Persistent airflow obstruction in inner-city children with asthma

Background: Airway remodeling has been shown to be persistent in patients with asthma despite treatment with controller medications. Patients with early airflow obstruction may continue to experience poor lung function despite treatment. Objectives: To determine whether early airflow obstruction in inner-city children with asthma persists despite guideline-based asthma care. Methods: In a retrospective study that used a cohort of inner-city children with asthma treated by using an asthma-specific disease management system, the patients were stratified into “low” or “high” lung function groups at the time of the initial visit (high, forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration [FEV1] % predicted and FEV1/forced vital capacity [FVC] ≥ 80%; and low, FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC < 80%). These patients then received National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guideline‐based asthma treatment at regular follow-up intervals with spirometry performed at these visits as part of regular care. FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC were followed up for up to 10 years for both the high and low cohorts. Results: Over 10 years, the patients initially in the “high” group maintained FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC at values similar to the initial visit (94 to 96% and 87 to 89%, respectively), whereas those in the low group had only slight increases of FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC over the same time (77 to 82% and 78 to 82%, respectively). Low FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC at the time of the first visit was significantly associated with an increased risk of low values of these lung functions over the next 3‐5 years despite treatment. African American ethnicity and male gender were also associated with lower lung function over time. Conclusion: Early airflow obstruction in inner city children asthma is associated with poor lung function in later life despite guideline-based asthma care. Current asthma therapy may not affect pathways and leads to airway remodeling in children with asthma.

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Preoperative pulmonary function in all comers for cardiac surgery predicts mortality

Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery ◽

10.1093/icvts/ivz049 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 244-251

Author(s):

Emilie C Risom ◽

Katrine B Buggeskov ◽

Ulla B Mogensen ◽

Martin Sundskard ◽

Jann Mortensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Lung Function ◽

Airflow Obstruction ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Clinical Trial Registration ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of

Abstract OBJECTIVES Although reduced lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with higher risk of death following cardiac surgery, preoperative spirometry is not performed routinely. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between preoperative lung function and postoperative complications in all comers for cardiac surgery irrespective of smoking or COPD history. METHODS Preoperative spirometry was performed in elective adult cardiac surgery patients. Airflow obstruction was defined as the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity ratio below the lower limit of normal (LLN) and reduced forced ventilatory capacity defined as FEV1 <LLN. RESULTS A history of COPD was reported by 132 (19%) patients; however, only 74 (56%) had spirometry-verified airflow obstruction. Conversely, 64 (12%) of the 551 patients not reporting a history of COPD had spirometry-verified airflow obstruction. The probability of death was significantly higher in patients with airflow obstruction (8.8% vs 4.5%, P = 0.04) and in patients with a FEV1 <LLN (8.7% vs 3.7%, P = 0.007). In the multivariate analysis were age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–2.5; P = 0.04], prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (HR 1.2, 95% CI 1.02–1.3; P = 0.03), reduced kidney function (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2–5.6; P = 0.02) and FEV1 <LLN (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1–5.2; P = 0.03) all independently associated with an increased risk of death. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative spirometry reclassified 18% of the patients. A reduced FEV1 independently doubled the risk of death. Inclusion of preoperative spirometry in routine screening of cardiac surgical patients may improve risk prediction and identify high-risk patients. Clinical trial registration number NCT01614951 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

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Does the use of inhaled corticosteroids in asthma benefit lung function in the long-term? A systematic review and meta-analysis

European Respiratory Review ◽

10.1183/16000617.0185-2020 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (159) ◽

pp. 200185

Author(s):

Daniel J. Tan ◽

Din S. Bui ◽

Xin Dai ◽

Caroline J. Lodge ◽

Adrian J. Lowe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽

Airflow Obstruction ◽

Later Life ◽

Mild Asthma ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Fixed Airflow Obstruction

While asthma is known to be associated with an increased risk of progressive lung function impairments and fixed airflow obstruction, there is ongoing debate on whether inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) modify these long-term risks. Searches were performed of the PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL databases up to 22 July 2019 for studies with follow-up ≥1 year that investigated the effects of maintenance ICS on changes in lung function in asthma.Inclusion criteria were met by 13 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (n=11 678) and 11 observational studies (n=3720). Median (interquartile range) follow-up was 1.0 (1–4) and 8.4 (3–28) years, respectively. In the RCTs, predominantly in individuals with mild asthma, ICS use was associated with improved pre-bronchodilator (BD) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) across all age groups (2.22% predicted (95% CI 1.32–3.12), n=8332), with similar estimates of strength in association for children and adults. Improvements in post-BD FEV1 were observed in adults (1.54% (0.87–2.21), n=3970), but not in children (0.20% (−0.49–0.90), n=3924) (subgroup difference, p=0.006). Estimates were similar between smokers and nonsmokers. There were no RCT data on incidence of fixed airflow obstruction. In the observational studies, ICS use was associated with improved pre-BD FEV1 in children and adults. There were limited observational data for post-BD outcomes.In patients with mild asthma, maintenance ICS are associated with modest, age-dependent improvements in long-term lung function, representing an added benefit to the broader clinical actions of ICS in asthma. There is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether treatment reduces incidence of fixed airflow obstruction in later life.

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Spirometric Findings among School-Aged First Nations Children on a Reserve: A Pilot Study

Canadian Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1155/2004/427686 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 45-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Don D Sin ◽

Heather M Sharpe ◽

Robert L Cowie ◽

SF Paul Man ◽

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Lung Function ◽

First Nations ◽

School Health ◽

Airflow Obstruction ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Parental Report ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Impaired Lung Function

BACKGROUND:Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are increasing concerns for First Nations peoples in Canada. Although hospital utilization for asthma and COPD among First Nations peoples has been increasing, the prevalence of asthma or wheezing is comparable to national averages.OBJECTIVES:A pilot study was conducted to determine the prevalence of impaired lung function in school-aged First Nations children.PATIENTS AND METHODS:A First Nations community in northern Alberta was selected to participate. Consent forms and a school health survey were completed by parents or guardians. Children with consent completed spirometry at school, and results were compared with predicted values.RESULTS:A total of 36 children participated (response rate 70.6%). Of these, 19.4% of parents reported that their child had received a physician diagnosis of asthma at some point in their life; only 28.6% had a parental report of still having asthma. Parents smoked in 73.1% of the children's homes. The mean (± SD) percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) over forced vital capacity (FVC) was 82.6%±6.9% (94.4%±0.08% of predicted). Evidence of airflow obstruction was found in 25% of the children. Parental report of the child ever having asthma was associated with impaired lung function (OR 3.20; P=0.033). Children in a home with reported mold exposure were less likely to have impaired lung function (OR 0.68; P=0.030).CONCLUSIONS:Many children in this study already have established airflow obstruction and may be at increased risk for asthma or COPD. Exposure to mold appeared to be protective. Further research is needed to evaluate the lung health concerns of this population.

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Household Food Insecurity, Lung Function, and COPD in US Adults

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13062098 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 2098

Author(s):

Francisca de Castro Mendes ◽

Kirstie Ducharme-Smith ◽

Gustavo Mora-Garcia ◽

Saleh A. Alqahtani ◽

Maria Stephany Ruiz-Diaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Representative Sample ◽

Airflow Obstruction ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

The Us ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Lung Health

Increasing epidemiological evidence suggests that optimal diet quality helps to improve preservation of lung function and to reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk, but no study has investigated the association of food insecurity (FI) and lung health in the general population. Using data from a representative sample of US adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2012 cycles, we investigated the association between FI with lung function and spirometrically defined COPD in 12,469 individuals aged ≥ 18 years of age. FI (high vs. low) was defined using the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Security Scale). Population-weighted adjusted regression models were used to investigate associations between FI, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), their ratio, and spirometrically defined restriction (FVC below the lower limit of normal) and airflow obstruction (COPD). The prevalence of household FI was 13.2%. High household FI was associated with lower FVC (adjusted β-coefficient −70.9 mL, 95% CI −116.6, −25.3), and with higher odds (OR) of spirometric restriction (1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.03). Stratified analyses showed similar effect sizes within specific ethnic groups. High FI was associated with worse lung health in a nationally representative sample of adults in the US.

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Prevalence and burden of chronic bronchitis symptoms: results from the BOLD study

European Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1183/13993003.00621-2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 50 (5) ◽

pp. 1700621 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Filip Mejza ◽

Louisa Gnatiuc ◽

A. Sonia Buist ◽

William M. Vollmer ◽

Bernd Lamprecht ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Lung Disease ◽

Chronic Bronchitis ◽

Airflow Obstruction ◽

Population Based ◽

Normal Lung ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Definition Of ◽

Disease Study

We studied the prevalence, burden and potential risk factors for chronic bronchitis symptoms in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study.Representative population-based samples of adults aged ≥40 years were selected in participating sites. Participants completed questionnaires and spirometry. Chronic bronchitis symptoms were defined as chronic cough and phlegm on most days for ≥3 months each year for ≥2 years.Data from 24 855 subjects from 33 sites in 29 countries were analysed. There were significant differences in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms meeting our definition of chronic bronchitis across sites, from 10.8% in Lexington (KY, USA), to 0% in Ile-Ife (Nigeria) and Blantyre (Malawi). Older age, less education, current smoking, occupational exposure to fumes, self-reported diagnosis of asthma or lung cancer and family history of chronic lung disease were all associated with increased risk of chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis symptoms were associated with worse lung function, more dyspnoea, increased risk of respiratory exacerbations and reduced quality of life, independent of the presence of other lung diseases.The prevalence of chronic bronchitis symptoms varied widely across the studied sites. Chronic bronchitis symptoms were associated with significant burden both in individuals with chronic airflow obstruction and those with normal lung function.

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Airflow obstruction, impaired lung function and risk of sudden cardiac death: a prospective cohort study

Thorax ◽

10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-215632 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. thoraxjnl-2020-215632

Author(s):

Yun-Jiu Cheng ◽

Zhen-Guang Chen ◽

Feng-Juan Yao ◽

Li-Juan Liu ◽

Ming Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sudden Cardiac Death ◽

Lung Function ◽

Cardiac Death ◽

Airflow Obstruction ◽

Partial Likelihood ◽

Race And Gender ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Impaired Lung Function ◽

And Gender ◽

Lung Health

BackgroundGrowing evidence suggests that compromised lung health may be linked to cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about its association with sudden cardiac death (SCD).ObjectivesWe aimed to assess the link between impaired lung function, airflow obstruction and risk of SCD by race and gender in four US communities.MethodsA total of 14 708 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study participants who underwent spirometry and were asked about lung health (1987–1989) were followed. The main outcome was physician-adjudicated SCD. Fine-Gray proportional subdistribution hazard models with Firth’s penalised partial likelihood correction were used to estimate the HRs.ResultsOver a median follow-up of 25.4 years, 706 (4.8%) subjects experienced SCD. The incidence of SCD was inversely associated with FEV1 in each of the four race and gender groups and across all smoking status categories. After adjusting for multiple measured confounders, HRs of SCD comparing the lowest with the highest quintile of FEV1 were 2.62 (95% CI 1.62 to 4.26) for white males, 1.80 (95% CI 1.03 to 3.15) for white females, 2.07 (95% CI 1.05 to 4.11) for black males and 2.62 (95% CI 1.21 to 5.65) for black females. The above associations were consistently observed among the never smokers. Moderate to very severe airflow obstruction was associated with increased risk of SCD. Addition of FEV1 significantly improved the predictive power for SCD.ConclusionsImpaired lung function and airflow obstruction were associated with increased risk of SCD in general population. Additional research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms is warranted.

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Is asthma associated with COVID-19 infection? A UK Biobank analysis

ERJ Open Research ◽

10.1183/23120541.00309-2021 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 00309-2021

Author(s):

Caroline J. Lodge ◽

Alice Doherty ◽

Dinh Bui ◽

Raisa Cassim ◽

Adrian J. Lowe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Early Onset ◽

Age At Onset ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Asthma Medication ◽

Positive Test ◽

Uk Biobank ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Health Related

BackgroundThe relationship between asthma and COVID-19 risk is not clear and may be influenced by level of airway obstruction, asthma medication, and known COVID risk factors. We aimed to investigate COVID-19 risk in people with asthma.MethodsWe used UK Biobank data from all participants tested for SARS-CoV-2 (n=107 412 (17 979 test positive)). Baseline questions at baseline defined ever asthma and asthma medications. Baseline Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1) was categorized into quartiles. Logistic regression modelled relationships between asthma, and asthma categories (age at onset, medications, FEV1 quartiles), and risk of SARS-CoV-2 positive test. We investigated modification by sex, ethnic group, smoking, and BMI.ResultsThere was a reduced risk of a positive test associated with with early-onset asthma (<13 years), (OR 0.91(95% CI 0.84, 0.99). This was found for early-onset asthmatics in males (OR 0·87 [95% CI: 0·78, 0·98]), non-smokers (0·87 [0·78, 0·98]), overweight/obese (0.85 [0.77, 0.93]), and non-Black participants (0·90 [0·82, 0.98]). There was increased risk amongst early onset asthmatics in the highest compared to lowest quartile of lung function (1.44 [1.05, 1.72]).ConclusionAmongst males, non-smokers, overweight/obese, and non-Black participants, having early-onset asthma was associated with lower risk of a SARS-CoV-2 positive test. We found no evidence of a protective effect from asthma medication. Early-onset asthmatics of normal weight and with better lung function may have lifestyle differences placing them at higher risk. Further research is needed to elucidate the contribution of asthma pathophysiology and different health-related behaviour, across population groups, to the observed risks.

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Associations between blood eosinophils and decline in lung function among adults with and without asthma

European Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1183/13993003.02536-2017 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 1702536 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Robert J. Hancox ◽

Ian D. Pavord ◽

Malcolm R. Sears

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Vital Capacity ◽

Airflow Obstruction ◽

Population Based ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Lung Function Decline ◽

Characteristic Features ◽

Predicted Values ◽

Blood Eosinophils ◽

Eosinophil Counts

Eosinophilic inflammation and airway remodelling are characteristic features of asthma, but the association between them is unclear. We assessed associations between blood eosinophils and lung function decline in a population-based cohort of young adults.We used linear mixed models to analyse associations between blood eosinophils and spirometry at 21, 26, 32 and 38 years adjusting for sex, smoking, asthma and spirometry at age 18 years. We further analysed associations between mean eosinophil counts and changes in spirometry from ages 21 to 38 years.Higher eosinophils were associated with lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratios and lower FEV1 % predicted values for both pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry (all p-values ≤0.048). Although eosinophil counts were higher in participants with asthma, the associations between eosinophils and spirometry were similar among participants without asthma or wheeze. Participants with mean eosinophil counts >0.4×109 cells·L−1 between 21 and 38 years had greater declines in FEV1/FVC ratios (difference 1.8%, 95% CI 0.7–2.9%; p=0.001) and FEV1 values (difference 3.4% pred, 95% CI 1.5–5.4% pred); p=0.001) than those with lower counts.Blood eosinophils are associated with airflow obstruction and enhanced decline in lung function, independently of asthma and smoking. Eosinophilia is a risk factor for airflow obstruction even in those without symptoms.

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Radiographic pulmonary vessel volume, lung function and airways disease in the Framingham Heart Study

European Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1183/13993003.00408-2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 54 (3) ◽

pp. 1900408 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Andrew J. Synn ◽

Wenyuan Li ◽

Raúl San José Estépar ◽

Chunyi Zhang ◽

George R. Washko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Framingham Heart Study ◽

Airflow Obstruction ◽

Logistic Models ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Small Vessel ◽

Quantitative Ct ◽

Pulmonary Vessel ◽

Heart Study ◽

Lung Health

Radiographic abnormalities of the pulmonary vessels, such as vascular pruning, are common in advanced airways disease, but it is unknown if pulmonary vascular volumes are related to measures of lung health and airways disease in healthier populations.In 2388 participants of the Framingham Heart Study computed tomography (CT) sub-study, we calculated total vessel volumes and the small vessel fraction using automated CT image analysis. We evaluated associations with measures of lung function, airflow obstruction on spirometry and emphysema on CT. We further tested if associations of vascular volumes with lung function were present among those with normal forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity.In fully adjusted linear and logistic models, we found that lower total and small vessel volumes were consistently associated with worse measures of lung health, including lower spirometric volumes, lower diffusing capacity and/or higher odds of airflow obstruction. For example, each standard deviation lower small vessel fraction (indicating more severe pruning) was associated with a 37% greater odds of obstruction (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.11–1.71, p=0.004). A similar pattern was observed in the subset of participants with normal spirometry.Lower total and small vessel pulmonary vascular volumes were associated with poorer measures of lung health and/or greater odds of airflow obstruction in this cohort of generally healthy adults without high burdens of smoking or airways disease. Our findings suggest that quantitative CT assessment may detect subtle pulmonary vasculopathy that occurs in the setting of subclinical and early pulmonary and airways pathology.

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Lung function, forced expiratory volume in 1 s decline and COPD hospitalisations over 44 years of follow-up

European Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1183/13993003.01575-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 742-750 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Suneela Zaigham ◽

Per Wollmer ◽

Gunnar Engström

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Airflow Obstruction ◽

Fixed Ratio ◽

Population Based ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Lung Function Decline ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Hazard Ratios

The use of baseline lung function in the prediction of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hospitalisations, all-cause mortality and lung function decline was assessed in the population-based “Men Born in 1914” cohort.Spirometry was assessed at age 55 years in 689 subjects, of whom 392 had spirometry reassessed at age 68 years. The cohort was divided into three groups using fixed ratio (FR) and lower limit of normal (LLN) criterion: forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/vital capacity (VC) ≥70%, FEV1/VC <70% but ≥LLN (FR+LLN−), and FEV1/VC <70% and <LLN (FR+LLN+).Over 44 years of follow-up, 88 men were hospitalised due to COPD and 686 died. Hazard ratios (95% CI) for incident COPD hospitalisation were 4.15 (2.24–7.69) for FR+LLN− and 7.88 (4.82–12.87) for FR+LLN+ (reference FEV1/VC ≥70%). Hazard ratios for death were 1.30 (0.98–1.72) for FR+LLN− and 1.58 (1.25–2.00) for FR+LLN+. The adjusted FEV1 decline between 55 and 68 years of age was higher for FR+LLN− and FR+LLN+ relative to the reference. Of those with FR+LLN− at 55 years, 53% had progressed to the FR+LLN+ group at 68 years.Airflow obstruction at age 55 years is a powerful risk factor for future COPD hospitalisations. The FR+LLN− group should be carefully evaluated in clinical practice in relation to future risks and potential benefit from early intervention. This is reinforced by the increased FEV1 decline in this group.

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