Clinical COPD Questionnaire Research Articles

Determinants of Clinical COPD Questionnaire in Patients with COPD: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Background: The Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) has been suggested by the Global Initiative of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) as a comprehensive symptom measurement tool, which helps to classify patients in order to direct pharmacological treatment. Therefore, it is essential to understand its determinants. Objectives: To identify the determinants of the overall CCQ score and scores of its 3 subdomains among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients from China. Methods: A total of 1,241 COPD patients in the outpatient department of the Second Xiangya Hospital in China were recruited. Basic information and clinical data were collected. Differences in the GOLD categories based on Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and CCQ were compared. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate determinant factors of the total CCQ and subdomain scores. Results: The total CCQ and/or separate domain scores significantly differed with sex, age, BMI, smoking status, biomass fuel exposure, exacerbation frequency, mMRC, CAT, and GOLD grades and groups. Subjects with asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) had worse health status based on CCQ than those with COPD alone. As for the 16 subgroups based on GOLD 2017, statistical differences in the total CCQ and functional domain scores were found among subgroups 1A–4A, 1B–4B, and 1D–4D. The mMRC classified much more patients into more symptom groups than CAT and CCQ. No significant difference was observed in the GOLD categories between the CAT and CCQ (cut point = 1.5). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that smoking status, underweight, ACO, post-bronchodilator FEV1% predicted <50%, exacerbation history, and mMRC were independently associated with the total CCQ score. Only 3 variables were significantly associated with the symptom domain: ACO, exacerbations, and mMRC; for the functional domain, age ≥75 years, ACO, post-bronchodilator FEV1% predicted <50%, exacerbation history, and mMRC were significant; female sex, underweight, frequent exacerbations (≥2), and mMRC were significantly associated with higher scores in the mental domain. Conclusions: The classification of COPD produced by mMRC, CAT, and CCQ was not identical. Smoking status, underweight, ACO, post-bronchodilator FEV1% predicted <50%, exacerbation history, and mMRC were associated with lower health-related quality of life assessed by the total CCQ score, while different subdomains of CCQ had different determinant factors.

Exploring characteristics of COPD patients with clinical improvement after integrated disease management or usual care: post-hoc analysis of the RECODE study

BackgroundThe cluster randomized controlled trial on (cost-)effectiveness of integrated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management in primary care (RECODE) showed that integrated disease management (IDM) in primary care had no effect on quality of life (QOL) in COPD patients compared with usual care (guideline-supported non-programmatic care). It is possible that only a subset of COPD patients in primary care benefit from IDM. We therefore examined which patients benefit from IDM, and whether patient characteristics predict clinical improvement over time.MethodPost-hoc analyses of the RECODE trial among 1086 COPD patients. Logistic regression analyses were performed with baseline characteristics as predictors to examine determinants of improvement in QOL, defined as a minimal decline in Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) of 0.4 points after 12 and 24 months of IDM. We also performed moderation analyses to examine whether predictors of clinical improvement differed between IDM and usual care.ResultsRegardless of treatment type, more severe dyspnea (MRC) was the most important predictor of clinically improved QOL at 12 and 24 months, suggesting that these patients have most room for improvement. Clinical improvement with IDM was associated with female gender (12-months) and being younger (24-months), and improvement with usual care was associated with having a depression (24-months).ConclusionsMore severe dyspnea is a key predictor of improved QOL in COPD patients over time. More research is needed to replicate patient characteristics associated with clinical improvement with IDM, such that IDM programs can be offered to patients that benefit the most, and can potentially be adjusted to meet the needs of other patient groups as well.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register, NTR2268. Registered 31 March 2010.

A study on the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Clinical Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Questionnaire.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease negatively affecting health-related quality of life. The related scales in Turkish are limited in number and generalizability. To perform validity and reliability studies of the Turkish version of the Clinical Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Questionnaire (CCQ). This study was conducted at the Department of Chest Diseases, with 100 volunteer COPD patients with a mean age of 67.72 ± 9.78 years. After obtaining the necessary permission, translation procedures were applied for Turkish cultural adaptation. Finally, a single Turkish translation was created, and this questionnaire was evaluated by linguists. Incomprehensible items were corrected in a pilot study. Baseline and test-retest measurements after twoweeks were performed. Internal consistency analysis was made for validity, and correlations were calculated with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale and Respiratory Function Tests (RFTs). Cronbach's alpha value was found to be 0.90 for the first obtained data and 0.91 for the second obtained data. There was similarity at the rate of 0.97 between the first and second measurements in terms of total scores of the CCQ. The questionnaire significantly correlated with the SF-36, mMRC and RFTs (-0.85 ⩽r⩽ 0.69, p< 0.05). As a result of this study, the Turkish version of CCQ was determined to be reliable and valid. The CCQ is an easy-to-use questionnaire in terms of application-calculation and can be safely used for the clinical assessment and monitoring of patients.

An Evaluation of Service Provision and Novel Strength Assessment on Patient Outcomes in a UK-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Setting

This study’s purpose was to (i) assess the impact of a 7-week pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programme upon patient outcomes; incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), COPD assessment tool (CAT), Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); (ii) assess the impact of COPD severity on ISWT, psychological functioning and quality of life measures following PR; (iii) assess the feasibility of incorporating individually prescribed one repetition maximum (1RM) training loads into the existing strength training programme. Patients were people with COPD enrolled onto one of three versions (locations A, B and C) of a 7-week PR programme, which consisted of group exercise sessions and a social plus education element. Two locations incorporated individually prescribed training loads. Minimal clinically important changes (MCICs) are reported for the ISWT across all locations. Statistically significant changes in both CAT and the CCQ were found, with MCIC’s evident for CAT score overall and individually at location B. MCIC’s were not found for the CCQ. No statistically significant or MCICs were evident for the HADS. MCIC’s were present only in patients with mild to moderate severity for the ISWT. For the CAT, moderate, severe and very severe patients with COPD experienced MCIC’s. MCIC’s and statistically significant increases in 1RM strength were seen at both locations. These findings evidence an effective PR service. Basic strength exercise programming and assessment are feasible and should be implemented in PR services to maximise patient outcomes.

Improving self-care efficacy and quality of life with a self-management program among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A quasi-experimental study.

Self-management helps patients understand their illnesses and learn about disease-related skills so they can better manage their situation. However, published studies on the effectiveness of self-management for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are heterogeneous. Quasi-experimental design was used to investigate the effectiveness of a self-management program in self-care efficacy and quality of life in patients with COPD. Sixty participants who had experienced COPD were assigned to control group (usual care) or experimental group (self-care program) (1:1 ratio) according to a purposeful sampling at a Medical Center in Taiwan. The Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, the COPD Self-Efficacy Scale, the Clinical COPD Questionnaire were used to analyze data. The Medical Research Council dyspnea scale was more significant improvement in the 2 months after discharge in the experimental group than in the control group. The COPD Self-Efficacy Scale and Clinical COPD Questionnaire scores in the experimental group within 3 months after discharge were significantly improved compared with the control group. These findings demonstrate the application and initial effect of this self-management program.

C-reactive protein point-of-care testing for safely reducing antibiotics for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the PACE RCT.

Most patients presenting with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in primary care are prescribed antibiotics, but these may not be beneficial, and they can cause side effects and increase the risk of subsequent resistant infections. Point-of-care tests (POCTs) could safely reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and antimicrobial resistance. To determine whether or not the use of a C-reactive protein (CRP) POCT to guide prescribing decisions for AECOPD reduces antibiotic consumption without having a negative impact on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) health status and is cost-effective. A multicentre, parallel-arm, randomised controlled open trial with an embedded process, and a health economic evaluation. General practices in Wales and England. A UK NHS perspective was used for the economic analysis. Adults (aged ≥ 40 years) with a primary care diagnosis of COPD, presenting with an AECOPD (with at least one of increased dyspnoea, increased sputum volume and increased sputum purulence) of between 24 hours' and 21 days' duration. CRP POCTs to guide antibiotic prescribing decisions for AECOPD, compared with usual care (no CRP POCT), using remote online randomisation. Patient-reported antibiotic consumption for AECOPD within 4 weeks post randomisation and COPD health status as measured with the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) at 2 weeks. For the economic evaluation, patient-reported resource use and the EuroQol-5 Dimensions were included. In total, 653 participants were randomised from 86 general practices. Three withdrew consent and one was randomised in error, leaving 324 participants in the usual-care arm and 325 participants in the CRP POCT arm. Antibiotics were consumed for AECOPD by 212 out of 274 participants (77.4%) and 150 out of 263 participants (57.0%) in the usual-care and CRP POCT arm, respectively [adjusted odds ratio 0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20 to 0.47]. The CCQ analysis comprised 282 and 281 participants in the usual-care and CRP POCT arms, respectively, and the adjusted mean CCQ score difference at 2 weeks was 0.19 points (two-sided 90% CI -0.33 to -0.05 points). The upper limit of the CI did not contain the prespecified non-inferiority margin of 0.3. The total cost from a NHS perspective at 4 weeks was £17.59 per patient higher in the CRP POCT arm (95% CI -£34.80 to £69.98; p = 0.408). The mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were £222 per 1% reduction in antibiotic consumption compared with usual care at 4 weeks and £15,251 per quality-adjusted life-year gained at 6 months with no significant changes in sensitivity analyses. Patients and clinicians were generally supportive of including CRP POCT in the assessment of AECOPD. A CRP POCT diagnostic strategy achieved meaningful reductions in patient-reported antibiotic consumption without impairing COPD health status or increasing costs. There were no associated harms and both patients and clinicians valued the diagnostic strategy. Implementation studies that also build on our qualitative findings could help determine the effect of this intervention over the longer term. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN24346473. This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 24, No. 15. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Home initiation of chronic non-invasive ventilation in COPD patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure: a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionChronic non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has become evidence-based care for stable hypercapnic COPD patients. While the number of patients increases, home initiation of NIV would greatly alleviate the healthcare burden. We...

NEUROMUSCULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE – PILOT STUDY

Objective: The aim of the current research is to evaluate the benefits of electrical stimulation of quadriceps for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.&#x0D; Methods: Ten COPD patients were willing to get enrolled in the study and after baseline screening procedure received neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with exercises for the bilateral lower limb. NMES is cost-effective and best be available to the population with COPD at the bedside.&#x0D; Results: There exist a significant increase in five sit to stand test (p&lt;0.01), 6-min walk test (p&lt;0.05), and clinical COPD questionnaire (p&lt;0.05), followed by the application of NMES.&#x0D; Conclusion: NMES has no impact and stress over the respiratory system and it is a gold standard exercise training modality in improving quality of life and satisfaction for people with COPD in rural locations where access to hospitalization is limited.

Evaluating the feasibility, acceptability and pre testing the impact of a self-management and tele monitoring program for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in Lebanon: Protocol for a feasibility study.

Background:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a significant impact on quality of life and is costly to the health care system. It has been demonstrated that a self-management program improves quality of life, but programs are not universally available and telehealth interventions can provide home-based support, but have mixed results.[1]Aim:The aims of this study are to (1) assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 6 weeks’ educational program related to self-management with remote monitoring for Lebanese COPD patients; (2) pre-test its impact on quality of life, emergency visits, and rate of rehospitalization, and (3) to make recommendations for a future randomized trial.Methods:Validated questionnaires will be adapted to meet the context of our study in terms of acceptability, adoption, adequacy, fidelity, cost, and coverage. The impact of this program on quality of life will be measured with the COPD assessment test (CAT) and the COPD clinical questionnaire (CCQ), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale will be used to measure anxiety. All measures will be delivered pre- and post-intervention. To evaluate the impact of our program on the rate of hospitalization and emergency visits, the number of hospitalizations and emergency room visits during the year preceding the intervention will be collected from the hospital register of each participant.Discussion:This study is the first to evaluate the application of telehealth to optimize COPD management in Lebanon. The results of this study will provide evidence regarding the efficacy and feasibility of this approach for Lebanese patients with moderate to severe COPD.

Correlation of CAT, CCQ and mMRC Scores in Patients of COPD with Exacerbation and after Treatment

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a globally prevalent disease holds a huge stake among all pulmonary patients being admitted throughout the year. Various disease specific and health related quality of life questionnaires such as the Constructed Response Question (CRQ) and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) are readily available, although, attributing to their complex structure, they can’t be used in a widespread manner. Some new scores like COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) were developed to ease-off this dilemma. However, there is a need to justify usage of these patient-friendly simplified scores by objectifying their inter-score reliability and correlation with disease severity and progression using statistical analysis. Aim: To analyse efficacious use of CAT, CCQ score and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale in assessing health status of COPD with exacerbation. Additionally, it was also targeted to assess the inter-score correlation and reliability. Materials and Methods: A total of 180 confirmed cases of COPD with exacerbation were included in this study and subjected to requisite biochemical parameters, assessment scores at their admission, after 1 week and then after 4-6 week (at stabilisation) and spirometry. 136 patients were followed-up to 4-6 weeks and studied. Quantitative and qualitative variables thus obtained were compared statistically to find out correlation, if any. A p-value of &lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean difference between CAT score at exacerbation and at 1 week and CAT score at exacerbation and at 4-6 weeks were statistically significant. The changes in CCQ scores from exacerbation to 1 week and 6 weeks were also found to be statistically significant. Similar pattern was also observed in assessing timescale variability of mMRC score. There was good correlation between CAT, CCQ and mMRC scores at exacerbation, 1 week and it continually intensified as patients progressed towards a more stable state (4-6 weeks). Similar pattern was also observed with significant progressive positive correlation between change in CAT, CCQ and mMRC scores from exacerbation to 1 week and from exacerbation to 4-6 weeks. Conclusion: These score have a high correlative reliability when used to assess health status among various stages of disease from exacerbation towards a stable state. Similarly, correlation between change of individual score from exacerbation towards recovery state was also high.

Evidence of nutritional abnormalities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Rationale Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the major causes of global morbidity and mortality, with increased economic and social burden. One of the most evident systemic effects of COPD is nutritional abnormalities and muscle bulk reduction, leading to muscle dysfunction and wasting, with or without muscle atrophy. Aims This work aims to detect the prevalence of nutritional abnormalities in correlation to smoking status and COPD severity. Design This was a case–control study. Patients and methods The present study included 300 candidates functionally diagnosed of having COPD according GOLD 2017. All patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, BMI and free fat mass index (FFMI) assessment, spirometry before and after bronchodilator testing, and questionnaires, such as COPD Assessment Test, Clinical COPD Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results The study included 300 patients with COPD who are current smokers. Overall, 98% of them were males, and all were older than 40 years. Patients were classified into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe. The study found a statistically significant negative correlation between FFMI and COPD severity, whereas nonsignificant correlation with BMI. A strong statistically significant negative correlation was found between BMI and FFMI with smoking status. A positive correlation was seen between modified Medical Research Council scale with BMI and FFMI, but this was of nonstatistical significance. Correlation of BMI and FFMI with COPD Assessment Test score, Clinical COPD Questionnaire three domains (functional, symptoms, and mental), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (depression and anxiety) was found to have a strong positive significant correlation. Conclusion Nutritional abnormalities related to COPD and smoking should be considered while managing patients with COPD.

Assessment of disease-related knowledge among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study

Introduction. The main task of this study was to study the level of knowledge of the Ukrainian patient about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the factors that cause and affect this indicator, with the help of a validated instrument. Methods. 41 patients were involved in the study. Socio-demographic data, information on the duration, course of the disease and cooperation with a physical therapist were collected. Anthropometric measurements, spirometry, pulse oximetry, tonometry were performed. Patients were surveyed with Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Clinical COPD Questionnaire score, and Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ). Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire was translated, cross-culturally adapted and validated. Regression analysis was performed to determine relationships between the level of knowledge about the disease, socio-demographic data, indicators of respiratory system functional status, and survey data. Results. The average total score for BCKQ was 24.71±9.62 points. Patients gave the least number of correct answers to the question related to medical treatment. The level of knowledge depends on the factors such as age (β=-0.557; 95% CI: -1.041–0.086, p=0.086), duration of the disease (β=-0.114; 95% CI: -0.077–0.055, p=0.048), respiratory ratings, functional limitations, and own psychosocial dysfunction according to the CCQ scale (β =-0.506; 95% CI: -0.007–0.752, p=0.053), and the HADS depression score (β =-0.655; 95% CI: -4.257– -0.085, p=0.043). Conclusion. The level of knowledge of Ukrainian patients about COPD is low. More experience of the disease did not affect the increase in the level of knowledge. Older patients had a lower level of knowledge about their disease. Impact of body mass index, spirometry results, level of severity of shortness of breath, and symptoms of the disease on the level of knowledge was not revealed.

Comparative Treatment Outcomes for Patients With Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis

Surgical treatment comparisons in rare diseases are difficult secondary to the geographic distribution of patients. Fortunately, emerging technologies offer promise to reduce these barriers for research. To prospectively compare the outcomes of the 3 most common surgical approaches for idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS), a rare airway disease. In this international, prospective, 3-year multicenter cohort study, 810 patients with untreated, newly diagnosed, or previously treated iSGS were enrolled after undergoing a surgical procedure (endoscopic dilation [ED], endoscopic resection with adjuvant medical therapy [ERMT], or cricotracheal resection [CTR]). Patients were recruited from clinician practices in the North American Airway Collaborative and an online iSGS community on Facebook. The primary end point was days from initial surgical procedure to recurrent surgical procedure. Secondary end points included quality of life using the Clinical COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Questionnaire (CCQ), Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), Eating Assessment Test-10 (EAT-10), the 12-Item Short-Form Version 2 (SF-12v2), and postoperative complications. Of 810 patients in this cohort, 798 (98.5%) were female and 787 (97.2%) were white, with a median age of 50 years (interquartile range, 43-58 years). Index surgical procedures were ED (n = 603; 74.4%), ERMT (n = 121; 14.9%), and CTR (n = 86; 10.6%). Overall, 185 patients (22.8%) had a recurrent surgical procedure during the 3-year study, but recurrence differed by modality (CTR, 1 patient [1.2%]; ERMT, 15 [12.4%]; and ED, 169 [28.0%]). Weighted, propensity score-matched, Cox proportional hazards regression models showed ED was inferior to ERMT (hazard ratio [HR], 3.16; 95% CI, 1.8-5.5). Among successfully treated patients without recurrence, those treated with CTR had the best CCQ (0.75 points) and SF-12v2 (54 points) scores and worst VHI-10 score (13 points) 360 days after enrollment as well as the greatest perioperative risk. In this cohort study of 810 patients with iSGS, endoscopic dilation, the most popular surgical approach for iSGS, was associated with a higher recurrence rate compared with other procedures. Cricotracheal resection offered the most durable results but showed the greatest perioperative risk and the worst long-term voice outcomes. Endoscopic resection with medical therapy was associated with better disease control compared with ED and had minimal association with vocal function. These results may be used to inform individual patient treatment decision-making.

Maintained therapeutic effect of revefenacin over 52\u2009weeks in moderate to very severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

BackgroundRevefenacin is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist that was recently approved for the nebulized treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although shorter duration studies have documented the efficacy of revefenacin in COPD, longer-term efficacy has not been described. In a recent 52-week safety trial, revefenacin was well tolerated and had a favorable benefit-risk profile. Here we report exploratory efficacy and health outcomes in patients receiving revefenacin 175 μg or 88 μg daily during the 52-week trial.MethodsIn this randomized, parallel-group, 52-week trial (NCT02518139), 1055 participants with moderate to very severe COPD received revefenacin 175 μg or 88 μg in a double-blind manner, or open-label active control tiotropium.ResultsOver the 52-week treatment period, both doses of revefenacin, as well as tiotropium, elicited significant (all p < 0.0003) improvements from baseline in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). The trough FEV1 profile (least squares mean change from baseline) for revefenacin 175 μg ranged from 52.3–124.3 mL and the trough FEV1 profile for tiotropium ranged from 79.7–112.8 mL. In subgroup comparisons, the effect of revefenacin on trough FEV1 was comparable in patients taking concomitant long-acting β-agonists, with or without inhaled corticosteroids, with patients who were not taking these medications. There were statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements in all measured health status outcomes (evaluated using St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, COPD Assessment Test, Clinical COPD Questionnaire and Baseline and Transition Dyspnea Index) from 3 months onward, in all treatment arms.ConclusionsSignificant sustained improvements from baseline in trough FEV1 and respiratory health outcomes were demonstrated for 175-μg revefenacin over 52 weeks, further supporting its use as a once-daily bronchodilator for the nebulized treatment of patients with COPD.Trial registrationNCT02518139; Registered 5 August 2015.

Optimization of pulmonary emphysema quantification on CT scans of COPD patients using hybrid iterative and post processing techniques: correlation with pulmonary function tests

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of hybrid iterative reconstruction and post processing on emphysema quantification in low-dose CT scans of COPD patients using pulmonary function tests (PFT) as a reference.MethodsCT scans of 23 COPD patients diagnosed with GOLD I or higher were reconstructed with iDose4 level 1 to 7 in IntelliSpace Portal (ISP) 6 and 7. ISP7 was used with and without specific denoising filter for COPD. The extent of emphysema was measured as percentage of lung voxels with attenuation < − 950 Hounsfield units (%LAA-950). The correlation between %LAA-950 and PFT, age, BMI, pack years, and the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) and Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (MRC) was determined.ResultsDenoising significantly reduced %LAA-950 as was demonstrated by lower %LAA-950 in ISP7 with denoising filter and a significant reduction in %LAA-950 with higher iDose4 levels. All PFT except forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly inversely correlated with %LAA-950. There was a trend toward a stronger correlation at higher iDose4 levels. %LAA-950 was also significantly correlated with BMI, GOLD class, and CCQ scores.ConclusionsOur study showed that hybrid iterative reconstruction and use of post processing denoising can optimize the use of emphysema quantification in CT scans as a complimentary diagnostic tool to stage COPD in addition to PFT.

CRP testing may help guide antibiotic use for COPD exacerbations

C-reactive protein (CRP)-guided prescribing of antibiotics in patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD resulted in fewer patients receiving antibiotics during the initial consultation and over the first 4 weeks of follow-up compared with those receiving usual care, according to results of the PACE study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.1Butler CC et al.N Engl J Med. 2019; 281: 111-120Crossref Scopus (91) Google Scholar In addition, the two groups had similar clinical outcomes. The cause of acute exacerbations of COPD may vary, with some triggered by bacterial respiratory infections and others by viruses. Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine which patients may benefit from antibiotics (i.e., those with bacterial infections) and which do not need them. Therefore, having a reliable biomarker that can be assessed in the clinic would be beneficial in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in these patients. The PACE study was a multicenter trial in which 653 patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD (mean age 68.1 y, 51.6% male) were randomized to point-of-care CRP testing to help guide antibiotic prescribing (n = 325) or to usual care (n = 324).1Butler CC et al.N Engl J Med. 2019; 281: 111-120Crossref Scopus (91) Google Scholar The patients were enrolled from 86 general medical practices in the United Kingdom from January 2015 to February 2017. In the CRP-guided group, the guidance stated that for patients with a CRP level lower than 20 mg/L, antibiotics are unlikely to be beneficial and usually should not be prescribed. For those with a CRP level from 20 mg/L to 40 mg/L, antibiotics may be beneficial, mainly if purulent sputum is present; and for those with a CRP level higher than 40 mg/L, antibiotics are likely to be beneficial. Fewer patients in the CRP-guided group reported receiving antibiotics compared with those receiving usual care (57% vs. 77.4%), with comparable clinical outcomes between the two groups, according to the clinical COPD questionnaire given at 2 weeks. Overall, fewer patients in the CRP-guided group received antibiotics at the initial consultation (47.7% vs. 69.7%) or over the first 4 weeks of follow-up (59.1% vs. 79.7%). The 2019 GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) guidelines comment on the use of CRP to help guide antibiotic prescribing during COPD exacerbations.2https://goldcopd.org/wp-content/up-loads/2018/11/GOLD-2019-v1.7-FINAL-14Nov2018-WMS.pdfGoogle Scholar The organization noted that study data on this biomarker have been contradictory, and CRP is elevated in both bacterial and viral infections, making it difficult to determine if antibiotics should be used. Therefore, GOLD stated that CRP should not be used to guide antibiotic use in patients with COPD exacerbations. Instead, GOLD highlighted data on use of procalcitonin, suggesting that this biomarker is more specific for bacterial infections and may be of greater value to help determine if antibiotics should be given to those with COPD exacerbations. Several studies have suggested that procalcitonin-guided antibiotic treatment reduced antibiotic exposure and adverse effects without affecting clinical outcomes. However, the majority of data is of low to moderate quality, and additional well-designed studies are needed to confirm the utility of this biomarker. GOLD recommends that antibiotics be given to patients with COPD exacerbations who meet any of these criteria: Patient has the three cardinal symptoms (increase in dyspnea, sputum volume, and sputum purulence); patient has two of the cardinal symptoms if increased sputum purulence is one of them; or patient requires mechanical ventilation. Antibiotics are recommended to be given for 5 to 7 days, and the choice of therapy should be based on local bacterial resistance patterns. The organization noted that appropriately used antibiotics for COPD exacerbations can help shorten recovery time and reduce the risk of early relapse and hospitalization duration. In an accompanying editorial on the findings of the PACE study, the authors wrote, “In our view, the findings from this study are compelling enough to support CRP testing as an adjunctive measure to guide antibiotic use in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. Whether primary care practices in the United States would embrace point-of-care CRP testing is another matter, given the regulatory requirements for in-office laboratory testing and uncertainty about reimbursement.”3Brett AS et al.N Engl J Med. 2019; 281: 174-175Crossref Scopus (6) Google Scholar The PACE results need to be considered along with the GOLD guidelines. For now, symptomatic patients with COPD exacerbations should be treated appropriately until further studies can confirm the utility of CRP or procalcitonin.

Measuring quality of life in COPD patients: comparing disease-specific supplements to the EQ-5D-5L

ABSTRACT Objectives: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQL). We aimed to find a disease-specific questionnaire for routine application in large cohorts and to assess its additional explanatory power to generic HRQL tool (EQ-5D-5L). Methods: 1,350 participants of the disease management program COPD received the EQ-5D-5L combined with one of the three disease-specific tools: COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) or St. George’s Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (SGRQ) (450 participants each). We compared metric properties and evaluated the Germany-specific experience-based values (EBVS) and utilities in comparison to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). We calculated the additional explanatory power of the identified disease-specific tool on VAS through regression analysis. Results: 344 patients returned the questionnaire. CAT, CCQ, and SGRQ group did not differ regarding baseline characteristics. The questionnaire specific response rates were 33.7% for CAT, 30.5% for CCQ, and 34.6% SGRQ, thereof 94.0%, 94.3%, and 65.6% valid answers, respectively. EBVS was better suited to reflect VAS than utilities. CAT increased the explanatory power by 10%. Conclusion: CAT outperformed CCQ and SGRQ, and it increased the explanatory power of VAS. EBV combined with CAT seems superior to only generic or disease-specific approaches.

Baseline health status and setting impacted minimal clinically important differences in COPD: an exploratory study

ObjectivesMinimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) are used as fixed numbers in the interpretation of clinical trials. Little is known about its dynamics. This study aims to explore the impact of baseline score, study setting, and patient characteristics on health status MCIDs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Study Design and SettingBaseline and follow-up data on the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ), and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were retrospectively analyzed from pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and routine clinical practice (RCP). Anchor- and distribution-based MCID estimates were calculated and tested between settings, gender, age, Global initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification, comorbidities, and baseline health status. ResultsIn total, 658 patients were included with 2,299 change score measurements. MCID estimates for improvement and deterioration ranged for all subgroups 0.50–6.30 (CAT), 0.10–0.84 (CCQ), and 0.33–12.86 (SGRQ). Larger MCID estimates for improvement and smaller ones for deterioration were noted in patients with worse baseline health status, females, elderly, GOLD I/II patients, and patients with less comorbidities. Estimates from PR were larger. ConclusionBaseline health status and setting affected MCID estimates of COPD health status questionnaires. Patterns were observed for gender, age, spirometry classification, and comorbidity levels. These outcomes would advocate the need for tailored MCIDs.

Symptom Clusters and Health-related Quality of Life in Chinese patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

This study aimed to identify symptom clusters of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to examine the relationship between symptom clusters and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It included 154 hospitalized patients with COPD. The majority of the participants (88.6%) were aged 60 years and above, and the numbers of men and women were approximately equal (men: 55.2%). The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS), and the Chinese version of the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) were used to evaluate comorbidity, participant's symptoms, and HRQoL, respectively. Five symptom clusters were identified using exploratory factor analysis, and symptom clusters, especially the Psychological, Pain and Fatigue, GI, and Dyspnea-Sweat symptom clusters, had negative effects on HRQoL in patients with COPD. Understanding the patterns and occurrences of symptom clusters could be essential for developing effective interventions to manage COPD symptoms and improve the patients' HRQoL.

C-Reactive Protein Testing to Guide Antibiotic Prescribing for COPD Exacerbations

BackgroundPoint-of-care testing of C-reactive protein (CRP) may be a way to reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics without harming patients who have acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsWe performed a multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled trial involving patients with a diagnosis of COPD in their primary care clinical record who consulted a clinician at 1 of 86 general medical practices in England and Wales for an acute exacerbation of COPD. The patients were assigned to receive usual care guided by CRP point-of-care testing (CRP-guided group) or usual care alone (usual-care group). The primary outcomes were patient-reported use of antibiotics for acute exacerbations of COPD within 4 weeks after randomization (to show superiority) and COPD-related health status at 2 weeks after randomization, as measured by the Clinical COPD Questionnaire, a 10-item scale with scores ranging from 0 (very good COPD health status) to 6 (extremely poor COPD health status) (to show noninferiority).ResultsA total of 653 patients underwent randomization. Fewer patients in the CRP-guided group reported antibiotic use than in the usual-care group (57.0% vs. 77.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20 to 0.47). The adjusted mean difference in the total score on the Clinical COPD Questionnaire at 2 weeks was −0.19 points (two-sided 90% CI, −0.33 to −0.05) in favor of the CRP-guided group. The antibiotic prescribing decisions made by clinicians at the initial consultation were ascertained for all but 1 patient, and antibiotic prescriptions issued over the first 4 weeks of follow-up were ascertained for 96.9% of the patients. A lower percentage of patients in the CRP-guided group than in the usual-care group received an antibiotic prescription at the initial consultation (47.7% vs. 69.7%, for a difference of 22.0 percentage points; adjusted odds ratio, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.45) and during the first 4 weeks of follow-up (59.1% vs. 79.7%, for a difference of 20.6 percentage points; adjusted odds ratio, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.46). Two patients in the usual-care group died within 4 weeks after randomization from causes considered by the investigators to be unrelated to trial participation.ConclusionsCRP-guided prescribing of antibiotics for exacerbations of COPD in primary care clinics resulted in a lower percentage of patients who reported antibiotic use and who received antibiotic prescriptions from clinicians, with no evidence of harm. (Funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Program; PACE Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN24346473.)