Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in COPD

Inhaled nitric oxide improves ventilatory efficiency and exercise capacity in patients with mild COPD: A randomized-control cross-over trial

KEY POINTS

Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an elevated ventilatory equivalent to CO₂ production ( V ̇ E / V ̇ C O 2 ) during exercise, secondary to increased dead space ventilation. The reason for the increased dead space is unclear, although pulmonary microvascular dysfunction and the corresponding capillary hypoperfusion is a potential mechanism. Despite emerging evidence that mild COPD is associated with pulmonary microvascular dysfunction, limited research has focused on experimentally modulating the pulmonary microvasculature during exercise in mild COPD. The present study sought to examine the effect of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), a selective pulmonary vasodilator, on V ̇ E / V ̇ C O 2 , dyspnoea and exercise capacity in patients with mild COPD. Experimental iNO increased peak oxygen uptake in mild COPD, secondary to reduced V ̇ E / V ̇ C O 2 and dyspnoea. This is the first study to demonstrate that experimental manipulation of the pulmonary circulation alone, can positively impact dyspnoea and exercise capacity in mild COPD.

ABSTRACT

Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an exaggerated ventilatory response to exercise, contributing to dyspnoea and exercise intolerance. Previous research in mild COPD has demonstrated an elevated ventilatory equivalent to CO₂ production ( V ̇ E / V ̇ C O 2 ) during exercise, secondary to increased dead space ventilation. The reason for the increased dead space is unclear, although pulmonary microvascular dysfunction and the corresponding capillary hypoperfusion is a potential mechanism. The present study tested the hypothesis that inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), a selective pulmonary vasodilator, would lower V ̇ E / V ̇ C O 2 and dyspnoea, and improve exercise capacity in patients with mild COPD. In this multigroup randomized-control cross-over study, 15 patients with mild COPD (FEV₁  =  89 ± 11% predicted) and 15 healthy controls completed symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise tests while breathing normoxic gas or 40 ppm iNO. Compared with placebo, iNO significantly increased peak oxygen uptake (1.80 ± 0.14 vs. 1.53 ± 0.10 L·min^-1 , P < 0.001) in COPD, whereas no effect was observed in controls. At an equivalent work rate of 60 W, iNO reduced V ̇ E / V ̇ C O 2 by 3.8 ± 4.2 units (P = 0.002) and dyspnoea by 1.1 ± 1.2 Borg units (P < 0.001) in COPD, whereas no effect was observed in controls. Operating lung volumes and oxygen saturation were unaffected by iNO in both groups. iNO increased peak oxygen uptake in COPD, secondary to reduced V ̇ E / V ̇ C O 2 and dyspnoea. These data suggest that mild COPD patients demonstrate pulmonary microvascular dysfunction that contributes to increased V ̇ E / V ̇ C O 2 , dyspnoea and exercise intolerance. This is the first study to demonstrate that experimental manipulation of the pulmonary circulation alone, can positively impact dyspnoea and exercise capacity in mild COPD.

The impact of fluticasone furoate/vilanterol on healthcare resource utilisation in the Salford Lung Study in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

AIM

The Salford Lung Study (SLS) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was a randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness and safety of initiating fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (FF/VI) 100/25 µg versus continuing usual care (UC) in patients with COPD and a history of exacerbations. Here, we investigate the impact of initiating FF/VI on healthcare resource utilisation (HRU) in SLS COPD.

METHODS

HRU and interventions were determined from patients' electronic health records. Annual rates of on-treatment all-cause and COPD-related secondary care contacts (SCCs) and primary care contacts (PCCs) for FF/VI versus UC were analysed using a general linear model. Costs were derived from national data sources.

RESULTS

Least-squares (LS) mean annual rates of all-cause (9.81 versus 9.36) and COPD-related (1.57 versus 1.48) SCCs were similar for FF/VI and UC, as were rates of all-cause hospitalisations (0.87 versus 0.82). Mean duration of hospital stay/patient was 4.5 and 4.2 days, respectively. COPD-related SCC mean total cost/patient was £484 FF/VI and £475 UC. LS mean annual rates of all-cause PCCs were significantly higher for FF/VI (21.20 versus 18.88 UC; p < 0.001). LS mean annual rates of COPD-related PCCs were similar for FF/VI and UC (2.42 versus 2.46). All-cause PCC mean total cost/patient was £900 FF/VI versus £811 UC, but COPD-related PCC costs were similar (£116 versus £114). Direct COPD-related total medical costs/patient were significantly lower for FF/VI (LS geometric mean £806 versus £963 UC; p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

In patients with COPD and exacerbation history, FF/VI may represent a less costly alternative to current therapies.GlaxoSmithKline plc. study HZC115151; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01551758.The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Predictors of acute cardiovascular events following acute exacerbation period for patients with COPD: a nested case-control study

Background

It has been noted that there is an increase in the incidence of acute cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during an acute exacerbation (AE), thereby causing increased inpatient mortality. Thus, we have tried to identify predictors of acute CVEs in patients with AECOPD via a nested case–control study.

Methods

A total of 496 cases hospitalized for AECOPD were included in this study, and followed-up for up to 6 months after discharge. Acute CVEs in the AE period were defined as a new or worsening acute coronary syndrome (ACS), arrhythmia, or left ventricular disfunction (LVD). Predictors of CVEs were selected from several variables, including baseline characteristics and treatments in the stable period as well as symptoms, laboratory tests, complications and treatments in the AE period.

Results

Thirty cases (6.05%) had acute CVEs, namely 2 had ACS, 13 had LVD and 19 experienced some form of arrhythmia. Four deaths were observed in the CVE group, with significantly increased death risk compared with the non-CVE group (P = 0.001, OR = 5.81). Moreover, patients who had CVEs were more prone to have re-exacerbation within 3 months. Multivariate analysis showed that previous LVD history (P = 0.004, OR = 5.06), 20% increase in heart rate (HR) (P = 0.003, OR = 10.19), electrolyte disturbance (P = 0.01, OR = 4.24) and diuretics (P = 0.002, OR = 6.37) were independent predictors of CVEs. In addition, usage of theophylline, fluoroquinolone and inhaled beta agonists in the AE period were not statistically associated with acute CVEs.

Conclusions

Our preliminary study indicates that patients hospitalized for AECOPD with previous LVD history or increased HR need close observation and diuretics should be cautiously used with regular electrolyte monitoring. These findings need to be confirmed in a large cohort.

The impact of the new Dutch guideline on cardiovascular risk management in patients with COPD: a retrospective study

Background

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an independent increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Cardiovascular risk (CVR) assessment should be offered to all patients with COPD, according to the new Dutch CVR management (CVRM) guideline (May 2019).

Aim

To evaluate the impact of the new CVRM guideline on the care of patients with COPD in primary care.

Design & setting

A retrospective study took place within five primary healthcare centres located in The Netherlands.

Method

In accordance with the guideline, the CVR of all patients with COPD was estimated and categorised. Data from 2014–2019 were used for the qualitative risk assessment based on comorbidities, and the quantitative Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE). In addition, the guideline-based follow-up was investigated.

Results

Of the 391 patients with COPD, 84.1% (n = 329) had complete data on CVR assessment: 90.3% (n = 297) had a (very) high risk, and 9.7% (n = 32) a low-to-moderate risk. Of the patients with (very) high risk, 73.4% (n = 218) received guideline-based follow-up (primary care: 95.4%, secondary care: 4.6%). In 15.9% (n = 62) of all patients with COPD, the CVR profile was not measured and of the (very) high-risk patients, 26.6% (n = 79) were not enroled in a CV care programme.

Conclusion

Whereas in the majority of patients with COPD the CVR is already known, for one out of six patients this CVR still has to be assessed according to the recently updated guideline. Moreover, once a (very) high risk has been assessed, as a consequence CV treatment of risk factors should be intensified in one out of four patients with COPD. Adherence to the new CVRM guideline could provide improvement in CVRM in more than a third of all patients with COPD.

Inhaled corticosteroids in COPD and the risk for coronary heart disease: a nationwide cohort study

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) might lower the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to assess the association of ICS with the development of CHD in COPD patients by using data from the Korean Nationwide study. Patients who were newly diagnosed with COPD between 2004 and 2013 and who were not diagnosed with coronary heart disease before their diagnosis of COPD were included. Exposure of ICS was incorporated into multivariable Cox regression models using time-dependent methods. To accurately estimate ICS-exposure accumulation, a washout period of 2 years from 2002 to 2003 was applied. Among a total of 4,400 newly diagnosed COPD patients, 771 patients were diagnosed as CHD incident cases during a median follow-up of one year (interquartile range 0.1-2.9). The cumulative dose of ICS was associated with a reduced risk of CHD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.89). When the cumulative exposure dose of ICS was divided into quartiles, the aHR for CHD incidence was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.55-0.88) in the highest quartile ICS dose use. The effect of ICS on reducing CHD incidence was pronounced in adults over 55 years, men under 55 years, and former smokers. Our findings demonstrate the role of ICS for the prevention of CHD in COPD patients without a history of CHD. Further research is needed to determine whether a certain amount of ICS exposure in COPD patients is protective against CHD.

Novel drug delivery systems targeting oxidative stress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a review

Oxidative stress is significantly involved in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Combining antioxidant drugs or nutrients results in a noteworthy therapeutic value in animal models of COPD. However, the benefits have not been reproduced in clinical applications, this may be attributed to the limited absorption, concentration, and half-life of exogenous antioxidants. Therefore, novel drug delivery systems to combat oxidative stress in COPD are needed. This review presents a brief insight into the current knowledge on the role of oxidative stress and highlights the recent trends in novel drug delivery carriers that could aid in combating oxidative stress in COPD. The introduction of nanotechnology has enabled researchers to overcome several problems and improve the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of drugs. Large porous microparticles, and porous nanoparticle-encapsulated microparticles are the most promising carriers for achieving effective pulmonary deposition of inhaled medication and obtaining controlled drug release. However, translating drug delivery systems for administration in pulmonary clinical settings is still in its initial phases.

Coronary artery disease in lung transplant patients

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a pathology often found in patients with end-stage lung disease. Although in the past CAD might have been considered an absolute contraindication, modern revascularization techniques have helped increase the number of transplants performed in this population. However, discrepancies in the guidelines for perioperative evaluation and risk mitigation strategies for the ischemic cardiac burden are present in the current literature. This is a review of the available data regarding perioperative evaluation, revascularization tactics, postoperative management, and survival rate that patients with different grades of coronary artery disease present after lung transplantation.

Clinical Features and Chest Imaging as Predictors of Intensity of Care in Patients with COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly become a global pandemic with lung disease representing the main cause of morbidity and mortality. Conventional chest-X ray (CXR) and ultrasound (US) are valuable instruments to assess the extent of lung involvement. We investigated the relationship between CXR scores on admission and the level of medical care required in patients with COVID-19. Further, we assessed the CXR-US correlation to explore the role of ultrasound in monitoring the course of COVID-19 pneumonia. Clinical features and CXR scores were obtained at admission and correlated with the level of intensity of care required [high- (HIMC) versus low-intensity medical care (LIMC)]. In a subgroup of patients, US findings were correlated with clinical and radiographic parameters. On hospital admission, CXR global score was higher in HIMCs compared to LIMC. Smoking history, pO2 on admission, cardiovascular and oncologic diseases were independent predictors of HIMC. The US score was positively correlated with FiO2 while the correlation with CXR global score only trended towards significance. Our study identifies clinical and radiographic features that strongly correlate with higher levels of medical care. The role of lung ultrasound in this setting remains undetermined and needs to be explored in larger prospective studies.

The deleterious effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea: pathophysiology and implications on treatment

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are both common in the adult population. The coexistence and association of both COPD and OSA have been described as the overlap syndrome. The scope of the present review is to address the magnitude, pathophysiology, clinical presentations, and the deleterious consequences of the coexistence of COPD and OSA in the same patient as well as the current management and treatment options of this association.

Main body of abstract

Epidemiological studies showed a prevalence of the overlap syndrome of up to 1% of the adult population. However, various studies agreed that this association is due to the fact that both COPD and OSA are common rather than an interaction of pathophysiology between the two affections. Nevertheless, sleep may cause adverse effects on breathing and lung functions. While these effects can be neglected in otherwise healthy individuals, they can lead in contrast to disastrous clinical outcomes particularly in vulnerable patients with the overlap syndrome leading to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, acute COPD exacerbations, increased rates of hospitalizations, and nocturnal deaths. Current guidelines recommend polysomnography (PSG) as the gold standard investigation to diagnose sleep disorders and overlap syndrome. Treatment may include pulmonary rehabilitation, supplemental oxygen therapy, and non-invasive ventilation. Currently, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the treatment of choice for the overlap syndrome. CPAP effects include improved respiratory mechanics; sleep quality, exercise tolerance, and prolonged survival.

Conclusion

Both COPD and OSA are common in the general population and present a significant risk of increased morbidity and mortality when they coexist in the same patient. Clinicians must carefully evaluate the clinical outcomes and the high risk of cardiovascular complications related to the overlap syndrome. Current data indicate that CPAP treatment leads to amelioration of the health-related quality of life and improve survival in patients with the overlap syndrome.

No Influence on Cardiac Arrhythmia or Heart Rate from Long-Term Treatment with Tiotropium/Olodaterol versus Monocomponents by Holter ECG Analysis in Patients with Moderate-to-Very-Severe COPD

Background

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular comorbidities may have an increased risk of medication-related cardiac arrhythmias. We therefore performed an analysis of Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) data from two large, long-term, controlled clinical COPD trials to investigate whether tiotropium/olodaterol increased the risk of cardiac arrhythmia and mean heart rate.

Methods

We analyzed Holter ECG data from a representative subset of patients (N=506) from the two pooled replicate studies (TONADO 1 and 2) assessing tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg therapy versus tiotropium 5 µg or olodaterol 5 µg monotherapy, inhaled once daily (two single inhalations) using the Respimat® Soft Mist™ inhaler device. Additionally, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) with tiotropium/olodaterol were assessed versus the respective monotherapies.

Results

After 12 weeks of treatment, there was no difference in the number of patients who had an increase or decrease from baseline in 24-hour supraventricular premature beats or ventricular premature beats between tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg combination therapy and its monocomponents. Compared with baseline, a small but statistically significant increase in adjusted mean heart rate was observed for tiotropium 5 µg (+1.6 beats per minute [bpm]; P=0.0010), but no difference was observed for olodaterol 5 µg (+0.3 bpm; P=0.2778) or tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg (-0.1 bpm; P=0.4607). MACE and fatal MACE were limited to 1 to 3 patients across treatment groups.

Conclusion

Compared with the compounds given as monotherapy, treatment with tiotropium/olodaterol fixed-dose combination therapy is not associated with medically relevant or statistically significant effects on arrhythmia as assessed by Holter ECG. Based on these findings, there is no evidence to assume a clinically relevant impact on cardiac function from dual tiotropium/olodaterol treatment.

Trial Registration

TONADO 1 (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01431274); TONADO 2 (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01431287).

Absence of Adverse Effects of Tiotropium/Olodaterol Compared with the Monocomponents on Long-Term Heart Rate and Blood Pressure in Patients with Moderate-to-Very-Severe COPD

Introduction

Long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) are established maintenance bronchodilator treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with the potential to increase heart rate (HR) and impact blood pressure (BP). While previous studies indicate that HR and BP are not negatively influenced by tiotropium or olodaterol monotherapy, the effect of tiotropium/olodaterol has not been evaluated. We report a post hoc analysis of the effect of dual bronchodilation with tiotropium/olodaterol versus monocomponents on HR and BP in patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD included in the large TONADO® study.

Methods

The TONADO® trials (1237.5 [NCT01431274] and 1237.6 [NCT01431287]) were two replicate, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, 52-week, Phase III trials that compared tiotropium/olodaterol (5/5 μg and 2.5/5 μg) with tiotropium (5 μg and 2.5 μg) and olodaterol (5 μg) in patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD. Patients with cardiovascular comorbidities were included. Changes in HR and systolic/diastolic BP were measured before and after dosing with the study medication at each visit (baseline, Week 12, Week 24 and Week 52).

Results

Overall, 3,100 patients were included in this analysis. Over 52 weeks, small changes from baseline in mean HR (<2 beats per minute [bpm]) and small changes from pre- to post-dose (<1 bpm) were evident at different time points. There was a non-significant increase from baseline in mean diastolic and systolic BP (<2 mmHg) observed over 52 weeks of treatment. The short-term (1 hour pre- to 1 hour post-dose) mean changes in systolic and diastolic BP over 52 weeks in the tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg group were comparable with those observed for the monocomponents at all time points.

Conclusion

There were no differences in HR or BP among patients on tiotropium/olodaterol when compared with monocomponents. This supports the already demonstrated cardiovascular safety profile of tiotropium/olodaterol as long-acting maintenance bronchodilator treatment for COPD, including patients with cardiovascular comorbidities.

Alterations in central hemodynamic in patients with COPD after acute high intensity exercise

The present study investigated the relationship between central hemodynamics and lung function and the response to an acute bout of exercise in COPD.

METHODS

Based on the severity of COPD, moderate group (MOD, n = 12) and more mild group (MLD, n = 12) underwent central hemodynamic assessments pre- and post-peak exercise.

RESULTS

In the entire cohort (n = 24), central diastolic blood pressure (cDBP) was associated with pulmonary function. Post-exercise, cDBP remained elevated (p < 0.01), however, peripheral diastolic blood pressure (pDBP) was reduced (p = 0.02). Prior to exercise, the MOD showed higher cDBP and heart rate (HR) than the MLD (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively), but no difference in central aortic/arterial stiffness (p > 0.05). These findings remained similar post-exercise.

CONCLUSION

Central diastolic blood pressure is linked to pulmonary function in COPD and it is elevated after exercise-induced reductions in pDBP. Central diastolic blood pressure is higher in the MOD than the MLD, however, there was no difference in central aortic/arterial stiffness between groups.

Adequacy of Therapy for People with Both COPD and Heart Failure in the UK: Historical Cohort Study

Purpose

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) often occur concomitantly, presenting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for clinicians. We examined the characteristics of patients prescribed adequate versus inadequate therapy within 3 months after newly diagnosed comorbid COPD or HF.

Patients and Methods

Eligible patients in longitudinal UK electronic medical record databases had pre-existing HF and newly diagnosed COPD (2017 GOLD groups B/C/D) or pre-existing COPD and newly diagnosed HF. Adequate COPD therapy was defined as long-acting bronchodilator(s) with/without inhaled corticosteroid; adequate HF therapy was defined as beta-blocker plus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and/or angiotensin receptor blocker.

Results

Of 2439 patients with HF and newly diagnosed COPD (mean 75 years, 61% men), adequate COPD therapy was prescribed for 726 (30%) and inadequate for 1031 (42%); 682 (28%) remained untreated for COPD. Adequate (vs inadequate) COPD therapy was less likely for women (35%) than men (45%), smokers (36%) than ex-/non-smokers (45%), and non-obese (41%) than obese (47%); spirometry was recorded for 57% prescribed adequate versus 35% inadequate COPD therapy. Of 12,587 patients with COPD and newly diagnosed HF (mean 75 years, 60% men), adequate HF therapy was prescribed for 2251 (18%) and inadequate for 5332 (42%); 5004 (40%) remained untreated for HF. Adequate (vs inadequate) HF therapy was less likely for smokers (27%) than ex-/non-smokers (32%) and non-obese (30%) than obese (35%); spirometry was recorded for 65% prescribed adequate versus 39% inadequate HF therapy.

Conclusion

Many patients with comorbid COPD/HF receive inadequate therapy after new diagnosis. Improved equity of access to integrated care is needed for all patient subgroups.

Statin use and lung cancer risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a population-based cohort study

Background

Patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at an increased risk of lung cancer. A common comorbidity of COPD is cardiovascular disease; as such, COPD patients often receive statins. This study sought to understand the association between statin exposure and lung cancer risk in a population-based cohort of COPD patients.

Methods

We identified a population-based cohort of COPD patients based on having filled at least three prescriptions for an anticholinergic or short-acting beta-agonist (SABA). We used an array of methods of defining medication exposure including three conventional methods (ever statin exposure, cumulative duration of use, and cumulative dose) and two novel methods (recency-weighted cumulative duration of use and recency-weighted cumulative dose). To assess residual confounding, a negative control exposure was used to test the validity of our results. All exposure variables were time-dependent.

Results

The population-based cohort of COPD had 39,879 patients with mean age of 70.6 (SD: 11.2) years and, of which, 53.5% were female. There were 12,469 patients who received at least one statin prescription. Results from the reference case multivariable analysis indicated a reduced risk from statin exposure (HR: 0.85 (95% CI: 0.73–1.00) in COPD patients, but this result not statistically significant. Using the two recency-weighted modelling approaches, statin exposure was associated with a statistically significant reduction in lung cancer risk (recency-weighted cumulative dose, HR: 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77–0.93) and recency-weighted cumulative duration of use, HR: 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96–0.99). Multivariable analysis incorporating the negative control exposure was not statistically significant (HR: 0.89 (95% CI: 0.75–1.10).

Conclusions

The results of this population-based analysis indicate that statin use in COPD patients may reduce the risk of lung cancer. While the effect was not statistically significantly across all exposure definitions, the overall results support the hypothesis that COPD patients might benefit from statin therapy.

Aspects extrapulmonaires des exacerbations de bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive

La bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO) est une maladie systémique aux multiples atteintes, émaillée d’exacerbations. L’inflammation, l’hypoxémie, les troubles de la coagulation et les perturbations des interactions coeur–poumon expliquent en partie les atteintes non pulmonaires observées notamment lors d’exacerbations aiguës. Les événements cardiovasculaires sont la première cause de mortalité des patients BPCO, et leur recrudescence est observée pendant plusieurs semaines après une exacerbation. Aux urgences, la prise en charge des patients en exacerbation de BPCO repose donc en plus du support ventilatoire sur une bonne évaluation des potentielles pathologies associées telles que l’insuffisance cardiaque, l’ischémie myocardique, l’insuffisance rénale ou encore la maladie thromboembolique. Cette évaluation globale permet d’adapter les thérapeutiques parfois délétères sur la fonction cardiaque ou l’équilibre acide−base et de prendre en compte le risque extrapulmonaire dans le choix du parcours de soins du patient. Dans cette mise au point, nous abordons quelques explications physiologiques des multiples perturbations observées au cours de l’exacerbation de BPCO, et proposons une vision globale de l’évaluation de ces patients admis pour une dyspnée ou un autre motif pouvant être en rapport avec la BPCO.

Comparative Performance of Comorbidity Measures in Predicting Health Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Purpose

Multiple studies have suggested that comorbidities pose negative impacts on the survival of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); few have applied comorbidity measures driven from health insurance claims databases to predict various health outcomes. We aimed to examine the performance of commonly used comorbidity measures based on diagnosis and pharmacy dispensing claims information in predicting future death and hospitalization in COPD patients.

Methods

We identified COPD patients in a population-based Taiwanese database. We built logistic regression models with age, sex, and baseline comorbidities measured by either diagnosis or pharmacy claims information as predictors of subsequent-year death or hospitalization in a random 50% sample and validated the discrimination in the other 50%. The diagnosis-based comorbidity measures included the Charlson Index and the Elixhauser comorbidity measure; the pharmacy-based comorbidity measures included the updated Chronic Disease Score (CDS) and the Pharmacy-Based Comorbidity Index (PBDI).

Results

We identified 428,251 eligible patients. For overall death, the Elixhauser comorbidity measure showed the best predictive performance (c-statistic=0.832), followed by the PBDI (c-statistic=0.822), the Charlson Index (c-statistic=0.815), and the updated CDS (c-statistic=0.808). For overall hospitalization, the PBDI (c-statistics=0.730) and the Elixhauser comorbidity measure (c-statistics=0.724) outperformed the updated CDS (c-statistics=0.714) and the Charlson Index (c-statistics=0.710). For hospitalization due to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or respiratory diseases, the comorbidity models showed similar predictive ranks and demonstrated c-statistics higher than 0.75. However, none of the models could adequately predict hospitalization due to other reasons (c-statistics < 0.60).

Conclusion

Our study comprehensively compared the predictive performance of comorbidity measures. The Elixhauser comorbidity measure and the PBDI are useful tools for describing comorbid conditions and predicting health outcomes in COPD patients.

Laboratory-based Intermountain Validated Exacerbation (LIVE) Score stability in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

The Laboratory-based Intermountain Validated Exacerbation (LIVE) Score is associated with mortality and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation risk across multiple health systems. However, whether the LIVE Score and its associated risk is a stable patient characteristic is unknown.

METHODS

We validated the LIVE Score in a fourth health system. Then we determined the LIVE Score stability in a retrospective cohort of 98 766 patients with COPD in four health systems where it was previously validated. We assessed whether LIVE Scores changed or remained the same over time. Stability was defined as a majority of surviving patients having the same LIVE Score 4 years later.

RESULTS

The LIVE Score separated patients into three LIVE Score risk groups of low, medium, and high mortality and LIVE Score stability. Mortality ranged from 6.2% for low-risk LIVE to 45.8% for high-risk LIVE (p<0.001). We found that low-risk LIVE groups were stable and high-risk LIVE groups were unstable. Low-risk LIVE group patients remained low risk, but few high-risk LIVE group patients remained high risk (79.0% high vs 48.1% medium vs 8.8% low, p<0.001 for all pairwise comparisons).

CONCLUSION

The LIVE Score identifies three major clinically actionable cohorts: a stable low-risk LIVE group, an unstable high-risk LIVE group with high mortality rates, and a medium-risk LIVE group. These observations further our understanding of how existing data used to calculate the LIVE Score may target interventions across risk cohorts of patients with COPD in a health system.

Low Liver Density Is Linked to Cardiovascular Comorbidity in COPD: An ECLIPSE Cohort Analysis

Purpose

Fatty liver disease is associated with cardiometabolic disorders and represents a potential key comorbidity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Some intermediary mechanisms of fatty liver disease (including its histological component steatosis) include tissue hypoxia, low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress that are key features of COPD. Despite these shared physiological pathways, the effect of COPD on the prevalence of hepatic steatosis, and the association between hepatic steatosis and comorbidities in this population remain unclear. Liver density measured by computed tomography (CT)-scan is a non-invasive surrogate of fat infiltration, with lower liver densities reflecting more fat infiltration and a liver density of 40 Hounsfield Units (HU) corresponding to a severe 30% fat infiltration.

Patients and Methods

We took advantage of the international cohort ECLIPSE in which non-enhanced chest CT-scans were obtained in 1554 patients with COPD and 387 healthy controls to analyse the liver density at T12-L1.

Results

The distribution of liver density was similar and the prevalence of severe steatosis (density<40 HU) was not different (4.7% vs 5.2%, p=0.7) between COPD and controls. In patients with COPD, the lowest liver density quartile was associated, after age and sex adjustment, with coronary artery disease (OR_a=1.59, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.24) and stroke (OR_a=2.20, 95% CI 1.07 to 4.50), in comparison with the highest liver density quartile.

Conclusion

The present data indicate that a low liver density emerged as a predictor of cardiovascular comorbidities in the COPD population. However, the distribution of liver density and the prevalence of severe steatosis were similar in patients with COPD and control subjects.

Effect of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction on development of primary graft dysfunction after lung transplant

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is one of the most common complications after lung transplant and is associated with significant early and late morbidity and mortality. The cause of primary graft dysfunction is often multifactorial involving patient, donor, and operational factors. Diastolic dysfunction is increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for development of PGD after lung transplant and here we examine recent evidence on the topic.

RECENT FINDINGS

Patients with end-stage lung disease are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease including diastolic dysfunction. PGD as result of ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplant is exacerbated by increased left atrial pressure and pulmonary venous congestion impacted by diastolic dysfunction. Recent studies on relationship between diastolic dysfunction and PGD after lung transplant show that patients with diastolic dysfunction are more likely to develop PGD with worse survival outcome and complicated hospital course.

SUMMARY

Patients with diastolic dysfunction is more likely to suffer from PGD after lung transplant. From the lung transplant candidate selection to perioperative and posttransplant care, thorough evaluation and documentation diastolic dysfunction to guide patient care are imperative.

The effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on carotid chemoreceptor activity and sensitivity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Recent work demonstrates that carotid chemoreceptor (CC) activity/sensitivity is elevated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with healthy controls, and this elevated chemoreception appears to contribute to increased cardiovascular risk. Exercise training has been shown to normalize CC activity/sensitivity in other populations, and therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) can reduce CC activity/sensitivity in COPD. Forty-five COPD patients [mean FEV₁ (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) = 56.6% predicted] completed PR, while 15 COPD patients (mean FEV₁ = 74.6% predicted) served as non-PR controls. CC activity was determined by the reduction in ventilation while breathing transient hyperoxia ([Formula: see text] = 1.0); CC sensitivity was evaluated by the increase in ventilation relative to the drop in arterial saturation while breathing hypoxia. Dyspnea, six-minute walk and autonomic function data were also obtained. PR improved 6-minute walk distance (P < 0.001) and dyspnea (P = 0.04); however, there was no effect on CC activity (P = 0.60), sensitivity (P = 0.69), or autonomic function (P > 0.05 for all). Subgroup analyses indicated that PR reduced CC activity in those with elevated baseline CC activity, independent of changes in autonomic function. No change in dyspnea (P = 0.24), CC activity (P = 0.19), sensitivity (P = 0.80), or autonomic function (P > 0.05 for all) was observed in the control group. Despite improvements in exercise tolerance and dyspnea, PR appears to be generally ineffective at reducing CC sensitivity in stable COPD patients; while PR reduced CC activity in those with elevated basal CC activity, the physiological significance of this is unclear. Further investigations aimed at improving CC function in COPD are needed.NEW & NOTEWORTHY While work in other chronic diseases has shown that exercise training may help normalize carotid chemoreceptor (CC) activity/sensitivity, the current study found that exercise training through pulmonary rehabilitation did not consistently reduce CC activity/sensitivity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These results suggest that other interventions are needed to normalize CC activity/sensitivity in COPD.

Evidence of epigenetic alterations in thrombosis and coagulation: A systematic review

Thrombosis in the context of Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects mainly the blood vessels supplying the heart, brain and peripheries and it is the leading cause of death worldwide. The pathophysiological thrombotic mechanisms are largely unknown. Heritability contributes to a 30% of the incidence of CVD. The remaining variation can be explained by life style factors such as smoking, dietary and exercise habits, environmental exposure to toxins, and drug usage and other comorbidities. Epigenetic variation can be acquired or inherited and constitutes an interaction between genes and the environment. Epigenetics have been implicated in atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion damage and the cardiovascular response to hypoxia. Epigenetic regulators of gene expression are mainly the methylation of CpG islands, histone post translational modifications (PTMs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). These epigenetic regulators control gene expression either through activation or silencing. Epigenetic control is mostly dynamic and can potentially be manipulated to prevent or reverse the uncontrolled expression of genes, a trait that renders them putative therapeutic targets. In the current review, we systematically studied and present available data on epigenetic alterations implicated in thrombosis derived from human studies. Evidence of epigenetic alterations is observed in several thrombotic diseases such as Coronary Artery Disease and Cerebrovascular Disease, Preeclampsia and Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Differential CpG methylation and specific histone PTMs that control transcription of prothrombotic and proinflammatory genes have also been associated with predisposing factors of thrombosis and CVD, such us smoking, air pollution, hypertriglyceridemia, occupational exposure to particulate matter and comorbidities including cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease. These clinical observations are further supported by in vitro experiments and indicate that epigenetic regulation affects the pathophysiology of thrombotic disorders with potential diagnostic or therapeutic utility.

When kidneys and lungs suffer together

A significant interaction between kidneys and lungs has been shown in physiological and pathological conditions. The two organs can both be targets of the same systemic disease (eg., some vasculitides). Moreover, loss of normal function of either of them can induce direct and indirect dysregulation of the other one. Subjects suffering from COPD may have systemic inflammation, hypoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, increased sympathetic activation and increased aortic stiffness. As well as the exposure to nicotine, all the foresaid factors can induce a microvascular damage, albuminuria, and a worsening of renal function. Renal failure in COPD can be unrecognized since elderly and frail patients may have normal serum creatinine concentration. Lungs and kidneys participate in maintaining the acid-base balance. Compensatory role of the lungs rapidly expresses through an increase or reduction of ventilation. Renal compensation usually requires a few days as it is achieved through changes in bicarbonate reabsorption. Chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal diseases increase the risk of pneumonia. Vaccination against Streptococcus pneumonia and seasonal influenza is recommended for these patients. Vaccines against the last very virulent H1N1 influenza A strain are also available and effective. Acute lung injury and acute kidney injury are frequent complications in critical illnesses, associated with high morbidity and mortality. The concomitant failure of kidneys and lungs implies a multidisciplinary approach, both in terms of diagnostic processes and therapeutic management.

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular comorbidity]

In recent years, a greater understanding of the heterogeneity and complexity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has come from the point of view of an integrated clinical assessment of severity, pathophysiology, and the relationship with other pathologies. A typical COPD patient suffers on average 4 or more concomitant diseases and every day about a third of patients take from 5 to 10 different drugs. The mechanisms of the interaction of COPD and cardiovascular disease (CVD) include the effects of systemic inflammation, hyperinflation (hyperinflation) of the lungs and bronchial obstruction. The risk of developing CVD in patients with COPD is on average 2-3 times higher than in people of a comparable age in the general population, even taking into account the risk of smoking. The prevalence of coronary heart disease, heart failure, and rhythm disturbances among COPD patients is significantly higher than in the general population. The article discusses in detail the safety of prescribing various groups of drugs for the treatment of CVD in patients with COPD. Achieving success in understanding and managing patients with COPD and CVD is possible using an integrated multidisciplinary approach.

Molecular Characteristics and Treatment of Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with COPD: A Review Article

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show systemic consequences, such as chronic systemic inflammation leading to changes in the airway, airway penetrability, and endothelial function. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by a list of alterations of endothelium towards reduced vasodilation, proinflammatory state, detachment and apoptosis of endothelial cells, and development of atherosclerosis. COPD-induced endothelial dysfunction is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. The increment of physical activities such as pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) training have a significant effect on COPD, thus, PR can be an integrative part of COPD treatment. In this narrative review the focus is on the function of endothelial inflammatory mediators [cytokines, chemokines, and cellular proteases] and pulmonary endothelial cells and endothelial dysfunction in COPD as well as the effects of dysfunction of the endothelium may play in COPD-related pulmonary hypertension. The relationship between smoking and endothelial dysfunction is also discussed. The connection between different pulmonary rehabilitation programs, arterial stiffness and pulse wave velocity (PWV) is presented. Endothelial dysfunction is a significant prognostic factor of COPD, which can be characterized by PWV. We discuss future considerations, like training programs, as an important part of the treatment that has a favorable impact on the endothelial function.

Assessment of microvascular function in vivo using flow mediated skin fluorescence (FMSF) in patients with obstructive lung diseases: A preliminary study

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases play an important role in the morbidity and mortality of patients with obstructive lung diseases. Impaired vascular endothelial function seems to be a key element linking obstructive lung disease and cardiovascular disease. Recently developed technique named flow mediated skin fluorescence (FMSF) is a novel, non-invasive tool to study microvascular function.

METHODS

Total of 69 volunteers including 26 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 23 patients with asthma and 20 healthy subjects underwent microvascular function assessments using FMSF. FMSF assessments were composed of measurements of reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence intensity signal during brachial artery occlusion - ischemic response (IR_max) and immediately after release of occlusion - hyperemic response (HR_max). Associations of microvascular function with clinical and biochemical characteristics of studied subjects were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The median value of IR_max was significantly lower in COPD subjects (2.4 [1.0-6.7] %) compared with healthy subjects (9.6 [3.7-13.5] %; p < 0.01). The mean value of HR_max was also significantly reduced in COPD subjects (9.7 (4.5) %) compared with both asthma subjects (12.1 (3.5) %; p < 0.05) and healthy control subjects (13.4 (2.9) %; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The FMSF technique makes it possible to identify impairments of the microvascular function in patients with COPD, but not in asthma patients. These exploratory findings require further validation in a larger patients cohort.

The effect of isolated nocturnal oxygen desaturations on serum hs-CRP and IL-6 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

INTRODUCTION

A majority of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) die of cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the mechanisms responsible for this association are not fully understood. It remains unknown if isolated nocturnal oxygen desaturation (iNOD) could be one of the potential pathways by which the 'inflammatory COPD' phenotype leads to CVD.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate if COPD patients who meet the Medicare guidelines for nocturnal oxygen therapy (iNOT+) had higher serum hs-CRP and IL-6 than those who did not meet the guidelines for iNOT (iNOT-).

METHODS

Patients with moderate to severe COPD (ie FEV1 < 80% and FEV1/FVC < 70), who were not on oxygen, underwent nocturnal oximetry on room air. Serum IL-6 and hs-CRP were collected the morning after the nocturnal oximetry testing.

RESULTS

A total of 28 patients were included in the study, 8 of whom had more than 5 minutes and 5% of their sleep time spent at oxygen saturation less than 88% and constituted the iNOT+ group. Only serum hs-CRP was significantly higher in iNOT+ than iNOT- (P = 0.050). There was no difference in the rate of COPD exacerbations at one and three months, or five-year survival between the groups (P > 0.3).

CONCLUSION

COPD patients who have more than 5 minutes and 5% of their sleep time spent at oxygen saturation less than 88% have increased hs-CRP, which is associated with increased risk of future CVD.

Younger- vs Older-Old Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

OBJECTIVES

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is now recognized as a geriatric syndrome with multifactorial pathophysiology and clinical heterogeneity rather than a solely left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Because the pathophysiology of HFpEF is suggested to differ by age, this study compared the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors between HFpEF patients aged 65 to 84 years and those aged 85 years or older.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

The Tokyo CCU Network including 73 hospitals in Tokyo, Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals aged 65 years or older with HFpEF (N = 4305).

MEASUREMENTS

Very old patients were defined as those aged 85 years or older. Potential risk factors for in-hospital mortality were selected by univariate analyses, and those with a P value <.10 were used in multivariate Cox regression analysis with forward selection (likelihood ratio) to identify significant factors.

RESULTS

Prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in very old patients, whereas prevalence of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and smoking was significantly higher in patients aged 65 to 84 years. In very old patients, low systolic blood pressure (hazard ratio [HR] = .988), high serum creatinine level (HR = 1.34), and coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; HR = 2.01) were identified as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. In contrast, low systolic blood pressure (HR = .987) and low body mass index (HR = .935) were identified as independent risk factors in patients aged 65 to 84 years.

CONCLUSION

Significant differences were observed in the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors for in-hospital mortality between HFpEF patients aged 65 to 84 and those 85 years and older. Of note, coexisting COPD was associated with significantly lower survival rate only in patients aged 85 years and older, suggesting the prognostic impact of concomitant pulmonary disease in HFpEF may increase with age. These results have implications for future research and management of older HFpEF patients. J Am Geriatr Soc 00:1-6, 2019. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2123-2128, 2019.

Discriminative Accuracy of FEV1:FVC Thresholds for COPD-Related Hospitalization and Mortality

Importance

According to numerous current guidelines, the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires a ratio of the forced expiratory volume in the first second to the forced vital capacity (FEV1:FVC) of less than 0.70, yet this fixed threshold is based on expert opinion and remains controversial.

Objective

To determine the discriminative accuracy of various FEV1:FVC fixed thresholds for predicting COPD-related hospitalization and mortality.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Pooled Cohorts Study harmonized and pooled data from 4 US general population-based cohorts (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study; Cardiovascular Health Study; Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study; and Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). Participants aged 45 to 102 years were enrolled from 1987 to 2000 and received follow-up longitudinally through 2016.

Exposures

Presence of airflow obstruction, which was defined by a baseline FEV1:FVC less than a range of fixed thresholds (0.75 to 0.65) or less than the lower limit of normal as defined by Global Lung Initiative reference equations (LLN).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was a composite of COPD hospitalization and COPD-related mortality, defined by adjudication or administrative criteria. The optimal fixed FEV1:FVC threshold was defined by the best discrimination for these COPD-related events as indexed using the Harrell C statistic from unadjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Differences in C statistics were compared with respect to less than 0.70 and less than LLN thresholds using a nonparametric approach.

Results

Among 24 207 adults in the pooled cohort (mean [SD] age at enrollment, 63 [10.5] years; 12 990 [54%] women; 16 794 [69%] non-Hispanic white; 15 181 [63%] ever smokers), complete follow-up was available for 11 077 (77%) at 15 years. During a median follow-up of 15 years, 3925 participants experienced COPD-related events over 340 757 person-years of follow-up (incidence density rate, 11.5 per 1000 person-years), including 3563 COPD-related hospitalizations and 447 COPD-related deaths. With respect to discrimination of COPD-related events, the optimal fixed threshold (0.71; C statistic for optimal fixed threshold, 0.696) was not significantly different from the 0.70 threshold (difference, 0.001 [95% CI, -0.002 to 0.004]) but was more accurate than the LLN threshold (difference, 0.034 [95% CI, 0.028 to 0.041]). The 0.70 threshold provided optimal discrimination in the subgroup analysis of ever smokers and in adjusted models.

Conclusions and Relevance

Defining airflow obstruction as FEV1:FVC less than 0.70 provided discrimination of COPD-related hospitalization and mortality that was not significantly different or was more accurate than other fixed thresholds and the LLN. These results support the use of FEV1:FVC less than 0.70 to identify individuals at risk of clinically significant COPD.

Karma of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors for Prevention and Management of Major Cardiovascular Events in the Context of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

There is compelling epidemiological evidence that airway exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollution particles, as well as bacterial and viral pathogens is strongly related to acute ischemic events. Over the years, there have been important animal and human studies that have provided experimental evidence to support a causal link. Studies show that patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) or risk factors for CVD are more likely to have major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) after an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and patients with more severe COPD have higher cardiovascular mortality and morbidity than those with less severe COPD. The risk of MACEs in acute exacerbation of COPD is determined by the complex interactions between genetics, behavioral, metabolic, infectious, and environmental risk factors. To date, there are no guidelines regarding the prevention, screening, and management of the modifiable risk factors for MACEs in the context of COPD or COPD exacerbations, and there is insufficient CVD risk control in those with COPD. A deeper insight of the modifiable risk factors shared by CVD, COPD, and acute exacerbations of COPD may improve the strategies for reduction of MACEs in patients with COPD through vaccination, tight control of traditional CV risk factors and modifying lifestyle. This review summarizes the most recent studies regarding the pathophysiology and epidemiology of modifiable risk factors shared by CVD, COPD, and COPD exacerbations that could influence overall morbidity and mortality due to MACEs in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD.

Efficacy and safety of the dual bronchodilator combination umeclidinium/vilanterol in COPD by age and airflow limitation severity: A pooled post hoc analysis of seven clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and those with more severe airway limitation are perceived to experience reduced efficacy from inhaled bronchodilators, especially those administered in a dry powder inhaler. This study compared the efficacy and safety of a long-acting muscarinic antagonist/long-acting β₂-agonist dry powder combination in elderly patients with COPD and patients with moderate-to-very severe airflow limitation.

METHODS

This post hoc pooled analysis of seven randomized studies of ≥12 weeks' duration investigated the efficacy and safety of umeclidinium/vilanterol (UMEC/VI) 62.5/25 μg versus tiotropium (TIO) 18 μg or fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FP/SAL) 250/50 μg. Change from baseline in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), a common efficacy measure in all trials, proportion of FEV₁ responders (≥100 mL increase from baseline) and safety outcomes were analyzed at Day 28, 56, and 84 in patients classified by age (<65, ≥65, and ≥75 years of age) and severity of baseline airflow limitation (Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] stage 2 [moderate] and stage 3/4 [severe/very severe]). A 24-week analysis was also conducted for the UMEC/VI versus TIO comparison.

RESULTS

The pooled intent-to-treat population comprised 3821 patients (≥65 years: 44-45%; ≥75 years: 9-10%; GOLD stage 3/4: 50-55%); 2246, 874, and 701 patients received UMEC/VI, TIO, or FP/SAL, respectively. Significant improvements in trough FEV₁ at Day 84 were observed with UMEC/VI versus TIO or FP/SAL irrespective of age (all p ≤ 0.029) or GOLD stage (all p < 0.001). The proportion of FEV₁ responders at Day 84 was significantly greater with UMEC/VI versus TIO or FP/SAL across all age groups (all p ≤ 0.016) and GOLD stages (all p < 0.001). Safety profiles were similar between treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

UMEC/VI consistently demonstrated improved lung function versus TIO and FP/SAL across age and airflow limitation severity subgroups, with no safety concerns, indicating that UMEC/VI provides no loss in efficacy or additional safety concerns for both elderly patients with COPD and patients with severe/very severe airway limitation.

New frontiers in the treatment of comorbid cardiovascular disease in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterised by persistent airflow limitation that is not fully reversible and is currently the fourth leading cause of death globally. It is now well established that cardiovascular-related comorbidities contribute to morbidity and mortality in COPD, with approximately 50% of deaths in COPD patients attributed to a cardiovascular event (e.g. myocardial infarction). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and COPD share various risk factors including hypertension, sedentarism, smoking and poor diet but the underlying mechanisms have not been fully established. However, there is emerging and compelling experimental and clinical evidence to show that increased oxidative stress causes pulmonary inflammation and that the spill over of pro-inflammatory mediators from the lungs into the systemic circulation drives a persistent systemic inflammatory response that alters blood vessel structure, through vascular remodelling and arterial stiffness resulting in atherosclerosis. In addition, regulation of endothelial-derived vasoactive substances (e.g. nitric oxide (NO)), which control blood vessel tone are altered by oxidative damage of vascular endothelial cells, thus promoting vascular dysfunction, a key driver of CVD. In this review, the detrimental role of oxidative stress in COPD and comorbid CVD are discussed and we propose that targeting oxidant-dependent mechanisms represents a novel strategy in the treatment of COPD-associated CVD.

[Predictors for development of major cardiovascular events in elderly patients with severe and extremely severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in combination with early stages of chronic kidney disease]

AIM

To study the structure of major cardiovascular events (MCVE) and to identify their independent predictors in elderly patients with severe and extremely severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in combination with early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 172 elderly patients with stage 3-4 COPD associated with stage 1-2 CKD. Initially, risk factors for MCVE were identified and levels of vitamin D (25 (ОН) D) were measured for all patients. In 12 months, MCVE anamnesis was collected, and patients were divided into two groups with and without MCVE during the observation period. The risk factors for MCVE, which were significantly different between the two groups according to results of a one-way analysis, were successively included into a logistic regression for identifying independent predictors of MCVE. A ROC analysis was performed for the identified variables to identify a predictive cut-off point.

RESULTS

21 MCVEs were observed in 8.7% (15) patients. Heart rhythm disorders (HRD) not reversed at the prehospital stage were observed in 38.1% patients; acute cerebrovascular disease and transient ischemic attack - in 23.8%, acute coronary syndrome - in 23.8%, and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) - in 14.3%. Two MCVEs, namely, a combination of HRD not reversed at the prehospital stage and PTE, were observed in 3 (20%) patients. The ROC analysis showed that the incidence of COPD exacerbation for the previous 12 months &gt;3 had the highest predictive value for the 12-month risk of MCVE in patients with COPD associated with early CKD (95% CI, 0.823-0.925, р=0.001). A total PROCAM score &lt;50 (95% CI, 0.882-0.964, р=0.001); GFR ≥80 ml/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI, 0.750-0.870, р=0.001); and a level of vitamin D ≥33 ng/ml (95% CI, 0.730-0.855, р=0.001) reduced the risk for MCVE.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly patients with grade 3-4 COPD associated with stage 1-2 CKD, the development of MCVE within 12 months was determined by the incidence of COPD exacerbations for the previous 12 months &gt;3 while a total PROCAM score &lt;50, GFR &gt;80 ml/min/1.73 m3 , and levels of vitamin D &gt;33 ng/ml reduced the risk of MCVE in these patients.

Inhaled corticosteroids and the risk of lung cancer in COPD: a population-based cohort study

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are often prescribed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Their impact on the risk of lung cancer, a leading cause of mortality in COPD patients, remains uncertain.

Population-based linked administrative data between the years 1997 and 2007 from the province of British Columbia, Canada, were used to evaluate the association between lung cancer risk and ICS use in COPD patients. COPD was defined on the basis of receipt of three COPD-related prescriptions in subjects ≥50 years of age. Exposure to ICS was incorporated into multivariable Cox regression models using several time-dependent methods (“ever” exposure, cumulative duration of use, cumulative dose, weighted cumulative duration of use and weighted cumulative dose).

There were 39 676 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The mean±sd age of the cohort was 70.7±11.1 years and 53% were female. There were 994 (2.5%) cases of lung cancer during follow-up. In the reference case analysis (time-dependent “ever” exposure), ICS exposure was associated with a 30% reduced risk of lung cancer (HR 0.70 (95% CI 0.61–0.80)). ICS exposure was associated with a decrease in the risk of lung cancer diagnosis over all five methods of quantifying exposure.

This population-based study suggests that ICS use reduces the risk of lung cancer in COPD patients.

Influence of comorbidities in long-term survival of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity around the world, with comorbidities in COPD being common and having a negative effect on survival. We investigate the effects of comorbidities on long-term survival of COPD patients.

Methods

The study included patients with COPD who were hospitalized with an exacerbation. The demographic characteristics, hematological and biochemical parameters, pulmonary function test parameters and comorbidities of the patients were obtained from the hospital database and patient records, and the mortality of the patients was assessed at two years. The parameters considered to be related to mortality were analyzed using the Cox regression method.

Results

A total of 826 patients with COPD were included in the study, and the rate of patients with at least one comorbidity was 84.5%. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (n=394, 47.7%), heart failure (n=244, 29.5%) and DM (n=173, 20.9%). In a Cox regression analysis, the Charlson Comorbidity Index was strongly associated with mortality (P=0.000). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, a significant association was noted between the increasing number of comorbidities and long-term mortality, when compared to the patients without comorbidity (comorbidity numbers 1, 2 and ≥3; HR: 1.37, P=0.032, HR: 1.40, P=0.028 and HR: 1.65, P=0.000, respectively).

Conclusions

Increasing number of comorbidities in COPD patients with severe exacerbation were found to negatively affect long-term survival. We consider both the evaluation and treatment of comorbidities to be important in the reduction of long-term mortality in patients with COPD.

Cardiovascular Comorbidities in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)-Current Considerations for Clinical Practice

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular comorbidities are highly prevalent and associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. This coincidence is increasingly seen in context of a “cardiopulmonary continuum” rather than being simply attributed to shared risk factors such as cigarette smoking. Overlapping symptoms such as dyspnea or chest pain lead to a worse prognosis due to missed concomitant diagnoses. Moreover, medication is often withheld as a result of unfounded concerns about side effects. Despite the frequent coincidence, current guidelines are still mostly restricted to the management of the individual disease. Future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies should therefore be guided by an integrative perspective as well as a refined phenotyping of disease entities.

Effectiveness of a 4-week rehabilitation program on endothelial function, blood vessel elasticity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have considerable cardiovascular risk. Physical activity has a paramount role in COPD treatment. Our aim was to evaluate the applicability of arteriograph in COPD and measure the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation on endothelial function.

Methods

A total of 40 patients with COPD (FEV₁: 45.43±20.20%pred, BMI: 27.99±6.98 kg/m², male: female was 21:19, age: 65.47±7.39 years) participated in a 4-week rehabilitation program. We used a patented, invasively validated Arteriograph. Blood pressure, pulse, augmentation index (AIX), pulse wave velocity (PWV), diastolic area index (DAI) were registered with functional measurements in pulmonary rehabilitation.

Results

Pulmonary rehabilitation was effective in 6 minutes walking distance (6MWD: 335.32±110.43 vs. 398.32±126.21 m), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP: 57.72±22.69 vs. 63.63±18.01 cmH₂O), chest wall expansion (CWE: 2.84±1.26 vs. 4.00±1.76 cm), breath holding time (BHT: 25.77±10.63 to 29.21±11.60 sec) and grip strength (GS: 24.87±11.88 vs. 27.03±11.43 kg) (P<0.05). Improvement in quality of life was monitored by COPD assessment test marker (CAT: 17.00±8.49 vs. 11.89±7.31, P<0.05). Systolic (133.38±22.15 vs. 126.48±20.22 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (76.95±14.37 vs. 75.4±12.7 mmHg) showed a reduction tendency. Pulse also decreased (76.95±14.37 vs. 72.53±13.65 bpm). AIX levels showed slight improvement (3.54±35.59% vs. 2.93±30.79%); 23 patients peripheral circulation progressed. The PWV data showed abnormal elasticity with minimal change (11.74±2.13 vs. 11.4±2.73 m/s); although 20 patients showed improvement. DAI detected slightly diminished coronary circulation with moderate improvement (43.32±6.81 vs. 47.1±7.01 m/s).

Conclusions

Elevated arterial stiffness, high PWV turned the COPD patients to the high/very high-risk cluster. Rehabilitation resulted significant improvement in MIP, CWE, BHT, 6MWD, CAT with mild, but favorable changes in blood pressure, pulse, AIX, PWV. As a consequence of the four weeks rehabilitation period overall quality of life improved and cardiovascular risk showed a reduction tendency in COPD.

Short-acting bronchodilators for the management of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the hospital setting: systematic review

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is a lack of guidelines for the use of short-acting bronchodilators (SABD) in people admitted to hospital for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), despite routine use in practice and risk of cardiac adverse events.

AIM

To review the evidence that underpins use and optimal dose, in terms of risk versus benefit, of SABD for inpatient management of AECOPD and collate the results for future guidelines.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, clinicaltrials.gov and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched (inception to November 2017) for published and ongoing studies. Included studies were randomised controlled trials or controlled clinical trials investigating the effect of SABD (β2-agonist and/or ipratropium) on inpatients with a diagnosis of AECOPD. This review was undertaken in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and a pre-defined protocol. Due to heterogeneous methodologies, meta-analysis was not possible so the results were synthesised qualitatively.

RESULTS

Of 1378 studies identified, 10 met inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis of 10 studies revealed no significant differences in most outcomes of interest relative to dose, delivery via inhaler or nebuliser, and type of β2-agonist used. However, some evidence demonstrated significantly increased cardiac side effects with increased dosage of β2-agonist (45% versus 24%), P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

This review identified a paucity of methodologically rigorous evidence evaluating use of SABD among AECOPD. The available evidence did not identify any additional benefits for participants receiving higher doses of short-acting β2-agonists compared to lower doses, or based on type of delivery method or β2-agonists used. However, there was a small increase in some adverse events for participants using higher doses of β2-agonists.

Measures of low lung function and the prediction of incident COPD events and acute coronary events

BACKGROUND

Although reduced lung function is associated with both COPD and coronary events (CE), the pattern of lung function impairment could be different for the two outcomes. We examined different measures of lung function in relation to incident COPD events and CE in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

Baseline spirometry and lung clearance index (LCI) were assessed in 672 men aged 55 years. Outcomes included incident COPD events and CE (hospitalisation or mortality). Cox regression was used to obtain HRs per 1-standard deviation (SD) decrement in baseline lung function. The Lunn-McNeil competing risks approach was used to assess if differences in risks for incident COPD events and CE were significant.

RESULTS

Over 44 years follow-up there were 85 incident COPD events and 266 incident CE. Low FEV₁ and FEV₁/VC and high LCI showed significantly stronger relationships with COPD events than CE (adjusted HRs per 1SD decrement and p-value for equal associations: FEV₁; HR_COPD: 2.11 (1.66-2.68), HR_CE: 1.30 (1.13-1.49) p < 0.001, FEV₁/VC; HR_COPD 1.95 (1.60-2.36), HR_CE 1.11 (0.98-1.26) p < 0.0001, LCI; HR_COPD: 1.58 (1.26-1.98), HR_CE: 1.14 (1.00-1.31) p = 0.015. Low VC was significantly associated with both COPD and CE, but HRs were not significantly different between the outcomes (p-value for equal associations = 0.706).

CONCLUSIONS

Low FEV₁ and FEV₁/VC and high LCI at baseline show significantly stronger relationships with future COPD events than CE. Low VC at baseline is similarly associated with future COPD events and CE. This indicates differences but also an important similarity in the "lung function profile" for developing incident COPD events or incident CE later in life.

Prevalence of undiagnosed COPD in male patients with coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study in Jordan

Purpose

COPD and coronary artery disease (CAD) are common chronic diseases with shared risk factors. COPD continues to be largely underdiagnosed and undertreated. We aimed to describe the prevalence and predictors of undiagnosed COPD in Jordanian men with CAD.

Patients and methods

In a cross-sectional study conducted at a referral center in Jordan, male patients who underwent coronary angiography for suspected CAD and reported ≥10 pack-year of cigarette smoking were recruited. Pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry was undertaken for all participants, and COPD was defined as post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC <70%. The finding of ≥50% coronary luminal narrowing confirmed the presence of CAD.

Results

Spirometry was undertaken for 376 men with mean age of 56.02±10.55 years, and 72.6% were active cigarettes smokers with a mean pack-year of 55.89±34.25. A CAD diagnosis was confirmed in 300 (79.8%) men. Spirometric criteria for COPD were met in 76 (15.7%) patients, of whom 91.5% were not previously diagnosed. COPD-related symptoms were common: chronic cough (44.4%), dyspnea (66.2%), and wheezes (27.9%). COPD was more common in patients with (18.0%) compared to patients without (6.6%) CAD (P=0.014). Multivariate logistic regression showed that the risk of COPD was higher in patients with CAD (OR 3.16, 95% CI, 1.10–9.09, P=0.033) and in those with chronic bronchitis (OR 13.07, 95% CI, 6.69–25.52, P<0.001).

Conclusion

There was a high prevalence of COPD among male patients with CAD and most were underdiagnosed despite having respiratory symptoms. Male smokers with CAD and respiratory symptoms should be evaluated for airflow limitation and the presence of COPD.

Impact of Comorbidities on the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently exists alongside other chronic diseases. Comorbidities can have a significant influence on the course of COPD, affecting disease-related symptoms and increasing morbidity and mortality in patients. Studies indicate that management of comorbid COPD can be improved by engaging in a multidisciplinary team-based approach. A collaborative effort from different disease specialists and health care professionals, together with disease self-management and management programs, could improve the outcomes of patients with comorbid COPD.

Effect of long-acting β2-agonists olodaterol and formoterol on heart rate and blood pressure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular comorbidities are common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and elevated heart rate reflects increased cardiovascular risk over time, which is associated with unfavourable neurohumoral activation. Long-acting β₂-agonists (LABAs) are established treatments in COPD, but potentially increase heart rate. We report a post hoc pooled analysis of the effect of olodaterol (5 or 10 μg) or formoterol (12 μg) on heart rate and blood pressure (BP) in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Stage 2-4 COPD patients.

METHODS

Four randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase III studies were analysed. Changes in heart rate and systolic/diastolic BP were measured before and after dosing with the study medication at each visit.

RESULTS

At each study visit, the increase in pre-dose heart rate was numerically lower with both LABAs compared with placebo. Systolic and diastolic BP were decreased with all treatments. Short-term (pre-dose to 40 min post-dose) effects of drug administration on heart rate were small and similar for all treatment arms (between -3 and +1 beats per minute).

CONCLUSION

Heart rate and BP were not adversely influenced in this study involving long-term administration of olodaterol or formoterol in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. This supports the cardiovascular safety of LABAs in COPD maintenance treatment.

T wave peak-to-end interval in COPD

Introduction

The interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic (ECG) T wave (Tp–Te) can estimate cardiovascular mortality and ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to define a new ECG parameter in patients with COPD.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional observational study that included COPD patients who were diagnosed previously and followed up in the outpatient clinic. All data of the patients’ demographic features, history, spirometry, and electrocardiographs were analyzed.

Results

We enrolled 134 patients with COPD and 40 healthy volunteers as controls in our study. Patients already known to be having COPD who were under follow-up for their COPD and diagnosed as having COPD according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria were included. Men comprised 82.8% of the COPD group and 73.2% of controls. The mean age in the COPD and control group was 60.2±9.4 and 58.2±6.7 years, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups for age or sex (p=0.207, p=0.267, respectively). There were 46 (34.3%) patients in group A, 23 (17.2%) patients in group B, 26 (19.4%) patients in group C, and 46 (29.1%) patients in group D as COPD group. There was a significant increase in Tp–Te results in all precordial leads in the COPD group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Precordial V4 lead has the most extensive area under the curve (0.831; sensitivity 76.5%, specificity 89.6%).

Conclusion

We present strong evidence that Tp–Te intervals were increased in patients with COPD, which suggests that there may be an association between COPD and ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac morbidity.