Management Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Research Articles

Needs assessment for introducing pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management in a rural Indian setting: a qualitative study

BackgroundPulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an effective strategy to improve breathlessness, health status and exercise tolerance and to reduce readmissions and mortality. In India, there is no government health programme for...

Correlation of Body Mass Index and Oxygen Saturation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients at a Tertiary Care Center in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. COPD is associated with clinically relevant pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations, including hypoxemia and weight loss. The correlation of body mass index (BMI) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) with COPD grades may provide a useful additional marker for understanding and managing the disease. The aim of the study was to study the correlation of BMI and oxygen saturation with COPD in patients presenting to a tertiary care center in Nepal. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 145 COPD patients visiting the Department of Medicine in Shree Birendra Hospital between 1 March 2019 and 28 February 2020. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used and data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Out of 145 COPD patients, 58 (40%) were underweight, 53 (36.55%) were of normal weight, 20 (13.79%) were overweight, and 14 (9.6%) were obese. The number of underweight patients was highest in COPD grade 4 and lowest in COPD grade 1. The proportion of subjects with underweight BMI and hypoxia increased with COPD severity, and both were statistically significant (p-values <0.01). Our study shows that BMI and oxygen saturation have an inverse association with COPD severity. The correlation of BMI and oxygen saturation with COPD grade could provide a supplementary marker of disease severity, which could be useful in the understanding of the disease process and subsequent management of COPD.

Reducing Cardiopulmonary Risk and Exacerbations in COPD.

New updates in the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2023 report include major changes to initial disease assessment and pharmacologic therapy, highlighting the clinical relevance of exacerbations. The updated GOLD 2023 algorithms offer a shorter path to consideration of triple therapy, including both initial and follow-up treatment. Most mild- or moderate-severity chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations can be successfully managed in outpatient settings; primary care clinicians have many opportunities to identify, diagnose, and treat patients with COPD earlier to reduce lung damage and disease progression. COPD and cardiovascular disease share common mechanisms and risk factors that influence COPD management.

MANAGEMENT OF PULMONAL HYPERTENSION IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an obstructive pulmonary disease due to inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract and lung parenchyma. In some cases of COPD, changes in the pulmonary vessels are found which are not uncommon, causing impaired gas exchange and causing pulmonary hypertension which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary hypertension is an increase in the mean pulmonary artery pressure (Pulmonary Arterial Pressure) greater than or equal to 25 mmHg at rest as assessed by a right heart catheterization procedure. Pulmonary hypertension (HP) can exacerbate the occurrence of COPD where HP patients with COPD must receive optimal COPD management according to GOLD guidelines. Pulmonary hypertension can be caused by a variety of conditions which WHO divides into five major groups. Pulmonary hypertension in patients with COPD belongs to the third group. The pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension in patients with hypoxia or chronic lung disease is caused by tunica media hypertrophy and tunica intima proliferation leading to distal pulmonary artery obstruction. Clinical and physical symptoms in HP patients in COPD usually overlap. If HP is suspected, echocardiography is the best initial examination. Definitive diagnosis obtained through right heart catheterization. In contrast to idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, examination of the vasoreactivity of blood vessels during right heart catheterization in this group is not recommended. The goal of therapy is improvement of clinical symptoms, hemodynamic status, right ventricular function and ultimately increase in quality of life and life expectancy. Oxygen therapy is the main therapy in HP and COPD after medical therapy. Providing adequate therapy for HP with COPD is expected to provide good outcomes for patients.

Symptom Cluster Profiles in Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Insomnia.

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and insomnia may experience multiple symptoms that can affect physical function, but little research has focused on symptom clusters in this population. This study aimed to identify subgroups of people with COPD and insomnia based on a pre-specified symptom cluster and determine whether physical function differed in the subgroups. This secondary data analysis included 102 people with insomnia and COPD. Latent profile analysis classified subgroups of individuals sharing similar patterns of five symptoms: insomnia, dyspnea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Multinomial logistic regression and multiple regression determined factors associated with the subgroups and whether physical function differed among them. Three groups of participants were identified based on the severity of all five symptoms: low (Class 1), intermediate (Class 2), and high (Class 3). Compared to Class 1, Class 3 showed lower self-efficacy for sleep and for COPD management and more dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep. Class 3 showed more dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep than Class 2. Class 1 showed significantly better physical function than Classes 2 and 3. Self-efficacy for sleep and for COPD management and dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep were associated with class membership. As physical function differed among subgroups, interventions to improve self-efficacy for sleep and for COPD management and minimize dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep may reduce symptom cluster severity, in turn enhancing physical function.

Impact of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients

PurposeThis review aimed to summarise evidence about the impact of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on survival in COPD patients. MethodsWe performed a narrative literature review on the effect of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on survival in COPD patients. ResultsInhaled therapies are central to reduce symptoms in COPD. In particular, inhaled steroids seem to have the greatest effect on mortality. Despite the anti-inflammatory effects attributed to statins, their benefit in COPD has been shown only in cases of combined cardiovascular diseases. The use of beta-blockers in COPD has not been associated with increased COPD-related mortality and a beneficial effect on all-cause mortality has even been shown in COPD patients with cardiovascular diseases. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination reduced the occurrence of exacerbations and mortality due to COPD. In addition, long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) (≥15h/day) in COPD patients with severe hypoxemia had a positive effect on survival. Regarding non-pharmacological interventions, it has been demonstrated that smoking cessation, treatment compliance and nutritional supplementation for underweight patients also have a positive effect on survival. Non-invasive ventilation results were dependent on patient PaCO2 levels. In patients with advanced COPD, further prospective studies are needed to know the effect of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction and lung transplant on COPD survival. Regarding lung transplant, a survival benefit in patients with a pre-transplant BODE score of ≥7 has been shown in retrospective studies. ConclusionMost of the studies did not evaluate survival as the main criteria and further long-term studies on the global management of COPD are required.

Cross-sectional validation of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in rural Uganda.

Measuring quality of life is a key component in the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The COPD assessment test (CAT), an easy to administer and shorter instrument than the standard Saint George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), could be an alternative tool for measuring the quality of life of COPD patients in rural Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2022, consecutively recruiting 113 COPD patients aged > 40 years from the Low-Dose Theophylline for the management of Biomass-associated COPD (LODOT-BCOPD) study. Upon obtaining consent, participants answered an interviewer administered social demographic, CAT and SGRQ questionnaire. Internal consistency for both SGRQ and CAT was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and values > 0.7 were considered acceptable while correlations were determined using Spearman's rank correlation. Limits of Agreement were visualised using Bland Altman and pair plots. Of the 113 participants, 51 (45.1%) were female. The mean age was 64 ± 12 years, 19 (16.8%) had history of smoking while majority (112 (99.1%)) reported use of firewood for cooking. There was a strong correlation of 0.791 (p < 0.001) between the CAT and SGRQ total scores with a high internal consistency of CAT, Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.924 (0.901-0.946). The agreement between the absolute CAT scores and the SGRQ scores was good with a mean difference of -0.932 (95% Confidence Interval: -33.49-31.62). In summary, CAT has an acceptable validity and can be used as an alternative to the SGRQ to assess the quality of life of COPD patients in rural Uganda.

An overview of prescribing practice and non-pharmacological treatments in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common heterogenous disease with significant personal implications, responsible for substantial healthcare costs. The goal of treatment and management in COPD is to control symptoms, and reduce risk and frequency of exacerbations and hospitalisations using a patient-centred approach. This article summarises the main current pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical management strategies in COPD, drawing on contemporaneous clinical guidelines and evidence, and highlight how emerging COPD endotypes and phenotypes are enhancing our understanding. An overview of inhaled medications, the mainstay of COPD treatment, is discussed, as well as the significance of device selection related to personal and physical considerations. Acute and long-term treatment and the criteria for specialist referral and medical management in complex patients is also presented.

Pharmacists' chronic disease management in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Effect on health services utilization.

BACKGROUND: There is limited real-world evidence on evaluation of chronic disease management initiatives provided by pharmacists to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in COPD-related health care resource utilization between patients with COPD who had pharmacist-provided chronic disease management (comprehensive annual care plan [CACP]) vs those who did not have CACP. METHODS: Patients with COPD who received a CACP in Alberta between 2012 and 2015 were identified within the Alberta Health administrative data. Each of these patients were matched with 2 control patients with COPD based on age, sex, provider, date of service, and qualifying comorbidities. Controlled interrupted time series analysis was used to evaluate changes in COPD-specific hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, physician visits, and claims for pulmonary function test. Immediate and temporal changes were calculated for the difference in outcomes 1 year before and 1 year after receiving the CACP for the intervention group and matched controls. RESULTS: Eligible patients (N = 74,365), of whom 28,795 (38.7%) had received CACPs, were matched to a total of 45,570 controls. In 1 year after the CACPs implementation, the number of COPD-related hospitalization visits decreased by 174 (95% CI = -270.8 to -76.5) per 10,000 patients per month, COPD-related ED visits decreased by 123 (95% CI = -294.9 to 49.6) per 10,000 per month, general practitioner visits decreased by 153.9 per 10,000 per month (95% CI = -293.3 to -14.5), and pulmonary function test claims decreased by 19.5 per 10,000 per month (95% CI = -70.1 to 31.2) when compared with the matched controls. However, significant difference between the 2 groups was found for COPD-related hospitalizations only, which was not confirmed by the sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COPD who were provided with care plans by their community pharmacists, there was no significant decrease in COPD-related hospitalizations or ED visits over 1 year compared with the matched controls who did not have a pharmacist-provided care plan. Physician visits and pulmonary function tests did not change significantly for those who had CACP compared with those who did not. There is a need to further understand how care plans can better impact other outcomes that are important in COPD management. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by a grant from the M.S.I. Foundation (Grant#895) based in Alberta, Canada. Dr Bhutani has consulted for Astra Zeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer Ingelheim, Valeo, Covis, and Sanofi. The authors declare no other relevant conflicts of interest or financial relationships. This study is based on data provided by Alberta Health. The interpretation and conclusions of the results are those of the researchers and do not necessarily represent the views of the government of Alberta nor the funder (M.S.I. Foundation). All authors meet criteria for authorship as recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Digital health in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be prevented and treated through effective care, reducing exacerbations and hospitalizations. Early identification of individuals at high risk of COPD exacerbation is an opportunity for preventive measures. However, many patients struggle to follow their treatment plans because of a lack of knowledge about the disease, limited access to resources, and insufficient clinical support. The growth of digital health-which encompasses advancements in health information technology, artificial intelligence, telehealth, the Internet of Things, mobile health, wearable technology, and digital therapeutics-offers opportunities for improving the early diagnosis and management of COPD. This study reviewed the field of digital health in terms of COPD. The findings showed that despite significant advances in digital health, there are still obstacles impeding its effectiveness. Finally, we highlighted some of the major challenges and possibilities for developing and integrating digital health in COPD management.

Going for GOLD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Management in Older Adults

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a key contributor of overall morbidity and mortality worldwide. The impact of COPD is expected to continue to increase because of the aging population and sustained exposure to COPD risk factors. In 2001, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) released its first report to summarize the state of the disease state, increase awareness of COPD, promote prevention of COPD, and improve outcomes of patients with COPD. Since 2017, the report has been updated annually with recent research to ensure the most current evidence-based recommendations are used. This article discusses the guideline update and introduces a new topic series on COPD, which will be published in the coming issues.

Correlation Analysis of the Therapy Adherence to Long-Acting Inhalers Among Patients with Stable COPD.

Long-acting inhalers are the mainstay maintenance therapy for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. The aim of this study was to assess adherence to inhalers among adults with COPD in China and to develop strategies to improve adherence for the next step. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 246 adult patients with COPD using long-acting inhalers to explore different demographic characteristics, disease characteristics and medication regimens. Adherence to inhalers was assessed using the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS). Among the 246 patients included in the present study, 93 (37.80%) had good adherence, while 153 (62.20%) had poor adherence. From the comparison of patients with good and poor adherence, we found that the course of disease and education background had a significant effect on adherence (p < 0.05). Among the LAMA therapy group, inhaled tiotropium bromide spray (Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany) with active release technology had better adherence than inhaled tiotropium bromide powder (Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany) (p < 0.05). Moreover, COPD patients with good adherence had better pulmonary function and fewer moderate or severe exacerbations in the past year (p < 0.05). The factors affecting the use of inhalers in patients with stable COPD are complicated. Medical staff should select appropriate inhalers according to the patient's disease status and duration and provide medication education to improve adherence.

Early detection and prediction of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is an acute worsening of respiratory symptoms, which needs additional treatment and can result in worsening health status, increasing risks of hospitalization and mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to early recognize and diagnose exacerbations of COPD. This review introduces the updated definition of COPD exacerbations, the current clinical assessment tools, and the current potential biomarkers. The application of mobile health care in COPD management for early identification and diagnosis is also included in this review.

GOLD COPD DOCUMENT 2023: a brief update for practicing cardiologists.

Many patients seen by cardiologists suffer chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in addition to their primary cardiovascular problem. Yet, quite often COPD has not been diagnosed and, consequently, patients have not been treated of their pulmonary disease. Recognizing and treating COPD in patients with CVDs is important because optimal treatment of the COPD carries important benefits on cardiovascular outcomes. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) publishes an annual report that serves as a clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of COPD around the world and has very recently released the 2023 annual report. Here, we provide a summary of the GOLD 2023 recommendations that highlights those aspects of more interest for practicing cardiologists dealing with patients with CVD who may suffer COPD.

Telemedicine Management of COPD: Advancements in Chronic Disease Treatment and Implications for Medical Education

Social determinants of health are non-medical, social and economic factors that influence health. The practice of telemedicine enables physicians to virtually connect patients with healthcare resources. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers have increasingly utilized telemedicine as a method to provide appropriate care to patients with chronic diseases, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is a progressive obstructive lung disorder which is substantially impacted by social determinants of health including access to healthcare. The successful utilization of telemedicine in the care of patients with chronic diseases, including COPD, highlights its emerging importance in healthcare. However, many Canadian medical schools have yet to implement a formalized telemedicine curriculum, and most Canadian students do not feel adequately prepared for virtual healthcare delivery. Here, we outline the utilization of telemedicine in COPD management and advocate for the rapid introduction of a formalized telemedicine curriculum at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

EVALUATION OF PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENTS

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory disease that affects the airways, alveoli, and pulmonary vasculature, leading to irreversible airflow limitation and loss of elastic recoil. This disease is highly prevalent in clinical practice, affecting approximately 10% of adults over 40 years of age, and it is expected to become the third leading cause of death by 2030. The study was conducted on 54 COPD patients diagnosed based on GOLD guidelines. The study observed a statistically significant association between Spirometric staging and the duration of symptoms.The mean value of FEV1/FVC,FEV1 in %,and 6MWD in meters decreased significantly as the grade of GOLD stage increased from stage II to stage III and stage IV. The study showed that COPD is associated with various comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and coronary artery disease. The study concludes that FEV1, BMI, MMRC grading, and the 6-minute walk test are significant predictors of morbidity among COPD patients. The study recommends early detection and management of COPD to prevent its progression and associated morbidity.

Synergistic effects of COVID-19 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a polymicrobial perspective.

This article discusses the connection between the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a multifaceted respiratory illness that is typically observed in individuals with chronic exposure to chemical irritants or severe lung damage caused by various pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, involving a variety of genotypes and phenotypic characteristics that result in severe co-infections and a poor prognosis if not properly managed. We focus on the role of SARS-CoV-2 infection in severe COPD exacerbations in connection to P. aeruginosa infection, covering pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy. This review also includes a thorough structural overview of COPD and recent developments in understanding its complicated and chronic nature. While COVID-19 is clearly linked to emphysema and chronic bronchitis at different stages of the disease, our understanding of the precise interaction between microbial infections during COPD, particularly with SARS-CoV-2 in the lungs, remains inadequate. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the host-pathogen relationship from the clinician's perspective in order to effectively manage COPD. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject matter to assist clinicians in their efforts to improve the treatment and management of COPD, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cognitive impairment according to Montreal Cognitive Assessment independently predicts the ability of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to maintain proper inhaler technique

BackgroundMaintaining correct inhaler technique is crucial in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to investigate the inhaler technique in patients with COPD, to compare it immediately after and at 1 month after training, and to identify the predictors of incorrect inhaler use at 1 month after training.MethodsThis prospective study was conducted at the COPD clinic of Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand). Patients demonstrating improper inhaler use were trained face-to-face by pharmacists. Inhaler technique was re-assessed immediately after and at 1 month after training. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, pulmonary function tests, 6-min walk distance (6 MWD), modified Medical Research Council scale score, and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score were evaluated.ResultsSixty-six patients with COPD who demonstrated at least one critical error during the use of any controller inhaler were enrolled. The mean age was 73.0 ± 9.0 years, and 75.8% patients had moderate/severe COPD. Immediately after training, all patients used dry powder inhalers correctly and 88.1% used pressurized metered-dose inhalers correctly. At 1 month, the number of patients demonstrating the correct technique decreased across all devices. Multivariable analysis revealed that MoCA score ≤ 16 was independently associated with a critical error at 1 month after training (adjusted odds ratio: 12.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.8–88.2, p = 0.010). At 1 month, CAT score (11.4 ± 8.9 vs. 8.4 ± 5.5, p = 0.018) and 6 MWD (351 ± 93 m vs. 372 ± 92 m, p = 0.009) had significantly improved in patients demonstrating the correct technique, and CAT score met the minimal clinically important difference.ConclusionsFace-to-face training by pharmacists improved patient performance. However, the number of patients following proper technique had decreased at 1 month after training. Cognitive impairment (MoCA score ≤ 16) independently predicted the ability of COPD patients to maintain proper inhaler technique. Assessment of cognitive function combined with technical re-assessment and repeated training should improve COPD management.

Associated Factors of Pneumonia in Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Apart from the Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are widely used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in combination with long-acting β2 agonists (LABAs) to reduce exacerbations and improve patient lung function and quality of life. However, ICSs have been associated with an increased risk of pneumonia in individuals with COPD, although the magnitude of this risk remains unclear. Therefore, it is difficult to make informed clinical decisions that balance the benefits and adverse effects of ICSs in people with COPD. There may be other causes of pneumonia in patients with COPD, and these causes are not always considered in studies on the risks of using ICSs in COPD. We consider it very useful to clarify these aspects in assessing the influence of ICSs on the incidence of pneumonia and their role in the treatment of COPD. This issue has important implications for current practice and the evaluation and management of COPD, since COPD patients may benefit from specific ICS-based treatment strategies. Many of the potential causes of pneumonia in patients with COPD can act synergistically, so they can be included in more than one section.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Access and Adherence to Pulmonary Rehabilitation Intervention (CAPRI): Protocol for a randomized controlled trial and adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundPulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is the standard of care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. However, significant barriers limit access and adherence to PR and alternatives are needed. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to test the efficacy of a web-based, pedometer-mediated intervention to increase physical activity (PA) for persons with COPD who decline PR or meet U.S. guidelines for referral to PR but have not participated (CAPRI-1). In addition, we will test whether the intervention maintains PA following PR in an exploratory aim (CAPRI-2). MethodsParticipants with COPD (N = 120) will be recruited and randomized 1:1 to a 12-week web-based, pedometer-mediated intervention or usual care (UC) (CAPRI-1). The intervention provides: 1) objective monitoring of walking and iterative feedback, 2) individualized step-count goals, 3) motivational messages and educational content, and 4) an online community. The primary outcome is change in daily step count from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include: (a) exercise capacity; (b) self-reported PA; (c) PA intensity; (d) exercise self-regulatory efficacy, (e) health-related quality of life, (f) dyspnea, (g) depression symptoms, and (h) healthcare utilization. CAPRI-2 will test whether participants (N = 96) assigned to the intervention following PR completion show greater maintenance of daily step count compared to UC at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. DiscussionIf the intervention is efficacious, it may be an alternative for those who cannot attend PR or a maintenance program following completion of conventional PR. We also present adaptations made to the protocol in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.