Decline In FEV1 Research Articles

Association of Ground Glass Opacities with Systemic Inflammation and Progression of Emphysema.

Ground glass opacities (GGO) in the absence of interstitial lung disease are understudied. To assess the association of GGO with white blood cells (WBCs) and progression of quantified chest CT emphysema. We analyzed data of participants in the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures In COPD Study (SPIROMICS). Chest radiologists and pulmonologists labeled regions of the lung as GGO and adaptive multiple feature method (AMFM) trained the computer to assign those labels to image voxels and quantify the volume of the lung with GGO (%GGOAMFM). We used multivariable linear regression, zero-inflated negative binomial, and proportional hazards regression models to assess the association of %GGOAMFM with WBC, changes in %emphysema, and clinical outcomes. Among 2,714 participants, 1,680 had COPD and 1,034 had normal spirometry. Among COPD participants, based on the multivariable analysis, current smoking and chronic productive cough was associated with higher %GGOAMFM. Higher %GGOAMFM was cross-sectionally associated with higher WBCs and neutrophils levels. Higher %GGOAMFM per interquartile range at visit 1 (baseline) was associated with an increase in emphysema at one-year follow visit by 11.7% (Relative increase; 95%CI 7.5-16.1%;P<0.001). We found no association between %GGOAMFM and one-year FEV1 decline but %GGOAMFM was associated with exacerbations and all-cause mortality during a median follow-up time of 1,544 days (Interquartile Interval=1,118-2,059). Among normal spirometry participants, we found similar results except that %GGOAMFM was associated with progression to COPD at one-year follow-up. Our findings suggest that GGOAMFM is associated with increased systemic inflammation and emphysema progression.

Defining the role of exertional hypoxemia and pulmonary vasoconstriction on lung function decline, morbidity, and mortality in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease – the PROSA study: rationale and study design

BackgroundChronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) has diverse molecular pathomechanisms and clinical courses which, however, are not fully mirrored by current therapy. Intermittent hypoxemia is a driver of lung function decline and poor outcome, e.g., in patients with concomitant obstructive sleep apnea. Transient hypoxemia during physical exercise has been suggested to act in a similar manner. The PROSA study is designed to prospectively assess whether the clinical course of COPD patients with or without exertional desaturation differs, and to address potential pathophysiological mechanisms and biomarkers.Methods148 COPD patients (GOLD stage 2–3, groups B or C) will undergo exercise testing with continuous pulse oximetry. They will be followed for 36 months by spirometry, echocardiography, endothelial function testing, and biomarker analyses. Exercise testing will be performed by comparing the 6-min walk test (6MWT), bicycle ergometry, and a 15-sec breath-hold test. Exertional desaturation will be defined as SpO2 < 90% or delta-SpO2 ≥ 4% during the 6MWT. The primary endpoint will be the rate of decline of FEV1(LLN) between COPD patients with and without exertional desaturation.DiscussionThe PROSA Study is an investigator-initiated prospective study that was designed to prove or dismiss the hypothesis that COPD patients with exertional desaturation have a significantly more rapid rate of decline of lung function as compared to non-desaturators. A 20% difference in the primary endpoint was considered clinically significant; it can be detected with a power of 90%. If the primary endpoint will be met, exercise testing with continuous pulse oximetry can be used as a ubiquitously available, easy screening tool to prospectively assess the risk of rapid lung function decline in COPD patients at an early disease stage. This will allow to introduce personalized, risk-adapted therapy to improve COPD outcome in the long run. PROSA is exclusively funded by public funds provided by the European Research Council through an ERC Advanced Grant. Patient recruitment is ongoing; the PROSA results are expected to be available in 2028.Trial registrationThe PROSA Study has been prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (register no. NCT06265623, dated 09.02.2024).

A novel web-based tool for lung transplant patients undergoing extracorporeal photopheresis

IntroductionExtracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is considered an emerging rescue therapy for patients with CLAD (chronic lung allograft dysfunction). The aim of the study was to set up a web-based data collection tool for lung transplant patients with CLAD undergoing ECP. MethodologyThe web-based tool was developed using Oracle MySQL and coded in HTML, JavaScript and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and was set up with pre and post transplant data of possible interest in CLAD. The functionality assessment of the software was carried out using data from a cohort of CLAD patients undergoing ECP treatment. ResultsThe software consists of seven major sections. The validation cohort consisted of 25 lung transplant patients (13 men and 12 women, median age at transplant 51 years). A significant improvement in the rate of decline of FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC after introduction of ECP was observed. Forty-four percent of patients showed a <10% decline in FEV1 at 6 months. Patients with recurrent respiratory infections showed less probability of responding to ECP. ConclusionsToday informatics is an integral part of medical science and an essential tool for clinical decision-making under many circumstances, reducing costs and improving patient outcomes. The “Siena ECP Database” allowed us to identify major functional trajectories after the introduction of ECP. It showed good data collection capacity, providing significant pre- and post-transplant information associated with ECP response. Although no clear clinical profile of responders has yet been defined, BOS phenotype and absence of recurrent respiratory infections before diagnosis of CLAD seem to be associated with a positive response to ECP therapy.

Association between bronchiectasis exacerbations and longitudinal changes in FEV1 in patients from the US bronchiectasis and NTM research registry

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the association between the number of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (bronchiectasis) exacerbations during baseline and follow-up (objective 1) and to identify longitudinal changes in FEV1 associated with exacerbation frequency (objective 2). MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients enrolled in the US Bronchiectasis and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Research Registry September 2008 to March 2020. Objective 1 outcome was association between exacerbations during baseline (24 months) and 0-to-24 month and 24-to-48 month follow-up windows. Objective 2 outcomes were change in FEV1 and FEV1 % predicted over 24 months stratified by baseline exacerbation frequency. ResultsObjective 1 cohort (N = 520) baseline frequency of any exacerbations was 59.2%. Overall, 71.4% and 75.0% of patients with ≥1 baseline exacerbations had ≥1 exacerbations during the 0-to-24 and 24-to-48 month follow-ups. Having ≥1 exacerbation during baseline was significantly associated with ≥1 exacerbation during the 0-to-24 month (P = 0.0085) and 24-to-48 month follow-ups (P=<0.0001). Objective 2 cohort (N = 431) baseline FEV1 was significantly lower in patients who had more exacerbations; however, decline in FEV1 from baseline was not significantly different between patients with 0, 1, and ≥2 exacerbations. In patients with more baseline exacerbations, FEV1 % predicted was significantly lower at baseline (P < 0.0001) and at 12 (P = 0.0002) and 24 month follow-ups (P < 0.0001). ConclusionsPatients with frequent bronchiectasis exacerbations may be more likely than those with less frequent exacerbations to experience disease progression based on future exacerbation frequency and lower FEV1 at baseline, although FEV1 decline may not differ by baseline exacerbation frequency.

Everolimus Treatment for Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction in Lung Transplantation.

This retrospective study included LT patients in two reference LT units who started everolimus therapy to treat CLAD from October 2008 to October 2016. We assessed the variation in the maximum forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) before and after the treatment. Fifty-seven patients were included in this study. The variation in the FEV1 was -102.7 (149.6) mL/month before starting everolimus compared to -44.7 (109.6) mL/month within the first three months, +1.4 (63.5) mL/month until the sixth month, and -7.4 (46.2) mL/month until the twelfth month (p < 0.05). Glomerular filtrate remained unchanged after everolimus treatment [59.1 (17.5) mL/min per 1.73 m2 at baseline and 60.9 (19.6) mL/min per 1.73 m2, 57.7 (20.5) mL/min per 1.73 m2, and 57.3 (17.8) mL/min per 1.73 m2, at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively] (p > 0.05). Everolimus was withdrawn in 22 (38.6%) patients. The median time to withdrawal was 14.1 (5.5-25.1) months. This study showed an improvement in FEV1 decline in patients with CLAD treated with everolimus. However, the drug was withdrawn in a high proportion of patients.

A Study to Compare Spirometric Observations in Smokers and Non Smokers in Age Group between 25-55 Years

In India, smoking is a common habit prevalent in both urban and rural areas irrespective of mode of smoking i.e beedis, cigarettes, cigars etc. Tobacco smoke contains 400 chemicals out of which 60 are known carcinogens, which can lead to lung cancer. Smoking leads to rapid decline in pulmonary function test. Cigarette smokers have a high annual rate of decline in FEV1 of about 50ml, which is nearly double the average value in non smokers.

Real-world use of inhaled corticosteroid/formoterol as needed in adults with mild asthma: the PRIME study.

Inhaled corticosteroid/formoterol fumarate (ICS/FF) as needed is recommended by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) as sole therapy in adults with mild asthma, with low-dose maintenance ICS plus short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) as an alternative. SABA alone is no longer recommended. Given these changes in recommendations, the observational PRIME study aimed to describe real-world treatment patterns in mild asthma in Europe. Adults with asthma receiving low-dose maintenance ICS, or as needed ICS/FF or SABA were followed for 6 months. Data collected included Asthma Control Test (ACT), Asthma Control Questionnaire 5-item (ACQ-5), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and asthma exacerbations. The study was conducted in 883 patients in Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain; 833 (94.3%) completed follow-up. At enrolment, 32.2% received maintenance ICS, 56.3% ICS/FF as needed and 11.6% SABA as needed; 57.4%, 61.2% and 54.9%, respectively, had well-controlled asthma (ACQ-5/ACT definition). After 6 months, changes in mean FEV1 were small in the maintenance ICS and ICS/FF as needed groups, whereas there was a decline in FEV1 in the SABA as needed group. ACQ-5 total score improved from baseline in all three groups; 0.4%, 0.4% and 2.0% patients, respectively, had a severe exacerbation during the study. More patients received ICS/FF as needed than SABA as needed, suggesting that physicians are aware of the latest treatment recommendations. This real-world study provides additional support to the use of ICS/FF as needed as preferred treatment for patients with mild asthma, whereas SABA as needed was associated with a fall in lung function and more severe exacerbations.

Low Mortality Associated with COVID-19 Infection in Lung Transplant Recipients at a Single Center

Lung Transplant Recipients (LTR) are particularly vulnerable to severe infection, hospitalization, and death due to community acquired respiratory viruses. As a result, the global SARS-Cov-2 pandemic poses a higher risk to this population. We aim to study the lung function, severity of infection and mortality among LTR at a single center. A retrospective chart review was performed on all LTR at the University of San Diego, California Medical Center between June 2020 and September 2022. Spirometry was performed at 1-2 months and then again 3 months after infection. Patients were closely monitored for the development of acute cellular rejection (ACR). 72 LTR were infected with COVID-19. 37.5% required hospital admission, of which 25.9% required management in the intensive care unit (ICU). 73.6% LTR had received at least one vaccination dose prior to infection. Post-infection, the median drop in FEV1 was 140 mL and FVC was 25 mL within 1-2 months. At 3 months post-infection the median reduction in FVC was slightly larger at 75 ml, while median decline in FEV1 decreased to 55 ml. Overall, the rates of ACR and mortality in this population were both 4.2%. Additionally, monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy reduced hospitalization (20.9% vs 62%) and mortality (0% vs 10.3%), Our study found low rates of ACR and mortality in LTR with confirmed COVID-19, despite the statistically significant decline in FEV1, and trends with FVC. The use of vaccinations and mAb therapy decreased rates of hospitalizations, with mAb therapy reducing mortality as well.

The association of blood eosinophil counts and FEV1 decline: a cohort study.

Accelerated lung function decline is characteristic of COPD. However, the association between blood eosinophil counts and lung function decline, accounting for current smoking status, in young individuals without prevalent lung disease is not fully understood. This is a cohort study of 629 784 Korean adults without COPD or a history of asthma at baseline who participated in health screening examinations including spirometry and differential white blood cell counts. We used a linear mixed-effects model to estimate the annual change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (mL) by baseline blood eosinophil count, adjusting for covariates including smoking status. In addition, we performed a stratified analysis by baseline and time-varying smoking status. During a mean follow-up of 6.5 years (maximum 17.8 years), the annual change in FEV1 (95% CI) in participants with eosinophil counts <100, 100-199, 200-299, 300-499 and ≥500 cells·µL-1 in the fully adjusted model were -23.3 (-23.9--22.7) mL, -24.3 (-24.9--23.7) mL, -24.8 (-25.5--24.2) mL, -25.5 (-26.2--24.8) mL and -26.8 (-27.7--25.9) mL, respectively. When stratified by smoking status, participants with higher eosinophil count had a faster decline in FEV1 than those with lower eosinophil count in both never- and ever-smokers, which persisted when time-varying smoking status was used. Higher blood eosinophil counts were associated with a faster lung function decline among healthy individuals without lung disease, independent of smoking status. The findings suggest that higher blood eosinophil counts contribute to the risk of faster lung function decline, particularly among younger adults without a history of lung disease.

The Upper Limit of Normal Rate of Lung Function Decline in Healthy Adults in the Framingham Heart Study

BackgroundLung function declines over the course of adulthood; however, a consensus on the normal range of decline in an individual’s lung function is lacking. Research QuestionWhat is the normal range and the upper limit of normal (ULN) decline in lung function of adults without prior tobacco use, occupational dust exposure, or a known diagnosis or symptoms of cardiopulmonary disease? Study Design and MethodsA retrospective analysis of healthy, never-smokers (n=1,305) from the Framingham Heart Study with repeated lung function meeting standards for acceptability and reproducibility was conducted. Longitudinal change was derived using a linear mixed-effects model and estimated to a 6-year interval. The ULN decline was defined as the 95th percentile. ResultsThe mean follow-up between spirometry examinations was 5.5 years, while the mean follow-up between diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) studies was 5.9 years. Decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and DLCO accelerated with age, while decline in FEV1/FVC decelerated with age. Decline varied with sex, age, and height. Over a 6-year period, the ULN decline in FEV1 ranged from 383 mL to 667 mL, and the ULN decline in DLCO ranged from 3.6 ml/min/mmHg to 9.5 ml/min/mmHg. Overall, men had faster absolute rates of decline than women, while relative (%) rates of decline were similar between sexes. InterpretationLung function decline is non-linear and accelerates with age. In this cohort, the ULN decline over 6-years often exceeded current guidelines for interpreting significant longitudinal change in lung function.

Tobacco smoke adverse effects comparison based on gender: Meta-analysis

Several studies have suggested varying degrees of vulnerability to the detrimental effects of tobacco smoking between females and males. However, conflicting findings on sex-specific differences in the negative impact of tobacco smoking have emerged. This study conducts a comprehensive review of the available evidence to assess the adverse effects of smoking with respect to gender. From an initial pool of 99 primary studies conducted before 2010, 26 studies were selected for inclusion in this meta-analysis. Among these, 15 were cohort studies, 4 were cross-sectional studies, 4 were case-control studies, and 2 were systematic reviews. Fixed-effect models and meta-regression were employed to derive pooled risk ratios (RR), and P-value functions were utilized to assess the consistency of the results. The pooled risk ratio for men who were current smokers, concerning all-cause mortality, was 0.954 (95% CI 0.866-1.05). For women who were current smokers, the pooled risk ratio for cardiovascular disorders was 1.2 (95% CI 1.18-1.22). Notably, female current smokers exhibited a significantly more rapid annual decline in FEV% predicted with increasing age compared to their male counterparts (as indicated by linear regression analysis: R2 = 0.56; p = 0.008). However, the relative risk for bone-related disorders was found to be higher in male current smokers than in their female counterparts. The findings of this study underscore that both males and females face an elevated risk of experiencing the adverse effects of smoking. Nonetheless, the magnitude of these effects differs based on gender. Further research is warranted to validate the outcomes of this study.

Phenotypes and outcome of diffuse pulmonary non-amyloid light chain deposition disease.

Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a very rare entity. Clinical manifestations of LCDD vary according to the organs involved. Data on pulmonary LCDD are scarce and limited to small series or case reports. This study aimed to describe the characteristics and outcome of diffuse pulmonary non-amyloid LCDD localized to the lungs. A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical characteristics were collected, and chest CTs were centrally reviewed. The diagnosis of pulmonary non-amyloid LCDD was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Thirty-one cases were identified (68% female), with a median age at diagnosis of 50 years (IQR 20). Baseline FEV1/FVC was < 0.70 in 45% of patients. Mean (± SD) FEV1 and DLCO were 86% ± 26.2 and 52% ± 23.9, respectively. CT revealed peculiar patterns of thin-walled cysts (58%) and thin-walled cystic bronchiectases (27%). Increased serum kappa light chain was found in 87% of patients. Histological analysis showed kappa light chain deposits in all patients, except one with lambda chain deposits. Median annual FEV1 decline was 127 ml (IQR 178) and median DLCO decline was 4.3% (IQR 4.3). Sixteen patients received immunomodulatory treatment or chemotherapy; serum light chain levels decreased in 9 cases (75%), without significant improvement in FEV1 (p = 0.173). Overall, 48% of patients underwent bilateral lung transplantation. Transplant-free survival at 5 and 10 years were 70% and 30%, respectively. An annual FEV1 decline greater than 127 ml/year was associated with increased risk of death or transplantation (p = 0.005). Diffuse pulmonary LCDD is characterised by female predominance, a peculiar imaging pattern with bronchiectasis and/or cysts, progressive airway obstruction and severe DLCO impairment, and poor outcome. Lung transplantation is a treatment of choice.

Association Between FEV₁ Decline Rate and Mortality in Long-Term Follow-Up of a 21-Patient Pilot Clinical Trial of Inhaled Liposomal Cyclosporine Plus Standard-of-Care Versus Standard-of-Care Alone for Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome After Lung Transplantation.

BACKGROUND The association between forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) trajectory and mortality in bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is not well defined. Using long-term data from a prior clinical trial of inhaled liposomal cyclosporine A (L-CsA-I) for lung transplant patients with BOS, this study examined the association between longitudinal FEV₁ change and mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed long-term data from a clinical trial which randomized 21 patients with BOS (³20% decrease in FEV1 from personal maximum) to receive L-CsA-I plus standard-of-care (n=11) or standard-of-care (SOC) alone (n=10) for 24 weeks. A joint statistical model, combining a linear mixed model for FEV₁ change and Cox regression for mortality, was utilized to examine the overall association between FEV₁ trajectory and mortality during follow-up. RESULTS The 21 trial participants (10 single, 11 double lung recipients) had a mean FEV₁ of 1.7±0.6 Liters at randomization. Median follow-up post-randomization was 35 months. In joint model analysis, 1 percent FEV₁ decline predicted 1.076-fold increased mortality risk (95% confidence interval: -0.998 to 1.160, p=0.058). FEV₁ decline was reduced by 2.6% per year in L-CsA-I patients compared to SOC (p=0.210), and overall survival at 1/3/5 years was 91%/64%/27% vs 90%/20%/0% for L-CsA-I versus SOC, respectively (p=0.164). CONCLUSIONS In BOS patients, greater longitudinal FEV₁ decline predicts increased mortality. Trends towards prolonged stabilization of FEV₁ and improved survival were observed with L-CsA-I receipt. Further analyses will aid in evaluating the utility of FEV₁ change as a survival predictor, having implications in BOS management and future trial design.

Asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap: Results from a national-multicenter study.

Patients with asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) have a greater disease burden than those with COPD or asthma alone. In this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical features of ACO because there are limited national data in Türkiye. The study was conducted in a cross-sectional design in nine tertiary-care hospitals. The patients followed with a diagnosis of asthma or COPD for at least one year were enrolled in the study. The frequency of ACO and the characteristics of the patients were evaluated in the asthma and COPD groups. The study included 408 subjects (F/M= 205/203, mean age= 56.24 ± 11.85 years). The overall prevalence of ACO in both groups was 20.8% (n= 85). The frequency was higher in the COPD group than in the asthma group (n= 55; 33.3% vs. n= 22; 9.8%), respectively (p= 0.001). Patients with ACO had similarities to patients with COPD in terms of advanced age, sex, smoking, exposure to biomass during childhood, being born in rural areas, and radiologic features. Characteristics such as a history of childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis, presence of chronic sinusitis, NSAID hypersensitivity, atopy, and high eosinophil counts were similar to those of patients with asthma (p<0.001). The annual decline in FEV1 was more prominent in the ACO group (mean= -250 mL) than in the asthma (mean change= -60 mL) and COPD (mean change= -230 mL) groups (p= 0.003). This study showed that ACO was common among patients with asthma and COPD in tertiary care clinics in our country. ACO should be considered in patients with asthma and COPD who exhibit the abovementioned symptoms.

The Effect of Chronic Altitude Exposure on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Outcomes in the SPIROMICS Cohort: An Observational Cohort Study.

Rationale: Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have airflow obstruction and maldistribution of ventilation. For those living at high altitude, any gas exchange abnormality is compounded by reduced partial pressures of inspired oxygen. Objectives: Does residence at higher altitude exposure affect COPD outcomes, including lung function, imaging characteristics, symptoms, health status, functional exercise capacity, exacerbations, and mortality? Methods: From the SPIROMICS (Subpopulation and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study) cohort, we identified individuals with COPD living below 1,000 ft (305 m) elevation (n = 1,367) versus above 4,000 ft (1,219 m) elevation (n = 288). Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate associations of exposure to high altitude with COPD-related outcomes. Measurements and Main Results: Living at higher altitude was associated with reduced functional exercise capacity as defined by 6-minute-walk distance (-32.3 m [95% confidence interval, -49.8 to -14.8 m]). There were no differences in patient-reported outcomes as defined by symptoms (COPD Assessment Test and modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale), or health status (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire). Higher altitude was not associated with a different rate of FEV1 decline. Higher altitude was associated with lower odds of severe exacerbations (incidence rate ratio, 0.65 [95% confidence interval, 0.46 to 0.90]). There were no differences in small airway disease, air trapping, or emphysema. In longitudinal analyses, higher altitude was associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio, 1.25 [95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 1.55]); however, this association was no longer significant when accounting for air pollution. Conclusions: Long-term altitude exposure is associated with reduced functional exercise capacity in individuals with COPD, but this did not translate into differences in symptoms or health status. In addition, long-term high-altitude exposure did not affect progression of disease as defined by longitudinal changes in spirometry. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01969344).

A study on the outcome of preoperative pulmonary function tests on a patient undergoing rheumatic mitral valve surgery.

Evaluation of pulmonary function by spirometer in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery is a simple test to assess pulmonary reserve that has important implications in operative morbidity. However, there is no established consensus regarding which patients should undergo preoperative pulmonary function tests (PFTs), including forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). The primary aim was to evaluate the outcome of preoperative PFTs on patients undergoing rheumatic mitral valve surgery. One hundred patients undergoing rheumatic mitral valve surgery, meeting the inclusion criteria, were included in this prospective observational study. The pulmonary function of the patients was assessed using a spirometer before surgery. Preoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses were also performed. The correlation of PFTs with early postsurgical outcome, comprising mortality within 30 days of surgery and morbidity defined as the existence of at least one of the postoperative complications, such as low cardiac output state indicated by increased requirement of inotropes, prolonged ventilation (>24 hours), postoperative new-onset hemodynamically significant arrhythmias, renal dysfunction, and post-op infection, was assessed. With the increasing New York Heart Association (NYHA) class of the patient, there was a decline of FEV1% and FVC%, which was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). There was a significant positive correlation of FVC% with preoperative saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) and preoperative saturation of peripheral carbon dioxide (PaO2) and FEV1% with preoperative SpO2 and preoperative PaO2. Patients who had postoperative prolonged ventilation had lower values of FVC% and FEV1%, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The patients who expired had significantly lower values of FVC% and FEV1%. Preoperative lung function has an implication on intraoperative morbidity during cardiac surgery although a common consensus on its application is lacking. Preoperative spirometry can be one of the parameters for predicting postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing rheumatic mitral valve surgery. Spirometry might have a role to play in predicting patient outcomes in rheumatic mitral valve surgeries; however, larger well-powered studies are needed.

Differential decline of lung function in COPD patients according to structural abnormality in chest CT

BackgroundDifferent progressions or prognoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been reported according to structural abnormalities based on chest computed tomography (CT). This study aimed to investigate whether different structural abnormalities independently affect annual lung function changes and clinical prognosis in patients with COPD. MethodsThis longitudinal multicenter observational study was conducted using the KOCOSS cohort (NCT02800499) database in Korea from January 2012 to December 2019. For COPD patients with chest CT findings at baseline enrolment and longitudinal spirometric data, annual forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) decline rate (mL/year) and clinical outcomes were compared according to structural abnormalities, including emphysema, bronchiectasis (BE), and tuberculosis-destroyed lung (TDL). We estimated the adjusted annual FEV1 changes using a mixed-effect linear regression model. ResultsAmong the enrolled 237 patients, 152 showed structural abnormalities. Emphysema, BE, and TDL were observed in 119 (78.3%), 28 (18.4%), and 27 (17.8%) patients, respectively. The annual decline in FEV1 was faster in COPD patients with structural abnormalities than those without (β = −70.6 mL/year, P-value = 0.039). BE/TDL-dominant or emphysema-dominant structural abnormality contributed to an accelerated annual FEV1 decline compared to no structural abnormality (BE/TDL-dominant, β = −103.7 mL/year, P-value = 0.043; emphysema-dominant, β = −84.1 mL/year, P-value = 0.018). Structural abnormalities made no significant differences in acute exacerbation rate and mortality. ConclusionThe lung function decline rate in COPD differed according to structural abnormalities on CT. These findings may suggest that more focus should be placed on earlier intervention or regular follow-up with spirometry in COPD patients with BE or TDL on chest CT.

High Blood Eosinophil Count at Stable State is Not Associated with Airway Microbiota Distinct Profile in COPD.

The heterogeneity of clinical features in COPD at stable state has been associated with airway microbiota. Blood eosinophil count (BEC) represents a biomarker for a pejorative evolution of COPD, including exacerbations and accelerated FEV1 decline. We aimed to analyse the associations between BEC and airway microbiota in COPD at stable state. Adult COPD patients at stable state (RINNOPARI cohort) were included and characterised for clinical, functional, biological and morphological features. BEC at inclusion defined 2 groups of patients with low BEC <300/mm3 and high BEC ≥300/mm3. Sputa were collected and an extended microbiological culture was performed for the identification of viable airway microbiota. Fifty-nine subjects were included. When compared with the low BEC (n=40, 67.8%), the high BEC group (n=19, 32.2%) had more frequent exacerbations (p<0.001) and more pronounced cough and sputum (p<0.05). The global composition, the number of bacteria per sample and the α-diversity of the microbiota did not differ between groups, as well as the predominant phyla (Firmicutes), or the gender repartition. In our study, high BEC in COPD at stable state was associated with a clinical phenotype including frequent exacerbation, but no distinct profile of viable airway microbiota compared with low BEC.

Local heterogeneity of normal lung parenchyma and small airways disease are associated with COPD severity and progression

BackgroundSmall airways disease (SAD) is a major cause of airflow obstruction in COPD patients and has been identified as a precursor to emphysema. Although the amount of SAD in the lungs can be quantified using our Parametric Response Mapping (PRM) approach, the full breadth of this readout as a measure of emphysema and COPD progression has yet to be explored. We evaluated topological features of PRM-derived normal parenchyma and SAD as surrogates of emphysema and predictors of spirometric decline.MethodsPRM metrics of normal lung (PRMNorm) and functional SAD (PRMfSAD) were generated from CT scans collected as part of the COPDGene study (n = 8956). Volume density (V) and Euler-Poincaré Characteristic (χ) image maps, measures of the extent and coalescence of pocket formations (i.e., topologies), respectively, were determined for both PRMNorm and PRMfSAD. Association with COPD severity, emphysema, and spirometric measures were assessed via multivariable regression models. Readouts were evaluated as inputs for predicting FEV1 decline using a machine learning model.ResultsMultivariable cross-sectional analysis of COPD subjects showed that V and χ measures for PRMfSAD and PRMNorm were independently associated with the amount of emphysema. Readouts χfSAD (β of 0.106, p < 0.001) and VfSAD (β of 0.065, p = 0.004) were also independently associated with FEV1% predicted. The machine learning model using PRM topologies as inputs predicted FEV1 decline over five years with an AUC of 0.69.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that V and χ of fSAD and Norm have independent value when associated with lung function and emphysema. In addition, we demonstrated that these readouts are predictive of spirometric decline when used as inputs in a ML model. Our topological PRM approach using PRMfSAD and PRMNorm may show promise as an early indicator of emphysema onset and COPD progression.

Spirometric Assessment of Pulmonary Function Tests in Asthma Patients.

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disorder that imposes substantial morbidity and mortality. Spirometry is a significant tool for the objective measurement ofobstruction amongasthmatics. The present study was conducted to assess the pulmonary function test parameters among asthmatics and compare the observed and predicted values. This cross-sectional research was performed on 120 asthmatic patients who attended a tertiary care healthcare center and underwent spirometry evaluation. The spirometry indices such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were recorded. Further, a gender-wise comparisonof spirometry indices was also done. There was a substantial decrease in FVC (2.05 ± 0.12 vs. 2.75 ± 0.24 L/sec; p = 0.02), FEV1 (1.78 ± 0.16 vs. 2.38 ± 0.32 L/sec; p = 0.01), FEV1/FVCratio (74 ± 4.38 vs. 83 ± 5.76 %; p = 0.01), PEFR (4.76 ± 0.42 vs. 5.82 ± 0.65 L/sec; p = 0.03), and MVV (78.65 ± 28.45 vs. 115.87 ± 32.15 L/min; p = 0.001) for observed andpredicted values.Female asthmatic patients displayed a substantial decline in FVC (p = 0.001), FEV1 (p = 0.006), FEV1/FVC (p = 0.001), and MVV (p = 0.01) when compared to males. This study suggests that asthmatic individuals had impaired lung function upon initial assessment.Female asthmatic patients studied are at increased risk of asthma severity when compared to males.