Therapy In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Research Articles

The effect of nebulized N-acetylcysteine on the phlegm of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the NEWEST study

BackgroundPhlegm is prevalent symptom in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) nebulizer therapy in COPD patients. We evaluated the effect of nebulized NAC on the improvement of phlegm symptom in COPD patients.MethodsThis was a 12-week, prospective, single-arm, open-label, phase IV multi-center trial (NCT05102305, Registration Date: 20-October-2021). We enrolled patients aged ≥ 40 years with post bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) < 0.7 and COPD assessment test (CAT) phlegm score ≥ 2; the patients were current or ex-smoker with smoking pack-years ≥ 10. The primary endpoint was to determine the change in CAT phlegm score at 12 weeks compared to the baseline. Patients were assessed at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment using the CAT score.ResultsIn total, 100 COPD patients were enrolled from 10 hospitals. The mean age of the patients was 71.42 ± 8.20 years, with 19.78% being current-smokers and 80.22% being ex-smokers. The mean smoking pack-years was 40.32 ± 35.18. The mean FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC were 3.94 L (75.44%), 2.22 L (58.50%), and 0.53, respectively. The CAT phlegm score at baseline was 3.47 ± 1.06, whereas after 12 weeks of nebulized NAC it significantly decreased to 2.62 ± 1.30 (p < 0.01). More than half (53.5%) of the patients expressed satisfaction with the effects of nebulized NAC therapy. Adverse events occurred in 8 (8.0%) patients. Notably, no serious adverse drug reactions were reported.ConclusionIn this study, we have established the effectiveness and safety of nebulized NAC over 12 weeks.

Errors and Adherence to Inhaled Medications in Chinese Adults with COPD.

Adherence to inhaled medications is key to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) control and management. To assess errors and adherence to inhalation therapy in COPD patients, and identify potential factors associated with poor adherence. This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1, 2022, to November 30, 2022, in 24 hospital outpatient departments in different cities of Hunan Province, China. Adherence to inhaled medications was measured using the 10-item Test of Adherence Inventory, and the results were expressed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 2218 clinically confirmed adult COPD patients completed the questionnaires, and 1423 patients with more than a 3-month history of inhalation therapy were analyzed. This study found that 61.3% of patients made one or more use errors. Not holding the breath after inhalation or holding the breath for less than 3s had the highest reporting rate (30.7%). A considerable proportion of patients (66.6%) demonstrated suboptimal adherence to inhaled medications. Patients who resided in rural areas (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.12-1.88), used dual therapy (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.05-2.05), and exhibited common use errors (OR 3.02, 95% CI 2.39-3.82) were more likely to present suboptimal adherence. Patients with CAT (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test) score < 10 (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.94), a junior high school education and above (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.94), and duration of inhaled medication use > 3years (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.47-0.83) were associated with better adherence. Suboptimal adherence to inhaled medications and many inhalation therapy errors were identified among COPD patients. Common use errors in inhaled medications, CAT score, and education background were predictive of and influenced adherence to inhaled medications. It is necessary to strengthen training in Chinese patients about inhaler use and follow-up intensively with patients throughout treatment, especially for patients with risk factors.

The Effect of High Flow Nasal Oxygen Cannula Versus Conventional Oxygen Therapy in COPD Patients with Indication for Long-term Oxygen Therapy: A Pilot Randomized Crossover Study

Background: Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is recommended to be used in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with severe resting hypoxemia. High-flow nasal oxygen cannula (HFNC) demonstrated benefits in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. The mechanisms of HFNC by washing out dead space and decreasing work of breathing may be also beneficial in COPD patient who has an indication for LTOT. Objective: To compare the effect of HFNC versus conventional oxygen therapy (COT) in terms of respiratory rate, gas exchange, and health-related quality of life. Materials and Methods: A pilot randomized crossover study was conducted in eleven stable COPD patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to HFNC at a flow rate of 30 L/minute or simple nasal cannula at 2 to 4 L/minute for two weeks in a cross-over fashion. The primary outcome was respiratory rate. The secondary outcomes included blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation (SpO₂), transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure (PtcCO₂), and St.George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score. Results: The duration of HFNC and COT use was 8 (IQR 3 to 13) and 14 (IQR 10 to 20) hours/day, respectively (p=0.039). Respiratory rate was significantly lower with HFNC compared to COT at 18 breaths/minute (IQR 16 to 20) versus 22 breaths/minute (IQR 20 to 25) , respectively (p=0.018). SpO₂ was significantly higher with HFNC compared to COT (p=0.046). No differences in blood pressure, heart rate, PtcCO₂, and SGRQ score were observed between the two groups. No serious adverse event from HFNC was observed. Conclusion: The present pilot study demonstrated that HFNC was tolerable in patients with stable COPD who had an indication for LTOT. Respiratory rate was significantly lower and SpO₂ was significantly higher with HFNC compared to COT. Another study with larger sample size is needed to further clarify the efficacy of HFNC in stable COPD patients. Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Dyspnea; High-flow nasal cannula; Oxygen therapy; Respiratory rate

Impact of Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Therapy in COPD Patients - Pilot Study

Abstract Introduction. Intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy can contribute to increasing exercise tolerance in patients with cardiovascular, bronchopulmonary, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric pathologies, according to studies in the specialized literature. This therapy consists of the use of hypoxic intervals, interspersed with hyperoxic episodes. Material and methods. We present 7 clinical cases of patients admitted to the Balneal and Rehabilitation Sanatorium of Techirghiol (SBRT) for 2 weeks, complaining of polyarticular mechanical pain. These patients were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by the pulmonologist according to the GOLD criteria. During hospitalization, the patients underwent a complex balneo-physical-kinetic treatment, simultaneously with intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy. Patients were evaluated both at admission and discharge. Results. The evolution of the patients was favorable, with improvement in symptoms, spirometry, scales used, 6-minute walk test, HTi index and paraclinical investigations. Improvements were identified in respiratory volumes, but also in total serum cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Conclusions. Obtaining promising results gives indications that intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy can be an alternative treatment for multiple pathologies, including COPD. The therapy proved to be safe and well tolerated, representing a non-pharmacological therapy that can be included in the therapeutic management of patients with COPD.

SA7 Reduced Health Care Resource Utilisation and Costs Following a Switch From Multiple-Inhaler to Once-Daily Single-Inhaler Triple Therapy in COPD Patients in a Real-World Primary Care Setting in England

To investigate all-cause and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related health care resource utilisation (HCRU) and direct medical costs in patients with COPD before and after switching from multiple-inhaler triple therapy (MITT) to once-daily single-inhaler triple therapy (SITT) fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI).

Sympathetic and Vagal Nerve Activity in COPD: Pathophysiology, Presumed Determinants and Underappreciated Therapeutic Potential.

This article explains the comprehensive state of the art assessment of sympathetic (SNA) and vagal nerve activity recordings in humans and highlights the precise mechanisms mediating increased SNA and its corresponding presumed clinical determinants and therapeutic potential in the context of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is known that patients with COPD exhibit increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), as measured directly using intraneural microelectrodes-the gold standard for evaluation of sympathetic outflow. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms responsible for the sympathoexcitation in COPD and its clinical relevance are less well understood. This may be related to the absence of a systematic approach to measure the increase in sympathetic activity and the lack of a comprehensive approach to assess the underlying mechanisms by which MSNA increases. The nature of sympathoexcitation can be dissected by distinguishing the heart rate increasing properties (heart rate and blood pressure variability) from the vasoconstrictive drive to the peripheral vasculature (measurement of catecholamines and MSNA) (Graphical Abstract Figure 1). Invasive assessment of MSNA to the point of single unit recordings with analysis of single postganglionic sympathetic firing, and hence SNA drive to the peripheral vasculature, is the gold standard for quantification of SNA in humans but is only available in a few centres worldwide because it is costly, time consuming and requires a high level of training. A broad picture of the underlying pathophysiological determinants of the increase in sympathetic outflow in COPD can only be determined if a combination of these tools are used. Various factors potentially determine SNA in COPD (Graphical Abstract Figure 1): Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent in COPD, and leads to repeated bouts of upper airway obstructions with hypoxemia, causing repetitive arousals. This probably produces ongoing sympathoexcitation in the awake state, likely in the "blue bloater" phenotype, resulting in persistent vasoconstriction. Other variables likely describe a subset of COPD patients with increase of sympathetic drive to the heart, clinically likely in the "pink puffer" phenotype. Pharmacological treatment options of increased SNA in COPD could comprise beta blocker therapy. However, as opposed to systolic heart failure a similar beneficial effect of beta blocker therapy in COPD patients has not been shown. The point is made that although MSNA is undoubtedly increased in COPD (probably independently from concomitant cardiovascular disease), studies designed to determine clinical improvements during specific treatment will only be successful if they include adequate patient selection and translational state of the art assessment of SNA. This would ideally include intraneural recordings of MSNA and-as a future perspective-vagal nerve activity all of which should ideally be assessed both in the upright and in the supine position to also determine baroreflex function.

Quantifying the Economic Impact of Delayed Multiple-Inhaler Triple Therapy Initiation in Patients with COPD: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Linked Electronic Medical Record and Hospital Administrative Data in England.

PurposeTo assess if early multiple-inhaler triple therapy (MITT) initiation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reduces subsequent healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), direct medical costs, and acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPDs).Patients and MethodsThis retrospective, longitudinal cohort study used electronic health records and linked hospital administrative data in England. COPD patients with an AECOPD between July 2012 and May 2016 (index), and who subsequently started MITT within 180 days were eligible. Patients with an AECOPD 6 months prior to index were excluded. HCRU, direct healthcare costs, and AECOPDs were assessed in the following 24-month period for early (≤30 days) and delayed (31–180 days) MITT initiators.ResultsA total of 934 patients were included in the analysis and categorized as early (n=367, 39%) or delayed (n=567, 61%) MITT initiators. Mean patient age was 68.5 years and 53.2% were male. A significantly higher proportion of delayed MITT initiators required ≥1 outpatient appointment (all-cause) compared with early MITT initiators (87% vs 79%; p=0.0016). A significantly higher proportion of delayed MITT initiators required ≥1 COPD‑related inpatient stay versus early MITT initiators (47% vs 40%; p=0.0262). Over the 24-month follow-up, mean all-cause and COPD-related total healthcare costs were significantly higher in delayed MITT initiators compared with early MITT initiators (all‑cause: £11,348 vs £8126; p=0.0011; COPD-related: £7307 vs £4535; p=0.0009).ConclusionDelayed initiation of multiple-inhaler triple therapy was associated with higher all-cause and COPD-related costs, suggesting that earlier initiation of triple therapy in COPD patients may help reduce the economic burden on the healthcare system.

Korean physician prescription patterns for home oxygen therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Background/AimsHypoxemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leads to reduced ability to exercise, decreased quality of life, and, eventually, increased mortality. Home oxygen therapy in patients with severe COPD reduces distress symptoms and mortality rates. However, there have been few studies on physicians’ prescription behavior toward home oxygen therapy. Therefore, we investigated the respiratory specialists’ perspective on home oxygen therapy.MethodsIn this cross-sectional, study, a questionnaire was completed by 30 pulmonary specialists who worked in tertiary hospitals and prescribed home oxygen therapy. The questionnaire consisted of 28 items, including 15 items on oxygen prescription for outpatients, four for inpatients, and nine on service improvement.ResultsAll physicians were prescribing less than 2 L/min of oxygen for either 24 (n = 10, 33.3%) or 15 hours (n = 9, 30.3%). All (n = 30) used pulse oximetry, 26 (86.7%) analyzed arterial blood gas. Thirteen physicians had imposed restrictions and recommended oxygen use only during exercise or sleep. Sixteen (53.3%) physicians were educating their patients about home oxygen therapy. Furthermore, physicians prescribed home oxygen to patients that did not fit the typical criteria for long-term oxygen therapy, with 30 prescribing it for acute relief and 17 for patients with borderline hypoxemia.ConclusionsThis study identified the prescription pattern of home oxygen therapy in Korea. Respiratory physicians prescribe home oxygen therapy to hypoxemic COPD patients for at least 15 hours/day, and at a rate of less than 2 L/min. More research is needed to provide evidence for establishing policies on oxygen therapy in COPD patients.

Low-dose theophylline in addition to ICS therapy in COPD patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

A synergism has been reported between theophylline and corticosteroids, wherein theophylline increases and restores the anti-inflammatory effect of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) by enhancing histone deacetylase-2 (HDAC) activity. Several studies have explored the efficacy of low-dose theophylline plus ICS therapy on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but the results are discrepant. We conducted searches in electronic database such as PubMed, Web Of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase to find out original studies. Stata/SE 15.0 was used to perform all data analysis. A total of 47,556 participants from 7 studies were included in our analysis and the sample size of each study varied from 24 to 10,816. Theophylline as an add-on therapy to ICS was not associated with the reduction of COPD exacerbations (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.97 to 1.19, I2 = 95.2%). Instead, the theophylline group demonstrated a higher hospitalization rate (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.15, I2 = 20.4%) and mortality (HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.25, I2 = 0%). Further, the anti-inflammatory effect of low-dose theophylline as an adjunct to ICS on COPD was controversial. Besides, the theophylline group showed significant improvement in lung function compared with the non-theophylline group. Based on current evidence, low-dose theophylline as add-on therapy to ICS did not reduce the exacerbation rate. Instead, the hospitalization rate and mortality increased with theophylline. Thus, we do not recommend adding low-dose theophylline to ICS therapy in COPD patients. PROSPERO Registration CRD42021224952.

A Review on the Effect of Kinesiotaping on Lung Function and Perception of Dyspnea in COPD Patients

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is complicated by the presence of frequent and recurrent acute exacerbations. The patients are asymptomatic and stable in the early stages. They develop weakness of primary respiratory muscles and use accessory muscles, which lead to postural changes. The forward head posture is very common in COPD patients due to increased usage of accessory muscles and aging changes. Kinesiotaping application has been used to correct posture and lung function recently. Objective: The aim of this paper is to review the evidence on the effect of Kinesiotaping on lung function and posture in COPD patients. Methods: The research articles published in the major databases including Web of Science, Pubmed, and Google Scholar, were searched from January 2010 to January 2021 to be included in the review. Twenty-one articles were retrieved and six articles were selected for the review based on the inclusion criteria. Results: The studies indicate that Kinesiotaping of the thoracic wall in COPD patients has an immediate effect on accessory inspiratory muscle activity, chest expansion, pulmonary function, and postural alignment. Further research is required to determine the long-term effects of this special taping method in comparison with conventional therapy in COPD patients. Conclusion: The application of kinesiotaping as an adjunct to conventional breathing exercises in COPD patients helps in improving lung function, posture and reduces the perception of dyspnea.

The Effect of Pursed Lips Breathing Exercises and Diafragma Breathing on Spirometry and Modified Medical Research Council Scale on Stable Chronic Obstruction Lung Disease

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease characterized by limited airflow and a chronic inflammatory response to the airways, where shortness of breath is the main complaint in COPD patients. Pursed lips breathing (PLB) and diaphragmatic breathing exercises are useful techniques to improve ventilation by increasing the Forced Expiratory Volume 1 (FEV1) value and decreasing the degree of shortness of breath. This study aims to determine the effect of pursed lips breathing and diaphragmatic breathing exercises on the improvement of lung function and the degree of shortness of breath in stable COPD patients. Methods: This is an experimental study with pre-test and post-test control group methods of 60 stable COPD patients at the RSUDZA Pulmonology Clinic from November 2019 to February 2020. The sample was taken by systematic random sampling, divided into 2 groups, namely the intervention group who received training. PLB and diaphragmatic breathing exercises for 4 weeks coupled with indacaterol bronchodilator therapy. The control group only received indacaterol therapy. Changes in lung function were assessed by spirometry, namely FEV1 and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) values and changes in the degree of shortness of breath using the mMRC scale. Statistical analysis used was t-test and Wilcoxon test, which were performed to assess differences between groups, the value of significance (P<0.05). Results: There was a significant effect on FEV1 (P=0.0005) and FVC (P=0.014) in the intervention group compared to the control group. There was a significant effect on improving the degree of shortness of breath using the mMRC scale in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0,0005). Conclusion: The administration of PLB and diaphragmatic breathing exercises significantly increased FEV1, FVC and improved the degree of shortness of breath. It is suggested that this exercise can be used as an adjunct therapy in COPD patients.

A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effects of Montelukast on the Serum Level of Inflammatory Factors in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major noncommunicable respiratory disease with diverse pulmonary and external pulmonary clinical manifestations. This disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in the world, and about 1% of the adult population suffers from COPD. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Montelukast on the serum level of inflammatory factors in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, 74 patients with COPD with stable conditions were followed for two months after a random assignment to the placebo and montelukast (10 mg/d) groups. All patients continued their treatment protocol irrespective of their group to evaluate the effects of the addition of montelukast on serum levels of common inflammatory factors, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Interleukin 18 (IL-18) in COPD patients. SPSS 18 software was used for data analysis. Results of quantitative data were reported as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) and qualitative data as frequency (percentage). If the data distribution was normal, the paired t-test was used to compare the mean before and after and using an independent t-test to compare the mean changes between the two groups. The Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were also used if the data were not assumed to be normal. A P &lt; 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences in laboratory studies between the two groups. After two months of intervention, there was no evidence of decreased TNF-α and CRP in the montelukast group. IL-18 levels were not significantly different at the end of the study between the two groups (P = 0.23), but it had a decreasing trend in the montelukast group (from 20.25 ± 5.98 ng/ml to 16.19 ± 4.17 ng/ml, P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: Montelukast complementary therapy in COPD patients only improve the serum IL-18 levels and has not a reducing effect on the level of TNF-α and CRP evidenced by keeping their trend from baseline to the end of the study.

EFFECTIVENESS OF BRONCHODILATOR AND CORTICOSTEROID TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic airway disease which is characterized by progressive airway obstruction. Bronchodilators and corticosteroids are the first choices of therapy in COPD patients. The goal therapy of COPD patients is to prevent respiratory failure, which can impact on death. But nowadays, the mortality rate due to COPD continues to increase. WHO predicts mortality from COPD in the year 2030 will be ranked third in the world. This high mortality can be caused by the ineffectiveness of therapy given. Objective: The aim of this study is to find out the effectiveness of bronchodilator and corticosteroid treatments in COPD patients. Methods: An observational study conducted retrospectively in the 2018 period at Fatmawati Central General Hospital. The effectiveness of therapy was assessed from the patient's clinical condition, blood gas values (PaO2 &amp; PaCO2) and the average length of stay (AvLOS). Results: COPD was mostly suffered by males (83,33%), and the highest age for COPD was in the range of 45 years and above (90%). Bronchodilator that commonly prescribed were albuterol (30.08%), ipratropium bromide (12.2%), fenoterol hydrobromide (10.57%), terbutaline sulfate (8.13%), theophylline (1.63%) and aminophylline (5.69%), while the corticosteroids were budesonide (17.07%), methylprednisolone (9.76%) and dexamethasone (4.88%). Bronchodilator and corticosteroid had improved patient's clinical condition (96.67% patients) and also improved PaO2 &amp; PaCO2 values patients. There was a significant improvement in PaO2 and PaCO2 value in COPD patients (p &lt;0.05). Conclusion: Bronchodilator and corticosteroid in COPD patients had improved patient's clinical condition and PaO2 &amp; PaCO2 values, but the average length of stay exceeds the standard (6-9 days).&#x0D; Keywords: Bronchodilator, Corticosteroid, COPD, Blood Gas Analysis, Average Length of Stay

Outcomes and predictive factors for successful smoking cessation therapy in COPD patients with nicotine dependence.

The data on smoking cessation treatment outcomes for smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)are limited. The present study assessed the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions at our clinic. Data from a prospective registry of a 3-month smoking cessation program were evaluated. The primary outcome, smoking cessation, was defined as the complete abstinence from smoking between the 8-week and 12-week clinic visits. Pulmonary function and health-related quality of life using St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were assessed at baseline and at the end of the program. Out of the 155 COPD patients with nicotine dependence (female/male=39/116; mean age, 67.2±9.8 years; mean forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1), 59.7±21.1% predicted), 107 participants completed the program. Among the completers, 74 achieved smoking cessation. In the multivariate analysis, mental disorders (odds ratio [OR] 3.678, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.182, 11.445), higher exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) level (OR 1.080, 95% CI: 1.013, 1.151) and lower FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) (OR 0.958, 95% CI: 0.923, 0.995) were negatively associated with successful smoking termination. Significant changes in pulmonary function were found in quitters but not in continuous smokers (increases in FEV1 by 0.09L/s [95% CI: 0.03, 0.15] and peak expiratory flow by 0.23L/s [95% CI: 0.01, 0.44]). SGRQ total scores improved significantly in both quitters (-5.4 [95% CI: -8.4, -2.5]) and continuous smokers (-7.0 [95% CI: -11.6, -2.5]). In the program completers, the exhaled CO levels, FEV1/FVCratio, and presence of mental disorders were significantly associated with program success or failure in COPD patients with nicotine dependence.

Efficacy of statin therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis from 2008-2019.

Statins produce significant hypolipidemic effects and reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It has been reported that statins did not prevent the acute exacerbation of COPD or improve clinical outcomes. Therefore, we analyzed the actual therapeutic effects of statins on COPD therapy during long-term clinical trials. Relevant studies were retrieved from various databases from 2008 to 2019. For each study, Odds Ratios (ORs), mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were assessed. Thirty-two studies were retrieved with 3137 patients receiving statin therapy and 3140 controls. Satins significantly increased exercise capacity (47.21, 95% CI: 20.79-73.63), lung FEV1 (4.02, 95% CI: 2.28-5.75), forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) (3.56, 95% CI: 2.01-5.10) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) (5.573, 95% CI: 1.74-9.41). In addition, statins downregulated CRP function (W=-1.60, 95% CI: -2.45-0.76), IL-6 (-3.35, 95% CI: -4.94 to -1.76), St George's breath questionnaire (SGRQ) scores (-9.96, 95% CI: -12.83 to -7.10), COPD assessment test (CAT) (-3.49, 95% CI: -4.70 to 2.29) and systolic blood pressure (-4.992, 95% CI: -5.17 to -4.818). Total cholesterol (TC) (-37.84, 95% CI: -46.10 to 29.58) low-density lipoproteins (LDL) (-26.601, 95% CI: -26.688 to 26.514) and triglycerides (TG) (-42.914, 95% CI: -61.809 to 24.02) were also decreased. Clinical trials conducted over a 10-year period revealed beneficial advantages of statin therapy in COPD patients, permitting increased exercise capacity, FEV1/FVC and HDL. In addition, CRP, IL-6, systolic blood pressure, SGRQ scores and CAT were significantly decreased as well as lipid levels.

Comparison of safety pattern of drugs used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in a tertiary care hospital

Background: As per GOLD (Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease) guidelines bronchodilators are required for symptomatic treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Currently there is no evidence to say about the safety of fixed dose combinations used in COPD patients. Since the drugs are to be taken for longer period, it is essential to know the safety aspects of these drugs. Moreover we don’t have adequate studies and documentation to say that a particular drug combination is better and safer for COPD patients.Methods: Prospective, open labelled, randomized, comparative, interventional clinical study conducted by the Departments of Pharmacology and Pulmonary Medicine of Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga in 40 COPD patients.Results: The fixed dose combinations of drugs used in both the treatment groups i.e. salmeterol/fluticasone and tiotropium/formoterol were equally safer and well tolerated. Some side effects noticed during the course of treatment were statistically significant when compared between the 2 groups, however they were milder and predictable adverse drug reactions.Conclusions: Systemic and severe adverse drug reactions were not observed during 8 week treatment period and the local side effects observed were mild in both the treatment groups. Hence the fixed dose combinations of salmeterol or fluticasone and tiotropium or formoterol are found to be safer for maintenance therapy in COPD patients.

Triple inhaled therapy in COPD patients: determinants of prescription in primary care.

To assess the incidence and determinants of the triple inhaled therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) primary care patients. Data derived from the Health Search Database (HSD) gathering information on 700 Italian general practitioners. A cohort of COPD patients, prescribed for the first time with inhaled treatments, was followed-up between January 2002 and December 2014. The outcome was the first incident prescription of a triple inhaled therapy, namely the combination of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long-acting beta agonists (LABA), and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA). Cox regressions were used to test the association (hazard ratios, HR) between candidate determinants and the outcome. Out of 17589 patients (mean age 71.1 ± 11.3 years; 37.4% females), 3693 (21%) were prescribed with a triple inhaled therapy during follow-up. Older age (HR = 1.79 to 2.61), current and former smoking habit (HR = 1.72 and 1.66), higher GOLD stage (HR = 1.45 to 2.79), the number of moderate and severe COPD exacerbations (HR = 1.10 to 2.63), and heart failure (HR = 1.17) resulted statistically significantly associated with an increased incident prescription of the triple inhaled therapy. Female sex (HR = 0.80) and some comorbidities (HR = 0.21 to 0.87) resulted negatively associated with the outcome. Furthermore, patients initially treated with LAMA (HR = 1.5) and LABA/ICS (HR = 1.23) were more likely to escalate to the triple therapy, than those on LABA. Conversely, patients initially treated with ICS presented a negative hazard (HR = 0.72). The knowledge of demographic and clinical determinants of the escalation to the triple inhaled therapy in real-world COPD patients may help clinicians to better personalize respiratory pharmacological treatments of their patients, and inform international societies that issue clinical guidelines.

Sleep Disorders and Adherence to Inhalation Therapy in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Sleep disorders are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are associated with greater disease severity, more frequent exacerbations, greater use of emergency health care, and higher mortality. They may contribute to worsening of COPD course by reducing patients' adherence to treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of sleep in COPD patients and to assess the relationship between impaired sleep and adherence to inhalation therapy. The study included 106 COPD patients who were asked to answer the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS). Clinical and demographic data were also collected. We found that over 60% of patients presented with sleep disorders (PSQI ≥5) and 75% with daytime sleepiness. None of the patients presented with optimal adherence to pharmacotherapy. Worse adherence was correlated with greater sleep disorders (r=0.56; p<0.001). ARMS questionnaire proved to be of high overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.85). In conclusion, poor quality of sleep coexists with poor adherence to treatment among COPD patients. ARMS was proved to be a reliable tool for the assessment of adherence. Interventions aimed at improving sleep quality may be helpful to improve adherence to inhalation therapy in COPD patients.

Comorbid obstructive sleep apnoea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome are both highly prevalent, affecting at least 10% of the general adult population, and each has been independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The presence of both disorders together, commonly referred to as the overlap syndrome, is also highly prevalent, although various clinical and pathophysiological factors associated with COPD may increase or decrease the likelihood of OSA. Lung hyperinflation reduces the likelihood of obstructive apnoea, whereas right heart failure increases the likelihood as a result of rostral fluid shift causing upper airway narrowing in the supine position while asleep. Furthermore, upper airway inflammation associated with OSA may aggravate lower airway inflammation in COPD. The proposed mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in each disorder are similar and include systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and sympathetic excitation. Thus, one could expect that the prevalence of co-morbid cardiovascular disease would be higher in the overlap syndrome but, with the exception of pulmonary hypertension, there are few published reports that have explored this aspect in depth. Hypoxia is more pronounced in patients with the overlap syndrome, especially during sleep, which is likely to be the principal factor accounting for the recognised higher prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in these patients. Cardiac sympathetic activity is increased in patients with the overlap syndrome when compared to each disorder alone, but echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular strain is no greater in overlap patients when compared to COPD alone. While survival might be expected to be worse in overlap patients, recent evidence surprisingly indicates that the incremental contribution of lung function to mortality diminishes with increasing severity of OSA. Identification of co-morbid OSA in patients with COPD has practical clinical significance as appropriate positive airway pressure therapy in COPD patients with co-existing OSA is associated with improved morbidity and mortality.

Genomics and response to long-term oxygen therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, and long-term oxygen therapy has been shown to reduce mortality in COPD patients with severe hypoxemia. However, the Long-term Oxygen Treatment Trial (LOTT), a large randomized trial, found no benefit of oxygen therapy in COPD patients with moderate hypoxemia. We hypothesized that there may be differences in response to oxygen which depend on genotype or gene expression. In a genome-wide time-to-event analysis of the primary outcome of death or hospitalization in 331 subjects, 97 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showed evidence of interaction with oxygen therapy at P < 1e-5, including 7 SNPs near arylsulfatase B (ARSB; P = 6e-6). In microarray expression profiling on 51 whole blood samples from 37 individuals, at screening and/or at 12-month follow-up, ARSB expression was associated with the primary outcome depending on oxygen treatment. The significant SNPs were conditional expression quantitative trait loci for ARSB expression. In a network analysis of genes affected by long-term oxygen, two observed clusters including 26 co-expressed genes were enriched in mitochondrial function. Using data from the observational COPDGene Study, we validated the expression of 25 of these 26 genes, plus ARSB. The effect of long-term oxygen therapy in COPD varied based on ARSB expression and genotype. ARSB has previously been shown to be associated with hypoxemia in human bronchial and colonic epithelial cells and in a mouse model. In peripheral blood, long-term oxygen treatment affected expression of mitochondrial-related genes, a biologically relevant pathway in COPD. SNPs and expression of ARSB are associated with response to long-term oxygen in COPD. The ARSB SNPs were expression quantitative trait loci depending on oxygen therapy. Genes differentially expressed by long-term oxygen were enriched in mitochondrial functions. This suggests a potential biomarker to personalize use of long-term oxygen in COPD.