Influencing factors of good quality of life among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients living in Zhejiang Province, China

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive and debilitating disease that affects quality of life (QOL), especially among patients living in poor environments. This study aimed to determine the influencing factors of good QOL among COPD patients living in Zhejiang, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from participants in six tertiary hospitals in Zhejiang Province by a simple random sampling method. A validated questionnaire was used to collect general information, environmental factors, and COPD stage. The standardized St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was used to assess QOL. Logistic regression was used to determine influencing factors of good QOL among COPD patients at a significance level of α = 0.05. A total of 420 participants were recruited for analysis. The overall prevalence of patients with good QOL was 25.7%. Six variables were found to be associated with good QOL in the multivariable analysis. Patients who were employed had 2.35 times (95% CI 1.03-5.34) greater odds of having good QOL than those who were unemployed. Those whose family income was higher than 100,000 CNY had 2.49 times (95% CI 1.15-5.39) greater odds of having good QOL than those whose family income was lower than 100,000 CNY. Those who had treatment expenses less than 5,000 CNY had 4.57 (95% CI 1.57-13.30) times greater odds of having good QOL than those who had treatment expenses of 5,000 CNY or higher. Those who had mild or moderate airflow limitation were 5.27 times (95% CI 1.61-17.26) more likely to have good QOL than those who were in a severe or very severe stage of COPD. Those who had a duration of illness less than 60 months had 5.57 times (95% CI 1.40-22.12) greater odds of having good QOL than those who had a duration of illness of 120 months or more. Those who were not hospitalized within the past 3 months had 9.39 times (95% CI 1.62-54.43) greater odds of having good QOL than those who were hospitalized more than twice over the past 3 months. Socioeconomic status, disease stage and accessibility were associated with good QOL among COPD patients in Zhejiang Province, China. Increasing family income and implementing measures to improve the accessibility of medical care, including developing a proper system to decrease the cost of treatment for COPD patients, can improve patients' QOL.

Effect of YuPingFeng granules on clinical symptoms of stable COPD: study protocol for a multicenter, double-blind, and randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Reducing current clinical symptoms and the risks of future exacerbations is the main goal of stable COPD management. Traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in chronic disease management. YuPingFeng (YPF), as a classical prescription, has been proven to reduce the risk of exacerbations, but there is a lack of high-quality evidence for the assessment of clinical symptoms and quality of life, particularly for the assessment of treatment response of microecology and immunity.

METHODS/DESIGN

This is a prospective, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 316 eligible subjects with moderate to severe COPD will be randomized 1:1 to receive YPF or placebo. Participants will receive either YPF or a placebo at 5 g three times daily for 52 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change in the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score after 52 weeks of treatment. Secondary outcomes will include changes in the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score and clinical symptom score, among others. Outcomes will be measured at each visit. The study will continue for 52 weeks and will include six visits to each subject (at day 0 and weeks 4,12,24,36 and 52). In the event of exacerbations, subjects will be required to go back to the hospital once on the first day of exacerbation or when their condition permits.

DISCUSSION

This trial will provide research methods to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and the possible mechanism of YPF in the treatment of stable moderate-to-severe COPD patients. In addition, we hope to provide more possibilities for TCM to participate in the management of stable COPD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry on 3 June 2022 (ChiCTR2200060476; date recorded: 3/6/2022, https://www.chictr.org.cn/ ).

Clinical Efficacy of Mobile App-Based, Self-Directed Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Pulmonary rehabilitation is well known to improve clinical symptoms (including dyspnea), quality of life, and exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, researchers have reported difficulties in practicing center-based pulmonary rehabilitation. Recently, mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation has become available in clinical practice. We investigated the clinical outcomes of mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD.

Objective

The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation versus conventional center-based pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with COPD, using a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

A systematic search of the literature published between January 2007 and June 2023 was performed, using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases to identify relevant randomized controlled trials involving patients with COPD. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs needed to provide an exercise program on a smartphone app. Study outcomes, including exercise capacity, symptom scores, quality of life, and hospitalization, were evaluated. The meta-analysis evaluated mean differences in 6-minute walk test distances (6MWDs), COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale scores, St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, and risk ratios for hospitalization resulting from disease exacerbation.

Results

Of the 1173 screened studies, 10 were included in the systematic review and 9 were included in the meta-analysis. Further, 6 studies were multicenter studies. There were a total of 1050 participants, and most were aged ≥65 years. There were discrepancies in the baseline participant characteristics, smartphone apps, interventions, and study outcomes among the included studies. In the meta-analysis, 5 studies assessed 6MWDs (mean difference 9.52, 95% CI -3.05 to 22.08 m), 6 studies assessed CAT scores (mean difference -1.29, 95% CI -2.39 to -0.20), 3 studies assessed mMRC dyspnea scale scores (mean difference -0.08, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.13), 2 studies assessed SGRQ scores (mean difference -3.62, 95% CI -9.62 to 2.38), and 3 studies assessed hospitalization resulting from disease exacerbation (risk ratio 0.65, 95% CI 0.27-1.53). These clinical parameters generally favored mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation; however, a statistically significant difference was noted only for the CAT scores (P=.02).

Conclusions

Despite some discrepancies in the baseline participant characteristics and interventions among studies, mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation resulted in favorable exercise capacity, symptom score, quality of life, and hospitalization outcomes when compared with conventional pulmonary rehabilitation. In the meta-analysis, the CAT scores of the mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P=.02). In real-world practice, mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation can be a useful treatment option when conventional center-based pulmonary rehabilitation is not feasible.

Systemic and Airway Epigenetic Disruptions Are Associated with Health Status in COPD

Epigenetic modifications are common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, their clinical relevance is largely unknown. We hypothesized that epigenetic disruptions are associated with symptoms and health status in COPD. We profiled the blood (n = 57) and airways (n = 62) of COPD patients for DNA methylation (n = 55 paired). The patients' health status was assessed using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). We conducted differential methylation analyses and identified pathways characterized by epigenetic disruptions associated with SGRQ scores and its individual domains. 29,211 and 5044 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were associated with total SGRQ scores in blood and airway samples, respectively. The activity, impact, and symptom domains were associated with 9161, 25,689 and 17,293 DMPs in blood, respectively; and 4674, 3730 and 5063 DMPs in airways, respectively. There was a substantial overlap of DMPs between airway and blood. DMPs were enriched for pathways related to common co-morbidities of COPD (e.g., ageing, cancer and neurological) in both tissues. Health status in COPD is associated with airway and systemic epigenetic changes especially in pathways related to co-morbidities of COPD. There are more blood DMPs than in the airways suggesting that blood epigenome is a promising source to discover biomarkers for clinical outcomes in COPD.

Impact of dietary counselling on the nutritional status and quality of life among pulmonary tuberculosis patients - A randomized control trial

BACKGROUND & AIM

Undernutrition and TB have a bidirectional relationship, which is especially relevant in the Indian context. Undernutrition is an established risk factor for the progression of latent TB infection to active TB. Undernutrition at the population level contributes to an estimated 55% of annual TB incidence in India. TB leads to weight loss, wasting, and worsening of nutritional status. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the impact of dietary counselling on the nutritional status and the health-related quality of life of PTB patients.

MATERIALS & METHOD

This was an interventional study (randomized controlled trial) that involved patients with PTB. 46 patients (23 patients as experimental and 23 patients as a control group) were enrolled in the study from June 2019 to February 2020 and they were divided into 2 categories based on BMI (underweight and normal weight). The special dietary counselling was given to the experimental group patients and the normal protocol was followed with the control group. The patients were followed up, till completion of treatment i.e., 6 months from enrolment.

RESULTS

In our study, nearly half of the patients were underweight and DM was the predominant comorbidity. The BMI increased after dietary counselling in the experimental group than the control group (P = 0.0053) in underweight individuals. Total protein (P = 0.0025), and serum albumin (P = 0.0048) levels were found to be significantly improved in the experimental group. SGRQ symptom score (P = 0.0036) has significantly reduced in the experimental group in underweight individuals than the control group.

CONCLUSION

Personalized dietary counselling was found to have a positive impact on BMI, total protein, and albumin levels in the experimental group, especially in underweight individuals. Besides, the quality of life measured using SGRQ showed that symptom score were also significantly reduced in the experimental group than the control group.

Daily Activities: The Impact of COPD and Cognitive Dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation; however, pulmonary function does not fully account for patients' functional difficulties. The primary aim of the study was to determine the association between several domains of cognition and daily activity among those with COPD.

METHOD

Eighty-nine former smokers completed a neuropsychological battery including measures across multiple domains of cognition, pulmonary function measures, and daily activity questionnaires. Using a cross-sectional design, we compared daily activity between former smokers with and without COPD using two measures (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ] Activity Subscale and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living [IADL] Scale) and examined the association between cognition and daily activity among those with COPD.

RESULTS

As expected, former smokers with COPD reported more difficulty than those without COPD on both activity measures (SGRQ Activity Subscale p < .001; Lawton IADL Scale p = .040). Among former smokers with COPD, poorer delayed recall was associated with more difficulty with daily activities (SGRQ Activity Subscale) (p = .038) while adjusting for severity of airflow limitation, exercise tolerance, oxygen use, dyspnea, and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that cognition is associated with daily activity in patients with COPD. Future research should examine whether cognitive interventions may help to maximize patients' engagement in daily activities.

Impact of COPD exacerbations leading to hospitalization on general and disease-specific quality of life

RATIONALE

Acute exacerbations negatively impact quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the impact of hospitalized exacerbations on quality of life is not clear. We hypothesized that patients with hospitalized exacerbations would benefit from hospitalization and experience improvement in general and disease-specific quality of life (as measured by the St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) and the medical outcomes study 36-item short form health survey (SF-36)) compared to those without exacerbations, or with non-hospitalized acute exacerbations.

METHODS

1219 COPD patients enrolled in either the simvastatin for the prevention of exacerbations in moderate-to severe COPD Trial (STATCOPE) or azithromycin for prevention of exacerbations of COPD trial (MACRO) were analyzed. Demographic information, spirometry, and symptom scores were noted at baseline. Exacerbation events and changes in quality of life scores were assessed over a mean of 538 days of follow-up.

RESULTS

Of patients studied, 25.6% were hospitalized, 44.0% had at least one outpatient exacerbation, and 30.4% had no exacerbation. Baseline SGRQ and SF-36 scores were severely impaired in all groups studied. Over time, SF-36 scores did not change significantly between groups. SGRQ symptom domain scores improved in other groups but did not improve in those hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation.

CONCLUSIONS

At baseline, patients hospitalized for acute exacerbations of COPD had more impaired quality of life scores. Over time, SGRQ symptom domain scores improved in other groups but did not in those who were hospitalized. Other measurements of quality of life were not improved by hospitalization for COPD.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Productivity Among US Patients with Severe Asthma

Background

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and productivity of patients with confirmed severe asthma (SA) have not been well characterized in large, real-world populations.

Purpose

To characterize SA impact on HRQoL, work productivity, and activity impairment in a large, real-world cohort in the United States (US).

Methods

CHRONICLE is an observational study of specialist-treated adults (≥18 years) in the US with SA receiving biologics or maintenance systemic corticosteroids (mSCS), or those persistently uncontrolled by high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids with additional controllers (HD ICS+). At enrollment, patients completed the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire. Results were analyzed for those enrolled between February 2018 and February 2020.

Results

Among patients who completed enrollment questionnaires (n = 1109), mean age was 54 years and most were women (70%). Among SGRQ respondents (n = 960), mean (SD) total score was 43 (23); 51% reported good/very good health. Among WPAI respondents (n = 1057; 566 employed), mean (SD) overall work impairment was 21% (25). Patients receiving biologics (vs mSCS, HD ICS+ only) had better SGRQ total scores (38 vs 59, 48) and lower work impairment (17% vs 34%, 27%). Patients with better SGRQ activity scores relative to symptom scores had better SGRQ impacts scores, total scores, and reported better overall health.

Conclusion

SA significantly affects HRQoL, work productivity, and activity. The SGRQ is a valuable research instrument for evaluating HRQoL in SA. Due to its association with HRQoL and overall health, activity impairment should be a focus when monitoring patients’ disease control.

Study Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03373045.

Defining Chronic Mucus Hypersecretion Using the CAT in the SPIROMICS Cohort

Background

Chronic cough and phlegm are frequently reported chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms. Prior research classified chronic mucus hypersecretion (CMH) based on the presence of these symptoms for ≥3 months, called chronic bronchitis (CB) if respiratory infection symptoms were present for 1–2 years (Medical Research Council [MRC] definition). We explored whether the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), a simple measure developed for routine clinical use, captures CMH populations and outcomes similarly to MRC and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) definitions.

Methods

We identified CMH in the SPIROMICS COPD cohort using (a) MRC definitions, (b) SGRQ questions for cough and phlegm (both as most/several days a week), and (c) CAT cough and phlegm questions. We determined optimal cut-points for CAT items and described exacerbation frequencies for different CMH definitions. Moderate exacerbations required a new prescription for antibiotics/oral corticosteroids or emergency department visit; severe exacerbations required hospitalization. Results were stratified by smoking status.

Results

In a population of 1431 participants (57% male; mean FEV₁% predicted 61%), 47% and 49% of evaluable participants had SGRQ- or CAT-defined CMH, respectively. A cut-point of ≥2 for cough and phlegm items defined CMH in CAT. Among SGRQ-CMH+ participants, 80% were also defined as CMH+ by the CAT. CMH+ participants were more likely to be current smokers. A higher exacerbation frequency was observed for presence of CMH+ versus CMH− in the year prior to baseline for all CMH definitions; this trend continued across 3 years of follow-up, regardless of smoking status.

Conclusion

Items from the CAT identified SGRQ-defined CMH, a frequent COPD trait that correlated with exacerbation frequency. The CAT is a short, simple questionnaire and a potentially valuable tool for telemedicine or real-world trials. CAT-based CMH is a novel approach for identifying clinically important characteristics in COPD that can be ascertained in these settings.

The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

RATIONALE

The Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) is a frequently used tool to assess health status in pulmonary disease patients. However, its performance characteristics in sarcoidosis patients are not well characterized.

METHODS

Data from a clinical trial of 138 symptomatic adults with sarcoidosis were used to examine the performance characteristics of SGRQ. Data were available at both baseline and week 24. Other assessments included FVC, FEV1, ATS dyspnea score, Borg's CR 10 dyspnea score, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary (SF-36 PCS) score.

RESULTS

Baseline SGRQ was 46.8, indicating impaired health status. At baseline, SGRQ total score correlated significantly with % predicted FVC, FEV1, ATS dyspnea score, Borg's CR 10 dyspnea score, 6MWD, and SF-36 PCS (r =  - 0.37, - 0.32, 0.57, 0.40, - 0.55, and - 0.80, respectively, p < 0.001). Change from baseline in SGRQ score also statistically significantly correlated with change from baseline in these parameters at week 24: r =  - 0.25, - 0.20, 0.30, 0.22, - 0.20, - 0.45, respectively (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The SGRQ correlated with other outcome measures in sarcoidosis initially and with treatment. Improvement in FVC % predicted correlated with improvement in SGRQ. These data suggest the SGRQ may function as a reliable endpoint in clinical sarcoidosis trials.

COPD Maintenance Therapy with Tiotropium/Olodaterol Compared with Tiotropium: An Analysis in the Absence of Additional ICS Therapy

The American Thoracic Society guidelines recommend long-acting β₂-agonist (LABA)/long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) dual bronchodilation over LAMA or LABA monotherapy as maintenance therapy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease suffering from dyspnea or exercise intolerance. Previous studies, which included patients receiving background inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), have shown the benefits of dual bronchodilation over monotherapy. This analysis aimed to confirm the benefits of LAMA/LABA over LAMA alone, without any confounding effects from ICS use. This pooled post hoc analysis compared the efficacy of tiotropium/olodaterol with tiotropium alone in patients from the TONADO^® and OTEMTO^® clinical trials who were not receiving ICS at study entry or during the studies. We analyzed change from baseline in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score and Transition Dyspnea Index (TDI) score in all patients, by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage, baseline SGRQ score, and Baseline Dyspnea Index score. In this analysis of 1596 patients, tiotropium/olodaterol improved trough FEV₁, SGRQ and TDI compared with tiotropium alone. The observed mean differences were: trough FEV₁, 0.054 L (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.036, 0.073; p < 0.001); SGRQ, -1.918 (95% CI -2.994, -0.843; p < 0.001); and TDI, 0.575 (95% CI 0.301, 0.848; p < 0.001). Similar improvements were seen in each of the subgroup analyses. Tiotropium/olodaterol therapy significantly improved lung function, symptoms and health status compared with tiotropium alone. In a population free from ICS treatment, these data confirm the benefits of dual bronchodilation versus monotherapy.

Validation of the brief international classification of functioning, disability, and health core set for obstructive pulmonary disease in the Chinese context

In order to determine the validity of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health brief Core Set for Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (ICF-OPD) for the assessment of functioning and environmental factors in Chinese chronic OPD (COPD) patients, we conducted a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 100 COPD patients. Data were collected using common questionnaires for COPD patients (Modified British Medical Research Council Questionnaire, COPD Assessment Test, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)), the Brief ICF Core Set for OPD, and the comprehensive ICF checklist. All except one category of the Brief ICF-OPD Core Set were confirmed in our evaluation of its content validity, but there is a high prevalence of problems in 8 categories that were not considered in the Brief ICF-OPD Core Set. The functioning-related components of the Brief ICF-OPD Core Set largely performed similarly to SGRQ in terms of differentiating between patients with different disease severity. Moreover, high correlations between the Brief ICF-OPD Core Set overall score and component scores with the respective SGRQ scales and moderate correlations between ICF-OPD Core Set overall score and component scores and lung function parameters. This study largely confirmed content, known group, and convergent validity of the ICF-OPD.

Benefits of Tiotropium/Olodaterol Compared with Tiotropium in Patients with COPD Receiving only LAMA at Baseline: Pooled Analysis of the TONADO® and OTEMTO® Studies

INTRODUCTION

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) strategy report recommends long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) or long-acting β₂-agonists (LABA) as first-line treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but many patients remain symptomatic on monotherapy and escalation to dual-bronchodilator therapy may be warranted.

METHODS

TONADO^® 1&2 and OTEMTO^® 1&2 assessed lung function and patient-reported outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe (OTEMTO) or moderate-to-very-severe (TONADO) COPD. This pooled post hoc analysis included patients treated with LAMA monotherapy at baseline who were randomised to receive either 5 µg tiotropium (LAMA) or 5/5 µg tiotropium/olodaterol (LAMA/LABA). We assessed changes from baseline and responder rates for trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the Transition Dyspnoea Index (TDI).

RESULTS

Overall, 151 patients received tiotropium; 148 received tiotropium/olodaterol. Mean differences from baseline with tiotropium/olodaterol versus tiotropium were + 0.074 l (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.033, 0.115; P = 0.0004) for trough FEV₁, - 2.675 (95% CI - 5.060, - 0.291; P = 0.0280) for SGRQ and 1.148 (95% CI 0.564, 1.732; P = 0.0001) for TDI. Patients were more likely to respond when treated with tiotropium/olodaterol versus tiotropium for trough FEV₁ (odds ratio [OR] 3.14, 95% CI 1.94, 5.06; P < 0.0001), SGRQ (OR 1.49, 95% CI 0.93, 2.40; P = 0.0980) and TDI (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.71, 4.60; P < 0.0001). Minimum clinically important difference from baseline in any of the analysed outcomes (FEV₁ ≥ 0.1 l, SGRQ ≥ 4.0 points or TDI ≥ 1.0 point) was more likely in patients treated with tiotropium/olodaterol versus tiotropium (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.32, 4.51; P = 0.0046).

CONCLUSION

In patients with COPD receiving only LAMA monotherapy, treatment escalation to tiotropium/olodaterol resulted in statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in lung function, health status and breathlessness. These results support early therapy optimisation to dual bronchodilation with tiotropium/olodaterol in patients receiving tiotropium alone.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

TONADO^® 1 was registered in the US National Library of Medicine on 9 September 2011 (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01431274). TONADO^® 2 was registered in the US National Library of Medicine on 9 September 2011 (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01431287). OTEMTO^® 1 was registered in the US National Library of Medicine on 17 October 2013 (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01964352). OTEMTO^® 2 was registered in the US National Library of Medicine on 10 December 2013 (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02006732).

Treatment with LABA versus LAMA for stable COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Inhaled bronchodilators including long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) play a central role in the treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it is still unclear whether LABA or LAMA should be used for the initial treatment. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LABA versus LAMA in patients with stable COPD.

Methods

We searched relevant randomized control trials (RCTs) with a period of treatment of at least 12 weeks and analyzed the exacerbations, quality of life, dyspnea score, lung function and adverse events as the outcomes of interest.

Results

We carefully excluded unblinded data and identified a total of 19 RCTs (N = 28,211). LAMA significantly decreased the exacerbations compared to LABA (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.02). In St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire and transitional dyspnoea index score, there were no differences between LABA and LAMA treatment. Compared to LABA, there was a small but significant increase in the trough FEV₁ after LAMA treatment (Mean difference 0.02, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.03, P = 0.0006). In the safety components, there was no difference in the serious adverse events between LABA and LAMA. However, LAMA showed a significantly lower incidence of total adverse events compared to LABA (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.98; P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Treatment with LAMA in stable COPD provided a significantly lower incidence of exacerbation and non-serious adverse events, and a higher trough FEV₁ compared to LABA.

Trial registration

(PROSPERO: CRD42019144764)

Health-related quality of life and symptoms in patients with IPF treated with nintedanib: analyses of patient-reported outcomes from the INPULSIS® trials

Background

In the Phase III INPULSIS® trials, treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with nintedanib significantly reduced the annual rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) versus placebo, consistent with slowing disease progression. However, nintedanib was not associated with a benefit in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessed using the St George’s respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ). We aimed to further examine the impact of IPF progression on HRQoL and symptoms, and to explore the effect of nintedanib on HRQoL in patients from the INPULSIS® trials stratified by clinical factors associated with disease progression.

Methods

Patient-reported outcome (PRO) data from the INPULSIS® trials were included in three post hoc analyses. Two analyses used the pooled data set to examine PRO changes from baseline to week 52 according to 1) decline in FVC and 2) occurrence of acute exacerbations. In the third analysis, patients were stratified based on clinical indicators of disease progression (gender, age and physiology [GAP] stage; FVC % predicted; diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide [DL_CO] % predicted; composite physiologic index [CPI]; and SGRQ total score) at baseline; median change from baseline was measured at 52 weeks and treatment groups were compared using the Wilcoxon two-sample test.

Results

Data from 1061 patients (638 nintedanib, 423 placebo) were analyzed. Greater categorical decline from baseline in FVC % predicted over 52 weeks was associated with significant worsening of HRQoL and symptoms across all PRO measures. Acute exacerbations were associated with deterioration in HRQoL and worsened symptoms. In general, patients with advanced disease at baseline (defined as GAP II/III, FVC ≤ 80%, DL_CO ≤ 40%, CPI >  45, or SGRQ > 40) experienced greater deterioration in PROs than patients with less-advanced disease. Among patients with advanced disease, compared with placebo, nintedanib slowed deterioration in several PROs; benefit was most apparent on the SGRQ (total and activity scores).

Conclusions

In patients with advanced IPF, compared with placebo, nintedanib slowed deterioration in HRQoL and symptoms as assessed by several PROs. HRQoL measures have a higher responsiveness to change in advanced disease and may lack sensitivity to capture change in patients with less-advanced IPF.

Measuring quality of life in COPD patients: comparing disease-specific supplements to the EQ-5D-5L

Objectives: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQL). We aimed to find a disease-specific questionnaire for routine application in large cohorts and to assess its additional explanatory power to generic HRQL tool (EQ-5D-5L). Methods: 1,350 participants of the disease management program COPD received the EQ-5D-5L combined with one of the three disease-specific tools: COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) or St. George's Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (SGRQ) (450 participants each). We compared metric properties and evaluated the Germany-specific experience-based values (EBVS) and utilities in comparison to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). We calculated the additional explanatory power of the identified disease-specific tool on VAS through regression analysis. Results: 344 patients returned the questionnaire. CAT, CCQ, and SGRQ group did not differ regarding baseline characteristics. The questionnaire specific response rates were 33.7% for CAT, 30.5% for CCQ, and 34.6% SGRQ, thereof 94.0%, 94.3%, and 65.6% valid answers, respectively. EBVS was better suited to reflect VAS than utilities. CAT increased the explanatory power by 10%. Conclusion: CAT outperformed CCQ and SGRQ, and it increased the explanatory power of VAS. EBV combined with CAT seems superior to only generic or disease-specific approaches.

Validation of the IPF-specific version of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire

Background

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have impaired health-related quality of life (HRQL). To measure HRQL, an IPF-specific version of the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-I) was developed, but not sufficiently validated. This study aimed to assess the validity (i.a. known-groups validity and concurrent validity) and test-retest reliability of SGRQ-I in IPF patients with different disease durations.

Methods

Patients with IPF were consecutively recruited and completed SGRQ, SGRQ-I, King’s Brief Interstitial Lung Disease questionnaire (K-BILD), University of California, San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (SOBQ) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) along with pulmonary function tests and a 6-min walk test (6MWT) at baseline. After two weeks, SGRQ-I and Global Rating of Change Scales (GRCS) were completed.

Results

At baseline and after two weeks, 150 and 134 patients completed the questionnaires, respectively. The internal consistency of SGRQ-I was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.92). Good concurrent validity was demonstrated by high intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC = 0.97), Bland-Altman plots and moderate to strong correlations to K-BILD, SOBQ and SF-36 (r = − 0.46 to 0.80). High ICC (0.92) and a Bland-Altman plot indicated good test-retest reliability. SGRQ-I was good at discriminating between patients with different stages of disease (Δscore > 18.1, effect sizes > 0.10). Validity was similar across groups of different disease duration.

Conclusions

SGRQ-I proved to be valid at distinguishing between different disease severities, valid compared to other HRQL instruments, applicable across different disease durations and reliable upon repetition. SGRQ-I is a valid option for measuring HRQL in patients with IPF.

Trial registration

The study was registered at clinicaltrials.org (NCT02818712) on 15 June 2016.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12931-019-1169-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

No genetic associations with mepolizumab efficacy in COPD with peripheral blood eosinophilia

INTRODUCTION

Improved understanding of genetic effects on response to treatments with novel approaches for COPD with peripheral blood eosinophilia, such as mepolizumab (a humanized monoclonal antibody to IL-5), may improve treatment outcomes. We conducted a study to identify genetic variants associated with efficacy of mepolizumab COPD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using generalized linear and logistic regression models, genome-wide association analyses were performed to investigate genetic associations with frequency of moderate and/or severe COPD exacerbations in COPD subjects receiving mepolizumab (weeks 0-52). Additional analyses included: (i) frequency of COPD exacerbations requiring hospitalization or emergency department visit (weeks 0-52), (ii) change from baseline mean total St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score (week 24), and (iii) SGRQ response defined as achieving a 4 unit or greater decrease of SGRQ score from baseline (week 24). This study included 610 patients with COPD, a subset of the Intent-to-treat (ITT) populations in two phase III double-blind trials assessing the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab, METREX (NCT02105948) and METREO (NCT02105961). All subjects had elevated eosinophil levels (≥150 cells/μL at screening or ≥300 cell/μL in the 12 months prior to study), were treated with mepolizumab, and provided consent for genetic analysis.

RESULTS

From this post-hoc analysis, no genetic variant was significantly associated with moderate and/or severe COPD exacerbations or any of the other endpoints tested (threshold for statistical significance at the genome-wide level, p = 5 × 10^-8).

CONCLUSIONS

In this exploratory study in patients with COPD, with peripheral blood eosinophilia, no genetic effects on mepolizumab-treatment response were identified.

Nutritional status, dietary intake, and health-related quality of life in outpatients with COPD

Background

Malnutrition is common in patients with COPD; however, little is known about its impacts on health-related quality of life (QoL) among patients with COPD. This study aimed to explore the nutritional status and dietary intake among outpatients with COPD in Vietnam and its possible associations with QoL.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in COPD outpatients visiting the COPD management unit at the National Lung Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam between May 2017 and July 2017. Consecutive outpatients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD were recruited with written inform consent. The nutritional status of participants was assessed using Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), and dietary intake via a 24-hour recall interview. The St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) for COPD was used to investigate the participants’ QoL. Sociodemographic and clinical data were extracted from hospital records.

Results

Of 168 COPD outpatients involved in the study, three-quarters (74.4%) were diagnosed as malnourished (SGA B/C) and 81.5% reported unintentional weight loss. Most of the patients did not meet their estimated energy and protein requirements (85.7% and 89.9%, respectively). Malnutrition was significantly associated with disease severity (P=0.039) and ratio of protein intake to estimated requirement (P=0.005). QoL was low for all levels of malnutrition or disease severity, with well-nourished participants and those with less disease severity having better QoL (P=0.006 and P<0.001, respectively). With an extra meal per day, the odds of having malnutrition decreased 5.6 times (P<0.05) and the total SGRQ reduced 3.61 scores (P<0.05) indicating a better QoL.

Conclusion

Malnutrition and weight loss are prevalent among COPD outpatients. Most of the patients had inadequate dietary intake and low QoL. Nutrition counselling including increasing the number of meals per day with a focus on energy- and protein-rich foods may help improving nutritional status and QoL of patients with COPD in Vietnam.

Cost-effectiveness of twice-daily indacaterol/glycopyrrolate inhalation powder for the treatment of moderate to severe COPD in the US

Background

Indacaterol 27.5 µg/glycopyrrolate 15.6 µg (IND/GLY 27.5/15.6 µg) inhalation powder, a twice-daily, fixed-dose combination of a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) and a long-acting antimuscarinic antagonist (LAMA), is indicated in the US for long-term maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with COPD. The safety and efficacy of IND/GLY 27.5/15.6 µg have been established, but cost-effectiveness is not yet known. This study compared the cost-effectiveness of IND/GLY 27.5/15.6 µg with other long-acting COPD maintenance therapies.

Methods

A Markov model was constructed from the US payer perspective. Health states were defined as mild (post-bronchodilator FEV₁ ≥80% of predicted), moderate (50% ≤FEV₁ <80% of predicted), severe (30% ≤FEV₁ <50% of predicted), and very severe (FEV₁ <30% of predicted) COPD. Patients entering the model transitioned through health states based on placebo-adjusted change from baseline in trough FEV₁ for each comparator at week 12. Comparators included other US Food and Drug Administration-approved LABA/LAMA fixed-dose combinations as well as commonly prescribed LAMA and LABA/inhaled corticosteroid agents. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the model assumptions and the overall robustness of the results.

Results

Using the model, IND/GLY 27.5/15.6 µg treatment for 12 weeks resulted in total costs of US $23,375 vs US $9,365 for placebo. Compared with placebo, IND/GLY 27.5/15.6 treatment resulted in the highest improvement in FEV₁ across all comparators and the lowest cost per decline in 100 mL FEV₁. IND/GLY 27.5/15.6 µg was also among the most cost-effective treatment option as measured by St George's Respiratory Questionnaire response rate, at US $3,518 per additional responder at 12 weeks compared with placebo. In addition, IND/GLY 27.5/15.6 µg had the lowest cost per severe exacerbation avoided vs placebo across all comparators (US $87,686).

Conclusion

This model, developed from the US payer perspective with a 5-year time horizon, found IND/GLY 27.5/15.6 µg to be a cost-effective treatment option for patients with moderate to severe COPD.

Validation of the St George's respiratory questionnaire and risks factors affecting the quality of life of Lebanese COPD and asthma patients

Objective: We aimed to validate the Arabic version of the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) for use in Lebanese Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma patients and to identify risk factors that might affect the quality of life in these patients. Methods: COPD (n = 90) and asthma patients (n = 124) were recruited from the outpatient clinics of the Pulmonology department of a university hospital and a medical center in Beirut. They filled out a standardized questionnaire. The total SGRQ score and the component scores (symptoms, activity and impacts) were calculated. To confirm the SGRQ validity in the Lebanese population, factor analyses were applied for the whole sample, only asthma and only COPD patients, respectively. The associations between the total SGRQ score and FEV₁% predicted, CCQ score and MRC scale were assessed. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between the total SGRQ scores and the socio-demographics and the diseases risk factors. Results: COPD patients had a higher SGRQ total and subscales scores compared to asthma patients. A high Cronbach's alpha was found for the whole sample (0.802), only COPD patients (0.833) and only asthma patients (0.734). A significant negative correlation was found between FEV₁% predicted and the total SGRQ scores. Occupational exposure, BMI and previous waterpipe smoking were among the factors that significantly and positively influenced a higher SGRQ score. Conclusions: The Lebanese version of the SGRQ emerges as a good health-related quality of life evaluative instrument that is reasonable to be used in COPD and asthma patients in Lebanon.

Positive correlation of airway resistance and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in bronchial asthma patients lacking evidence for systemic inflammation

Background

Contribution of nitric-oxide (NO) pathway to the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma (asthma) is ambiguous as NO may confer both protective and detrimental effects depending on the NO synthase (NOS) isoforms, tissue compartments and underlying pathological conditions (e.g. systemic inflammation). Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor and uncoupler of NOS with distinct selectivity for NOS isoforms. In a cross-sectional study, we assessed whether ADMA is an independent predictor of airway resistance (R_aw) in therapy-controlled asthma.

Methods

154 therapy-controlled asthma patients were recruited. ADMA, symmetric dimethylarginine and arginine were quantitated by HPLC with fluorescent detection. Pulmonary function test was done using whole-body plethysmography, quality of life via St. George’s Respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ). Multiple linear regression was used to identify independent determinants of R_aw. The final model was stratified based on therapy control.

Results

Evidence for systemic inflammation indicated by CRP and procalcitonin was lacking in our sample. Log R_aw showed significant positive correlation with log ADMA in the whole data set and well-controlled but not in the not well-controlled stratum (Spearman correlation coefficients: 0.27, p < 0.001; 0.30, p < 0.001; 0.12, p = 0.51 respectively). This relationship remained significant after adjusting for confounders by multiple linear regression (β = 0.22, CI 0.054, 0.383 p = 0.01). FEF 25–75% % predicted and SGRQ Total score showed significant negative while SGRQ Activity score showed significant positive correlation with R_aw in the final model.

Conclusions

Positive correlation between R_aw and ADMA in the absence of systemic inflammation implies that higher ADMA has detrimental effect on NO homeostasis and can contribute to a poor outcome in asthma.

Correlations between FEV1 and patient-reported outcomes: A pooled analysis of 23 clinical trials in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

In clinical trials of inhaled bronchodilators, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guidelines recommend that patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are assessed alongside lung function. How these endpoints are related is unclear.

METHODS

Pooled longitudinal data from 23 randomised controlled COPD studies were analyzed (N = 23,213). Treatments included long-acting β₂ agonists, long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LABAs or LAMAs) and the LABA/LAMA combination QVA149. Outcome measures were Transition Dyspnoea Index (TDI) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, COPD exacerbation frequency and rescue medication use. Relationships between changes in trough forced expiratory volume in one second (ΔFEV₁) and outcomes following treatment were assessed using correlations of data summaries and model-based analysis: generalized linear mixed-effect regression modelling to determine if ΔFEV₁ could predict patient outcomes with different treatments.

RESULTS

Mean age was 64 years, 73% were male, and most had moderate (45%) or severe (52%) disease. Statistically significant correlations were observed between ΔFEV₁ and each outcome measure (exacerbations Rs = 0.05; rescue medication, SGRQ, TDI, r = 0.11-0.16; all p < .001). Patients with greater improvements in trough FEV₁ had on average better SGRQ and TDI scores, fewer exacerbations, and used less rescue medication. For SGRQ and TDI scores, minimal clinically important differences were observed over the range of pooled ΔFEV₁ values. Model-based predictions confirmed the treatment effect was partly explained by changes in FEV₁ from baseline with improvements in PROs observed across all treatments when trough FEV₁ improved. Across all endpoints active treatments were better than placebo (p < .0001), and LABA/LAMA treatment resulted in numerically better treatment outcomes than either monocomponent.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that FEV₁ improvements post-bronchodilation correlate with PRO improvements. Further improvements in patient outcomes may be expected by maximizing lung function improvements.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registration details for the 23 randomised controlled studies used in this pooled analysis are supplied in Additional File 4.

Effect of a short term pulmonary rehabilitation programme on exercise capacity, pulmonary function and health related quality of life in patients with COPD

OBJECTIVES

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been shown to benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation programmes. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of a short-term pulmonary rehabilitation programme (PRP) on exercise capacity, pulmonary function and quality of life in patients with COPD.

METHODS

A pre-test and post-test experimental design was conducted on patients from the outpatient physical therapy department. Thirty stable COPD patients with mild to severe airflow obstruction, (mean age 54.1 ± 5.22, FEV1, between 0.80 and 0.30 predicted; FEV1/FVC < 0.70) were recruited for a 6-week comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation programme (PRP) that included education and exercise training. Exclusion criteria included the following: cardiovascular conditions likely to be aggravated by exercise, locomotor impairment, haemoptysis, cognitive impairment, severe pulmonary hypertension, and metastatic cancer. The patients were randomly divided into experimental and control groups.

RESULTS

Six-minute walk distance (6MWD), pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC), and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores were measured at baseline, at the end of the 3rd week and at the end of the 6th week. The results showed significant improvements in 6MWD and SGRQ (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A 6-week outpatient-based PRP significantly improves exercise capacity and quality of life, irrespective of the degree of airflow obstruction.

The Alteration of Irisin-Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Axis Parallels Severity of Distress Disorder in Bronchial Asthma Patients

Distress disorder (a collective term for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) is a well-known co-morbidity of bronchial asthma. The irisin-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) axis is a pathway that influences several neurobehavioral mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of distress disorder. Thus, the aim of the present study was to quantify the serum irisin and BDNF concentrations in order to investigate the possible link between the irisin/BDNF axis and distress disorder in an asthma patient cohort. Data of 167 therapy-controlled asthma patients were analyzed. Demographic, anthropometric, and anamnestic data were collected, routine laboratory parameters supplemented with serum irisin and BDNF levels were determined, pulmonary function test was performed using whole-body plethysmography, and quality of life was quantified by means of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Correlation analysis as well as simple and multiple linear regression were used to assess the relationship between the irisin level and the Impacts score of SGRQ, which latter is indicative of the presence and severity of distress disorder. We have found a significant, positive linear relationship between the Impacts score and the reciprocal of irisin level. This association was stronger in patients whose BDNF level was higher, and it was weaker (and statistically non-significant) in patients whose BDNF level was lower. Our results indicate that higher serum irisin level together with higher serum BDNF level are associated with milder (or no) distress disorder. This finding suggests that alteration of the irisin/BDNF axis influences the presence and severity of distress disorder in asthma patients.

Relationship between health-related quality of life and respiratory health status among coal-based sponge iron plant workers in Barjora, India

BACKGROUND

Many coal-based sponge iron plant workers have poor health-related quality of life in general, and specifically a poor respiratory health status. However, the relationship between their health-related quality of life and respiratory health status is unknown.

AIM

This study investigated the relationship between health-related quality of life, measured using the EuroQol-5D (EQ5D), and respiratory health status, measured using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), among coal-based sponge iron plant workers in Barjora, India.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted among coal-based sponge iron plant workers in Barjora, and complete data were available on 252 participants. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were reported to show the strength of relationship between health-related quality of life and respiratory health status.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Significant correlations were found between all EQ5D dimensions/visual analogue scale (VAS) and all SGRQ scores except between EQ5D-VAS and SGRQ-activity. A range of correlations was found. They were moderate between EQ5D-anxiety/depression and SGRQ-symptom, EQ5D-VAS and SGRQ-symptom, and EQ5D-anxiety/depression and SGRQ-total, but weak between all the other factors.

Evaluation for airway obstruction in adult patients with stable ischemic heart disease

Background

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and chronic airway disease (COPD and Asthma) are major epidemics accounting for significant mortality and morbidity. The combination presents many diagnostic challenges. Clinical symptoms and signs frequently overlap. There is a need for airway evaluation in these patients to plan appropriate management.

Methods

Consecutive stable IHD patients attending the cardiology OPD in a tertiary care centre were interviewed for collecting basic demographic information, brief medical, occupational, personal history and risk factors for coronary artery disease and airway disease, modified medical research centre (MMRC) grade for dyspnea, quality of life-St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), spirometry and six-min walk tests. Patients with chronic airway obstruction were treated as per guidelines and were followed up at 3rd month with spirometry, six-minute walk test and SGRQ.

Results

One hundred fourteen consecutive patients with stable cardiac disease were included (Males-88, Females-26). Mean age was 58.89 ± 12.24 years, 53.50% were smokers, 31.56% were alcoholics, 40.35% diabetics, 47.36% hypertensive. Twenty five patients had airway obstruction on spirometry (COPD-13 and Asthma-12) and none were on treatment. Thirty-one patients had cough and 48 patients had dyspnea. Patients with abnormal spirometry had higher symptoms, lower exercise tolerance and quality of life. Treatment with appropriate respiratory medications resulted in increase in lung function, quality of life and exercise tolerance at 3rd month.

Conclusion

Chronic respiratory disease in patients with stable IHD is frequent but often missed due to overlap of symptoms. Spirometry is a simple tool to recognize the underlying pulmonary condition and patients respond favorably with appropriate treatment

Long-term Recording of Night-Time Respiratory Symptoms in Patients with Stable COPD II-IV

INTRODUCTION

Night-time respiratory symptoms have a considerable impact on sleep and life quality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Lack of awareness of night-time symptoms can lead to worsened COPD control. Automated long-term monitoring of respiratory symptoms with LEOSound enables assessment of nocturnal wheezing and cough.

METHODS

In this observational study we investigated the prevalence and severity of cough and wheezing in patients with stable COPD [Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) II-IV] disease for two consecutive nights with the LEOSound system. 48 patients (30 males, 63%) were eligible for inclusion, median age was 67 years, and body mass index (BMI) was 25.3 kg/m².

RESULTS

In 15 out of 48 patients (31%), we found wheezing periods for at least 10-minute duration. Wheezing periods >30 minutes were monitored in seven patients and wheezing periods >60 minutes were monitored in three patients. The maximum duration of wheezing was 470 minutes in one patient with COPD II. The median wheezing rate differed between the COPD stages and between active and non-active smokers. Cough was found in 42 patients (87.5%) with a range of 1-326 events. The cough-period-index in night one was 0.83 n/hour (P25:0.33||P75: 2.04) and night two 0.97 n/hour (P25:0.25||P75: 1.9). Most of the cough events were non-productive with a median of 0.86.

CONCLUSIONS

Night-time symptoms are common in COPD patients. LEOSound offers an opportunity to evaluate objectively night-time symptoms like wheezing and cough in patients with COPD which remain otherwise unnoticed. We found a high incidence of night-time wheezing in these patients, which was related to persistant smoking.

Alteration of the irisin-brain-derived neurotrophic factor axis contributes to disturbance of mood in COPD patients

COPD is accompanied by limited physical activity, worse quality of life, and increased prevalence of depression. A possible link between COPD and depression may be irisin, a myokine, expression of which in the skeletal muscle and brain positively correlates with physical activity. Irisin enhances the synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin involved in reward-related processes. Thus, we hypothesized that mood disturbances accompanying COPD are reflected by the changes in the irisin–BDNF axis. Case history, routine laboratory parameters, serum irisin and BDNF levels, pulmonary function, and disease-specific quality of life, measured by St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), were determined in a cohort of COPD patients (n=74). Simple and then multiple linear regression were used to evaluate the data. We found that mood disturbances are associated with lower serum irisin levels (SGRQ’s Impacts score and reciprocal of irisin showed a strong positive association; β: 419.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 204.31, 635.63; P<0.001). This association was even stronger among patients in the lower 50% of BDNF levels (β: 434.11; 95% CI: 166.17, 702.05; P=0.002), while it became weaker for patients in the higher 50% of BDNF concentrations (β: 373.49; 95% CI: −74.91, 821.88; P=0.1). These results suggest that irisin exerts beneficial effect on mood in COPD patients, possibly by inducing the expression of BDNF in brain areas associated with reward-related processes involved in by depression. Future interventional studies targeting the irisin–BDNF axis (eg, endurance training) are needed to further support this notion.

Deterioration of quality of life is associated with the exacerbation frequency in individuals with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency - analysis from the German Registry

Background

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a rare hereditary disease that is associated with a higher risk to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and liver cirrhosis. Previous cross-sectional studies on AATD individuals have shown a relationship between worse St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores and elevated exacerbation rate or high cigarette consumption. There is a lack of longitudinal data on the relationship between the exacerbation rate and worsening of SGRQ during disease. The aim of this study was to provide not only cross-sectional data but also information about the deterioration in quality of life over a follow-up period up to 7 years (median follow-up period of 3.33 years).

Methods

We investigated questionnaire-based data of the German AATD registry concerning the relationship between SGRQ and exacerbation frequency, smoking history, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) first in cross-sectional analysis and later in longitudinal analysis.

Results

Eight hundred sixty-eight individuals with protease inhibitor ZZ (PiZZ) genotype with an average age of 52.6±12.8 years had an SGRQ score of 45.7±20.6. SGRQ significantly correlated with the exacerbation frequency within the last 2 years (r=0.464; P<0.001), smoking history (r=0.233; P<0.001), FEV₁ (r=−0.436; P<0.001), DLCO (r=−0.333; P<0.001), and patients’ age (r=0.292; P<0.001). Individuals with occupational dust exposure had significantly worse quality of life (P<0.001). Mean annual deterioration of SGRQ in all patients with available follow-up data (n=286) was 1.21±4.45 points per year. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed a significant relationship between worsening of SGRQ/year and exacerbation frequency in the follow-up period (r=0.144; P=0.015).

Conclusion

Worsening of SGRQ is associated with the exacerbation frequency in individuals with PiZZ AATD.

Effect of obesity and metabolic syndrome on severity, quality of life, sleep quality and inflammatory markers in patients of asthma in India

INTRODUCTION

The study aimed to compare the effect of obesity with and without metabolic syndrome on asthma severity, quality of life, sleep quality, sleep disordered breathing and inflammatory markers as compared to non-obese asthma patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

60 asthma patients recruited for the study were divided equally into non-obese (NOA), obese without metabolic syndrome (OANMS) and obese with metabolic syndrome (OAMS) groups. Study cohorts were assessed for severity of asthma, quality of life and quality of sleep using questionnaires and inflammatory markers (FENO, hs-CRP, IL-5, IL-6 and leptin). Institutional ethical committee approved the study.

RESULTS

The results suggests OAMS patients may be a subtype of asthmatics having significantly severe asthma (p < 0.05), poor quality of life (p < 0.05), high risk of OSA (p< 0.05), decreased lung volumes (FRC) (p< 0.05), higher levels of inflammatory markers (leptin and IL-6) (p < 0.05), and high incidence of sleep disordered breathing (p < 0.05) in comparison to NOA and OANMS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study has shown that obese asthmatics especially with metabolic syndrome represent a subtype of asthmatic population. Hence, the treatment of metabolic syndrome may be necessary in addition to asthma to achieve optimal control.

Socioeconomic Status as a Determinant of Health Status Treatment Response in COPD Trials

Background: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) often recruit patients from low and high socioeconomic status (SES) countries, but little is known about the effect of SES on clinical outcomes, particularly patient-centered measures of symptomatic benefit. Methods: Combined individual chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient data from the placebo and long-acting bronchodilator arms of 17 RCTs (from the COPD Biomarkers Qualification Consortium database) were analyzed. Health status was measured using the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) (minimum clinically important difference [MCID]: 4 units). Trials were grouped into short-term (≤12 months) and medium-term (>12 months to 48 months). A participant's country of residence was categorized into Low/Medium or High SES using World Health Organization criteria. Results: Data from 19765 individuals (6109 Low/Medium SES) were available. Patients in Low/Medium SES countries had more severe disease at baseline. Improvement in SGRQ score with placebo was ≈2 units greater in Low/Medium than in High SES countries; at its greatest, the improvement from baseline exceeded the MCID in Low/Medium countries. This difference was maintained for at least 1 year. Improvement with bronchodilator was also greater in Low/Medium versus High SES countries; overall there was no evidence that the treatment effect versus placebo was different between countries of different SES status. Conclusions: Participants in Low/Medium SES countries experienced significantly larger treatment effects, irrespective of treatment group (placebo and bronchodilator). Despite this, COPD patients in Low/Medium SES countries experienced a health status gain from long-acting bronchodilator treatment that is similar to that seen in High SES countries.

St George's Respiratory Questionnaire Score Predicts Outcomes in Patients with COPD: Analysis of Individual Patient Data in the COPD Biomarkers Qualification Consortium Database

Background: We aimed to estimate the usefulness of a disease specific health status measure, the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), to predict outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Individual patient-data of 12043 patients from long-term randomized clinical trials (2-4 years' duration) in the COPD Biomarkers Qualification Consortium database were analyzed. The adverse COPD outcomes were: exacerbations of COPD, hospital admissions due to exacerbation and all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for quartiles of SGRQ scores at baseline and time to first event, and time from first to second event, where appropriate. Results: The risk of adverse COPD outcomes increased with each increasing quartile of SGRQ score for all time to first event analyses. When comparing the lowest versus the highest quartile, the event risk (HRs [95% CIs]) increased by 40% for exacerbations (1.40 [1.29, 1.51]); 2-fold for hospital admissions (2.01 [1.78, 2.28]) and more than 2-fold for all-cause mortality (2.30 [1.91, 2.78]). For second event analyses in a subset of eligible patients, these trends persisted albeit with reduced risk estimates for exacerbations. Conclusions: Among patients with COPD, health status measured by a SGRQ score predicted exacerbations of COPD, hospital admissions due to exacerbations and their recurrence and death after adjustment. These data support the rationale for a health status measure use as a drug development tool and suggest that a health status measure may also have a role in risk assessment for COPD patients in routine medical care.

Baseline Severity as Predictor of Change in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire Scores in Trials of Long-acting Bronchodilators with COPD Patients

Background: In trials oflong-acting bronchodilators, health status is an important trial outcome, however the influence of baseline severity on response measured by St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) is not known. We have compared SGRQ changes between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of mild-moderate severity or dyspnea (Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung disease [GOLD] grades 1 and 2; modified Medical Research Council [mMRC] grades 1 and 2) to those with severe-very severe severity or dyspnea (GOLD grades 3 and 4; mMRC grades 3 and 4). Methods: Combined individual patient data from the COPD Biomarkers Qualification Consortium database (trials of long-acting bronchodilators) were used comprising of patients from short-term (≤1-year duration; n=10802) and medium-term (2-4 years' duration; n=8963) studies. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effects of baseline severity (GOLD/mMRC) on SGRQ response to treatment. All treatment arms were combined. Results: In short-term studies, milder patients showed a greater response than those with more severe disease in terms of GOLD grade (partial Eta² = 0.03, p < 0.0001) and mMRC grade (partial Eta² = 0.05, p < 0.0001). Similar results were seen in the medium-term studies (partial Eta² = 0.02, p < 0.0001; mMRC: partial Eta² = 0.05, p < 0.0001,). Conclusions: Patients with less severe airflow limitation and less severe dyspnea showed larger improvements in SGRQ score than more severely obstructed or dyspneic patients. Although these severity influences are small (2%-5% of the variance in SGRQ score), they do suggest that pre-specified separate analyses are warranted to test for differences in response, based on baseline severity.

Positive correlation of airway resistance and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine level in COPD patients with systemic markers of low-grade inflammation

The major feature of COPD is a progressive airflow limitation caused by chronic airway inflammation and consequent airway remodeling. Modified arginase and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathways are presumed to contribute to the inflammation and fibrosis. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) may shunt L-arginine from the NOS pathway to the arginase one by uncoupling and competitive inhibition of NOS and by enhancing arginase activity. To attest the interplay of these pathways, the relationship between ADMA and airflow limitation, described by airway resistance (R_aw), was investigated in a cohort of COPD patients. Every COPD patient willing to give consent to participate (n=74) was included. Case history, laboratory parameters, serum arginine and ADMA, pulmonary function (whole-body plethysmography), and disease-specific quality of life (St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire) were determined. Multiple linear regression was used to identify independent determinants of R_aw. The final multiple model was stratified based on symptom control. The log R_aw showed significant positive correlation with log ADMA in the whole sample (Pearson’s correlation coefficient: 0.25, P=0.03). This association remained significant after adjusting for confounders in the whole data set (β: 0.42; confidence interval [CI]: 0.06, 0.77; P=0.022) and in the worse-controlled stratum (β: 0.84; CI: 0.25, 1.43; P=0.007). Percent predicted value of forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity showed that significant negative, elevated C-reactive protein exhibited significant positive relationship with R_aw in the final model. Positive correlation of R_aw with ADMA in COPD patients showing evidence of a systemic low-grade inflammation implies that ADMA contributes to the progression of COPD, probably by shunting L-arginine from the NOS pathway to the arginase one.

Responder Analyses for Treatment Effects in COPD Using the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire

Background: Patient-reported outcomes data in clinical trials are usually reported as mean values, interpreted in comparison to a minimum clinically important difference (MCID) and ignoring the possibility of a sizable proportion of patients experiencing a worthwhile benefit when the majority did not. This analysis tested the reliability of calculated responder rates (from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] patients) with the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) using a range of responder cut-points above and below the MCID (4 units). Methods: Individual patient data (i.e., data from long-acting bronchodilator [LAB] and inhaled corticosteroids [ICS]/long-acting beta2-agonist [LABA] randomized clinical studies) in the COPD Biomarker Qualification Consortium database were used: short-term (≤1-year duration; 14,814 patients,) and medium-term (2-4 years; 12,043 patients). Responder rates versus placebo across SGRQ score change thresholds ranging from -1.5 to -8.0 were tested; differences were expressed as the odds ratio (OR) of a patient exceeding the threshold versus no change or deterioration. Results: The ORs measuring benefit of active treatment were similar across thresholds in short-term studies (LAB, ORs 1.40-1.42; LABA/ICS, 1.50-1.56) and medium-term LAB studies (ORs 1.34-1.43), whereas ORs in medium-term studies with LABA/ICS intervention showed a trend for higher response rates at higher values of threshold cut-points (1.64-1.79). In short-term studies, different thresholds had little effect on the OR between active drugs versus a trend for lower ORs with lower thresholds in medium-term studies. Conclusions: The OR for a treatment effect compared with placebo appears consistent across a range of responder cut-points. In medium-term trials, the treatment difference between active drugs suggests that use of a lower threshold would not increase the odds of observing a measured treatment difference.

Efficacy and safety of tiotropium + olodaterol maintenance treatment in patients with COPD in the TONADO® and OTEMTO® studies: a subgroup analysis by age

Background

Increasing age is associated with poor prognosis in patients with COPD.

Objective

This analysis from the replicate Phase III OTEMTO^® and TONADO^® studies examined the efficacy and safety of tiotropium, a long-acting anticholinergic, combined with olodaterol, a long-acting β₂-agonist, compared to monotherapies and placebo in patients with COPD aged 40 years to <65 years, 65 years to <75 years, 75 years to <85 years, and ≥85 years.

Methods

In these double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled, multicenter, randomized studies, patients received tiotropium + olodaterol 2.5/5 μg or 5/5 μg, tiotropium 5 μg or 2.5 μg (TONADO only), olodaterol 5 μg (TONADO only), or placebo (OTEMTO only). This analysis used the approved doses of tiotropium + olodaterol 5/5 μg, tiotropium 5 μg, and olodaterol 5 μg. Primary end points at 12 weeks (OTEMTO) or 24 weeks (TONADO) included St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) area under the curve from 0 hour to 3 hours (AUC_0–3) response, and trough FEV₁ response.

Results

A total of 1,621 patients were randomized (40 years to <65 years, n=749; 65 years to <75 years, n=674; 75 years to <85 years, n=186; ≥85 years, n=12) in OTEMTO and 5,162 patients (40 years to <65 years, n=2,654; 65 years to <75 years, n=1,967; 75 to <85 years, n=528; ≥85 years, n=13) in TONADO. FEV₁ AUC_0–3 and trough FEV₁ responses improved with tiotropium + olodaterol 5/5 μg at 12 weeks and 24 weeks compared to monotherapies or placebo for all age groups. SGRQ scores generally improved with tiotropium + olodaterol 5/5 μg after 12 weeks in OTEMTO and improved after 24 weeks in all age groups in TONADO. In all age groups receiving tiotropium + olodaterol 5/5 μg compared to monotherapies or placebo, transition dyspnea index scores generally improved, while rescue medication usage improved.

Conclusion

No differences were noted in relative responses to treatment or safety when using tiotropium + olodaterol 5/5 μg compared to monotherapies or placebo across all age groups.

A randomized, parallel-group study to evaluate the efficacy of umeclidinium/vilanterol 62.5/25 μg on health-related quality of life in patients with COPD

BACKGROUND

The combination of the inhaled muscarinic antagonist umeclidinium (UMEC) with the long-acting β2-agonist vilanterol (VI) has been shown to provide significant improvements in lung function compared with UMEC, VI, or placebo (PBO) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was specifically designed to support these findings by assessing health-related quality of life and symptomatic outcomes in a similar population.

METHODS

This was a 12-week multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to receive once-daily UMEC/VI 62.5/25 μg (via ELLIPTA(®) dry powder inhaler) or PBO for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score at day 84. Secondary efficacy endpoints included rescue albuterol use (puffs/day) over weeks 1-12 and trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second on day 84. Adverse events were also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 496 patients were included in the intent-to-treat population in the UMEC/VI (n=248) and PBO (n=248) treatment groups. UMEC/VI 62.5/25 μg provided a significant and clinically meaningful improvement in SGRQ total score at day 84 versus PBO (difference between treatments in SGRQ total score change from baseline: -4.03 [95% confidence interval {CI}: -6.28, -1.79]; P<0.001). UMEC/VI 62.5/25 μg resulted in a statistically significant reduction in rescue albuterol use versus PBO (-0.7 puffs/day [95% CI: -1.1, -0.4]; P<0.001). UMEC/VI 62.5/25 μg provided a significant and clinically meaningful improvement in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second on day 84 versus PBO (122 mL [95% CI: 71, 172]; P<0.001). The incidence of adverse events was similar between treatments (32% and 30% of patients in the UMEC/VI 62.5/25 μg and PBO groups, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrate that treatment with UMEC/VI 62.5/25 μg provides clinically important improvements in SGRQ and rescue medication use versus PBO in patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD.

The association of lung function and St. George's respiratory questionnaire with exacerbations in COPD: a systematic literature review and regression analysis

Background

This study investigated the relationship between changes in lung function (as measured by forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV₁]) and the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and economically significant outcomes of exacerbations and health resource utilization, with an aim to provide insight into whether the effects of COPD treatment on lung function and health status relate to a reduced risk for exacerbations.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify randomized controlled trials of adult COPD patients published in English since 2002 in order to relate mean change in FEV₁ and SGRQ total score to exacerbations and hospitalizations. These predictor/outcome pairs were analyzed using sample-size weighted regression analyses, which estimated a regression slope relating the two treatment effects, as well as a confidence interval and a test of statistical significance.

Results

Sixty-seven trials were included in the analysis. Significant relationships were seen between: FEV₁ and any exacerbation (time to first exacerbation or patients with at least one exacerbation, p = 0.001); between FEV₁ and moderate-to-severe exacerbations (time to first exacerbation, patients with at least one exacerbation, or annualized rate, p = 0.045); between SGRQ score and any exacerbation (time to first exacerbation or patients with at least one exacerbation, p = 0.0002) and between SGRQ score and moderate-to-severe exacerbations (time to first exacerbation or patients with at least one exacerbation, p = 0.0279; annualized rate, p = 0.0024). Relationships between FEV₁ or SGRQ score and annualized exacerbation rate for any exacerbation or hospitalized exacerbations were not significant.

Conclusions

The regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between improvements in FEV₁ and SGRQ score and lower risk for COPD exacerbations. Even in cases of non-significant relationships, results were in the expected direction with few exceptions. The results of this analysis offer health care providers and payers a broader picture of the relationship between exacerbations and mean change in FEV₁ as well as SGRQ score, and will help inform clinical and formulary-making decisions while stimulating new research questions for future prospective studies.

Relationship Between FEV1 and Patient-Reported Outcomes Changes: Results of a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials in Stable COPD

Background: This meta-analysis assessed the relationship between change from baseline (CFB) in spirometric measurements (trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁] and FEV₁ area under the curve [AUC]) and patient-reported outcomes (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire total score [SGRQ] CFB, Transition Dyspnea Index [TDI] and exacerbation rates) after 6-12 months' follow-up, using study treatment-group level data. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for randomized controlled trials of ≥24 weeks duration in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies reporting ≥1 spirometric measurement and ≥1 patient-reported outcome (PRO) at baseline and at study endpoint were selected. The relationships between PROs and spirometric endpoints were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient and meta-regression. Results: Fifty-two studies (62,385 patients) were included. Primary weighted analysis conducted at the last assessment showed a large significant negative correlation (r, -0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI); -0.77, -0.57]) between trough FEV₁ and SGRQ. Improvement of 100 mL in trough FEV₁ corresponded to a 5.9 point reduction in SGRQ. Similarly, a reduction of 4 points on SGRQ corresponded to 40 mL improvement in trough FEV₁ (p<0.001). The weighted correlation coefficients of trough FEV₁ with TDI, exacerbation rate (all) and exacerbation rate (moderate/severe) at last assessment point were 0.57, -0.69 and -0.57, respectively (all p<0.05). For the analyses excluding placebo groups, the correlations of FEV₁ with SGRQ and TDI were lower but significant. Conclusions: A strong association exists between changes in spirometric measurements and changes in PROs.

Differential changes in quality of life components over 5 years in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to examine the longitudinal change in quality of life components of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

In the Hokkaido COPD Cohort Study, 261 subjects were appropriately treated and followed over 5 years with a 74% follow-up rate at the end. The longitudinal changes in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores were annually evaluated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). The subjects were classified into the rapid decliners, slow decliners, and sustainers based on ΔFEV1/year.

RESULTS

The activity component of SGRQ generally deteriorated over time, and its annual decline was the greatest in the rapid decliners (<25th percentile). In contrast, the symptom component improved significantly year by year in the sustainers (>75 percentile), and it did not deteriorate even in the rapid decliners. Of the baseline data, predictors for worsening of the activity component were older age and lower body mass index. Larger reversibility was related to symptom component improvement. Of the follow-up data, ΔFEV1/year was the best predictor for worsening of the components of SGRQ. Continuous smoking was another factor for worsening of the activity component. For the symptom component, a history of exacerbation by admission definition was the determinant of its deterioration, whereas use of beta agonists was related to improvement.

CONCLUSION

The longitudinal changes of quality of life and their determinants are markedly different and independent between its components. The activity component of SGRQ generally deteriorated over years, while the symptom component rather improved in some patients with COPD under appropriate treatment.

Whole-body vibration improves functional capacity and quality of life in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a pilot study

Background

Exercise intolerance is a common development in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is little data on the use of an isolated program using vibration platform training on functional capacity in these patients, which is an area that deserves investigation.

Aim

To investigate the effect of training on a vibrating platform (whole-body vibration [WBV]) on functional performance and quality of life of subjects with COPD.

Methods

A randomized controlled crossover pilot study with eleven subjects with COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁]% predicted =14.63±11.14; forced vital capacity [FVC]% predicted =48.84±15.21; FEV₁/FVC =47.39±11.63) underwent a 12-week WBV training program. Participants were randomized into the intervention group (IG) undergoing three sessions per week for a total of 12 weeks and control group (CG) without intervention. We evaluated the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), distance walked (DW), duration of the walk (TW), and index of perceived exertion (IPE), quality of life using St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and developed a 12-week program of training on a vibrating platform.

Results

The mean age was 62.91±8.82 years old (72.7% male). The DW increased at the end of training with a difference between groups of 75 m; all domains of the SGRQ improved at the end of training. The effect size Cohen’s d ranged from small to large for all the measured results.

Conclusion

These preliminary results suggest that WBV may potentially be a safe and feasible way to improve functional capacity in the 6MWT of patients with COPD undergoing a training program on the vibrating platform as well as in all domains of the SGRQ quality of life. However, further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to establish the long-term effect on functional capacity and quality of life in these patients.

The 2014 Updated GOLD Strategy: A Comparison of the Various Scenarios

Background: The 2014 updated Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) strategy added the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) as the fourth possible symptoms measure. The impact of the suggested tools for symptoms of COPD and the different definitions of future risk on the frequency distribution and clinical characteristics of the GOLD groups remain unknown. Methods: Demographic and clinical characteristics were assessed in 542 patients with COPD (57.7% male, age 64.6 [9.0] years, FEV₁ 54.7 [22.3]% predicted). Health status was assessed by the COPD-specific SGRQ and symptoms of anxiety and depression by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D) subscale. Cohen's Kappa was used to assess agreement between groups. Results: Level of agreement in frequency distribution using the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea (mMRC) scale ≥2, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) ≥10, Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) ≥1 and SGRQ ≥25 was moderate to very good. Best agreement was reached between CCQ and SGRQ (К = 0.838 or 0.851, p<0.001). Patients classified in mMRC GOLD A reported higher SGRQ scores, higher HADS-A and HADS-D scores compared to patients classified in CAT GOLD A or SGRQ GOLD A. Outcomes were comparable between the risk assessment groups. Conclusions: Choice of the symptom measure impacts GOLD groups more than choice of the exacerbation risk assessment. Health care professionals should be aware that patients are heterogeneous in terms of health status and symptoms of anxiety and depression based on the symptom measure used.

Functional and psychological variables both affect daily physical activity in COPD: a structural equations model

BACKGROUND

Daily physical activity (DPA) level is reduced in patients with COPD. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of DPA with functional and psychological variables in these patients.

METHODS

155 COPD patients (102 males, median (IQR) age 62 years (54-69 years), predicted FEV1 60% (40-75%) were included. We assessed DPA (DigiWalker SW-200), functional capacity and psychological factors.

RESULTS

DPA level was significantly associated with all functional capacity variables and two psychological variables (Perceived Physical Ability Subscale, depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). The six-minute walking distance and St. George Respiratory Questionnaire activity score explained 37% of the variance of DPA in a regression analysis. A structural equations model revealed that psychological variables indirectly explained DPA through functional capacity variables. DPA was stronger associated with functional capacity variables and weaker with psychological variables in patients with lower functional status than in patients with higher functional status.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of DPA are associated with better functional capacity, but interestingly, DPA is also affected by psychological factors, though only indirectly, via functional capacity. The effect of specific treatment addressing psychological factors on DPA level and exercise tolerance needs further investigation.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00614796.

Factors associated with changes in quality of life of COPD patients: a prospective study in primary care

BACKGROUND

A primary objective in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is to improve their health status.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the factors associated with changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with COPD after one year of follow-up in primary care.

METHOD

Multicenter, prospective study with one year of follow-up. The end-point was the change in total score on the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Patients with a clinically relevant (>4 points) decrease or increase in SGRQ total score were compared. Factors associated with the changes in HRQoL observed after one year were determined by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 791 patients (mean age, 70.2 years) were analyzed. Mean FEV1 (% predicted) was 52.4%. Average total SGQR score was 37.1 (SD = 19.1) at baseline and 35.6 (SD = 18.9) at follow-up. Significantly improved HRQoL was observed in 36.7% of patients, and was associated with starting polymedication, pulmonology visits, and balanced diet; ending respiratory rehabilitation, quitting smoking; and not being a frequent exacerbator. Quality of life worsened significantly in 29.2% of patients, and was associated with worsening respiratory symptoms and increased hospital admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

Although overall changes in HRQoL observed after one year were minimal, more than one third of patients improved significantly, and one third had significantly worse HRQoL. Clinical factors were independently associated with these changes, emphasizing the relevance to improved HRQoL of starting a healthy lifestyle and respiratory treatments and the negative impact on HRQoL of COPD symptoms onset and admissions.

Outcome of pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients with severely impaired health status

INTRODUCTION

Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with severely impaired health status are poorly documented since these patients are usually excluded from clinical trials. This retrospective, observational study aims to study the impact of disease on health status and the effects of PR on COPD patients referred to a tertiary center for PR in The Netherlands.

METHODS

Between June 2006 and June 2010, 437 patients with COPD were allocated to our intensive, comprehensive PR program. Patients participated in this interdisciplinary program for 12 weeks for a weekly average of 20-25 hours. Before and directly after, several measures of physical performance and health-related quality of life were determined.

RESULTS

At baseline, most patients (75%) had a Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage of III-IV. Peak exercise performance on a cycle ergometer was on average reduced to 43 ± 29 Watt, and health-related quality of life was significantly impaired, with a total score on the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) of 66. Health-care utilization in the year preceding PR was very high. After rehabilitation, all outcome measures improved statistically significantly (P < 0.001). Exercise performance measured with the 6 minute walking distance test improved clinically significantly in 68% of the patients, whereas 75% of the patients showed a clinically meaningful improvement in quality of life as measured with the SGRQ. Multiple regression analysis revealed that 19% of the variation in responses on the 6 minute walking distance test and the SGRQ could be explained on the basis of baseline characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides data to indicate that COPD patients may substantially benefit from rehabilitation in a tertiary pulmonary rehabilitation center, despite a severely impaired health status and high level of health-care utilization, in which prior treatment in primary and secondary care have failed to improve health status. Individual rehabilitation responses can only partially be predicted on the basis of baseline characteristics. Consequently, no firm conclusions can be drawn from this study with respect to the selection of candidates that could be deemed eligible for this rehabilitation program when entering the program.

Antibiotic treatment of exacerbations of COPD in general practice: long-term impact on health-related quality of life

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of exacerbations in health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with COPD and to compare the effect of treatment of COPD exacerbations with moxifloxacin (400 mg/day for 5 days) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (500/125 mg 3 times a day for 10 days) on HRQL.

METHODS

229 outpatients with stable COPD (mean age 68.2 years; mean FEV(1) % predicted 49.3%) participated in a prospective, observational study of 2 years' duration. The St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was completed at baseline and every 6 months thereafter.

RESULTS

COPD exacerbations (mean 2.7 episodes/patient) occurred in 136 patients (124 patients received the study medications [amoxicillin/clavulanate 54, moxifloxacin 70]). Differences between baseline and the final visit were higher for moxifloxacin compared with amoxicillin/clavulanate for total SGRQ score (-2.60 [13.1] vs 4.21 [16.2], P = 0.05) and "Symptoms" subscale (-5.64 [16.7] vs 8.27 [21], P = 0.02). The same findings were observed in patients with two or more exacerbations.

CONCLUSIONS

In COPD outpatients, treatment of exacerbations with moxifloxacin had a more favorable long-term effect on quality of life than amoxicillin/clavulanate.