Status Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Research Articles

A cross sectional study to assess the nutritional status of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable disease, is a major public health concern. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the nutritional status in COPD patients by using anthropometric, biochemical and bioelectric impedance analysis. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, India from March 2013 to November 2014. A pulmonary specialist diagnosed all subjects. Using revised GOLD 2011 criteria they were divided into four groups (A, B, C, D). Anthropometric and biochemical indices, body composition analyses by bioelectric impedance, spirometry test, and determination of disease severity were performed in all subjects. Results: A total of 435 COPD patients included 287 men (60.0%) and 148 women (34.0%), with a mean age of 60.2 (SD11.2) yr in disease stages A to D. Of all COPD patients, BMI was less than 18.5 kg/m2 for 37.9%. This Prevalence of under nutrition based on BMI was found to be statistically significant among study participants with p<0.001. Mean value of BMI, MAC, MAMC and TSF significantly lowered as the severity of COPD increased with p <0.001. Decreased mean values of FM, FMI, and FFM were significantly associated with increasing severity of COPD with p <0.001. Plasma albumin was less than 3.5 g/l among 72 (17%) patients. Total protein, less than 6 g/l was founded in 58 (13%) of patients. Plasma levels of albumin, total protein, urea, creatinine were lowered with the increase in the severity of disease. Conclusion: The study findings highlight the importance to consider body composition in addition to body mass index as the only criterion of malnutrition, because patients do show frequent alterations in body composition, affecting the muscle store, the fat and total body water as the disease became more severe.

The Effect of Folic Acid Supplementation on Hyperhomocysteinemia and Pulmonary Function Parameters in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Pilot Study.

Preliminary studies have established the elevated plasma total Homocysteine (tHcy) levels as a risk factor for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). However, studies describing plasma tHcy levels and their relationship to folic acid supplementation and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) status in COPD patients are still lacking. We investigated the role of hyperhomocysteinemia in COPD and then prospectively examined the relationship between plasma tHcy concentration and effect of folic acid supplementation on FEV1 status in COPD patients. This was a prospective case-control study with 50 clinically stable patients of COPD attending the chest clinic of the hospital and 30 healthy controls. The study was done at Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India, from August 2011 to February 2013. Plasma levels of Hcy were measured by Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) method. All the subjects were given folic acid therapy (5mg daily) for six weeks duration and were followed up. Repeat plasma Hcy and FEV1 were measured after six weeks. COPD patients had higher baseline plasma tHcy concentration than controls (Mean: 27.42±23.89μmol/L, versus 15.21±15.71μmol/L, p<0.001) and COPD was associated with higher tHcy concentrations also after adjusting for smoking, and age. The mean BMI of the patients was 21.36±4.26kg/m2. The mean Hcy values decreased from 27.42±23.89μmol/L to 15.2±15.71μmol/L (p-value=0.001) after six weeks of folic acid supplementation. However, no significant change was observed in FEV1 upon folic acid supplementation (FEV1=1.14±0.60 and 1.08±0.56 respectively; p-value=0.654). A significant correlation was observed between BMI and Hcy and also between plasma Hcy levels at the baseline and after six weeks of folic acid supplementation (r=0.283, p=0.04 and r=0.340, p=0.02, respectively) and (r=0.840, p=0.001). COPD patients seem to have a poor folic acid status and as a consequence high tHcy. Also, folic acid supplementation has shown decreased plasma tHcy concentrations, but not necessarily significant change in FEV1.

Changes in Cognitive Status in COPD Patients Across Clinical Stages

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease, its prevalence increases with age. COPD is frequently associated with co-morbidities such as cognitive impairment, and their clinical relevance has risen in the recent past. Cognitive function may fluctuate with the variable components of COPD like hypoxaemia, hypercapnia, lung function, exacerbations or severity of the disease. The objectives of this study were to examine whether the cognitive status of COPD patients is different across clinical stages (exacerbation, at discharge and stable COPD) and also if there are cognitive areas that have more potential to change than others. Prospective observational clinical study: 62 patients admitted to hospital due to acute exacerbation of COPD were evaluated at hospital admission; 61 at discharge; and finally, 48 patients with stable COPD completed the study and were included in the analysis. Cognitive status was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Our results show that all clinical variables improved from exacerbation to discharge COPD. MoCA total score, visuoconstructional, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall and orientation subscores improved significantly from exacerbation to discharge COPD (p < 0.05). MoCA total score, visuoconstructional and naming subscores worsened significantly from discharge to stable COPD (p < 0.05). Finally, from exacerbation to stable COPD all the clinical variables improved; MoCA total score and naming, attention, language, abstraction and delayed recall subscores have shown significant differences (p < 0.05). Cognitive status of COPD patients is different across clinical stages, and there are cognitive areas with more potential to change than others.

Validation of the French version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Cough is one of the three major symptoms reported by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) is a questionnaire exploring the impact of cough, but it does not exist in French. The aim of this study was to develop a French version of LCQ and to assess its psychometrics properties. A forward-backward translation process was used to develop the French version of the LCQ. COPD patients completed LCQ and Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) to determine concurrent validity, content validity and internal consistency. Two weeks later, the LCQ was repeated to evaluate the reproducibility. Seventy-four COPD patients were recruited. The concurrent validity showed highly significant correlations between all scores of LCQ and CASA-Q (p < 0.001). The content validity was good with domain total scores correlations ranging from 0.918 to 0.953. The LCQ domains and total scores showed a very good internal consistency with Cronbach's α coefficients ranging between 0.802 and 0.917. The test-retest reliability was high in COPD patients with no change in cough. In conclusion, The French version of the LCQ is a valid and reliable instrument to measure health status in COPD patients.

Functional Status Assessment of COPD Based on Ability to Perform Daily Living Activities: A Systematic Review of Paper and Pencil Instruments.

Context:Activity of daily living (ADL) is an important predictor of mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Increasing ADL is important in patients with COPD and assessment of ADL is one of the best ways to evaluate the status of COPD patients.Objectives:The objective of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the psychometric properties of paper and pencil instruments measuring ADL in patients with COPD.Data Sources:English papers published from 1980 to 2014 regarding ADL in patients with COPD were searched in Web of Science, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane, PubMed, ProQuest, and CINAHL databases using the following keywords: “COPD”, “ADL”, “activities of daily living”, “daily activities”, “instrument”, “questionnaire”, “paper-and-pencil instruments”, and “measure”. Following the Internet search, manual search was also done to find article references.Study Selection:A total of 186 articles were found. Of those, 31 met the inclusion criteria. Full texts of articles meeting the inclusion criteria were studied. Consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments”(COSMIN) were used to assess the quality of the studies.Data Extraction:Data extraction form based on research aims developed by researchers and psychometric experts, with 17 questions was used.Results:In these articles, 14 pen and paper instruments were identified for examining ADL in patients with COPD; of which, 4 dealt directly with ADL while 9 assessed other criteria i.e. dyspnea as ADL indicator. The majority of instruments only dealt with two main dimensions of ADL: Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and did not consider Advanced Activities of Daily Living (AADL), which is influenced by cultural and motivational factors.Conclusion:Despite several ADL instruments identified, complete psychometric processes have only been done in a few of them. Selection of the appropriate instrument should focus on the aim of the study and the target construct.

Anemia in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is usually associated with polycythemia. It is assumed that systemic inflammatory components of COPD can interfere with erythropoietin and can result in anemia of chronic disease which will impair the functional capacity of these patients and also increase morbidity and mortality. Objective: To evaluate anemia status in COPD patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in clinically stable 50 COPD patients in the outpatient department of Medicine in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka during the period of July to December 2011. The demographic characteristics, smoking habit, duration of disease, types and severity of anemia, BMI and results of 6-minute walk test were recorded. Results: Out of 50 COPD patients, 76% were male and 24% were female. Among them 32% patients were anemic, 20% were polycythemic and 48% patients had normal hemoglobin. Among the anemic patients with COPD, 87% were male and 13% were female,75% were mildly anemic and 4% moderately anemic, 62.5% had normocytic and 37.5% had microcytic anemia. Conclusion: Anemia in COPD patients is often overlooked and underestimated. Clinicians should be aware of the presence of anemia in patients with COPD so that appropriate treatment could be initiated to improve the quality of life and prognosis DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v4i3.20943 J Enam Med Col 2014; 4(3): 151-155

Gait speed as a measure of functional status in COPD patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease associated with dyspnea, fatigue, and exercise intolerance. The degree of functional debility and level of exercise capacity greatly influences quality of life and mortality in patients with COPD, and the measures of exercise capacity are to be an integral part of patient assessment but often not feasible in routine daily practice, resulting in likely suboptimal care. There is a need for simple ways to identify functional decline in the clinical setting in order to guide resources to preventive interventions or proper care, including palliative care. Gait speed, or measuring how long it takes for a patient to walk a short distance, takes very little time and space, and can serve as a candidate measure of physical function in COPD. Gait speed has been shown to be an indicator of disability, health care utilization, and survival in older adults. It is a simple, reliable, and feasible measure to perform in the clinic and has been promoted as the next vital sign, providing insight into patients’ functional capacity. Gait speed is mainly determined by exercise capacity but reflects global well-being as it captures many of the multisystemic effects of disease severity in COPD rather than pulmonary impairment alone. It is an excellent screening measure for exercise capacity and frailty; in COPD, the usual gait speed (4-m course with rolling start) has been very accurate in identifying clinically relevant benchmarks of the 6-minute walk test, poor (<350 m) and very poor (<200 m) 6-minute walk test distances. A specific cut-off point of 0.8 m · s−1 had a positive predictive value of 69% and negative predictive value of 98% in predicting very poor exercise capacity. The increasing evidence on gait speed is promising as a simple test that can inform the clinician about many important functional aspects of the COPD patient. Further work will likely show the strength of gait speed as a predictive marker of hospitalizations, re-admissions, and mortality. Instead of relying on the “eyeball test” regarding the patient’s frailty or exercise capacity, a gait speed in its simplicity represents a much more solid assessment. Furthermore, repeat measures over serial clinic visits may show a pattern and further guide a change in therapy, whether it be medications, rehabilitation, or even initiation of palliative care discussions.

Correlation analysis of nutritional status and sleep quality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective To explore the effect of nutritional status on the sleep quality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）.Methods Two hundreds and forty-eight COPD patients were chosen and were surveyed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI） and Subjective Global Assessment （SGA）, and the relationship between nutritional status and the sleep quality was analyzed .Results The percent of COPD patients in normal or mild, moderate and severe malnutrition were respectively 65.0%,32.2% and 2.8%.The percent of the total score of PSQI which was more than 7 was 92.7%, and the total average score of PSQI was （10.01 ±2.87）.The total score of PSQI was （8.86 ±1.71） in the normal or mild malnutrition patients, and was （11.24 ±1.84） in the moderate and severe malnutrition patients , and the difference was statistically significant （t=10.183,P〈0.05）.The regression analysis showed that the subjective sleep quality , sleep latency , sleep duration , sleep disorders , daytime dysfunction , the scores of PSQI had the relations to the nutritional status in COPD patients .Conclusions The nutritional status in COPD patients can improve their sleep quality . Key words: COPD; Sleep quality; Nutritional status

Sensitivity of the COPD assessment test (CAT questionnaire) investigated in a population of 681 consecutive patients referring to a lung clinic: the first Italian specific study

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality at global level even if still underestimated. The insufficient use of specific tools for an objective definition and staging, the inadequate awareness of COPD, but also a difficult patient-to-doctor communication, can contribute to the poor management of COPD. A very simple, short and sensitive questionnaire (the “COPD Assessment Test” - CAT questionnaire) is now available for assessing the impact of COPD on the patient’s health. The present study was designed to provide such evidence using data generated throughout Italy.&#x0D; Methods: The Italian validated version of the CAT questionnaire was distributed to 681 consecutive COPD patients of different severity (males = 480), well matched for age, gender, smoking habit, geographical distribution, BMI, dyspnoea score and educational level. The CAT score variability was investigated vs all anagraphic, and clinical variables, and spirometric indices of lung function (regression). No Italian data are available to our knowledge on the CAT use, neither in General Medicine, nor in the specialist setting.&#x0D; Results: Data of this study confirmed that the CAT questionnaire is a sensitive, simple, and quick tool for assessing the respiratory status of COPD patients. The CAT score proved not conditioned by the patient’s age, gender, body size, geographical origin, and educational level. It was inversely correlated with the spirometric values, even if not uniquely linked to them.&#x0D; Conclusions: The CAT score does not represent a surrogate measurement of lung function: it is an instrument which focuses on different areas of respiratory health in COPD patients, thus providing an useful and objective tool for the long-term clinical and therapeutic monitoring of COPD patients in the specialist outpatient setting.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Impact of symptoms of anxiety and depression on COPD Assessment Test scores

Anxiety and depression are common comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and affect patients’ health status [1, 2]. Health status in COPD patients is frequently assessed by the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), which is a validated disease-specific questionnaire widely used in clinical trials [3], but complex and time-consuming to complete and score. Consequently, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) has been developed [4]. This is a disease-specific health status questionnaire containing eight items with good sensitivity, reliability and responsiveness [4]. CAT scores are strongly positively correlated with SGRQ scores in patients with COPD [4]. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesise that those COPD patients with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression will report higher CAT scores (equalling worse health status) compared to those without symptoms. The latest version of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) document [5] recommends the CAT as a tool to assess the impact of COPD on the individual patient beyond airflow limitation. Although it was known that clinically relevant symptoms of anxiety and depression are more common in patients in GOLD stage IV compared to patients in GOLD stages I and II [1], the frequency distribution of patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression across the updated GOLD classification remains unknown. Recently, Sillen et al. [6] reported a prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression of 38% and 32%, respectively, in COPD patients with GOLD group D. We aimed to assess …

Local and Systemic Oxidative Stress and Glucocorticoid Receptor Levels in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Previous studies have indicated that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To study local and systemic oxidative stress status in COPD patients, and to clarify the relationship between local and systemic oxidative stress. Lipid peroxide malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels in induced sputum and plasma, as well as glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels in peripheral blood leukocytes were examined in 43 acute exacerbation of COPD patients (group A), 35 patients with stable COPD (group B) and 28 healthy controls (14 smokers [group C]; 14 nonsmokers [group D]). MDA levels in induced sputum and plasma decreased progressively in groups A to D, with significant differences between any two groups (P<0.001). GSH, SOD and GSH-PX levels in both induced sputum and plasma increased progressively in groups A to D, with significant differences between any two groups (P<0.001). GR levels in peripheral blood leukocytes decreased progressively in groups D to A (all comparisons P<0.001). Pearson analysis revealed strong correlations between MDA, GSH, SOD and GSH-PX levels in plasma and induced sputum. The activity of SOD in plasma and sputum were both positively correlated with GR levels (partial correlation coefficients 0.522 and 0.574, respectively [P<0.001]). Oxidative stress levels were elevated in COPD patients. There was a correlation between local and systemic oxidative status in COPD, and between decreased SOD activity and decreased GR levels in COPD patients.

Imbalance of Circulating T‐Lymphocyte Subpopulation in COPD and its Relationship with CAT Performance

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with systemic effects, and T-cell-mediated immunity was involved in the COPD. COPD Assessment Test (CAT) could provide a valid, reliable, and standardized measure of COPD health status. The objective of this study was determination of lymphocyte subpopulation in patients with stable COPD (n= 52) and to ascertain if a relationship existed between T-lymphocyte subpopulation and CAT performance. The stable COPD patients were assessed with CAT, and divided into four groups with score >30 (n= 8), 20< score ≤30 (n= 16), 10< score ≤20 (n= 20), and score ≤10 (n= 8). Spearman's rank correlation was used to determine the relationship between proportion of T lymphocyte and CAT score. We found an elevated proportion of CD8(+) cells in COPD patients of the group with score >30 compared to other groups. Proportion of CD4(+) cells was significantly lower in the groups with score >30 and 20< score ≤30 when compared to groups with 10< score ≤20 and score ≤10. The CD4(+) :CD8(+) ratio was also significantly lower in the groups with score >30 and 20< score ≤30. Of note are the correlations of proportion of CD8(+) cells and CD4(+) :CD8(+) ratio with CAT performance when score >20. No correlations existed between proportion of CD4(+) , CD8(+) cells, CD4(+) :CD8(+) ratio, and CAT performance when score ≤20. Our results show that the determinants of T-lymphocyte subpopulation in COPD patients were value to assess physical conditions. We considered CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes to be a representative and stable parameter in grading of health status in COPD patients.

The validity and precision of the leicester cough questionnaire in COPD patients with chronic cough

BackgroundA validated instrument to assess the effects of chronic cough on health status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently not available. The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) is a cough-specific health status questionnaire which is originally validated for a population of general patients presenting with chronic cough. We examined the psychometric performance of the LCQ in patients with COPD and chronic productive cough.MethodsConcurrent validity, internal consistency, reproducibility and responsiveness were determined. The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) were used as external criteria. Questionnaires were completed at the start of the study. After 2 and 12 weeks the LCQ was repeated, together with a global rating of change.ResultsIn total 54 patients were included. Concurrent validity analysis showed significant correlations between corresponding domains of the LCQ and the SGRQ (rs -0.31 to -0.60). Corresponding domains of the LCQ and the SF-36 showed weaker correlations (rs 0.04 to 0.41). Internal consistency was adequate for two of the three domains (Cronbach's α 0.74 - 0.86). Test-retest reliability in stable patients was high (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.79 - 0.93). The mean difference after two weeks was 0.73 (± 1.75). Responsiveness analysis indicated that the LCQ was able to detect changes after 12 weeks.ConclusionThe LCQ is a valid, reliable, responsive instrument to measure health status in COPD patients with chronic productive cough.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01071161

A service review of dietetic input for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients on long-term oral nutritional support

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often require long-term oral nutritional support and concomitant dietetic input, secondary to commonly associated weight loss and malnutrition (Batres, 2007). There are approximately 100 000 people in Scotland living with COPD(NHS QIS, 2009). Due to current demands on dietetic services, this retrospective case review looked to explore the number of dietetic reviews provided and the consequent change in nutritional status in a group of COPD patients. Methods: A retrospective case review of the 26 COPD patients known to the community dietetic department at the time of the study was carried out (12 females, 14 males). The patient's ranged in age from 44 to 73 with the mean (SD) age of 64 (7.5) years. Their reported heights were recorded and each patient had their weight measured on Tanita scales at each contact. Initial BMI and current BMI were then calculated, together with the number of dietetic reviews that had been provided. The results were then analysed using SPSS statistics software. Recorded BMI data was parametric therefore a paired sample T-Test was used. Results: The median number of dietetic reviews was 6 (IQR 3, 10). From this, two patient groups were formed, those receiving six or less dietetic reviews and those with over 6. The T-Test indicated a significant increase between the initial BMI and current BMI for the group receiving six or less reviews (P = <0.005). This was not significant for the group who received over six reviews. Table 1. Mean (SD) body mass index (BMI) according to number of dietetic reviews BMI on referral (kg m-2) Current BMI (kg m-2) P value Six or less dietetic reviews (n = 14) 18.1 ± 3.3 19.6 ± 3.4 ≤0.005 Over six dietetic reviews (n = 12) 18.5 ± 1.9 18.2 ± 2.3 0.424 Discussion: This review supports previous research that dietary counseling and food fortification has a positive impact on the nutritional status of COPD patients (Weekes, 2009). It indicates that dietetic input is valuable, however, due to current demands on dietetic services, it is not beneficial to continually review this patient group long-term, once nutritional stability has been established, e.g. <5% weight loss in 3–6 months (BAPEN, 2004). Due to the clinical nature of the study, the limitations included the variable timescales for dietetic reviews. Conclusion: Dietetic input has a positive effect on BMI status in COPD patients however more efficient dietetic practices need to be implemented for long-term oral nutritional support patients.

Fatigue and multidimensional disease severity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background and aims: Fatigue is associated with longitudinal ratings of health in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although the degree of airflow obstruction is often used to grade disease severity in patients with COPD, multidimensional grading systems have recently been developed. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived and actual fatigue level and multidimensional disease severity in patients with COPD.&#x0D; Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients with COPD (aged 52-74 years) took part in the study. Multidimensional disease severity was measured using the SAFE and BODE indices. Perceived fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS). Peripheral muscle endurance was evaluated using the number of sit-ups, squats, and modified push-ups that each patient could do. Results: Thirteen patients (59%) had severe fatigue, and their St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire scores were significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05). The SAFE index score was significantly correlated with the number of sit-ups, number of squats, FSS score and FIS score (p &lt; 0.05). The BODE index was signif- icantly associated with the numbers of sit-ups, squats and modified push-ups, and with the FSS and FIS scores (p &lt; 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusions: Peripheral muscle endurance and fatigue perception in patients with COPD was related to multidimensional disease severity measured with both the SAFE and BODE indices. Improvements in perceived and actual fatigue levels may positively affect multidimensional disease severity and health status in COPD patients. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of fatigue perception and exercise training on patients with different stages of multidimensional COPD severity.

Fatigue and multidimensional disease severity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background and aimsFatigue is associated with longitudinal ratings of health in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although the degree of airflow obstruction is often used to grade disease severity in patients with COPD, multidimensional grading systems have recently been developed. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived and actual fatigue level and multidimensional disease severity in patients with COPD.Materials and methodsTwenty-two patients with COPD (aged 52-74 years) took part in the study. Multidimensional disease severity was measured using the SAFE and BODE indices. Perceived fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS). Peripheral muscle endurance was evaluated using the number of sit-ups, squats, and modified push-ups that each patient could do.ResultsThirteen patients (59%) had severe fatigue, and their St George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores were significantly higher (p < 0.05). The SAFE index score was significantly correlated with the number of sit-ups, number of squats, FSS score and FIS score (p < 0.05). The BODE index was significantly associated with the numbers of sit-ups, squats and modified push-ups, and with the FSS and FIS scores (p < 0.05).ConclusionsPeripheral muscle endurance and fatigue perception in patients with COPD was related to multidimensional disease severity measured with both the SAFE and BODE indices. Improvements in perceived and actual fatigue levels may positively affect multidimensional disease severity and health status in COPD patients. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of fatigue perception and exercise training on patients with different stages of multidimensional COPD severity.

Exercise and muscle dysfunction in COPD: implications for pulmonary rehabilitation

Skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) patients, particularly of the quadriceps, is of clinical interest because it not only influences the symptoms that limit exercise, but may also contribute directly to poor exercise performance and health status, increased healthcare utilization, and mortality. Furthermore, unlike the largely irreversible impairment of the COPD lung, skeletal muscles represent a potential site to improve patients' level of function and quality of life. However, despite expanding knowledge of potential contributing factors and greater understanding of molecular mechanisms of muscle wasting, only one intervention has been shown to be effective in reversing COPD muscle dysfunction, namely exercise training. Pulmonary rehabilitation, an intervention based on individually tailored exercise training, has emerged as arguably the most effective non-pharmacological intervention in improving exercise capacity and health status in COPD patients. The present review describes the effects of chronic exercise training on skeletal muscles and, in particular, focuses on the known effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on the quadriceps muscle in COPD. We also describe the current methods to augment the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation and speculate how greater knowledge of the molecular pathways of skeletal muscle wasting may aid the development of novel pharmaceutical agents.

Airway inflammation contributes to health status in COPD: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible airflow limitation and airway inflammation, accompanied by decreased health status. It is still unknown which factors are responsible for the impaired health status in COPD. We postulated that airway inflammation negatively contributes to health status in COPD.MethodsIn 114 COPD patients (99 male, age: 62 ± 8 yr, 41 [31–55] pack-years, no inhaled or oral corticosteroids, postbronchodilator FEV1: 63 ± 9% pred, FEV1/IVC: 48 ± 9%) we obtained induced sputum and measured health status (St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ)), postbronchodilator FEV1, hyperinflation (RV/TLC), and airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (PC20). Sputum was induced by hypertonic saline and differential cell counts were obtained in 102 patients.ResultsUnivariate analysis showed that SGRQ total and symptom score were positively associated with % sputum macrophages (r = 0.20, p = 0.05; and r = 0.20, p = 0.04, respectively). Multiple regression analysis confirmed these relationships, providing significant contributions of % sputum macrophages (B = 0.25, p = 0.021) and RV/TLC (B = 0.60, p = 0.002) to SGRQ total score. Furthermore, SGRQ symptom score was associated with % sputum macrophages (B = 0.30, p = 0.03) and RV/TLC (B = 0.48, p = 0.044), whilst SGRQ activity score was associated with % sputum macrophages (B = 0.46, p = 0.002), RV/TLC (B = 0.61, p = 0.015), and PC20 (B = -9.3, p = 0.024). Current smoking and FEV1 were not significantly associated with health status in the multiple regression analysis.ConclusionWe conclude that worse health status in COPD patients is associated with higher inflammatory cell counts in induced sputum. Our findings suggest that airway inflammation and hyperinflation independently contribute to impaired health status in COPD. This may provide a rationale for anti-inflammatory therapy in this disease.

Depression, anxiety and health status after hospitalisation for COPD: A multicentre study in the Nordic countries

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often report anxiety, depression and poor health status, not least if they experience repeated hospitalisations due to acute exacerbations. The aim of this study was to analyse the interrelationships between health status, anxiety, depression and physical status in COPD patients being discharged after hospitalisation. This was a prospective study of 416 patients in five university hospitals in each of the Nordic countries. Data included demographic information, lung function and co-morbidity. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were applied to all patients. Both anxiety and depression were common among these patients. Anxiety was more common in women than in men (47% vs. 34%, P=0.009) and current smokers had a higher prevalence of both anxiety (54% vs. 37%) and depression (43% vs. 23%) than non-smokers (P<0.01). In general, the studied COPD patients had poor health status, especially those with anxiety, depression or both. Psychological status was independently related to all dimensions of SGRQ. Higher GOLD stages were significantly associated with increasing impairment in health status. In conclusion this multicentre study showed that anxiety and depression are common in patients with COPD, and, furthermore, that patients with psychological disorders have poor health status. Screening for depression and anxiety may help to identify patients with poor quality of life and an urgent need for intervention in order to improve their health status.

Prevalence and pathophysiology of nutritional depletion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The association between weight loss and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a phenomenon that has long been recognized. Fowler and Godlee first described the association of weight loss and emphysema in the late nineteenth century. Attempts to describe different COPD classifications revealed that body weight might be an important discriminant. This led to the classic description of the pink puffer and the blue bloater (1). The pink 'puffing patient ' is characteristically thin, breathless with marked hyperinflation of the chest but without central cyanosis. The 'blue and bloated' patient may not be particularly breathless, at least when at rest, but has severe central cyanosis with eor pulmonale. Weight loss is the classical approach and was considered an integral part of the clinical picture of chronic bronchitis and emphysema without adequate analysis of the underlying mechanism. The absence of insights into the functional consequences of weight loss lead to further minimization of the problem. Since 1980, there has been renewed interest in nutritional aspects of COPD. The incidence of a compromised nutritional status in COPD patients has been assessed by various anthropometric and biochemical measurements in different groups of patients. It became clear from these studies that weight loss is a common problem (2-5). Most of the initial studies however were performed in hospitalized patients or selected patient groups. There was also no clear insight into the potential cause of nutritional depletion.