Could non-HDL-cholesterol be a better marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia in obstructive sleep apnea?

Background/objectiveObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with dyslipidemia, a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol is accepted as a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol is a better marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia and recommended as a target of lipid lowering therapy. We aimed to assess the prevalence of atherogenic dyslipidemia, and relationship between OSA severity and serum LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol levels in OSA patients.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated treatment naïve 2361 subjects admitted to the sleep laboratory of a university hospital for polysomnography. All subjects’ lipid profile including total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL-cholesterol were measured.ResultsOut of 2361 patients (mean age 49.6 ± 11.9 years; 68.9% male, apnea-hypopnea index 36.6 ± 28.4/h), 185 (7.8%) had no OSA and 2176 (92.2%) had OSA. Atherogenic dyslipidemia prevalence was high (57–66%) in OSA patients, and especially increased in severe OSA compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Though total and LDL-cholesterol did not differ between those with and without OSA, non-HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.020), and triglycerides (p = 0.001) were higher and HDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.018) were lower in OSA patients than non-OSA. Non-HDL-cholesterol was significantly correlated with OSA severity (p < 0.001) and hypoxia parameters (p < 0.01), whereas LDL-cholesterol showed no correlation.ConclusionsAtherogenic dyslipidemia is highly prevalent and non-HDL-cholesterol levels are significantly increased, predominantly in severe OSA patients. Non-HDL-cholesterol but not LDL-cholesterol, is significantly correlated with OSA severity and hypoxia parameters. Therefore, it could be better to use non-HDL-cholesterol, which is a guideline recommended target of lipid therapy, as a marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in OSA patients.     

The Relationship between Self-Efficacy,Functional Exercise Capacity and Physical Activity in People with COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the strength of the relationships between self-efficacy and (i) functional exercise capacity and (ii) physical activity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and whether self-efficacy assessment type (i.e., COPD symptoms, exercise-task, exercise-barrier, general, falls) and physical activity assessment type (i.e., self-report vs. objective) are moderators. A systematic search of COPD and self-efficacy concepts was conducted using eight databases from inception to 23 January 2019. Studies were included if they provided correlation coefficients of the relationship between self-efficacy and functional exercise capacity or physical activity, were conducted in adults diagnosed with COPD, and were published in English-language journals. A total of 14 correlation coefficients were included in the self-efficacy and functional exercise capacity meta-analysis, and 16 in the self-efficacy and physical activity meta-analysis. Data were screened, reviewed, and extracted independently by two reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. Stronger self-efficacy was associated with better functional exercise capacity (weighted r?=?0.38, 95%CI [0.25, 0.50]), and greater physical activity (weighted r?=?0.25, 95%CI [0.17, 0.34]). Exercise-task self-efficacy had the strongest relationship to functional exercise capacity (weighted r?=?0.64, 95% CI [0.51, 0.73]). For physical activity, the type of self-efficacy most strongly related was inconclusive. In COPD, self-efficacy has a relationship to functional exercise capacity and physical activity, the strength of which is influenced by the choice of self-efficacy measure. An understanding of these relationships will assist clinicians in selecting the self-efficacy measure most closely related to the outcome of interest.     

Lung Ultrasound for the Emergency Diagnosis of Pneumonia,Acute Heart Failure,and Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease/Asthma in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Lung ultrasound can accelerate the diagnosis of life-threatening diseases in adults with respiratory symptoms.

IS THERE A SPECIFIC LINKAGE BETWEEN OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME AND GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE?

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common condition characterized by repetitive sleep‐induced collapse of the upper airways. It is associated with increased risk for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cerebral stroke, and traffic accidents. In contrast, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very common disorder defined as various symptoms or esophageal mucosal damage generated by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. Patients with OSAS have been reported to have a high prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms. The increase of transdiaphragmatic pressure in parallel with the large negative intrathoracic pressure produced during apnea events may directly lead to GER. In addition, some studies have demonstrated improvement in GERD with the application of continuous positive airway pressure, most consistently effective treatment for OSAS. However, GER dose not occur with every apnea. Moreover, the common conditions observed in patients with OSAS, including obesity or alcohol ingestion, are also predisposing factors for GER. A more recent investigation in over 1000 subjects failed to show a causal link between both diseases. Thus, the potential relationship between OSAS and GERD remains controversial. Inconsistencies in definitions of both diseases or sampling biases may contribute to the confusing results.     

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma General and medical management with special attention to exacerbations

The general management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma is discussed. Pathophysiological mechanisms of bronchial obstruction and inflammation are briefly described. The importance of preventive measures is emphasized. Medicine prescribed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, their relative place in treatment schedules and route of administration are reviewed. Finally, the importance of maximal bronchodilatation in exacerbations is stressed and the few indications for antibiotic treatment are discussed.     

应用个体化营养方案对COPD患者病情影响的研究

目的　研究应用个体化营养方案对慢性阻塞性肺疾病 (COPD)患者进行营养治疗后的病情变化 ,评价个体化营养方案对病情的影响 ,阐明个体化营养方案的治疗价值。方法　选择 80例COPD患者 ,随机分为实验组与对照组 ,实验组应用个体化方案进行营养治疗 ,对照组采用普通膳食 ,观察营养状况、临床表现、病情急性发作次数、住院次数、治疗费用、并发症、呼吸衰竭发生率、死亡率、肺通气功能的变化。结果　实验组营养状况显著好于对照组P <0. 0 5 ,实验组病情急性发作次数、住院天数减少 ,治疗费用降低 ,与对照组比 ,差异显著P <0 . 0 5 ,实验组临床表现减轻 ,与对照组比差异显著P <0 . 0 5 ,实验组患者肺功能有所改善 ,差异显著P <0 . 0 5 ,实验组并发症、呼衰发生率、死亡率与对照组比显著降低P <0 . 0 5。结论　个体化营养方案简便易行、科学、经济 ,患者易接受 ,应用该个体化营养方案对COPD患者实施营养支持 ,营养效果明显 ,能确切改善患者病情。     

COPD机械通气病人下呼吸道感染致病菌分布特点

①目的 探讨慢性阻塞性肺病(COPD)病人机械通气后下呼吸道感染致病菌的特点。②方法 取32例COPD并发呼吸衰竭行机械通气病人下呼吸道分泌物做痰细菌学培养，同时做药物敏感试验。③结果 32例病人共分离出菌株76株，阳性率71．7％，其中混合感染10例次。其中革兰阴性杆菌(GNB)58株，占76．3％；阳性球菌10株，占13．2％；真菌8株，占10．5％。常见致病菌以铜绿假单胞菌、鲍曼不动杆菌和肺炎杆菌为主，GNB中铜绿假单胞菌和不动杆菌的耐药率高。④结论 COPD应用机械通气病人下呼吸道感染以革兰阴性杆菌为主，耐药性高。     

Carbon dioxide recruitment threshold as a predictor of successful weaning in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A pilot study

Abstract Several methods have been used to predict successful weaning and extubation among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The objective of this study is to determine whether carbon dioxide recruitment threshold (PCO₂RT) can be used as adjunct to conventional weaning parameters to predict early weaning and successful extubation. Twelve COPD patients who were ready to be extubated based on conventional weaning parameters were divided into group A ( n = 7) and group B ( n = 5). Group A were those patients with better weaning parameters and hence a higher probability of successful extubation as compared to group B. Carbon dioxide apnoeic threshold (PCO₂AT) was obtained by hyperventilating the patient using an increment of two breaths per min until apnoea occurs. At this point, the PCO₂AT or the PaCO₂ during said apnoeic period was recorded. A dead space of 150 cc is then added to the circuit until the patient starts to breathe as evidenced by the sensitivity trigger indicator. The PCO₂ obtained at this period is termed PCO₂RT. After weaning for 30 min on a T-tube, another arterial blood gas is determined and this is called the PCO₂SB or the CO₂ level after 30 min on spontaneous breathing. If the PCO₂SB-PCO₂RT difference is high with a sensitivity of 85.71% and specificity of 100% vs sensitivity of 57.14% and specificity of 60% using the conventional weaning parameters. Thus an increase in PCO₂SB at 30 min T-tube is indicative of impending respiratory pump failure and that other causes of failure to wean must be investigated.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者家庭支持与自我概念的相关性研究

目的 探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病(慢阻肺)患者的家庭支持与自我概念的关系。方法 用方便抽样法选取108位慢阻肺患者，应用修订的个人资源问卷、自我概念量表和一般资料问卷分别测定其家庭支持、自我概念水平和一般资料。结果 该组患者家庭支持程度为中到高度，自我概念中度积极；家庭支持与总的自我概念呈中度正相关，与自我概念中的体感、自我一致性、理想自我及道德一伦理一精神自我有显著相关．与体象无关。结论 慢阻肺患者的家庭支持水平越高，其自我概念越积极。