Assessment of Volume Status in Chronic Hemodialysis: Comparison of Lung Ultrasound to Clinical Practice and Bioimpedance

Objective: To compare LUS with other volume assessment methods, and to verify the prognostic value of LUS in Thai chronic HD patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 36 chronic HD patients. Volume status before the HD session was evaluated by physical examinations, bioimpedance analysis (BIA), and ultrasound lung comets (ULCs). Mortality and morbidities were recorded during a 1-year follow-up period. Results: The degree of lung fluid accumulation was assessed by summation of the number of ULCs, and was classified into 3 groups: mild-to-moderate (ULC<15–29), severe (ULC=30–59), and very severe (ULC>60) in 11.1%, 77.8%, and 11.1% of the patients, respectively. Either clinical edema or lung crackle had low sensitivity (20-32%) to detect extravascular lung water excess in patient with mild-to-moderate ULC and severe ULC. Overhydration assessed by BIA was found in 75% and 64.3% of patients with mild-to-moderate and severe ULC, respecively.  In patients with very severe ULC, the admission rate due to volume overload was significantly higher, there was also a trend of increased mortality, as well as intradialytic complications. Conclusion: Clinical assessment and BIA have limited value in determining extravascular fluid excess in the lung. Lung ultrasound is a useful tool to detect subclinical pulmonary congestion. The long-term outcome by using LUS-guided fluid management needs larger population studies.

Prevalence, associated factors, and clinical consequences of metabolic syndrome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a 5-year prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by multiple systemic comorbidities, not only airflow limitation. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common comorbidity. Patients with COPD have a higher risk of MetS than do healthy individuals.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of and explore the factors associated with MetS in Thai COPD patients and to assess the clinical consequences of MetS after a 5-year follow-up period.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted in patients with stable COPD at Songklanagarind Hospital between June 2015 and November 2019. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation 2005 criteria. The patients were followed-up for 5 years. The prevalence, associated factors, and consequences of MetS were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 115 patients with COPD were enrolled, of whom 95.3% were male. The overall prevalence of MetS was 37.4% (43 patients). Chronic bronchitis and high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were independently and significantly associated with MetS in patients with COPD (p = 0.036 and 0.044, respectively). After following patients for 5 years, the incidence of cardiovascular disease and stroke, exacerbation rate, and mortality rate were significantly higher in the COPD with MetS group [relative risk (RR) = 15.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (2.13-110.67), RR = 45.43, 95% CI = (4.61-447.07), RR = 1.94, 95% CI = (1.40-2.70), and RR = 48.01, 95% CI = (1.12-2049.43), respectively].

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of MetS is high in patients with COPD. Chronic bronchitis and high CRP levels are associated with MetS in COPD. The incidence of clinical consequences was significantly higher in patients with COPD and MetS after a 5-year follow-up. Screening for MetS is strongly recommended for all patients with COPD.