International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2018
Phenotyping COPD exacerbations using imaging and blood-based biomarkers.
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are caused by a variety of different etiologic agents. Our aim was to phenotype COPD exacerbations using imaging (chest X-ray [CXR] and computed tomography [CT]) and to determine the possible role of the blood tests (C-reactive protein [CRP], the N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP]) as diagnostic biomarkers. ⋯ Elevated CRP may indicate the presence of pneumonia, while elevated NT-proBNP may indicate cardiac dysfunction. These readily available blood-based biomarkers may provide more accurate phenotyping of AECOPD and enable the discovery of more precise therapies.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2018
The relationship between exercise capacity and different functional markers in pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD.
The relationship of functional parameters such as lung mechanics, chest kinematics, metabolism and peripheral and respiratory muscle function with the level of exercise tolerance remains a controversial subject. While it has been previously shown that pulmonary rehabilitation is capable of improving exercise tolerance in patients afflicted by COPD, as expressed by values of 6-minute walking test (6MWT), the degree of contribution to this change by each of the aforementioned parameters remains unclear. ⋯ Enhancements in exercise tolerance had correlation with changes in IVC, BODE-index, and the new Alternative Scale. However, comprehensive assessment needs to include considerations of chest kinematics and peripheral and respiratory muscle function as well.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2018
Observational StudyThe impact of atrial fibrillation in patients with COPD during hospitalization.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs frequently in patients with COPD. There are limited data about the impact of AF in hospitalized COPD patients on other serious health outcomes, such as acute organ dysfunction, severe sepsis, and respiratory failure. The aim of our study was to delineate the impact of AF in hospitalized COPD patients. ⋯ Compared with COPD patients without AF, those with AF had a higher risk of hepatic dysfunction and respiratory failure.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2018
The accuracy of a handheld "disposable pneumotachograph device" in the spirometric diagnosis of airway obstruction in a Chinese population.
It is desirable to facilitate the use of an affordable, reliable, and portable spirometer, for earlier diagnosis of COPD in China, particularly in rural areas. The aim of this study was to assess the agreement of a handheld "disposable pneumotachograph" (D-PNEU) spirometer with the gold standard spirometer and to evaluate its diagnostic accuracy of spirometric classification of airflow obstruction. ⋯ A disposable handheld spirometry device is capable of accurately identifying and quantifying airway obstruction in patients deemed to be at risk, however, caution should be exercised and all available brands should be tested.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2018
Role of accelerated aging in limb muscle wasting of patients with COPD.
Skeletal muscle wasting is an independent predictor of health-related quality of life and survival in patients with COPD, but the complexity of molecular mechanisms associated with this process has not been fully elucidated. We aimed to determine whether an impaired ability to repair DNA damage contributes to muscle wasting and the accelerated aging phenotype in patients with COPD. ⋯ These data are in keeping with an accelerated aging phenotype as a result of impaired DNA repair and dysregulation of cellular homeostasis in the muscle of COPDL. These data indicate cellular degeneration via stress-induced premature senescence and associated inflammatory responses abetted by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype and reflect an increased expression of markers of oxidative stress and inflammation.