Mucus Plugs and Small Airway Dysfunction in Asthma,COPD, and Asthma-COPD Overlap

PurposeThere are reports concerning mucus plugs detected on high-resolution computed tomography images and airflow obstruction in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, little is known about the associations between mucus plugs and small airway dysfunction (SAD). We evaluated the relationship between mucus plugs and pulmonary function in patients with asthma, COPD, and asthma-COPD overlap (ACO), and investigated the relevance to SAD and type 2 inflammation in a retrospective study.MethodsSubjects included 49 asthmatic, 40 ACO, and 41 COPD patients. ACO was diagnosed based on the Japanese Respiratory Society ACO guidelines. Clinical and laboratory parameters, including blood eosinophil count, serum total IgE levels, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), spirometry, and forced oscillation technique (FOT), were compared between patients with and without mucus plugs.ResultsMucus plugs were found in 29 (59%) asthmatic, 25 (65%) ACO, 17 (41%) COPD patients. Patients with mucus plugs had reduced spirometry and larger FOT parameters, especially in COPD patients. Mucus scores correlated positively with IgE in ACO and FeNO in asthmatic patients, but not in COPD patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SAD parameters, including forced vital capacity and resonant frequency, a respiratory reactance parameter, were significantly associated with the presence of mucus plugs in the whole studied population.ConclusionsSAD, rather than large airway dysfunction, was associated with mucus plugs in asthma, ACO, and COPD patients.     

Predicting Factors of Severe COVID-19 in Patients With Asthma: A Korean National Cohort Study

As there are limited data on the disease course of and factors predicting severe coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) in patients with asthma, this study aims to perform a detailed analysis of the clinical course of asthmatic patients with COVID-19 and evaluate factors related to severe infection. Of the 5,628 patients confirmed with COVID-19, 128 (2.3%) had asthma. Among the 128 asthmatic patients, 32 (25%) had severe COVID-19 and 96 (75%) had non-severe COVID-19. Among asthmatic patients, those with severe COVID-19 were significantly older and had more dyspnea and fever, more comorbidities, and lower lymphocyte and platelet counts than those with non-severe COVID-19. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–41.81), low lymphocyte proportion (aOR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86–0.97), and low platelet count (aOR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98–0.99) were independently associated with severe COVID-19.     

Therapeutic approaches to asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap

Introduction: Patients with features of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (‘asthma-COPD overlap’) experience greater symptom burden and higher risk of adverse health outcomes than those with asthma or COPD alone. However, virtually no pharmacotherapy studies have been performed in this overlap population, leading to confusion amongst clinicians regarding therapeutic approaches.

Areas covered: A pragmatic approach is suggested to identify patients with typical asthma, typical COPD, and those with overlap features. Interim clinical guidance on the treatment of asthma-COPD overlap is provided, acknowledging that these recommendations are based on expert opinion given the paucity of available evidence.

Expert commentary: There is an urgent need for new studies in patients with asthma-COPD overlap to evaluate the efficacy and safety of existing pharmacotherapeutic options. Multiple underlying mechanisms are likely to contribute to the development of asthma-COPD overlap and a greater understanding of these mechanisms may allow a personalised approach to therapy in the future.     

丙酸氟替卡松联合特布他林治疗COPD急性加重期的效果

目的 分析慢阻肺急性加重期患者应用丙酸氟替卡松联合特布他林治疗的临床效果。方法 将本院2017年7月~2018年6月收治的90例慢阻肺急性加重期患者作为研究对象,随机分为对照组与研究组,各45例。对照组应用特布他林治疗,研究组在此基础上加用丙酸氟替卡松进行治疗。比较两组临床疗效,血气指标和肺通气功能改善情况。结果 研究组治疗总有效率为86.67%,高于对照组的51.11%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;治疗后研究组PaO2（87.68±5.36）mmHg和PaCO2（32.64±6.51）mmHg优于对照组的（80.67±5.61）mmHg、（38.74±6.42）mmHg,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;治疗后研究组FEV1（2.38±0.59）L、FVC（3.79±0.60）L、FEV1/FVC（68.54±5.06）%优于对照组的（2.04±0.58）L、（3.16±0.62）L、（58.84±4.96）%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 丙酸氟替卡松联合特布他林治疗慢阻肺急性加重期患者疗效确切,可以有效改善患者血气指标和肺通气功能,值得临床借鉴。     

Ventilation heterogeneity is associated with airway responsiveness in asthma but not COPD

Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) occurs in both asthma and COPD. In older people with asthma, AHR is associated with increased acinar ventilation heterogeneity, but it is unknown if this association exists in COPD.     

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Chronic Airway Diseases: Focus on Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic airway diseases are characterized by airway inflammation, obstruction, and remodeling and show high prevalence, especially in developing countries. Among them, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show the highest morbidity and socioeconomic burden worldwide. Although there are extensive guidelines for the prevention, early diagnosis, and rational treatment of these lifelong diseases, their value in precision medicine is very limited. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques have emerged as effective methods for mining and integrating large-scale, heterogeneous medical data for clinical practice, and several AI and ML methods have recently been applied to asthma and COPD. However, very few methods have significantly contributed to clinical practice. Here, we review four aspects of AI and ML implementation in asthma and COPD to summarize existing knowledge and indicate future steps required for the safe and effective application of AI and ML tools by clinicians.     

气道内高压力促进3种气道重塑相关因子的表达

目的探讨机械通气情况下气道内不同压力水平对气道重塑相关因子表达的影响。方法手术室经全麻行机械通气的42例慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)作为COPD组和33例无基础肺疾病患者作为对照组。机械通气根据吸气峰压(PIP)水平又分为高、中、低压力组(分别为24、22和20 cm H_2O),呼气末正压均为5 cm H_2O。机械通气前及3 h后收集支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)。酶联免疫吸附法和Western blot法检测BALF中气道重塑相关因子成纤维生长因子2(FGF-2)、转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)和基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)蛋白表达水平。结果 1)机械通气前COPD组BALF中的FGF-2、TGF-β1和MMP-9蛋白水平明显高于对照组(P0.01)。2)机械通气后对照组在高压力刺激下FGF-2、TGF-β1和MMP-9表达水平升高(P0.05);而COPD组压力刺激下上述3种蛋白表达升高更明显(P0.05),且高压力组中及低压力组(P0.05)。3)相关性分析显示,COPD组BALF中FGF-2、TGF-β1、MMP-9表达水平与气道压力成正相关(P0.01)。结论机械通气时气道内的持续高压力可能通过作用于气道上皮细胞内压力敏感通道进而提高气道重塑因子FGF-2、TGF-β1、MMP-9的表达水平,COPD患者尤为显著。     

Putative roles of circulating resistin in patients with asthma, COPD and cigarette smokers

Aims: To investigate the hypothesis that circulating resistin reflects the degree of pulmonary inflammation, this study explores putative roles of resistin in patients with acute and stable inflammatory obstructive airway diseases and cigarette smokers. Methods: We determined complements C3, C4, fasting resistin, insulin, glucose and lipid profile; calculated insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) in patients with acute asthma exacerbation (n = 34); stable asthma (n = 26) and stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; n = 26), cigarette smokers (n = 81), and healthy control subjects (n = 42). We determined the associations between these variables and pulmonary function tests.Results: Patients with COPD, acute and stable asthma had significantly higher resistin and insulin than control subjects. Resistin, insulin, HOMA-IR, FEV1% and FEV1/FVC were significantly (p < 0.05) different between patients with acute asthma compared with stable asthma and COPD; smokers had similar levels of resistin, C3 and C4 as patients with asthma and COPD. In smokers, patientswith asthma or COPD, resistin showed significant inverse correlations with FEV1%; FEV1/FVC% and positive significant correlations with BMI and HOMA-IR. Logistic regression showed that resistin is associated (p < 0.05) with inflammatory obstructive airways disease − odds ratio (OR) = 1.22 and smoking OR = 1.18.Conclusion: Resistin may be a disease activity marker and may contribute to insulin resistance in smokers, asthma and COPD.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者合并抑郁焦虑情绪的高危因素研究

目的：探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,COPD)患者合并抑郁焦虑情绪的高危因素。方法：通过对64例COPD患者进行汉密尔顿抑郁焦虑量表问卷调查并记录相关资料进行分析。结果：相对较高的文化程度是COPD患者产生抑郁焦虑情绪的高危因素。结论：临床医生在给COPD患者诊疗过程中注意患者的精神状态,尤其是有一定文化程度的患者,尽早的进行抑郁焦虑情绪的调查,及时的进行干预治疗。     

AECOPD继发肺侵袭性真菌感染临床特征及预后

目的探索慢性阻塞性肺病急性加重（acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,AECOPD）继发侵袭性肺真菌感染的早期诊断方法,以及影响预后的因素。方法查阅2000—2008年因AECOPD入院继发肺真菌感染病例,符合侵袭性肺部真菌感染的诊断标准与治疗原则（草案）者,调阅CT及X档案,记录住院期间抗生素和皮质激素使用史、真菌培养和药敏试验、基础病等进行分析。结果AECOPD合并肺侵袭性真菌感染25例,死亡4例。其病原学分析显示：白假丝酵母菌16例（64％）,光滑假丝酵母菌4例（16％）,热带假丝酵母菌2例（8％）,克柔假丝酵母菌1例（4％）,曲霉菌2例（8％）。胸部CT改变以结节影、结节晕轮征、团块影以及空洞为主,分别为：20、17、14和8例次,其中结节晕轮征具有特征性;X线胸片以支气管肺炎样改变、团块影、空洞和支气管炎改变为主,分别为16、14、5、5例次。预后分析提示：机械通气、抗生素使用时间超过7d、同时使用抗生素种类超过3种、大剂量激素和合并呼吸衰竭等基础病是AECOPD继发肺侵袭性真菌感染预后不良的因素。结论AECOPD继发肺真菌感染预后差,病死率高（16％）,早期胸部CT以及痰检对及早发现肺侵袭性真菌感染有价值。合理使用抗生素,严格掌握AECOPD使用皮质激素以及机械通气的适应证,对改善预后有积极作用。     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期血液流变性观察

目的 :观察慢性阻塞性肺疾病 (COPD)急性加重期患者血液流变学特性。方法 :检测6 0例急性加重期、4 5例稳定期患者及 12 0例健康体检者的全血粘度、血浆粘度、血沉、红细胞压积和纤维蛋白原等血液流变学指标。结果 :COPD急性加重期患者与COPD稳定期患者和健康体检者血液流变测定值有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,除血浆粘度外其余项目测定值均有统计学意义 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :COPD急性加重期病人血液流变性有明显改变 ,可为病情评估、疗效评价和预后判断提供帮助     

信必可都保联合噻托溴铵治疗对COPD合并支气管哮喘患者肺功能、免疫功能及气道阻力的影响

目的研究信必可都保联合噻托溴铵治疗对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)合并支气管哮喘患者肺功能、免疫功能及气道阻力的影响。方法选取88例COPD合并支气管哮喘患者,随机分成两组,每组各44例,对照组噻托溴铵治疗,观察组信必可都保+噻托溴铵治疗,两组疗程均为2周,比较两组肺功能、免疫功能及气道阻力。结果治疗后,观察组总有效率为93.18%,明显高于对照组的77.26%(P<0.05);两组哮喘控制测试(ACT)评分较治疗前明显升高(P<0.05),且观察组升高幅度大于对照组(P <0.05);两组第1秒最大呼气量(FEV1.0)、第1秒最大呼气率(FEV1.0%)、最大呼气流速峰值(PEFR)、肺活量(FVC)较治疗前明显升高(P<0.05),两组肺动脉收缩压(PASP)、肺动脉舒张压(PADP)、平均肺动脉压(MPAP)较治疗前明显降低(P <0.05),且观察组变化幅度大于对照组(P <0.05);两组CD4^+、CD4^+/CD8^+、免疫球蛋白A(IgA)、免疫球蛋白G(IgG)、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)较治疗前明显升高(P<0.05),两组CD8^+较治疗前明显降低(P<0.05),且观察组变化幅度大于对照组(P <0.05);两组气道总阻抗(Z5)、气道总粘性阻力(R5)、近端气道粘性阻力(R20)、周边弹性阻力(X5)较治疗前明显降低(P<0.05),且观察组降低幅度大于对照组(P <0.05);两组血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、细胞间黏附分子(ICAM-1)、白细胞介素-13(IL-13)、白细胞介素-17(IL-17)较治疗前明显降低(P<0.05),且观察组降低幅度大于对照组(P<0.05);两组在治疗期间未出现明显不良反应。结论信必可都保联合噻托溴铵治疗COPD合并支气管哮喘疗效显著,有效改善肺功能和哮喘情况,调节免疫功能、降低气道阻力和诱导痰细胞因子水平,安全性好,值得临床推广。     

COPD伴肺心病患者血浆脑钠素水平及其临床诊断价值

目的:探讨慢性阻塞性肺病(COPD)、慢性阻塞性肺病伴肺源性心脏病(CP)患者血浆脑钠素(BNP)的变化及其临床诊断价值.方法:94例受试者分为COPD伴CP组31例,COPD组30例,正常对照组33例.定量检测各组血浆BNP水平,并绘制不同组受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线,观察ROC曲线下面积.结果:COPD伴CP组血...