Screening for severe physical inactivity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The value of simple measures and the validation of two physical activity questionnaires.

Chron Respir Dis. 2012 Nov 13;

Authors: Depew ZS, Garofoli AC, Novotny PJ, Benzo R

Abstract
Objectively measured severe physical inactivity (SPI) has been reported as the strongest independent predictor of mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Activity monitoring is not feasible in routine clinical practice; therefore, we set out to determine the utility of simple clinical measures for predicting SPI in patients with COPD. A total of 165 patients with COPD wore an activity monitor for 5 days to define the presence or absence of SPI. Logistic models were generated including the modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea grade, spirometry and the age-dyspnea-airflow obstruction (ADO) index. Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) and Stanford Brief Activity Scale (SBAS) were also tested for validity and reliability in a subgroup of 67 patients. The MMRC dyspnea grade, PASE score, ADO index and SBAS score were associated with SPI, but general self-efficacy and spirometry were not. An MMRC dyspnea grade ≥3 was the best independent predictor of SPI (AUC: 0.74; PPV: 0.83; NPV: 0.68) followed closely by a PASE score of <111. The combination of MMRC dyspnea grade and PASE score provided the most robust model (AUC: 0.83; Positive Predictive Value (PPV): 0.95; Negative Predictive Value (NPV): 0.63). The results were confirmed using 5000 bootstrapped models from the cohort of 165 patients. MMRC dyspnea grade ≥3 may be the best triage tool for SPI in patients with COPD. The combination of the MMRC and PASE score provided the most robust prediction. Our results may have significant practical applicability for clinicians caring for patients with COPD.

PMID: 23149382 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Factors associated with early adherence to tiotropium in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chron Respir Dis. 2012 Nov 13;

Authors: Laforest L, Licaj I, Devouassoux G, Hartwig S, Marvalin S, Van Ganse E

Abstract
Tiotropium is an innovative intervention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Early adherence to tiotropium remains inadequately explored, notably time from initiation to discontinuation (persistence). In patients with COPD, the factors associated with the risk of discontinuing the treatment with tiotropium within 12 months following initiation were identified (12-month persistence). Claim databases from the French Social Security were used. A random sample of patients (aged 50-80 years) who initiated tiotropium soon after launch was selected. Factors associated with the persistence were investigated (Log-rank test and multivariate Cox model). Of the 1147 newly treated patients (mean age 68 years, 33% women), 64% remained in the treatment of tiotropium for over a period of 12 months following initiation. More than 10% of the patients interrupted therapy after a single dispensing, most often those with mild COPD. Lower risks of discontinuing tiotropium within 12 months following initiation were observed when it was initiated by a private sector specialist (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (0.52-0.82)), by hospital-based physician (HR = 0.58, 95% CI = (0.42-0.78)), when ≥ 2 other respiratory drugs were associated (HR = 0.74, 95% CI = (0.58-0.95)) and in case of long-term disease status (HR = 0.78, 95% CI = (0.63-0.97)). Conversely, no clear effect appeared according to age or gender. In this population of patients with COPD, fewer early discontinuations of tiotropium were observed in patients having a severe condition.

PMID: 23149384 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Lung Compliance and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Pulm Med. 2012;2012:542769

Authors: Papandrinopoulou D, Tzouda V, Tsoukalas G

Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, namely, pulmonary emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a chronic inflammatory response of the airways to noxious particles or gases, with resulting pathological and pathophysiological changes in the lung. The main pathophysiological aspects of the disease are airflow obstruction and hyperinflation. The mechanical properties of the respiratory system and its component parts are studied by determining the corresponding volume-pressure (P-V) relationships. The consequences of the inflammatory response on the lung structure and function are depicted on the volume-pressure relationships.

PMID: 23150821 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Risk-to-benefit ratio of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with COPD.

Prim Care Respir J. 2012 Nov 7;

Authors: Price D, Yawn B, Brusselle G, Rossi A

Abstract
While the pharmacological management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has evolved from the drugs used to treat asthma, the treatment models are different and the two diseases require clear differential diagnosis in order to determine the correct therapeutic strategy. In contrast to the almost universal requirement for anti-inflammatory treatment of persistent asthma, the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is less well established in COPD and their role in treatment is limited. There is some evidence of a preventive effect of ICS on exacerbations in patients with COPD, but there is little evidence for an effect on mortality or lung function decline. As a result, treatment guidelines recommend the use of ICS in patients with severe or very severe disease (forced expiratory volume in 1 second <50% predicted) and repeated exacerbations. Patients with frequent exacerbations - a phenotype that is stable over time - are likely to be less common among those with moderate COPD (many of whom are managed in primary care) than in those with more severe disease. The indiscriminate use of ICS in COPD may expose patients to an unnecessary increase in the risk of side-effects such as pneumonia, osteoporosis, diabetes and cataracts, while wasting healthcare spending and potentially diverting attention from other more appropriate forms of management such as pulmonary rehabilitation and maximal bronchodilator use. Physicians should carefully weigh the likely benefits of ICS use against the potential risk of side-effects and costs in individual patients with COPD.

PMID: 23135217 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]