International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Deterioration of quality of life is associated with the exacerbation frequency in individuals with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency - analysis from the German Registry.
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a rare hereditary disease that is associated with a higher risk to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and liver cirrhosis. Previous cross-sectional studies on AATD individuals have shown a relationship between worse St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores and elevated exacerbation rate or high cigarette consumption. There is a lack of longitudinal data on the relationship between the exacerbation rate and worsening of SGRQ during disease. The aim of this study was to provide not only cross-sectional data but also information about the deterioration in quality of life over a follow-up period up to 7 years (median follow-up period of 3.33 years). ⋯ Worsening of SGRQ is associated with the exacerbation frequency in individuals with PiZZ AATD.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Observational StudySensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus as a risk factor for bronchiectasis in COPD.
Bronchiectasis-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap presents a possible clinical phenotype of COPD, but it is unclear why it develops in a subset of patients. We hypothesized that sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus (A fum) is associated with bronchiectasis in COPD and occurs more frequently in vitamin D-deficient patients. ⋯ These results highlight a potential role for sensitization to A fum in COPD-related bronchiectasis.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Comparative StudyComparison of distinctive models for calculating an interlobar emphysema heterogeneity index in patients prior to endoscopic lung volume reduction.
The degree of interlobar emphysema heterogeneity is thought to play an important role in the outcome of endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) therapy of patients with advanced COPD. There are multiple ways one could possibly define interlobar emphysema heterogeneity, and there is no standardized definition. ⋯ This study reveals the most appropriate ways of calculating an interlobar emphysema heterogeneity with regard to ELVR.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2017
Observational StudyColds as predictors of the onset and severity of COPD exacerbations.
Common colds are associated with acute respiratory symptom exacerbations in COPD patients. ⋯ This study emphasizes the importance of colds in COPD exacerbation risk and severity, even in the absence of virus detection. COPD patients should act promptly when cold symptoms appear to facilitate early intervention for exacerbation prevention or management.