scholarly journals The Burden of Illness in Patients with Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Canada

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 319-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Reza Maleki-Yazdi ◽  
Suzanne M Kelly ◽  
Sy S Lam ◽  
Mihaela Marin ◽  
Martin Barbeau ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION: No recent Canadian studies with physician- and spirometry-confirmed diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that assessed the burden of COPD have been published.OBJECTIVE: To assess the costs associated with maintenance therapy and treatment for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) over a one-year period.METHODS: Respirologists, internists and family practitioners from across Canada enrolled patients with an established diagnosis of moderate to severe COPD (Global initiative for chonic Obstructive Lung Disease stages 2 and 3) confirmed by postbronchodilator spirometry. Patient information and health care resources related to COPD maintenance and physician-documented AECOPD over the previous year were obtained by chart review and patient survey.RESULTS: A total of 285 patients (59.3% male; mean age 70.4 years; mean pack years smoked 45.6; mean duration of COPD 8.2 years; mean postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s 58.0% predicted) were enrolled at 23 sites across Canada. The average annual COPD-related cost per patient was $4,147. Across all 285 patients, maintenance costs were $2,475 per patient, of which medications accounted for 71%. AECOPD treatment costs were $1,673 per patient, of which hospitalizations accounted for 82%. Ninety-eight patients (34%) experienced a total of 157 AECOPD. Treatment of these AECOPD included medications and outpatient care, 19 emergency room visits and 40 hospitalizations (mean length of stay 8.9 days). The mean cost per AECOPD was $3,036.DISCUSSION: The current costs associated with moderate and severe COPD are considerable and will increase in the future. Appropriate use of medications and strategies to prevent hospitalizations for AECOPD may reduce COPD-related costs because these were the major cost drivers.

1998 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 361-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman Wolkove ◽  
Li Yi Fu ◽  
Ashok Purohit ◽  
Antoinette Colacone ◽  
Harvey Kreisman

OBJECTIVE: To study arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) obtained by pulse oximetry and dyspnea during active eating (AE) and passive eating (PE) in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).DESIGN: Patients were studied on two consecutive days with AE and PE, which occurred in random order. SpO2was recorded for 20 mins before and during eating, and dyspnea was recorded by the patient using a 10 cm visual analogue scale before and upon completion of eating.SETTING: Subjects were in-patients at an intermediate care facility who were hospitalized for pulmonary rehabilitation or for convalescence after an exacerbation of COPD.POPULATION STUDIED: Thirty-five patients with severe COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1] less than 50% predicted, FEV1to forced vital capacity ratio less than 65%) were studied. Mean age was 70.5±7.1 years.MAIN RESULTS: Mean SpO2decreased significantly (P<0.05) from 91.7±3.4% to 90.1±4.0% during AE, and 91.7±3.2% to 90.8±3.6% during PE. Mean lowest SpO2was lower and percentage of time with SpO2less than 90% was greater during eating compared with corresponding control periods during both AE and PE. Dyspnea increased significantly (P<0.05) from 1.4±1.2 to 3.3±2.3 cm during AE, and from 1.5±1.5 to 2.4±2.2 cm during PE. The increase in dyspnea was significantly greater during AE than PE.CONCLUSIONS: Eating is an activity that can adversely affect SpO2and increase dyspnea in patients with severe COPD. Oxygen desaturation and particularly increased dyspnea may at least in part relate to the recruitment of upper extremity muscles during eating.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175346661985350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kewu Huang ◽  
Yanfei Guo ◽  
Jian Kang ◽  
Li An ◽  
Zeguang Zheng ◽  
...  

Background: Patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in China are commonly prescribed ipratropium plus theophylline (I+T) therapy. Studies have shown that an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) combination is also efficacious in reducing symptoms and exacerbations. This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of adding budesonide/formoterol (BUD/FORM) to I+T in Chinese patients with severe COPD. Methods: A randomized, parallel-group, open-label, multicenter phase IV study (Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT01415518) was conducted in China. Patients received either BUD/FORM (160/4.5 µg; two inhalations twice daily [bid] via Turbuhaler®) + I (20 µg per inhalation, two inhalations four times daily) + T (100 mg bid) or I+T alone for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was change from baseline in predose forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). Results: A total of 584 patients were randomized equally between treatment groups. At the end of the study, the BUD/FORM plus I+T group displayed significant improvements in predose FEV1 versus the I+T group (between-group difference 6.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.3, 9.6; p < 0.0001). Forced vital capacity, inspiratory capacity, peak expiratory flow and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores were significantly improved (all p < 0.0001) and exacerbation frequency was reduced (43.5% reduction; rate ratio 0.565, 95% CI 0.325, 0.981; p = 0.0425) with BUD/FORM plus I+T versus I+T alone. Conclusion: Patients with severe COPD in China treated with BUD/FORM plus I+T showed significant improvements in lung function and HRQoL and a reduction in exacerbations compared with I+T alone. Both treatments were well tolerated and no safety concerns were noted. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 225-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Dajczman ◽  
Rima Wardini ◽  
Goulnar Kasymjanova ◽  
David Préfontaine ◽  
Marc Alexander Baltzan ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and distressing disease with a trajectory that is often difficult to predict.OBJECTIVE: To determine whether initial 6 min walk distance (6MWD) or change in 6MWD following inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) predicted survival.METHODS: Patients referred for PR in 2010 were studied in a retrospective chart review. Measures of 6MWD before and following PR were recorded. Initial 6MWD was categorized as ≥250 m, 150 m to 249 m and ≤149 m. Government databases provided survival status up until December 2013 and survival analyses were performed. Initial 6MWD and a minimally important difference (MID) of ≥30 m were used for survival analysis.RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 237 patients (92 men, 145 women) with severe COPD. Mean (± SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was 0.75±0.36 L, with a mean FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio of 0.57±0.16. Overall three-year survival was 58%. Mean survival for the study period as per predefined categories of 6MWD of ≥250 m, 150 m to 249 m and ≤149 m was 42.2, 37.0 and 27.8 months (P<0.001), respectively, with a three-year survival of 81%, 66% and 34% observed, respectively. Overall mean change in 6MWD was 62±57 m, and a minimal improvement of ≥30 m was observed in 72% of patients. In the lowest walking group, early mortality was significantly higher among those who did not achieve minimal improvement. Older age, male sex and shorter initial 6MWD were negative predictors of survival.CONCLUSION: In patients with severe COPD, initial 6MWD was predictive of survival. Overall survival at three years was only 58% and was especially poor (34%) in patients with low (<150 m) initial walk distance.


2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 541-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa F. Abd El-Fatah ◽  
Mohamed A. Ghazy ◽  
Mohamed S. Mostafa ◽  
May M. El-Attar ◽  
Ahmed Osman

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex immunological disease with multiple pathological features that is primarily induced by smoking together with additional genetic risk factors. COPD is frequently underdiagnosed; forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) is considered to be the main diagnostic measure for COPD, yet it is insufficiently sensitive to monitor disease progression. Biomarkers capable of monitoring COPD progression and severity are needed. In this report, we evaluated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as an early marker for the detection and staging of COPD, by assessing the mRNA levels of MMP-9 in peripheral blood samples collected from 22 COPD patients, 6 asymptomatic smokers, and 5 healthy controls. Our results demonstrate that the mRNA levels of MMP-9 increased more than two-fold in severe COPD relative to non-COPD smokers or moderate COPD groups. Moreover, in the very severe COPD group, MMP-9 mRNA levels showed a 4-fold increase relative to the non-COPD smokers or the moderate COPD groups, while there was a mild increase (∼40%) when compared to the severe COPD group. Taken together, our results suggest that MMP-9 serves as a biomarker for the grade and severity of COPD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 269
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Zinellu ◽  
Alessandro G. Fois ◽  
Elisabetta Sotgiu ◽  
Sabrina Mellino ◽  
Arduino A. Mangoni ◽  
...  

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition characterized by chronic airway inflammation and lung parenchyma damage. Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress also play a role in the pathogenesis of COPD. Serum albumin is a negative acute-phase protein with antioxidant effects and an important marker of malnutrition. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate differences in serum albumin concentrations between patients with stable COPD and non-COPD subjects. Methods: A systematic search was conducted, using the terms “albumin” and “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease” or “COPD”, in the electronic databases PubMed and Web of Science, from inception to May 2020. Results: Twenty-six studies were identified on a total of 2554 COPD patients and 2055 non-COPD controls. Pooled results showed that serum albumin concentrations were significantly lower in COPD patients (standard mean difference, SMD = −0.50, 95% CI −0.67 to −0.32; p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in SMD of serum albumin concentrations between COPD patients with forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1) < 50% and those with FEV1 > 50%. Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that serum albumin concentrations are significantly lower in patients with stable COPD compared to non-COPD controls. This supports the presence of a deficit in systemic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant defense mechanisms in COPD.


2009 ◽  
Vol 106 (6) ◽  
pp. 1902-1908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Rodríguez-Roisin ◽  
Mitra Drakulovic ◽  
Diego A. Rodríguez ◽  
Josep Roca ◽  
Joan Albert Barberà ◽  
...  

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and, in many advanced patients, by arterial hypoxemia with or without hypercapnia. Spirometric and gas exchange abnormalities have not been found to relate closely, but this may reflect a narrow range of severity in patients studied. Therefore, we assessed the relationship between pulmonary gas exchange and airflow limitation in patients with COPD across the severity spectrum. Ventilation-perfusion (V̇A/Q̇) mismatch was measured using the multiple inert gas elimination technique in 150 patients from previous studies. The distribution of patients according to the GOLD stage of COPD was: 15 with stage 1; 40 with stage 2; 32 with stage 3; and 63 with stage 4. In GOLD stage 1, AaPo2 and V̇A/Q̇ mismatch were clearly abnormal; thereafter, hypoxemia, AaPo2, and V̇A/Q̇ imbalance increased, but the changes from GOLD stages 1–4 were modest. Postbronchodilator FEV1 was related to PaO2 ( r = 0.62) and PaCO2 ( r = −0.59) and to overall V̇A/Q̇ heterogeneity ( r = −0.48) ( P < 0.001 each). Pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities in COPD are related to FEV1 across the spectrum of severity. V̇A/Q̇ imbalance, predominantly perfusion heterogeneity, is disproportionately greater than airflow limitation in GOLD stage 1, suggesting that COPD initially involves the smallest airways, parenchyma, and pulmonary vessels with minimal spirometric disturbances. That progression of V̇A/Q̇ inequality with spirometric severity is modest may reflect pathogenic processes that reduce both local ventilation and blood flow in the same regions through airway and alveolar disease and capillary involvement.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 248-257
Author(s):  
H. Edward Davidson ◽  
Peter Radlowski ◽  
Lisa Han ◽  
Theresa I. Shireman ◽  
Carole Dembek ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To describe clinical characteristics, medication use, and low peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) (< 60 L/min) prevalence in nursing facility residents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PATIENTS AND SETTING: Residents 60 years of age and older with a COPD diagnosis and≥ 6 months' nursing facility residence, were enrolled between December 2017 and February 2019 from 26 geographically varied United States nursing facilities. OUTCOME MEASURES: Data, extracted from residents' charts, included demographic/clinical characteristics, COPD-related medications, exacerbations and hospitalizations within the past 6 months, and functional status from the most recent Minimum Data Set. At enrollment, residents completed the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale and COPD Assessment Test (CAT™). Spirometry and PIFR were also assessed. RESULTS: Residents' (N = 179) mean age was 78.0 ± 10.6 years, 63.7% were female, and 57.0% had low PIFR. Most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (79.9%), depression (49.2%), and heart failure (41.9%). The average forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV11) % predicted was 45.9% ± 20.9%. On the CAT, 78.2% scored≥ 10 and on the mMRC Dyspnea Scale, 74.1% scored≥ 2, indicating most residents had high COPD symptom burden. Only 49.2% were receiving a scheduled long-acting bronchodilator (LABD). Among those with low PIFR prescribed a LABD, > 80% used dry powder inhalers for medication delivery. CONCLUSION: This study highlights underutilization of scheduled LABD therapy in nursing facility residents with COPD. Low PIFR was prevalent in residents while the majority used suboptimal medication delivery devices. The findings highlight opportunities for improving management and outcomes for nursing facility residents with COPD.


Respirology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 560-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Feng LIU ◽  
Kuan-Chun LIN ◽  
Chien-Hung CHIN ◽  
Yung-Che CHEN ◽  
Hsueh-Wen CHANG ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 811-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitris Spathis ◽  
Panayiotis Vlamos

This study examines the clinical decision support systems in healthcare, in particular about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases, such as Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The empirical pulmonology study of a representative sample (n = 132) attempts to identify the major factors that contribute to the diagnosis of these diseases. Machine learning results show that in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease’s case, Random Forest classifier outperforms other techniques with 97.7 per cent precision, while the most prominent attributes for diagnosis are smoking, forced expiratory volume 1, age and forced vital capacity. In asthma’s case, the best precision, 80.3 per cent, is achieved again with the Random Forest classifier, while the most prominent attribute is MEF2575.


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