinants of morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19, it is unclear whether preexisting differences in coagulation impact the severity of COVID-19. African Americans have higher rates of COVID-19 infection and disease-related morbidity and mortality. Moreover, African Americans are known to be at a higher risk for thrombotic events due to both biological and socioeconomic factors. In this review, we explore whether differences in baseline coagulation status and medical management of coagulation play an important role in COVID-19 disease severity and contribute to racial disparity trends within COVID-19.

Clinical Epidemiology of COPD: Insights From 10 Years of the COPDGene Study

The Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene) study is a noninterventional, multicenter, longitudinal analysis of > 10,000 subjects, including smokers with a ≥ 10 pack-year history with and without COPD and healthy never smokers. The goal was to characterize disease-related phenotypes and explore associations with susceptibility genes. The subjects were extensively phenotyped with the use of comprehensive symptom and comorbidity questionnaires, spirometry, CT scans of the chest, and genetic and biomarker profiling. The objective of this review was to summarize the major advances in the clinical epidemiology of COPD from the first 10 years of the COPDGene study. We highlight the influence of age, sex, and race on the natural history of COPD, and the impact of comorbid conditions, chronic bronchitis, exacerbations, and asthma/COPD overlap.

Influence of comorbidities in long-term survival of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity around the world, with comorbidities in COPD being common and having a negative effect on survival. We investigate the effects of comorbidities on long-term survival of COPD patients.

Methods

The study included patients with COPD who were hospitalized with an exacerbation. The demographic characteristics, hematological and biochemical parameters, pulmonary function test parameters and comorbidities of the patients were obtained from the hospital database and patient records, and the mortality of the patients was assessed at two years. The parameters considered to be related to mortality were analyzed using the Cox regression method.

Results

A total of 826 patients with COPD were included in the study, and the rate of patients with at least one comorbidity was 84.5%. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (n=394, 47.7%), heart failure (n=244, 29.5%) and DM (n=173, 20.9%). In a Cox regression analysis, the Charlson Comorbidity Index was strongly associated with mortality (P=0.000). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, a significant association was noted between the increasing number of comorbidities and long-term mortality, when compared to the patients without comorbidity (comorbidity numbers 1, 2 and ≥3; HR: 1.37, P=0.032, HR: 1.40, P=0.028 and HR: 1.65, P=0.000, respectively).

Conclusions

Increasing number of comorbidities in COPD patients with severe exacerbation were found to negatively affect long-term survival. We consider both the evaluation and treatment of comorbidities to be important in the reduction of long-term mortality in patients with COPD.

Associations of Multimorbid Medical Conditions and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older African American Men

Background

African American (AA) men battling multiple morbidities are tasked with managing the components of each condition and are at greater risk for adverse outcomes such as poor health-related quality of life (QOL), disability, and higher mortality rates.

Method

Baseline data for AA men from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging were utilized. Factor analysis was used to categorize medical conditions and create factor scores. Covariate-adjusted regression models assessed the relationships between categories of conditions and physical and mental health-related QOL as assessed by the SF-12.

Results

The mean age of the sample of 247 AA men was 75.36 years and 49% lived in rural areas. Medical conditions fit into three factors: metabolic syndrome, kidney failure and neurological complications, and COPD and heart disease. Covariate-adjusted models revealed that low education, higher levels of income difficulty, and higher scores on metabolic syndrome and COPD and heart disease factors were associated with lower scores on physical health-related QOL, p's < .05. Higher levels of income difficulty were also associated with lower scores on mental health-related QOL.

Discussion

These findings suggest the importance of examining clusters of comorbid medical conditions and their relationships to outcomes within older African American men.

Cardiovascular Comorbidities in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)-Current Considerations for Clinical Practice

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular comorbidities are highly prevalent and associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. This coincidence is increasingly seen in context of a “cardiopulmonary continuum” rather than being simply attributed to shared risk factors such as cigarette smoking. Overlapping symptoms such as dyspnea or chest pain lead to a worse prognosis due to missed concomitant diagnoses. Moreover, medication is often withheld as a result of unfounded concerns about side effects. Despite the frequent coincidence, current guidelines are still mostly restricted to the management of the individual disease. Future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies should therefore be guided by an integrative perspective as well as a refined phenotyping of disease entities.

Racial differences in comorbidity profile among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often accompanied by multiple comorbidities, which are associated with an increased risk of exacerbation, a poor health-related quality of life, and high mortality. However, differences in comorbidity profile by race and ethnicity in COPD patients have not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

Participants aged 40 to 79 years with spirometry-defined COPD from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2007-2012) and from the Korea NHANES (2007-2015) were analyzed to compare the prevalence of comorbidities by race and ethnicity group. Comorbidities were defined using questionnaire data, physical exams, and laboratory tests.

RESULTS

Non-Hispanic Whites had the highest prevalence of dyslipidemia (65.5%), myocardial infarction (6.2%), osteoarthritis (40.1%), and osteoporosis (13.6%), while non-Hispanic Blacks had the highest prevalence of asthma (24.0%), hypertension (70.2%), stroke (7.3%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (23.3%), anemia (16.4%), and rheumatoid arthritis (11.9%). Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, stroke, DM, anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status, while Hispanics had a significantly higher prevalence of DM and anemia, and Koreans had significantly lower prevalences of all comorbidities except stroke, DM, and anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

COPD-related comorbidities varied significantly by race and ethnicity, and different strategies may be required for the optimal management of COPD and its comorbidities in different race and ethnicity groups.

Prevalence of osteoarthritis in individuals with COPD: a systematic review

The objective of this review was to examine the prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in individuals with COPD. A computer-based literature search of CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO and Embase databases was performed. Studies reporting the prevalence of OA among a cohort of individuals with COPD were included. The sample size varied across the studies from 27 to 52,643 with a total number of 101,399 individuals with COPD recruited from different countries. The mean age ranged from 59 to 76 years. The prevalence rates of OA among individuals with COPD were calculated as weighted means. A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria with a prevalence ranging from 12% to 74% and an overall weighted mean of 35.5%. Our findings suggest that the prevalence of OA is high among individuals with COPD and should be considered when developing and applying interventions in this population.

Examining patterns of multimorbidity, polypharmacy and risk of adverse drug reactions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional UK Biobank study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims: (1) to describe the pattern and extent of multimorbidity and polypharmacy in UK Biobank participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and (2) to identify which comorbidities are associated with increased risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) resulting from polypharmacy.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Community cohort.

PARTICIPANTS

UK Biobank participants comparing self-reported COPD (n=8317) with no COPD (n=494 323).

OUTCOMES

Multimorbidity (≥4 conditions) and polypharmacy (≥5 medications) in participants with COPD versus those without. Risk of ADRs (taking ≥3 medications associated with falls, constipation, urinary retention, central nervous system (CNS) depression, bleeding or renal injury) in relation to the presence of COPD and individual comorbidities.

RESULTS

Multimorbidity was more common in participants with COPD than those without (17% vs 4%). Polypharmacy was highly prevalent (52% with COPD taking ≥5 medications vs 18% in those without COPD). Adjusting for age, sex and socioeconomic status, those with COPD were significantly more likely than those without to be prescribed ≥3 medications contributing to falls (OR 2.27, 95% CI 2.13 to 2.42), constipation (OR 3.42, 95% CI 3.10 to 3.77), urinary retention (OR 3.38, 95% CI 2.94 to 3.87), CNS depression (OR 3.75, 95% CI 3.31 to 4.25), bleeding (OR 4.61, 95% CI 3.35 to 6.19) and renal injury (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.86 to 2.62). Concomitant cardiovascular disease was associated with the greatest risk of taking ≥3 medications associated with falls/renal injury. Concomitant mental health conditions were most strongly associated with medications linked with CNS depression/urinary retention/bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Multimorbidity is common in COPD and associated with high levels of polypharmacy. Co-prescription of drugs with various ADRs is common. Future research should examine the effects on healthcare outcomes of co-prescribing multiple drugs with similar potential ADRs. Clinical guidelines should emphasise assessment of multimorbidity and ADR risk.

Trends in 30-day readmission rates after COPD hospitalization, 2006-2012

BACKGROUND

Reduction in 30-day readmission rate after chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related hospitalization is a national objective. However, little is known about trends in readmission rates in recent years, particularly in priority populations defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)(e.g., the elderly, women, racial/ethnic minorities, low-income and rural populations, and populations with chronic illnesses).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the State Inpatient Database of eight geographically-dispersed US states (Arkansas, California, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, New York, Utah, and Washington) from 2006 through 2012. We identified all COPD-related hospitalizations by patients ?40 years old. The primary outcome was any-cause readmission within 30 days of discharge from the index hospitalization for COPD.

RESULTS

From 2006 to 2012, a total of 845,465 hospitalizations at risk for 30-day readmissions were identified. Overall, 30-day readmission rate for COPD-related hospitalization decreased modestly from 20.0% in 2006 to 19.2% in 2012, an 0.8% absolute decrease (OR 0.991, 95%CI 0.989-0.995, P_trend<0.001). This modest decline remained statistically significant after adjusting for patient demographics and comorbidities (adjusted OR 0.981, 95%CI 0.977-0.984, P_trend<0.001). Similar to the overall population, the readmission rate over the 7-year period remained persistently high in most of AHRQ-defined priority populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations provide a benchmark for future investigation of the impact of Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program on readmissions after COPD hospitalization. Our findings encourage researchers and policymakers to develop effective strategies aimed at reducing readmissions among patients with COPD in an already-stressed healthcare system.

Health resource utilization for inpatients with COPD treated with nebulized arformoterol or nebulized formoterol

OBJECTIVE

Arformoterol is the (R,R)-enantiomer of formoterol. Preclinical studies suggest that it is a stronger bronchodilator than the racemic (R,R/S,S)-formoterol; however, its potential clinical advantages have not been demonstrated. This study compared the length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission rates, and doses of rescue medication administered in hospitalized patients with COPD who were treated with nebulized arformoterol or nebulized formoterol.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis utilized data from Premier, Inc. (Charlotte, NC, USA), the largest nationwide hospital-based administrative database. COPD patients ≥40 years of age were included if they were hospitalized between January 2011 and July 2014, had no asthma diagnoses, and were treated with nebulized arformoterol or nebulized formoterol. LOS was measured from the day the patients initiated the study medication (index day). Rescue medications were defined as short-acting bronchodilators used from the index day onward. Multivariate statistical models included a random effect for hospital and controlled for patient demographics, hospital characteristics, admission characteristics, prior hospitalizations, comorbidities, pre-index service use, and pre-index medication use.

RESULTS

A total of 7,876 patients received arformoterol, and 3,612 patients received nebulized formoterol. There was no significant difference in 30-day all-cause (arformoterol =11.9%, formoterol =12.1%, odds ratio [OR] =0.981, P=0.82) or COPD-related hospital readmission rates (arformoterol =8.0%, formoterol =8.0%, OR =1.002, P=0.98) after adjusting for covariates. The adjusted mean LOS was significantly shorter for arformoterol-treated vs formoterol-treated patients (4.6 vs 4.9 days, P=0.039), and arformoterol-treated patients used significantly fewer doses of rescue medications vs formoterol-treated patients (5.9 vs 6.6 doses, P=0.006).

CONCLUSION

During inpatient stays, treating with arformoterol instead of nebulized formoterol may lead to shorter LOS and lower rescue medication use.

Respiratory Symptoms Items from the COPD Assessment Test Identify Ever-Smokers with Preserved Lung Function at Higher Risk for Poor Respiratory Outcomes. An Analysis of the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study Cohort

RATIONALE

Ever-smokers without airflow obstruction scores greater than or equal to 10 on the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) still have frequent acute respiratory disease events (exacerbation-like), impaired exercise capacity, and imaging abnormalities. Identification of these subjects could provide new opportunities for targeted interventions.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that the four respiratory-related items of the CAT might be useful for identifying such individuals, with discriminative ability similar to CAT, which is an eight-item questionnaire used to assess chronic obstructive pulmonary disease impact, including nonrespiratory questions, with scores ranging from 0 to 40.

METHODS

We evaluated ever-smoker participants in the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcomes in COPD Study without airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC ≥0.70; FVC above the lower limit of normal). Using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, we compared responses to both CAT and the respiratory symptom-related CAT items (cough, phlegm, chest tightness, and breathlessness) and their associations with longitudinal exacerbations. We tested agreement between the two strategies (κ statistic), and we compared demographics, lung function, and symptoms among subjects identified as having high symptoms by each strategy.

RESULTS

Among 880 ever-smokers with normal lung function (mean age, 61 yr; 52% women) and using a CAT cutpoint greater than or equal to 10, we classified 51.8% of individuals as having high symptoms, 15.3% of whom experienced at least one exacerbation during 1-year follow-up. After testing sensitivity and specificity of different scores for the first four questions to predict any 1-year follow-up exacerbation, we selected cutpoints of 0-6 as representing a low burden of symptoms versus scores of 7 or higher as representing a high burden of symptoms for all subsequent comparisons. The four respiratory-related items with cutpoint greater than or equal to 7 selected 45.8% participants, 15.6% of whom experienced at least one exacerbation during follow-up. The two strategies largely identified the same individuals (agreement, 88.5%; κ = 0.77; P < 0.001), and the proportions of high-symptoms subjects who had severe dyspnea were similar between CAT and the first four CAT questions (25.9% and 26.8%, respectively), as were the proportions reporting impaired quality of life (66.9% and 70.5%, respectively) and short walking distance (22.4% and 23.1%, respectively). There was no difference in area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to predict 1-year follow-up exacerbations (CAT score ≥10, 0.66; vs. four respiratory items from CAT ≥7 score, 0.65; P = 0.69). Subjects identified by either method also had more depression/anxiety symptoms, poor sleep quality, and greater fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS

Four CAT items on respiratory symptoms identified high-risk symptomatic ever-smokers with preserved spirometry as well as the CAT did. These data suggest that simpler strategies can be developed to identify these high-risk individuals in primary care.

Impact of Comorbidities Among Medicaid Enrollees With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, United States, 2009

INTRODUCTION

Multimorbidity, the presence of 2 or more chronic conditions, frequently affects people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Many have high-cost, highly complex conditions that have a substantial impact on state Medicaid programs. We quantified the cost of Medicaid-insured patients with COPD co-diagnosed with other chronic disorders.

METHODS

We used nationally representative Medicaid claims data to analyze the impact of comorbidities (other chronic conditions) on the disease burden, emergency department (ED) use, hospitalizations, and total health care costs among 291,978 adult COPD patients. We measured the prevalence of common conditions and their influence on COPD-related and non-COPD-related resource use by using the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. Elixhauser comorbidity counts were clustered from 0 to 7 or more. We performed multivariable logistic regression to determine the odds of ED visits by Elixhauser scores adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and residence.

RESULTS

Acute care, hospital bed days, and total Medicaid-reimbursed costs increased as the number of comorbidities increased. ED visits unrelated to COPD were more common than visits for COPD, especially in patients self-identified as black or African American (designated black). Hypertension, diabetes, affective disorders, hyperlipidemia, and asthma were the most prevalent comorbid disorders. Substance abuse, congestive heart failure, and asthma were commonly associated with ED visits for COPD. Female sex was associated with COPD-related and non-COPD-related ED visits.

CONCLUSION

Comorbidities markedly increased health services use among people with COPD insured with Medicaid, although ED visits in this study were predominantly unrelated to COPD. Achieving excellence in clinical practice with optimal clinical and economic outcomes requires a whole-person approach to the patient and a multidisciplinary health care team.

Paradigms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: phenotypes, immunobiology, and therapy with a focus on vascular disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex and heterogeneous syndrome that represents a major global health burden. COPD phenotypes have recently emerged based on large cohort studies addressing the need to better characterize the syndrome. Though comprehensive phenotyping is still at an early stage, factors such as ethnicity and radiographic, serum, and exhaled breath biomarkers have shown promise. COPD is also an immunological disease where innate and adaptive immune responses to the environment and tobacco smoke are altered. The frequent overlap between COPD and other systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, has influenced COPD therapy, and treatments for both conditions may lead to improved patient outcomes. Here, we discuss current paradigms that center on improving the definition of COPD, understanding the immunological overlap between COPD and vascular inflammation, and the treatment of COPD-with a focus on comorbid cardiovascular disease.

What is the impact of impaired left ventricular ejection fraction in COPD after adjusting for confounders?

BACKGROUND

It remains unknown whether and to what extent impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) affects physical and psychological status in COPD. We aimed to compare health outcome measures between COPD patients with and without impaired LVEF after adjusting for age, sex, BMI and FEV₁.

METHODS

Impaired LVEF was defined as values <50%. 85 COPD patients with impaired LVEF and 85 COPD patients with normal LVEF were matched for sex, age, BMI and FEV₁. Exercise capacity, quadriceps muscle function, functional mobility, inflammatory status, health status, care dependency, and mood disorders were cross-sectionally assessed.

RESULTS

Patients with impaired LVEF had shorter 6-minute walk distance (mean -59 (95% confidence interval: -94, -25)m), lower symptom-limited peak oxygen uptake (-131 (-268, 7)ml/min), weaker quadriceps muscles (-12 (-20, -3)Nm) and had more symptoms of anxiety (+2 (1, 3) points) and depression (+1 (0, 2) points) than those with normal LVEF (all P<0.05). Health status was not statistically different between groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Impaired LVEF has a clear impact on physical and psychological status in patients with COPD, even after adjusting for confounders. This reinforces the importance of assessing and treating cardiac problems in COPD.

Obesity Is Associated With Increased Morbidity in Moderate to Severe COPD

BACKGROUND

Obesity is prevalent in the United States; however, the impact of obesity on COPD morbidity is unclear. We hypothesized that obesity is associated with worse outcomes in COPD.

METHODS

We examined 3,631 participants from the multicenter prospective cohort study Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene) who had spirometry-confirmed COPD, a postbronchodilator FEV₁ < 80% predicted, and a BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m². We conducted logistic and linear regression analyses to determine the association between COPD outcomes and obesity class, adjusting for relevant confounders. The referent for obesity classes included normal/overweight individuals (BMI range, 18.5-29.9 kg/m²).

RESULTS

Overall, 35% of participants were obese, with 21% class I (BMI range, 30-34.9 kg/m²), 9% class II (BMI range, 35-39.9 kg/m²), and 5% class III (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m²). The number of comorbidities increased with increasing obesity class (P < .001). Increasing obesity class was independently associated with worse respiratory-specific and general quality of life (QOL) (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire score and Short Form-36 score version 2, respectively), reduced 6-min walk distance (6MWD), increased dyspnea (Modified Medical Research Council score ≥ 2), and greater odds of severe acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). The associations between obesity and worse outcomes were independent of the presence of comorbidities, except in the case of SF-36 and severe exacerbations.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity is prevalent among individuals with COPD and associated with worse COPD-related outcomes, ranging from QOL and dyspnea to 6MWD and severe AECOPD. These associations were strengthened when obesity was analyzed as a dose-dependent response. Obesity in patients with COPD may contribute to a worse COPD-related course.

Comorbidities and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Prevalence, Influence on Outcomes, and Management

Comorbidities impact a large proportion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with over 80% of patients with COPD estimated to have at least one comorbid chronic condition. Guidelines for the treatment of COPD are just now incorporating comorbidities to their management recommendations of COPD, and it is becoming increasingly clear that multimorbidity as well as specific comorbidities have strong associations with mortality and clinical outcomes in COPD, including dyspnea, exercise capacity, quality of life, healthcare utilization, and exacerbation risk. Appropriately, there has been an increased focus upon describing the burden of comorbidity in the COPD population and incorporating this information into existing efforts to better understand the clinical and phenotypic heterogeneity of this group. In this article, we summarize existing knowledge about comorbidity burden and specific comorbidities in COPD, focusing on prevalence estimates, association with outcomes, and existing knowledge about treatment strategies.