International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2019
The Burden Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) In Finland: Impact Of Disease Severity And Eosinophil Count On Healthcare Resource Utilization.
The burden associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is substantial. The objectives of this study were to describe healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and HCRU-associated costs in patients with COPD in Finland, according to disease severity and blood eosinophil count (BEC). ⋯ This study demonstrated a substantial burden associated with severe and/or eosinophilic COPD for patients in Finland.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2019
Long QT and death in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not related to electrolyte disorders.
Objectives: COPD is the fourth-leading cause of mortality worldwide. Prolonged QTc has been found to be a long-term negative prognostic factor in ambulatory COPD patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of prolonged-QTc syndrome in COPD patients upon admission to an internal medicine department, its relationship to hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia, and the effect of COPD treatment on mortality during hospital stay. ⋯ Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that there was no correlation between QTc prolongation in hospitalized COPD patients and electrolyte levels, comorbidities, or relevant medications. A higher rate of mortality was noted in patients with prolonged QTc in comparison to normal QTc. As such, it is suggested that prolonged QTc could serve as a negative prognostic factor for mortality during hospitalization in COPD patients.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2019
Evaluation of the Characteristics of Asthma in Severe and Extremely Severe COPD.
Biotherapy for asthma may be useful in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with asthma characteristics. Therefore, the evaluation and close monitoring of asthma characteristics in severe and extremely severe COPD can guide treatment decisions to improve prognosis. ⋯ The characteristics of asthma are common findings in patients with severe and extremely severe COPD. Biomarkers should be actively used to evaluate the characteristics of asthma in these patients. If the characteristics of asthma exist, then anti-IgE or anti-IL-5 therapy should be considered to reduce exacerbation.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2019
Overexpression Of hsa-miR-664a-3p Is Associated With Cigarette Smoke-Induced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Via Targeting FHL1.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is recognized as a chronic lung disease with incomplete reversible airflow limitation, but its pathophysiology was still not clear. This study aimed at investigating regulatory roles of special miRNA-mRNA axis in COPD development. ⋯ The present study validated significant upregulation of hsa-miR-664a-3p in COPD patients, and its target gene FHL1 was downregulated and positively correlated with FEV1/FVC%; both hsa-miR-664a-3p and FHL1 could be regulated by cigarette smoke extract. Results of bioinformatic analyses and expanded validation suggest that the axis from hsa-miR-664a-3p to FHL1 might play a key role in cigarette smoke-induced COPD, and the exact mechanism should be confirmed in further studies.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2019
Are pulmonologists well aware of planning safe air travel for patients with COPD? The SAFCOP study.
Patients with respiratory diseases are more prone to health risks of air travel. ⋯ This study shows that a standard approach for preflight assessment in patients with COPD is lacking and an active initiative is needed to increase awareness and education for fit to fly concept for COPD among pulmonologists.