International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Usefulness of the desaturation-distance ratio from the six-minute walk test for patients with COPD.
A straightforward, noninvasive method is needed to assess emphysema and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in COPD patients. The desaturation-distance ratio (DDR) is an index derived from the distance traveled and level of desaturation during a six-minute walk test (6MWT); it has previously been shown to be associated with percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (%FEV1.0) and percentage of diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (%DLCO). The aim of this study was to examine the associations between DDR and emphysema and PH. ⋯ The results suggest that DDR is a good index of emphysema and PH in COPD patients. The 6MWT is widely used to assess COPD, and DDR could help with the early diagnosis of COPD.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Multicenter Study Observational StudyClinical implications of blood eosinophil count in patients with non-asthma-COPD overlap syndrome COPD.
Recent studies that assessed the relevance of the blood eosinophil count as a biomarker in patients with COPD may have overestimated it because they included patients with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS). We investigated the clinical implications of the blood eosinophil count in patients with non-ACOS COPD. ⋯ In patients with non-ACOS COPD, the blood eosinophil count and percent were not associated with FEV1 changes, quality of life (QoL), AECOPD frequency, or response to ICS. The clinical implication of the blood eosinophil count should not be overestimated in patients with non-ACOS COPD.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
ReviewSpotlight on fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol in COPD: design, development, and potential place in therapy.
COPD is characterized by persistent airflow obstruction caused by exposure to irritants including cigarette smoke, dust, and fumes. According to the latest GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) guidelines, a combination of inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting β2 agonists, and long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists can be used for group D COPD patients who are at high risk for exacerbations. Umeclidinium/fluticasone furoate/vilanterol is one such triple-combination therapy currently under development with some completed and several ongoing clinical trials. This review paper summarizes the pharmacologic profiles of these medications and highlights findings from clinical trials, including safety and efficacy data, while speculating on the role of this therapy in current treatment for COPD.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Multicenter StudyA cross-sectional survey of current treatment and symptom burden of patients with COPD consulting for routine care according to GOLD 2014 classifications.
As part of the Respiratory Disease Specific Program (DSP) conducted to provide observations of clinical practice from a physician and matched patient viewpoint, this study aimed to establish how patients with COPD are treated according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification system and to quantify the symptom burden. ⋯ This analysis confirmed a high symptom burden among patients with COPD and indicates some misalignment of prescribing with GOLD recommendations, particularly regarding the role of ICS/long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) and ICS/LABA + long-acting muscarinic antagonist combinations across the different GOLD groups.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Observational StudyColds as predictors of the onset and severity of COPD exacerbations.
Common colds are associated with acute respiratory symptom exacerbations in COPD patients. ⋯ This study emphasizes the importance of colds in COPD exacerbation risk and severity, even in the absence of virus detection. COPD patients should act promptly when cold symptoms appear to facilitate early intervention for exacerbation prevention or management.