International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Identification of subtypes in subjects with mild-to-moderate airflow limitation and its clinical and socioeconomic implications.
The purpose of this study was to identify subtypes in patients with mild-to-moderate airflow limitation and to appreciate their clinical and socioeconomic implications. ⋯ Clinical and epidemiological heterogeneities of subjects with mild-to-moderate airflow limitation and a different level of health care utilization by each subtype are shown. Identification of a subtype with high health care demand could be a priority for effective utilization of limited resources.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Comparative StudyPrognostic role of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio for hospital mortality in patients with AECOPD.
Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and is associated with considerable mortality, for which clinicians are seeking useful and easily obtained biomarkers for prognostic evaluation. This study aimed to determine the potential role of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as prognostic makers for hospital mortality in patients with AECOPD. ⋯ NLR and PLR levels were increased in non-survivor patients with AECOPD, and the NLR may be simple and useful prognostic marker for hospital mortality in patients with AECOPD. More studies should be carried out to confirm our findings.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Cost-effectiveness of the Aerobika* oscillating positive expiratory pressure device in the management of COPD exacerbations.
COPD places a huge clinical and economic burden on the US health care system, with acute exacerbations representing a key driver of direct medical costs. Current treatments, although effective in reducing symptoms and limiting exacerbations, do not adequately target the underlying disease processes that drive exacerbation development. The Aerobika* oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) device has been shown in a real-world effectiveness study to lower the frequency of moderate-to-severe exacerbations during a 30-day post-exacerbation period. This study sought to determine the impact on exacerbations and costs and to determine the cost-effectiveness of the Aerobika* device. ⋯ The Aerobika* device is a cost-effective treatment option that provides clinical benefit and results in direct medical cost savings in a post-exacerbation care COPD population.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
The direct and indirect costs of managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Greece.
COPD is associated with significant economic burden. The objective of this study was to explore the direct and indirect costs associated with COPD and identify the key cost drivers of disease management in Greece. ⋯ The management of COPD in Greece is associated with intensive resource use and significant economic burden. Exacerbations and productivity losses are the key cost drivers. Cost containment policies should focus on prioritizing treatments that increase patient compliance as these can lead to reduction of exacerbations, longer maintenance phases, and thus lower costs.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Chronic rhinosinusitis is associated with higher prevalence and severity of bronchiectasis in patients with COPD.
Bronchiectasis revealed by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the causes and risk factors remain to be determined. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is closely associated with bronchiectasis or COPD, but whether it is associated with comorbid bronchiectasis in COPD (COPD-Bx) is unknown. ⋯ CRS was associated with COPD-Bx and this was probably due to increased airway inflammation.