Low-dose l-isoproterenol versus salbutamol in hospitalized pediatric patients with severe acute exacerbation of asthma: A double-blind,randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAlthough the guidelines in most countries do not recommend continuous inhalation of l-isoproterenol to treat pediatric patients with acute severe exacerbation of asthma, lower dose of l-isoproterenol has been widely used in Japan. To determine whether the efficacy of low-dose l-isoproterenol was superior to that of salbutamol, we conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.MethodsHospitalized patients aged 1–17 years were eligible if they had severe asthma exacerbation defined by the modified pulmonary index score (MPIS). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive inhalation of l-isoproterenol (10 μg/kg/h) or salbutamol (500 μg/kg/h) for 12 hours via a large-volume nebulizer with oxygen. The primary outcome was the change in MPIS from baseline to 3 hours after starting inhalation. Trial registration number UMIN000001991.ResultsFrom December 2009 to October 2013, 83 patients (42 in the l-isoproterenol group and 41 in the salbutamol group) were enrolled into the study. Of these, one patient in the l-isoproterenol group did not receive the study drug and was excluded from the analysis. Compared with salbutamol, l-isoproterenol reduced MPIS more rapidly. Mean (SD) changes in MPIS at 3 hours were −2.9 (2.5) in the l-isoproterenol group and −0.9 (2.3) in the salbutamol group (difference −2.0, 95% confidence interval −3.1 to −0.9; P < 0.001). Adverse events occurred in 1 (2%) and 11 (27%) patients in the l-isoproterenol and salbutamol groups, respectively (P = 0.003). Hypokalemia and tachycardia occurred only in the salbutamol group.ConclusionsLow-dose l-isoproterenol has a more rapid effect with fewer adverse events than salbutamol.     

COPD Assessment Test: A Simple Tool to Evaluate Disease Severity and Response to Treatment

The COPD assessment test (CAT) is a short questionnaire designed to assess the impairment in health status of COPD patients. We aimed to determine the change of the CAT in COPD patients after 1 year of treatment and test the association between the score and clinical and lung function variables. Methods A cohort of 111 newly diagnosed COPD patients in primary care was evaluated at baseline and one year after the implementation of the recommended treatment according to the Global Initiative for the management of COPD (GOLD). Results Most of the patients (82%) were diagnosed with mild to moderate airflow limitation (mean FEV₁ 72 ± 21.5% predicted) and the CAT score increased in proportion with the GOLD stage of severity. The CAT significantly correlated with the number of exacerbations, visits to general practitioners and days of hospitalization both at the beginning and at 1 year follow-up. A strong negative correlation between the CAT score and FEV₁ predicted was also observed. The CAT was responsive to the application of treatment with a significant improvement in the mean score (95% confidence interval) following 12 months of treatment by –2.4 (–2.9, –1.9) despite the small decline in lung function indices. The number of exacerbations in the preceding year and FEV₁ were independent predictors of the CAT score in the general linear model. Conclusion The CAT questionnaire may serve as a simple, measurable tool complementary to spirometry in the assessment of severity and of response to treatment in unselected COPD patients in primary care.     

急诊科联合病房早期肺康复程序在AECOPD患者中的应用

目的 促进慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期（AECOPD）患者肺康复。 方法 按急诊就诊时间将82例AECOPD患者分为对照组40例、观察组42例，两组均予常规治疗及护理，在此基础上对照组行常规肺康复措施；观察组组建多学科肺康复团队、制订和实施为期4周的三阶段肺康复方案。 结果 干预后，观察组患者的肺功能指标、动脉血氧饱和度、上下肢运动耐力评分、日常生活活动能力评分显著高于对照组，焦虑抑郁评分显著低于对照组（均P＜0.05）。 结论 多学科协作下急诊科联合病房早期分阶段肺康复方案可有效改善AECOPD患者肺功能及运动耐力，从而改善患者心身状态。     

胸腺肽联合抗菌药物对老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期的治疗效果

目的探讨胸腺肽联合抗菌药物对老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期(AECOPD)的治疗效果。方法统计分析该院2013年1月至2014年9月收治的60例老年AECOPD患者的临床资料。结果研究组患者的1s用力呼气量(FEV1)和FEV1%均明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);临床症状和生活质量评分均明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗的总有效率96.7%(29/30)明显高于对照组66.7%(20/30),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论胸腺肽联合抗菌药物对老年AECOPD的治疗效果明显,值得推广。     

Oxidative Stress and Respiratory System: Pharmacological and Clinical Reappraisal of N-Acetylcysteine

The large surface area for gas exchange makes the respiratory system particularly susceptible to oxidative stress-mediated injury. Both endogenous and exogenous pro-oxidants (e.g. cigarette smoke) trigger activation of leukocytes and host defenses. These mechanisms interact in a “multilevel cycle” responsible for the control of the oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis. Several studies have demonstrated the presence of increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidants (e.g. reduced glutathione [GSH]) in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the contribution of oxidative stress to the pathophysiology of COPD is generally only minimally discussed. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases, particularly COPD, and to examine the available clinical and experimental evidence on the use of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor of GSH, as an adjunct to standard therapy for the treatment of COPD. The proposed concept of “multilevel cycle” helps understand the relationship between respiratory diseases and oxidative stress, thus clarifying the rationale for using NAC in COPD. Until recently, antioxidant drugs such as NAC have been regarded only as mucolytic agents. Nevertheless, several clinical trials indicate that NAC may reduce the rate of COPD exacerbations and improve small airways function. The most plausible explanation for the beneficial effects observed in patients with COPD treated with NAC lies in the mucolytic and antioxidant effects of this drug. Modulation of bronchial inflammation by NAC may further account for these favorable clinical results.     

基层医院间歇使用无创正压通气治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期的临床观察

目的探讨在基层医院间歇使用无创呼吸机在治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期的作用。方法将48例COPD急性加重期患者随机分为观察组(无创呼吸机组)与对照组(常规治疗组)各24例,观察两组治疗前、1d后、3d后的呼吸频率、心率、血氧饱和度,7d后呼吸困难评分及平均住院天数情况。结果经间歇使用无创通气患者1d后、3d后呼吸频率、心率下降明显,血氧饱和度上升明显,7d后呼吸困难改善明显,平均住院天数缩短明显,与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论无创性呼吸适用于基层医院COPD急性加重期患者,经济且使用方便,患者易于接受,值得临床推广使用。