American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Feb 2018
ReviewDeterioration of Limb Muscle Function During Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Important features of both stable and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are skeletal muscle weakness and wasting. Limb muscle dysfunction during an exacerbation has been linked to various adverse outcomes, including prolonged hospitalization, readmission, and mortality. The contributing factors leading to muscle dysfunction are similar to those seen in stable COPD: disuse, nutrition/energy balance, hypercapnia, hypoxemia, electrolyte derangements, inflammation, and drugs (i.e., glucocorticoids). ⋯ Recently, novel drugs have been developed in similar disorders, and learnings from these studies can be used as a foundation to facilitate discovery in patients hospitalized with a COPD exacerbation. Nevertheless, investigators should approach this patient population with knowledge of the limitations of each intervention. In this Concise Clinical Review, we provide an overview of acute muscle dysfunction in patients hospitalized with acute exacerbation of COPD and a strategic approach to drug development in this setting.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Feb 2018
ReviewResearch Priorities in Pathophysiology for Sleep-disordered Breathing in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common conditions; the co-occurrence of these diseases, called the overlap syndrome (OVS), has been associated with poor health outcomes. ⋯ Many important questions about OVS exist. This American Thoracic Society Research Statement highlights the types of research that leading clinicians and researchers believe will have the greatest impact on better understanding the spectrum of disease, improving diagnosis, and optimizing therapy.