BODE Index and GOLD Staging as Predictors of 1-Year Exacerbation Risk in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Experimental Basis and New Insights for Cell Therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Unicentric study of cell therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/pulmonary emphysema

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Assessment of vitamin A status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and healthy smokers

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Is chronic hypoxemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with more marked nutritional deficiency?: A study of the fat-free mass evaluated by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance methods

In order to determine wheter blood gases abnormalities, specially hypoxemia, are associated with more marked changes in fat-free mass in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CPOD), nutritional assessment was performed on 16 normoxemic (PaO 2 > 55 mm Hg) and 16 hypoxemic (PaO 2 < 55 mm Hg) COPD patients in stable clinical condition. Body weight was expressed as percentage of the ideal body weight. Fat-free mass was estimated by anthropometry (FFM-Anthr) and by bioelectrical impedance (FFM- BI). Handgrip-strength was assessed as a measure of peripheral skeletal muscle strength. Patients were age-matched and presented similar degree of airway obstruction. Malnutrition, defined as body weight less than 90% of the ideal, was observed in 19% of the normoxemic patients and in 25% of the hypoxemic patients (p>0,05). FFM values in hypoxemic patients, estimated by both methods, were not different from those observed in normoxemic patients. No significant difference was observed on handgrip values between the two groups. No correlation was found between nutritional indices and pulmonary function and gases exchange parameters. FFM correlated positively with values of peripheral muscle function in normoxemic and hypoxemic patients. These data add further evidence to the hypothesis that hypoxemia is not a primary cause of the nutritional deficiency observed in COPD patients.

Sleep apnea and automobile accidents: Review of regulation for drivers

Several studies show a crescent association between sleep-disordered breathing, excessive sleepiness and automobile accidents. Many countries already discussed about specific regulations for drivers with these conditions, including questionnaire and/or investigation by a qualified specialist. In Brazil, these discussions have barely begun. In view of that, we suggest some items to be included in our traffic law.

Cytokines and dietary energy restriction in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α has been found to be increased in malnourished chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients; however, the main cause of this phenomenon remains undetermined. In normal subjects, TNF-α production may be induced by dietary energy deprivation. The aim of this study was to investigate if stable COPD patients present alterations of inflammatory mediators after 48 h of dietary energy restriction. Fourteen COPD patients were admitted to the hospital while receiving an experimental diet with an energy content of approximately one-third of their energy needs. Clinical evaluation, nutritional assessment and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, TNF-α and C-reactive protein, and secretion of TNF-α by peripheral blood monocytes were assessed on admission and after the experimental diet. For reference values of the laboratory parameters, blood was collected from 10 healthy, elderly subjects. COPD patients showed significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-6 than control subjects, however, the experimental diet was not associated with statistically significant changes in the inflammatory mediators. The findings of this study, although preliminary because of the limited degree and duration of the energy restriction, suggest that the elevated levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, previously described in undernourished or weight-losing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, may not be linked to a decrease of dietary energy intake.

Pediatras e os distúrbios respiratórios do sono na criança

OBJECTIVES. assessment of opinions and practices of pediatricians concerning sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children. Methods. randomly 516 pediatricians were selected in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A survey mailed to them included questions regarding: their professional profile, knowledge about SDB in childhood, opinions and practices for diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. RESULTS. 112 anonymous completed surveys were returned (21.7%). The teaching of SDB during medical school and pediatric residency training was considered unsatisfactory respectively by 65.2% and 34.8% of the pediatricians. Forty-nine respondents (43.8%) rated their knowledge about SDB in children as regular, 39 (34.8%) as good and 17 (15.2%) as unsatisfactory. The most important sleep-related questions were: mouth breathing, breathing pauses, sleep amount, excessive daytime sleepiness and nocturnal wheezing. Clinical aspects regarded as the most significant for suspecting obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) were: breathing pauses, adenoid hypertrophy, mouth breathing, craniofacial anomaly and snoring. The most frequent practices for evaluation of OSAS in children were: cavum radiography with referral to an otorhinolarnygologist (25%) and nocturnal pulse oximetry (14.2%). Only 11.6% of pediatricians recommended overnight polysomnography and 4.5%, nap polysomnography. The most effective practices for SDB were considered to be: adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy, parents counseling, weight loss and sleep hygiene. CONCLUSIONS. there is a gap between research on SDB in childhood and pediatric practice. © 2006 Associação Médica Brasileira.

Efetividade dos aparelhos intrabucais de avanço mandibular no tratamento do ronco e da síndrome da apneia e hipopneia obstrutiva do sono (SAHOS): Revisão sistemática

Introduction: The snoring is produced by the vibration of the soft palatum and/or other oropharyngeal tissues, during the air passage, in the breathing function. OSAHS is defined as the closing of 30%, at least, of the nasal/ buccal airway for 10 seconds or more, in spite of existing inspiratory effort, accompanied by oxyhemoglobin de- saturation of 4% or more. Objectives: To evaluate the available scientific evidence about the use of mandibular advancement intraoral appliances in the treatment of the snoring and/or OSAHS. Methodology: Electronic search strategy using predefined key-words and criteria was realized including studies published until October of 2008. It was also used the qualitative evaluation of the articles methodology. Results: Although a significant number of articles has studied this subject, only 7 articles showed methodological quality to be included in this systematic review. Conclusions: The intraoral appliances are widely prescribed for the treatment of snoring and OSAHS as primary therapy and as an alternative to patients who are unable to tolerate the positive airway pressure therapy.

Edema agudo de pulmão de pressão negativa como complicação grave de síndrome de apneia obstrutiva do sono em crianças. Relatos de casos

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is related to cardiopulmonary complications in children. It is important to know its patophysiology and possible complications to help reduce risks in this group. Aims: To report three cases of severe cardiorespiratory complications of obstructive sleep apnea managed in the intensive care unit (ICU). Case report: Two children with no previous diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome suffered acute congestive heart failure and acute lung oedema with need of ICU and improved after adenotonsillectomy. In a third case, the patient had acute lung oedema as a complication after adenotonsillectomy. Conclusions: Paediatricians and otolaryngologists must be aware of the clinical manifestations of severe sleep apnea. Early referring to treatment and special attention at pre and post surgical periods are essentials to avoid serious complications.

Three-year follow-up of Interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Past studies have shown that mean values of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) do not change significantly in COPD patients over a one-year period. However, longer period follow-up studies are still lacking. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate plasma CRP and IL-6 concentration over three years in COPD patients and to test the association between these inflammatory mediators and disease outcome markers. Methods: A cohort of 77 outpatients with stable COPD was evaluated at baseline, and 53 (mean FEV1, 56% predicted) were included in the prospective study. We evaluated Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), six-minute walking distance (6MWD), and body mass index (BMI) at baseline and after three years. Plasma concentration of IL-6 was measured by high sensitivity ELISA, and CRP was obtained by high sensitivity particle-enhanced immunonephelometry. Results: IL-6 increased significantly after 3 years compared to baseline measurements [0.8 (0.5-1.3) vs 2.4 (1.3-4.4) pg/ml; p < 0.001] and was associated with worse 6MWD performance. In the Cox regression, increased IL-6 at baseline was associated with mortality [Hazard Ratio (95% CI) = 2.68 (0.13, 1.84); p = 0.02]. CRP mean values did not change [5 (1.6-7.9) vs 4.7 (1.7-10) pg/L; p = 0.84], although eleven patients (21%) presented with changes >3 mg/L in CRP after 3 years. Conclusions: The systemic inflammatory process, evaluated by IL-6, seems to be persistent, progressive and associated with mortality and worse physical performance in COPD patients. Trial registration: No.:NCT00605540. © 2013 Ferrari et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Effects of active smoking on airway and systemic inflammation profiles in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: The markers that characterize local and systemic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remain unclear, as do their correlations with smoking status and presence of disease. The aim of this study was to assess markers of inflammation in the peripheral blood and airways of current smokers without COPD, of current smokers with COPD and of ex-smokers with COPD. METHODS: In this study, 17 current smokers with COPD (mean age: 58.2 ± 9.6 years; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]: 56.1 ± 15.9%), 35 ex-smokers with COPD (mean age: 66.3 ± 7.3 years; mean FEV1: 47.9 ± 17.2%) and 20 current smokers without COPD (mean age: 49.1 ± 6.2 years; mean FEV1: 106.5 ± 15.8%) were evaluated. Spirometry findings, body composition and serum/induced sputum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10, together with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, were assessed. RESULTS: Serum TNF-α concentration was higher in all current smokers than in ex-smokers with COPD. In current smokers without COPD, serum CRP level was lower than in ex-smokers with COPD and significantly lower than in current smokers with COPD. Sputum TNF-α concentration was higher in current and ex-smokers with COPD than in current smokers without COPD. Multiple regression analyses showed that serum TNF-α was associated with active smoking, and serum CRP and sputum TNF-α were associated with COPD diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is associated with higher systemic inflammation in patients with COPD. Current findings also support the hypothesis that smoking and COPD have different effects on the regulation of airway and systemic inflammatory processes. © 2013 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.