Influence of the CYP2J2 Gene Polymorphisms on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Risk in the Chinese Han Population

IntroductionCytochrome P450 (CYP) 2J2 is a major enzyme that controls epoxyeicosatrienoic acids biosynthesis, which may play a role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development. In this study, we aimed to assess the influence of CYP2J2 polymorphisms with COPD susceptibility.Material and methodsA case–control study enrolled 313 COPD cases and 508 controls was to investigate the association between CYP2J2 polymorphisms and COPD risk. Agena MassARRAY platform was used to genotype CYP2J2 polymorphisms. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to evaluate the association between CYP2J2 polymorphisms and COPD risk.ResultsWe observed rs11207535 (homozygote: OR = 0.08, 95%CI = 0.01–0.96, p = 0.047; recessive: OR = 0.08, 95%CI = 0.01–0.94, p = 0.044), rs10889159 (homozygote: OR = 0.08, 95%CI = 0.01–0.92, p = 0.043; recessive: OR = 0.08, 95%CI = 0.01–0.90, p = 0.040) and rs1155002 (heterozygote: OR = 1.63, 95%CI = 1.13–2.36, p = 0.009; dominant: OR = 1.64, 95%CI = 1.15–2.35, p = 0.006; additive: OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.09–1.92, p = 0.011) were significantly associated with COPD risk. Allelic tests showed T allele of rs2280274 was related to a decreased risk of COPD and T allele of rs1155002 was associated with an increased COPD risk. Stratified analyses indicated the effects of CYP2J2 polymorphisms and COPD risk were dependent on gender and smoking status (p < 0.05). Additionally, two haplotypes (A_rs11207535C_rs10889159T_rs1155002 and A_rs11207535C_rs10889159C_rs1155002) significantly decreased COPD risk.ConclusionIt suggested CYP2J2 polymorphisms were associated with COPD susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.     

Effects of Pulmonary Hypertension on Exercise Capacity in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

IntroductionThe impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on exercise tolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been fully elucidated. It is necessary to characterize pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with moderate to severe COPD in order to improve their management. The aim of the study was to determine whether in COPD the presence of PH is associated with reduced exercise tolerance in a cohort of stable COPD patients.MethodsCross-sectional analysis of 174 COPD patients clinically stable: 109 without PH and 65 with PH (COPD-PH). We assessed socio-demographic data, lung function, quality of life, dyspnea, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), constant workload endurance time (CWET), and six-minute walk test (6MWT). We elaborated a logistic regression model to explore the impact of PH on exercise capacity in COPD patients.ResultsCOPD-PH patients showed lower exercise capacity both at maximal (CPET) (43(20) versus 68(27) Watts and 50(19)% versus 71(18)% predicted peak oxygen consumption (VO₂peak), COPD-PH and COPD, respectively), and at submaximal tests (6MWT) (382(94) versus 486(95) m). In addition, the COPD-PH group had lower endurance time than the non-PH COPD group (265(113) s and 295(164) s, respectively).ConclusionsThe presence of PH is an independent factor that impairs exercise capacity in COPD.     

Acute Exacerbation According to GOLD 2017 Categories in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

IntroductionThe association between GOLD categorizations and future exacerbations has not been fully investigated. This study elucidates whether the GOLD 2017 classification is associated with different future exacerbation risk in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with the previous GOLD categorization. Another objective was to investigate the impacts of the symptoms and FEV1 on the predicted future exacerbation independently of previous exacerbation history.MethodsWe analyzed patients from three prospective COPD cohorts (SNUH, KOCOSS, and KOLD) and evaluated the risk of moderate to severe exacerbation among different models, including GOLD grade (FEV1), GOLD 2011, and GOLD 2017.ResultsIn total, 611 COPD patients were included (36 from SNUH, 257 from KOCOSS, and 318 from KOLD). GOLD 2017 classification, excluding FEV1% for categorization criteria, showed no differences in future exacerbation risk compared with GOLD grade and GOLD 2011 based on c-statistics. Among those with no frequent exacerbation history and FEV1 ≥50%, the group with more symptoms was significantly associated with future exacerbations than the group with less symptoms. A lower FEV1 (FEV1 <50%) was not associated with a higher future exacerbation risk than a higher FEV1 (FEV1 ≥50%), regardless of prior exacerbation history and symptom group.ConclusionThe GOLD 2017 classification was not different from GOLD grade and GOLD 2011 regarding the association with future exacerbation risk, and there were no significant differences in exacerbation risk according to FEV1%. This suggests that FEV1 might not be an important factor in future exacerbation risk. These results partly support the GOLD 2017 assessment tool.     

Accuracy of a New Algorithm to Identify Asthma–COPD Overlap (ACO) Patients in a Cohort of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease

Objectives

We aimed to characterize the clinical, functional and inflammatory features of patients diagnosed diagnosed with ACO according to a new algorithm and to compare them with those of other chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD) categories (asthma and COPD).

Telerehabilitation Programme as a Maintenance Strategy for COPD Patients: A 12-Month Randomized Clinical Trial

BackgroundThere is uncertainty regarding efficacy of telehealth-based approaches in COPD patients for sustaining benefits achieved with intensive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).Research questionTo determine whether a maintenance pulmonary telerehabilitation (TelePR) programme, after intensive initial PR, is superior to usual care in sustaining over time benefits achieved by intensive PR.Study design and methodsA multicentre open-label pragmatic parallel-group randomized clinical trial was conducted. Two groups were created at completion of an 8-week intensive outpatient hospital PR programme. Intervention group (IG) patients were given appropriate training equipment and instructed to perform three weekly training sessions and send performance data through an app to a web-based platform. Patients in the control group (CG) were advised to exercise regularly (usual care).ResultsNinety-four patients (46 IG, 48 CG) were randomized. The analysis of covariance showed non-significant improvements in 6-min walk distance [19.9 m (95% CI −4.1/+43.8)] and Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire – Emotion score [0.4 points (0–0.8)] in the IG. Secondary linear mixed models showed improvements in the IG in Short Form-36 mental component summary [9.7, (4.0–15.4)] and Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire – Emotion [0.5, (0.2–0.9)] scores, but there was no association between compliance and outcomes. Acute exacerbations were associated with a marginally significant decrease in 6-minute walk distance of 15.8 m (−32.3/0.8) in linear models.ConclusionsThe TelePR maintenance strategy was both feasible and safe but failed to show superiority over usual care, despite improvements in some HRQoL domains. Acute exacerbations may have an important negative influence on long-term physical function.ClinicalTrials.gov identifierNCT03247933.     

Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty for Inoperable Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension. Observational Study in a Referral Unit

Introduction and objectives

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) for inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is becoming widely accepted. Procedural refinement has reduced complications. Our primary objective was to analyze the results and complications of the first national BPA program.

Normativa sobre el tratamiento de las bronquiectasias en el adulto

In 2008, the Spanish Society of Pulmonology (SEPAR) published the first guidelines in the world on the diagnosis and treatment of bronchiectasis. Almost 10 years later, considerable scientific advances have been made in both the treatment and the evaluation and diagnosis of this disease, and the original guidelines have been updated to include the latest therapies available for bronchiectasis. These new recommendations have been drafted following a strict methodological process designed to ensure quality of content, and are linked to a large amount of online information that includes a wealth of references. The guidelines are focused on the treatment of bronchiectasis from both a multidisciplinary perspective, including specialty areas and the different healthcare levels involved, and a multidimensional perspective, including a comprehensive overview of the specific aspects of the disease. A series of recommendations have been drawn up, based on an in-depth review of the evidence for treatment of the underlying etiology, the bronchial infection in its different forms of presentation using existing therapies, bronchial inflammation, and airflow obstruction. Nutritional aspects, management of secretions, muscle training, management of complications and comorbidities, infection prophylaxis, patient education, home care, surgery, exacerbations, and patient follow-up are addressed.     

Hypermethylation of Anti-oncogenic MicroRNA 7 is Increased in Emphysema Patients

IntroductionMicroRNA-7 (miR-7) has a suppressive role in lung cancer and alterations in its DNA methylation may contribute to tumorigenesis. As COPD patients with emphysema have a higher risk of lung cancer than other COPD phenotypes, we compared the miR-7 methylation status among smoker subjects and patients with various COPD phenotypes to identify its main determinants.Methods30 smoker subjects without airflow limitation and 136 COPD patients without evidence of cancer were recruited in a prospective study. Clinical and functional characteristics were assessed and patients were classified into: frequent exacerbator, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma COPD overlap (ACO). DNA collected from buccal epithelial samples was isolated and bisulfite modified. miR-7 methylation status was evaluated by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (qMSP).ResultsmiR-7 Methylated levels were higher in COPD patients than in smokers without airflow limitation (23.7 ± 12.4 vs. 18.5 ± 8.8%, p = 0.018). Among COPD patients, those with emphysema had higher values of methylated miR-7 (27.1 ± 10.2%) than those with exacerbator (19.4 ± 9.9%, p = 0.004), chronic bronchitis (17.3 ± 9.0%, p = 0.002) or ACO phenotypes (16.0 ± 7.2%, p = 0.010). After adjusting for clinical parameters, differences between emphysematous patients and those with other phenotypes were retained. In COPD patients, advanced age, mild-moderate airflow limitation, reduced diffusing capacity and increased functional residual capacity were identified as independent predictors of methylated miR-7 levels.ConclusionThe increase of miR-7 methylation levels experienced by COPD patients occurs mainly at the expense of the emphysema phenotype, which might contribute to explain the higher incidence of lung cancer in these patients.     

无创通气在慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者撤机中的应用

目的：探讨无创通气应用于慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者有创机械通气撤机中的作用。方法：62例cOPD合并呼吸衰竭应用有创通气后撤机拔管的患者，分为治疗组32例，对照组30例，治疗组在常规药物治疗基础上应用无创通气，对照组应用常规治疗（药物治疗＋吸氧）。观察两组的血气分析指标、再插管率、住院天数及住院病死率等。结果：治疗组给予无创通气后与对照组比较动脉血气PaO2明显上升（P〈0．05），PaCO2下降明显（P〈0．05），两组再插管率为9%和30％（P〈0．05），住院天数为（32±10）d和（38±15）d（P〈0．05），住院病死率为6．2％和23．3％（P〈0．05）。结论：撤机拔管后立即开始应用无创通气的患者再插管率下降，住院天数减少及病死率下降。     

Home Non-Invasive Ventilation for COPD: How,Who and When?

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic respiratory failure have high levels of morbidity and mortality. The clinical efficacy of long term home oxygen therapy has been well documented in this patient group but despite the efficacy of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) during acute decompensated respiratory failure the addition of home NIV has been associated with equivocal results. The physiological efficacy of home NIV to improve gas exchange in chronic stable hypercapnic respiratory failure has been proven in small studies but larger clinical trials failed to translate this into clinical efficacy. Criticisms of early clinical trials include the use of marginally hypercapnic patients and failure to demonstrate effective delivery of home NIV. When considering recent trial data it is important to clearly evaluate the patient phenotype and timing and delivery of NIV. Recent data supports the delivery of home NIV in patients with chronic hypercapnia (PaCO₂ > 7 kPa or 50 mmHg) and the frequent or infrequent exacerbator phenotype. Importantly in the frequent exacerbator the timing of the assessment needs to be in the recovery phase, 2-4 weeks after resolution of acute acidosis, to delineate transient from persistent hypercapnia. In patient with persistent hypercapnia NIV must be titrated to achieve control of sleep disordered breathing with the aim of improving daytime respiratory failure. Furthermore there are observational data to support the use of home positive airway pressure therapy (NIV or continuous positive airway pressure; CPAP) in patients with COPD and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) both with and without hypercapnia.     

COPD合并慢性呼吸衰竭患者院内肺部真菌感染30例临床分析

目的探讨慢性阻塞性肺病(COPD)合并慢性呼吸衰竭患者院内肺部真菌感染的危险因素、临床特点及防治对策。方法回顾性分析我院收治30例COPD合并慢性呼吸衰竭继发肺部真菌感染患者的临床资料,并与同期30例无院内真菌感染的COPD合并慢性呼吸衰竭患者对比分析。结果COPD合并慢性呼吸衰竭患者肺部真菌感染除与患者年龄、并发症有关外,还与长期住院、广谱抗生素和糖皮质激素的应用、各种侵入性操作等有密切关系,临床表现无特异性。结论合理使用抗生素和糖皮质激素,减少不必要的侵入性操作,尽快脱机,加强全身营养支持,警惕真菌感染,及早治疗,可以有效防治COPD合并慢性呼吸衰竭患者发生肺部真菌感染,改善其预后。     

Udenafil Improves Exercise Capacity in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and there is no effective pharmacological treatment for COPD-associated PH. We evaluated the effect of udenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, on the exercise capacity of patients with severe COPD. Patients with severe and very severe COPD (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) <50% of predicted) received udenafil (50 mg daily) for 8 weeks. A 6-min walk test (6MWT), lung function test, Doppler echocardiography, and Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were completed before and after therapy. The primary outcome was a change in the 6-min walk distance (6MWD). Thirty-eight patients were screened for eligibility, and 23 completed the study. After 8 weeks of udenafil treatment, the mean 6MWD increased from 315 to 348 m (p = 0.02), and median PASP decreased from 36 to 30 mmHg (p = 0.02). There were no changes in the SGRQ score, Borg dyspnea score, or pulmonary function parameters. The PDE-5 inhibitor udenafil improved exercise capacity and decreased pulmonary artery pressure in patients with severe COPD. However, due to the small sample size, uncontrolled design and high dropout rate, the efficacy of udenafil in severe COPD needs to be confirmed in a large-scale randomized controlled study. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (number: NCT01364181).     

Tratamiento con esteroides sistémicos en agudización grave de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica: empleo de pautas cortas en práctica clínica habitual y relación con la estancia hospitalaria

Introduction

It is not known whether clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of COPD exacerbations with short coursesofsystemic corticosteroids(SC-SCS) are followed in clinical practice.

Disnea de esfuerzo en las enfermedades respiratorias crónicas: de la fisiología a la aplicación clínica

Dyspnoea is a complex, highly personalized and multidimensional sensory experience, and its underlying cause and mechanisms are still being investigated. Exertional dyspnoea is one of the most frequently encountered symptoms of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases, and is a common reason for seeking medical help. As the symptom usually progresses with the underlying disease, it can lead to an avoidance of physical activity, peripheral muscle deconditioning and decreased quality of life. Dyspnoea is closely associated with quality of life, exercise (in)tolerance and prognosis in various conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension, and is therefore an important therapeutic target.Effective management and treatment of dyspnoea is an important challenge for caregivers, and therapeutic options that attempt to reverse its underlying cause have been only partially successful This “review” will attempt to shed light on the physiological mechanisms underlying dyspnoea during exercise and to translate/apply them to a broad clinical spectrum of cardio-respiratory disorders.     

老年AECOPD患者合并急性心肌梗死临床观察

目的 探讨老年慢性阻塞性肺病急性加重期（AECOPD）合并急性心肌梗死（AMI）的临床特点,以减少误诊及漏诊.方法对老年AECOPD合并AMI（A组）22例患者的临床表现、实验室检查、心电图进行回顾性分析,与同期收治的单纯老年AECOPD（B组）164例患者进行比较.结果 两组均有咳嗽、咳痰、气喘;A组突然出现胸闷、呼吸困难加重的发生率显著高于B组（100%比3.7%,P〈0.01）,多伴有冷汗（81.8%比0,P〈0.01）、晕厥（22.7%比0,P〈0.01）、消化道症状（36.4%比10.4%,P〈0.01）和低血压（18.2%比3.7%,P〈0.05）;A组动脉氧分压/氧浓度（PaO2/FiO2）显著低于B组（313.52±126.68比361.86±120.82,P〈0.05）.结论老年AECOPD患者突然出现胸闷和呼吸困难加重、冷汗、晕厥、低血压,应警惕合并AMI,追踪心电图及心肌酶谱动态变化有助诊断.     

Análisis de la relación entre la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y los contaminantes atmosféricos atendiendo al origen y trayectoria de las masas de aire en el Norte de España

Objectives

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory condition and one of the leading causes of death. Our aim was to analyze the association between emergency room visits due to this disease and meteorological variables and atmospheric contaminant levels in Santander, depending on the origin and trajectory of air masses.

Association of HTR2A-1438G/A Genetic Polymorphism With Smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introduction

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Serotonin levels have been associated with COPD and smoking has been as a significant modulator. Elevated levels of serotonin are responsible for bronchoconstriction and pulmonary vasoconstriction and also nicotine dependence, thus serotonin response could be affected by genetic polymorphisms in transporters and receptors of serotonin.

Traducción y validación del cuestionario multidimensional Disnea-12

Introduction

Dyspnea is a multidimensional symptom, but this multidimensionality is not considered in most dyspnea questionnaires. The Dyspnea-12 takes a multidimensional approach to the assessment of dyspnea, specifically the sensory and the affective response. The objective of this study was to translate into Spanish and validate the Dyspnea-12 questionnaire.