Basis Of Spirometry Research Articles

Evaluation of Pulmonary Hypertension in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is frequently underdiagnosed and under-evaluated in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) patients. As PH is linked to a high rate of mortality from disease-related complications like cor pulmonale, it is critical to have a unified approach to diagnosing and treating it with the aim of improving the patient's quality of life and prognosis in terms of therapeutic considerations. Early identification of this comorbidity in patients with COPD can lead to early initiation of treatment and better prognostic implications. This study was undertaken with the aim of estimating the prevalence of PH in COPD as well as assessing any statistically significant associations between the severity of PH and the severity of COPD.Methods: This was an observational study undertaken at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH) in Wardha, Maharastra, India, from August 2019 to September 2021. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with COPD on the basis of spirometry were evaluated with two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography to screen for echocardiographic signs and evidence of PH and severity staging of PH if present.Results: In our study, out of 100 diagnosed cases of COPD, the prevalence of PH was found to be 40% (40 patients) and amongst these, mild, moderate, and severe PH was seen in 26 patients (26%), nine patients (9%), and five patients (5%), respectively. The frequency of PH in moderate COPD was 25% and in severe COPD was 51.5%.Conclusions: PH was found in almost half the COPD patients in the study. Also, the degree and frequency of PH increased with the increase in COPD severity and this was found to be statistically significant.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of inhaled formoterol or fluticasone versus formoterol or mometasone in the patients of bronchial asthma

Background: This study was undertaken because of paucity of literature regarding outcomes of inhaled formeterol/fluticasone versus formoterol/mometasone in asthmatic patients.Methods: Fifty newly (male/female) recruited cases of bronchial asthma were diagnosed on the basis of spirometry. The patients were allocated to two groups viz group A and B. Group-A received mometasone furoate/formoterol (200/10 μg OD) and Group-B received fluticasone/formoterol (200/10 μg OD) respectively. The drugs were administered through metered-dose inhaler (MDI).Results: The mean FEV1/FVC ratio recorded (64.40±9.01) before starting the treatment has significantly changed to (68.92±8.58) after starting the treatment. Mean forced expiratory volume (47.56±14.73%) noted before the use of bronchodilator also changed to mean FEV1 63.98±15.17. Mean forced expiratory volume recorded before treatment (55.02±5.01) in a group who were treated with formoterol/mometasone combination changed to (72.06±5.86) after treatment. However, the mean forced expiratory volume recorded before treatment 54.92±4.47 in a group who were treated with formoterol/fluticasone combination changed to 75.48±5.03 after the treatment. While comparing the two treatment regimens, it is evident from the results that there is no significant difference in FEV1 between the groups. However, the post bronchodilator FEV1 was significantly (p<0.001) higher among the patient group which were treated with fluticasone/formoterol combination than the group who were treated with mometasone/formoterol combination. No significant adverse effect of either of two regimens was observed thus showing that both the combinations are comparatively safe for use.Conclusions: This study reveals that both the treatment regimens showed a significant improvement in lung functions without any significant adverse event.

Study of efficacy and adverse effect of fluticasone and formoterol combination in bronchial asthma

Background: Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways associated with airway hyperresponsiveness that leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing particularly at night or in the early morning.Methods: This study has recruited 25 newly (male/female) cases of Bronchial Asthma diagnosed on the basis of spirometry in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Era’s Lucknow Medical College & Hospital (ELMC&H). Patients were received Fluticasone/Formoterol (200/10 μg OD). The drugs were administered through metered-dose inhaler (MDI).Results: The mean forced expiratory volume recorded before treatment 54.92±4.47 in a group who were treated with formoterol/fluticasone combination changed to 75.48±5.03 after the treatment. No significant adverse effect of this regimens was observed.Conclusions: The results of this study revealed this regimen showed a significant improvement in lung functions without any significant adverse event.

Evaluation of the questionnaires\u2019 validity in assessing the severity of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in correlation with high-resolution computed tomography, lung diffusion, and cardiopulmonary exercise tests

IntroductionHealth-related quality-of-life questionnaires need to be incorporated into the evaluations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients to assess their influence.AimThe aim of the study was to evaluate the validity of generic and specific questionnaires in assessing the severity of IPF in correlation with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).Patients and methodsForty stable IPF patients were prospectively recruited and categorized on the basis of spirometry, DLCO, HRCT, and CPET. The results were correlated with a generic International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a Specific Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).ResultsIPF patients showed restrictive pattern with impairment of diffusion capacity (forced vital capacity (FVC)= 56±14.8% and DLCO=48.5±20% of predicted value) with a total semiquantitative scoring of HRCT 16.6±8. The mean total score of the SGRQ questionnaire for all studied cases was 56.5+21 and categorical scoring of IPAQ showed that 45, 42.5, and 12.5% of patients were in moderate, severe, and mild categories, respectively. There was a negative correlation between the total score of SGRQ and VO2max (ml/kg/min) (maximum oxygen consumption) (r=−0.35) and VE’ (l/min) (minute ventilation) (r=−0.39) on CPET, as well as with DLCO (r=−0.53), and a positive correlation with HRCT score (r=0.63). There was a highly significant correlation between IPAQ and VO2max (χ2=28), VE’ (χ2=14.8) and desaturation percentage variables of CPET, DLCO (r=0.61), and HRCT score (r=−0.68).ConclusionCorrelations between physiological parameters including DLCO and CPET, radiological parameters in the form of HRCT, and health-related quality-of-life assessment using SGRQ and IPAQ were strong and it was possible to distinguish IPF patients with severely impaired lung functions.

Analysis of Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome Defined on the Basis of Bronchodilator Response and Degree of Emphysema.

Despite the increasing recognition of asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (ACOS) as a clinical entity, it remains poorly characterized due to a lack of agreement on its definition and diagnostic criteria. The aim of this study was to use spirometry and computed tomography (CT) to help better define ACOS as well as to classify subjects with ACOS based on Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) letter grade. We analyzed 10,192 subjects enrolled in the COPDGene Study. Subjects were non-Hispanic white or African American current or former smokers aged 45-80 years with at least a 10-pack-year smoking history. Subjects were categorized as having either ACOS with a bronchodilator response or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema on the basis of spirometry, high-resolution CT, and a history of asthma or hay fever. Subjects with ACOS were younger (60.6 vs. 65.9 years old; P < 0.0001), more likely to be African American (26.8% vs. 14.4%; P < 0.0001), had a higher body mass index (29.6 vs. 25.1 kg/m(2); P < 0.0001), and were more likely to be current smokers (50.9% vs. 20.7%; P < 0.0001). The majority of subjects with ACOS were categorized as GOLD grade B. Despite less severe spirometry and CT findings in subjects with ACOS, there was no significant difference in severe or frequent exacerbations. Bronchodilator responsiveness and degree of emphysema can help define ACOS. When defined on the basis of bronchodilator responsiveness and degree of emphysema, patients with ACOS represent a unique and high-risk group with distinct clinical features.

The reliability and utility of spirometry performed on people with asthma in community pharmacies

Objective: To investigate the reliability and the utility of spirometry generated by community pharmacists participating in two large asthma intervention trials of 892 people. Methods: The Pharmacy Asthma Care Program (PACP) and the Pharmacy Asthma Management Service (PAMS) involved up to four visits to the pharmacy over 6 months for counseling and goal setting. Pharmacists performed spirometry according to ATS/ERS guidelines to inform management. The proportion of A–E, F quality tests, as per EasyOne™ QC grades, were recorded. Lung function results between visits and for participants referred/not referred to their general practitioner on the basis of spirometry were compared. Results: Complete data from 2593 spirometry sessions were recorded, 68.5% of spirometry sessions achieved three acceptable tests with between-test repeatability of 150 ml or less (A or B quality), 96% of spirometry sessions included at least one test that met ATS/ERS acceptability criteria. About 39.1% of participants had FEV1/FVC values below the lower limit of normal (LNN), indicating a respiratory obstruction. As a result of the service, there was a significant increase in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC and asthma control. Lung function values were significantly poorer for participants referred to their general practitioner, compared with those not referred, on the basis of spirometry. Conclusions: Community pharmacists are able to reliably achieve spirometry results meeting ATS/ERS guidelines in people with asthma. Significant improvements in airway obstruction were demonstrated with the pharmacy services. Pharmacists interpreted lung function results to identify airway obstruction for referral, making this a useful technique for review of people with asthma in the community.

Periodontitis as a potential risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A retrospective study

A relationship between poor periodontal health and respiratory disease has been suggested by a number of recent studies. The present study was undertaken to evaluate potential association between respiratory diseases and periodontal health status and to co-relate the severity of periodontal disease with that of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 150 patients of COPD (test group) and 50 Patients without COPD (control group) were recruited for the study. Information regarding patient's demographic and socioeconomic status and lifestyle (history of smoking) were considered in the study. Patients with COPD were grouped into mild, moderate and severe category on the basis of Spirometry. Periodontal health was assessed by measuring probing pocket depth, Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL) and Oral Hygiene Index (OHI). The results showed that the subjects with COPD had significantly more mean CAL) and a higher mean OHI than those without COPD. The risk for COPD appeared to be significantly elevated when attachment loss was found to be severe. A trend was noted in that lung function appeared to diminish as the amount of attachment loss increased. On the basis of the observed results of the study it can be concluded that the risk for COPD appeared to be significantly elevated when attachment loss was found to be severe. It is conceivable that oral interventions that improve oral health status may prove to lower the severity of lung infection in susceptible populations.

The prevalence of reversible airway obstruction in professional football players.

To determine the prevalence of reversible airway obstruction in a group of professional football training camp participants. All attendees at a Canadian Football League team rookie preseason training camp were invited to participate in a protocol designed to elicit symptoms and signs of reversible airway obstruction (asthma) during the initial preparticipation examination. Those agreeing to the protocol completed a questionnaire containing standardized inquiries about a past history of asthma and the presence of symptoms. Participants then underwent spirometry testing to determine lung function before and after receiving a standardized dose of bronchodilator medication. Players showing evidence of airway obstruction during initial testing and still on the team roster underwent repeat spirometry testing and formal pulmonary function testing during the football season. The follow-up pulmonary function tests were performed to determine those that might benefit from treatment for asthma. Nineteen of 34 (56%) players agreeing to participate had significant reversible airway obstruction as defined by a 12% or greater reversibility in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and/or forced expiratory flow rate between 25 and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF 25-75). In most participants, the diagnosis was made on the basis of spirometry alone. Of those testing positive during initial inquiry, 88% remained positive on repeat spirometry, and 73% had reversible airway obstruction during more stringently controlled hospital-based pulmonary function testing. Those players treated for previously undiagnosed asthma noted an improvement in subjective athletic performance during the football season. Based on the remarkably high prevalence of undiagnosed asthma in this group, it may prove worthwhile to test elite football players using lung function parameters.