Pulmonary Embolism in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background: To evaluate the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Taiwan. Methods: This was a retrospective population-based cohort study using data retrieved from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (2000 to 2008), which contains 99% of Taiwanese healthcare data. The evaluations included 355,878 COPD patients and 355,878 non-COPD patients for comparison. Results: The incidence of PE in the COPD cohort was 12.31 per 10,000 person-years (1.37/10,000 persons/y), which was approximately 4-times higher than in the comparison cohort (0.35/10,000 persons/y). In the COPD cohort, risk of PE was higher in the young age group (20-59 y, HR 4.64, 95% CI 3.06-7.03) than in other age groups. Risk of PE was higher in patients with COPD combined with hypertension, coronary artery disease, and cancer, or those with previous operation (HR 4.16, 4.75, 4.56, and 4.50 respectively) than in those with COPD and no comorbidity. Conclusions: The overall incidence of PE is lower in Taiwan than in western countries. However, the prevalence of PE in COPD patients is higher than in non-COPD patients and increases with age. It is crucial to incorporate PE into the differential diagnosis of COPD exacerbation for clinical physicians.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病与心血管疾病相关性研究进展

众所周知,慢性阻塞性肺疾病是一种常伴随有显著肺外表现的慢性炎症性疾病,心血管疾病风险增加即此类肺外表现之一。慢性阻塞性肺疾病与心血管疾病之间相关机制复杂,吸烟、衰老、缺氧、全身性炎症、氧化应激及用药等多种因素均可能参与其中。现就其潜在关联机制的研究现状予以综述。     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺结核45例临床分析

目的探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）合并肺结核的临床特点及治疗方法。方法回顾性分析我院2002年4月—2008年8月COPD合并肺结核45例患者的临床资料。结果COPD合并肺结核临床症状、影像表现不典型,易误诊。所有患者均在抗感染、平喘、祛痰基础上给予抗结核治疗。初治采用2HRZE／4HR短程标准化疗方案。复治患者根据既往用药史制定个体化方案。治疗中依据患者年龄、合并症调整用药。本组43例症状好转出院,门诊继续治疗,有2例因重症结核合并呼吸衰竭死亡。结论COPD合并肺结核发病率高,须提高认识,认真检查,尽早诊断．合理治疗．     

The Association between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. There are conflicting results regarding the association between COPD and CAD. We sought to measure the association between COPD and angiographically diagnosed CAD in a population-based cohort. We performed a retrospective analysis using data from the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcomes Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH), a prospectively collected registry capturing all patients undergoing coronary angiography in Alberta, Canada, since 1995. We included adult patients who had undergone coronary angiogram between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2014. CAD was present if at least one coronary artery had a significant stenosis ≥50%. COPD was present if the patient had a documented COPD history and was prescribed bronchodilators or inhaled steroids. We evaluated the association between COPD and CAD using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. There were 26,137 patients included with a mean age of 63.3?±?12.2 years, and 19,542 (74.8%) were male. The crude odds ratio (OR) of having CAD was 0.83 (95% CI 0.74–0.92) for patients with COPD compared to those without COPD. The adjusted OR was 0.75 (95% CI 0.67–0.84) after controlling for age, sex, smoking history, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, peripheral artery disease and cardiac family history. In patients undergoing coronary angiography, COPD was negatively associated with CAD with and without the adjustment for classic risk factors. COPD patients should be properly examined for heart disease to reduce premature mortality.     

Dietary Patterns and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Meta-analysis

Investigation of the relationship between dietary patterns and some chronic noncommunicable diseases has become appealing in nutritional epidemiology. Some studies have reported potential associations between dietary patterns and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; however, the results remain conflicting. Thus, we conducted this meta-analysis to pool the results of studies to clarify the associations between dietary patterns and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A literature search of MEDLINE and EBSCO databases was performed to identify relevant studies published from January 1990 up to June 2015. A total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The highest category of healthy/prudent dietary patterns when compared with the lowest category was apparently associated with a decreased risk (OR = 0.55; CI: 0.46, 0.66; P < 0.0001). An increase in the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was shown for the highest compared with the lowest categories of “unhealthy/western-style” dietary patterns (OR = 2.12; CI: 1.64, 2.74; P < (0.0001). The results of this meta-analysis indicate that different dietary pattern may be associated with the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.     

Echocardiographic Detection of Occult Cor Pulmonale During Exercise in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

We tested the ability of cycle ergometer exercise echocardiography to detect cases of occult cor pulmonale among 25 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The M-mode echocardiographic ventricular septal motion, left ventricular shape determined by short-axis two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography, and right and left ventricular pressure curves were recorded at rest and during exercise and were compared between patients. The ventricular septal motion was normal at rest in all of the patients. In nine patients (dip group), there was marked downward ventricular septal motion in early diastole during exercise, indicating distortion of the left ventricular shape. There were no distinct changes in the remaining 16 patients (non-dip group). At rest, the cardiac index was significantly lower, and right ventricular systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressures were significantly higher in the dip group than in the non-dip group. However, no significant difference was noted in the right ventricular end-diastolic pressure between the two groups at rest. The right ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressures were greater during exercise in the dip group than in the non-dip group. In all of the patients in the dip group, the right ventricular pressure exceeded the left ventricular pressure only in early diastole, coinciding with the early diastolic dip of the ventricular septum, during exercise. In conclusion, occult cor pulmonale can be diagnosed accurately by the appearance of an early diastolic dip of the ventricular septum and distorted left ventricular shape during exercise in patients with COPD.     

COPD患者肺部感染控制窗的影响因素分析

目的探讨COPD患者肺部感染控制窗（PIC窗）的影响因素及临床意义。方法对68例早出现PIC窗的患者和62例晚出现PIC窗的患者进行调查,判定PIC窗的影响因素。结果COPD患者的较早出现PIC窗组为（3．6±0．8）d,较晚出现PIC窗组为（7．8±0．6）d,两组差异有统计学意义（P〈0．001）;Logistic多因素回归分析结果为雾化吸入支气管舒张剂（P=0．006）和床旁支气管镜吸痰（P=0．001）是主要影响因素;结论雾化吸人支气管舒张剂和床旁支气管镜吸痰治疗有利于COPD患者PIC窗提早出现,把握好PIC窗,有助于危重症COPD急性加重期的治疗。     

抑郁症状对慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者预后的影响

目的探讨抑郁症状对慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者预后的影响。方法通过综合医院焦虑/抑郁（HAD）情绪测定表对85例COPD患者进行测评,前瞻性调查患者急性加重、死亡和心血管事件的终点。结果 38例患者（44.7%）达到抑郁标准,其中23例为轻度抑郁,14例为中度抑郁,1例为重度抑郁。女性患者发生率高于男性（P〈0.05）,随访期间抑郁患者10例死亡,14例出现急性加重,不伴抑郁的患者中仅4例死亡,8例发生急性加重,抑郁患者病死率以及急性加重发生率均显著高于无抑郁的患者（P〈0.05）,但是心血管事件的发生无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。结论抑郁常见于COPD患者,并导致患者预后恶化。     

慢性支气管炎、COPD及肺心病患者BNP、肺功能和血气变化的研究

目的探讨慢性支气管炎(慢支)、COPD、慢性肺源性心脏病(肺心病)患者不同时期BNP(B型钠尿肽)、肺功能、动脉血气的变化。方法慢支、COPD、肺心病患者均空腹抽静脉血检测BNP;另抽动脉血检测血气;并行肺功能检测。三组间对比,并与正常组对照。结果由慢支发展到COPD、肺心病时BNP逐渐升高(P<0.05);慢支、COPD及肺心病各组FEV1/FVC、MMEF逐渐降低(P均<0.05),动脉血氧分压(PaO2)、PH值逐渐降低,二氧化碳分压(PaCO2)逐渐增高(P均<0.05)。BNP与PaO2、PH呈显著负相关(r=-0.69,-0.58,P均<0.01),而与PaCO2呈正相关(r=0.55,P<0.01)。BNP与FEV1/FVC、MMEF均呈显著负相关,P均<0.01)。结论血浆BNP水平与血气分析及肺功能变化关系密切,血浆BNP水平可以作为判断COPD病情严重程度的一个指标。     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并侵袭性肺曲霉菌病的研究进展

近年来,慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)合并侵袭性肺曲霉菌病(IPA)发病率不断增高,该类患者预后差、病死率高,早期诊断、及时治疗是改善其预后的重要措施。本文结合相关文献对COPD合并IPA的发病机制、临床特征、实验室检查、诊断及治疗等进行综述,为临床医生早期诊断和及时治疗该病提供参考。     

Streptococcus Pneumoniae Urinary Antigen Test and Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Background : Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most common bacteria identified in sputum obtained from subjects with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Purpose : To examine the urinary pneumococcal antigen test in subjects admitted with AECOPD and subjects with COPD, and to evaluate its relationship with AECOPD. Methods: Urine samples from 82 subjects with AECOPD involved in 122 consecutive hospitalizations were tested. Additionally, 196 consecutive subjects with stable COPD were tested a total of 607 times at intervals greater than 6 months. Results: Pneumococcal antigen was positive in 14 (17.1%) out of all 82 subjects first hospitalized with AECOPD. It was positive in 7 (20.6%) out of the 34 subjects with pneumonic exacerbations of COPD, and in 7 (14.6%) out of the 48 subjects with non-pneumonic exacerbations of COPD. Two subjects with non-pneumonic S. pneumoniae-related AECOPD were identified, and they both tested positive. A total of 607 urinary antigen tests were performed on stable COPD subjects, and 16 (2.6%) specimens were positive. Colonization by S. pneumoniae was found in the sputum of only 25% of the COPD subjects with positive urinary pneumococcal antigen test results. Conclusion: The results of the pneumococcal urinary antigen test were similar for AECOPD subjects with and without pneumonia. This test may be a useful method for preventing the under-diagnosis of S. pneumoniae-related exacerbations of COPD. The detection of pneumococcal antigen in the urine is not related to the persistent colonization of the respiratory mucosa by S. pneumoniae.     

无创正压通气对缓解期COPD的治疗作用

目的　探讨无创正压通气对缓解期慢性阻塞性肺疾病 (COPD)的治疗作用。方法　对住院 18例缓解期 COPD患者 ,随机分为 2组。治疗组 :采用常规治疗 (用鼻导管吸氧、支气管扩张剂及对症治疗 ) ,并加用 Bi PAP呼吸机进行治疗 ,每位患者 1～ 2 h/次 ,2次 /日 ,连续治疗 7日。对照组 :只采用常规治疗。治疗前后观察患者症状改善情况 ,对 Sa O2 及肺通气功能进行检测 ,并进行统计学分析。结果　治疗组症状明显改善 ,VC、FVC、Vpeak、Sa O2 治疗前后差异有显著性 (p<0 .0 5 ) ;对照组上述症状无明显改善 ,肺功能治疗前后差异无显著性 (p>0 .0 5 ) ;治疗组NIPPV治疗后与对照组常规治疗后比较 ,肺功能差异有高度显著性 (p<0 .0 5 )。结论　无创正压通气治疗缓解期COPD,能使疲劳的呼吸肌得以休息 ,增强了呼吸肌的收缩力 ,从而改善了肺通气功能、睡眠质量及活动能力 ,提高Sa O2 及生活质量。     

Phrenic Nerve Conduction Abnormalities Correlate with Diaphragmatic Descent in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Diaphragmatic weakness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is ascribed to hyperinflation-induced diaphragm shortening as well as impairment in cellular and subcellular structures. Although phrenic neuropathy is known to cause diaphragmatic weakness, phrenic neuropathy is rarely considered in COPD. This work aimed at assessing phrenic nerve conduction in COPD and its relation to radiographic hyperinflation and pulmonary function. Patients and methods: Forty COPD patients were evaluated. Radiographic parameters of lung hyperinflation were measured on postero-anterior and lateral chest x-ray films. Flow volume loop parameters were obtained from all patients. Motor conduction study of the phrenic nerves was performed and potentials were recorded over the xiphoid process and the ipsilateral 7th intercostal space. Twenty-seven healthy subjects were enrolled as controls. Results: Parameters of phrenic nerve conduction differed significantly in patients compared to controls. Phrenic nerve abnormalities were detected in 17 patients (42.5%). Electrophysiological measures correlated with diaphragmatic angle of depression on lateral view films and with lung height on postero-anterior films. They did not correlate with the flow volume loop data or disease severity score. Conclusion: Phrenic nerve conduction abnormality is an appreciated finding in COPD. Nerve stretching associated with diaphragmatic descent can be a suggested mechanism for nerve lesion. The presence of phrenic neuropathy may be an additional contributing factor to diaphragmatic dysfunction in COPD patients.     

Inter-disease Comparison of Research Quantity and Quality: Bronchial Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background. The two obstructive airway diseases bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represent major global causes of disability and death. Whereas COPD research was largely underfunded in the 1980s and 1990s, increased funding activities have been initiated since the year 2000. However, detailed scientometric data on the development of research for asthma and COPD have not been generated so far. Methods. The present scientometric study was conducted to establish a database of research quantity and quality in the 20-year period between 1987 and 2006 using the Web of Science information system and the United Kingdom and Germany for comparison of research activities. Results. The information database Web of Science was screened and during the period from 1987 to 2006 a number of 8,874 items related to asthma was published by UK affiliations. Of these, 1,824 were published in cooperation with a total of 86 other countries. This is a ratio of 20.55%. In the same period, 3,341 items were published by German institutions (923 in cooperation with 56 other countries, ratio of 27.63%). Citation analysis demonstrated an average citation of 24.48 per UK article and 17.62 per German article. For COPD, 2,179 items were published by UK affiliations and 689 items by German institutions. Of the UK COPD publications, 570 were published in cooperations with 47 countries (ratio of 22.95 %). By contrast, 218 of the 689 German COPD articles were published with 29 other countries (ratio of 25.49%). When citation analysis was performed, average citation ratios of 18.93 for the UK and 10.61 for German were found. Conclusion. Summarizing this first country-specific comparative benchmarking analysis for obstructive pulmonary diseases it can be concluded that () asthma research dominated in the past 20 years; () COPD research gained importance in the field since the end of the 1990s; () there are large differences present in the research output between the two high-income countries examined.     

Patent Foramen Ovale among Patients with Mild Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Unexplained Hypoxia

Purpose: To evaluate whether patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a contributing factor to hypoxia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Twenty‐one patients over 40 years of age with mild COPD (Forced expiratory volume (FEV1)/Forced Vital Capacity (FVC): > 50%) who had hypoxia (PO₂ < 80 mmHg, SaO₂ < 95%) that could not be explained by COPD alone were included in this study. Arterial oxygen pressures (PO₂) and arterial oxygen saturations (SaO₂) were recorded from laboratory evaluations of arterial blood gases. Respiratory function tests were performed to analyze the degree of COPD. Standard and contrast echocardiography was used to calculate pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) levels and to determine patients with a PFO. Results: The mean age of the patients was 64 ± 12 years. Four patients (19%) had a PFO. The mean PO₂, mean SaO₂, and mean PAP levels were 57.4 ± 6.8 mmHg, 90 ± 3.2%, and 33.8 ± 5.4 mmHg, respectively, in patients without PFO. The mean PO₂, mean SaO₂, and mean PAP levels were 46.5 ± 13.7 mmHg, 79.3 ± 12.8%, and 42.5 ± 6.5 mmHg, respectively, in patients with PFO. There were no statistically significant differences noted between the two groups in the PO₂ levels (P = 0.172) and SaO₂ levels (P = 0.065). A comparison of the PAP levels revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups, with values that were more elevated in the PFO group than in the non‐PFO group (P = 0.031). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that PFO is not a contributing factor to deep hypoxia in COPD patients with lower PO₂ and SaO₂ levels; however, higher PAP levels were detected in patients with a PFO. Further studies involving a larger number of patients are needed to be conclusive. (Echocardiography 2010;27:687‐690)     

伊伐布雷定对慢性阻塞性肺疾病所致慢性肺源性心脏病失代偿期患者心肺功能的影响

目的:观察伊伐布雷定对COPD所致慢性肺源性心脏病失代偿期患者心肺功能的影响。方法：62例COPD所致慢性肺源性心脏病患者随机分为常规治疗组及伊伐布雷定组,进行常规抗心衰治疗或联合伊伐布雷定治疗3个月,记录治疗前后NT-proBNP、hs-CRP、PCT、肺功能、COPD评估测试(CAT)、6分钟步行实验距离、心脏彩超(LVEF、SV、RVD)、24小时平均心率等治疗。结果：两组患者治疗前一般情况一致,无统计学差异。治疗后,伊伐布雷定组患者6分钟步行实验距离、CAT评分均改善,NT-proBNP较常规治疗组明显降低,24小时平均心率明显下降,两组差异具有统计学意义。hs-CRP、PCT、肺功能指标(PEF、FEV1%pred、FEV1/FVC％)、LVEF、SV、RVD改变无统计学差异。结论:在COPD所致肺心病患者中应用伊伐布雷定3个月,可改善患者心功能,提高运动耐量及生活质量,但对患者肺功能及心脏改变无影响。