Early therapy improves outcomes of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Systemic corticosteroids for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

COPD is a common condition, mainly related to smoking. Acute exacerbations of COPD, usually related to superimposed infection, occur commonly and systemic corticosteroids are widely used in their management in combination with other treatments including antibiotics, oxygen supplementation and bronchodilators.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy of corticosteroids, administered either parenterally or orally, on the outcomes of acute exacerbations of COPD.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Searches were carried out using the Cochrane Airways Group COPD RCT register with additional studies sought in the bibliographies of randomised controlled trials and review articles. Authors of identified randomised controlled trials were contacted for other published and unpublished studies. The last search was carried out in August 2008.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing corticosteroids, administered either parenterally or orally, with appropriate placebo control. Other interventions e.g. bronchodilators and antibiotics were standardised. Clinical studies of acute asthma were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. Data measured but not reported were sought from authors of included studies. Trials were combined using Review Manager for analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

Eleven studies (n=1081) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and 10 studies contributed data for analyses (n=1051). There were significantly fewer treatment failures within thirty days in patients given corticosteroid treatment, Odds Ratio (OR) 0.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36 to 0.69 and Hazard Ratio 0.78; 95% CI 0.63 to 0.97. It would have been necessary to treat 10 patients (95%CI 7 to 16) with corticosteroids to avoid one treatment failure in this time period. Duration of hospitalisation was significantly shorter with corticosteroid treatment, mean difference -1.22 days; 95% CI -2.26 to -0.18. For FEV1 there were significant treatment benefits with mean differences at the early time point (to 72 hours), 140 ml; 95% CI 90 to 190 ml and at end of treatment (up to 15 days) 80 ml; 95% confidence interval 10 to 160. There was a significant improvement in breathlessness and blood gases at both time points. There was no significant effect on mortality but an increased likelihood of an adverse event associated with corticosteroid treatment, OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.60 to 3.40. Overall one extra adverse effect occurred for every 5 people treated (95% CI 4 to 9). The risk of hyperglycaemia was significantly increased, OR 4.95; 95% CI 2.47 to 9.91.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of an exacerbation of COPD with oral or parenteral corticosteroids significantly reduces treatment failure and the need for additional medical treatment and shortens hospital stay. It increases the rate of improvement in lung function and dyspnoea and the improvement continues during treatment, but there is a significantly increase in the risk of an adverse drug event occurring. The optimal dose and length of treatment regime needs to be better defined.

Incidence and risk factors of exacerbations among COPD patients in primary health care: APMPOC study

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth cause of death. Exacerbations have a negative impact on the prognosis of COPD and the frequency and severity of these episodes are associated with a higher patient mortality. Exacerbations are the first cause of decompensation, hospital admission and death in COPD. The incidence of exacerbations has mainly been estimated in populations of patients with moderate-severe COPD requiring hospital care. However, little is known regarding the epidemiology of exacerbations in patients with less severe COPD forms. It is therefore possible that a high number of these less severe forms of exacerbations are underdiagnosed and may, in the long-term, have certain prognostic importance for the COPD evolution. The aim of this study was to know the incidence and risk factors associated with exacerbations in patients with COPD in primary care.

METHODS AND DESIGN

A prospective, observational, 3-phase, multicentre study will be performed involving: baseline evaluation, follow up and final evaluation. A total of 685 smokers or ex-smokers from 40 to 80 years of age with COPD, without acute respiratory disease or any other long-term respiratory disease will be randomly selected among the population assigned to 21 primary care centres. The diagnosis of COPD and its severity will be confirmed by spirometry. Information regarding the baseline situation, quality of life and exposure to contaminants or other factors potentially related to exacerbations will be collected. A group of 354 patients with confirmed COPD of varying severity will be followed for one year through monthly telephone calls and daily reporting of symptoms with the aim of detecting all the exacerbations which occur. These patients will be evaluated again at the end of the study and the incidence of exacerbations and associated relative risks will be estimated by negative binomial regression.

DISCUSSION

The results will be relevant to provide knowledge about natural history of the initial phases of the COPD and the impact and incidence of the exacerbations on the patients with mild-moderate forms of the disease. These data may be important to know the milder forms of exacerbation which are often silent or very little expressed clinically.

Temporal clustering of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

RATIONALE

Exacerbations are important events in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Preventing exacerbations is a key treatment goal. Observational data suggest that after a first exacerbation, patients may be at increased risk of a second exacerbation, but this has not been specifically studied. We hypothesized that exacerbations may cluster together in time, a finding that would have important implications for targeting preventative interventions and the analysis of clinical trial data.

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether exacerbations are random events, or cluster in time.

METHODS

A total of 297 patients in the London chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cohort recorded daily symptoms and were assessed for a total of 904 patient-years. The observed timing of second exacerbations after an initial exacerbation was compared with that expected should exacerbations occur randomly.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The observed timing distribution of second exacerbations differed significantly (P < 0.001) from the expected exponential function (shape parameter of the fitted Weibull function, 0.966 [95% confidence interval, 0.948-0.985]), suggesting that more second exacerbations occurred sooner than later and that exacerbations cluster together in time. Twenty-seven percent of first exacerbations were followed by a second recurrent event within 8 weeks. Approximately one third of exacerbations were recurrent exacerbations. Although initial exacerbations were milder than isolated events, they were not less likely to receive treatment, and under-treatment of initial events is not a plausible explanation for exacerbation recurrence. Recurrent exacerbations contribute significantly to overall exacerbation frequency (rho = 0.81; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Exacerbations are not random events but cluster together in time such that there is a high-risk period for recurrent exacerbation in the 8-week period after an initial excerbation.

Targeting the COPD exacerbation

Exacerbations of COPD have a profound detrimental effect on the patient and impose a significant burden on healthcare resource utilization. Prevention and treatment of exacerbations are major objectives of the clinical management of COPD. For this approach to be successful, clinicians must combine both pharmacologic approaches and non-pharmacologic strategies aimed at improving the patient's disease management. Non-pharmacologic approaches include those that can be incorporated into the office setting as well as intervention strategies that are integrated into the lifelong management of COPD. These strategies include developing a partnership with the patient and their social supports, encouraging and facilitating smoking cessation, immunizations, proper use of supplemental oxygen, and most importantly, giving the patient the tools to manage their illness appropriately. Moreover there is clear evidence of an irrevocable decline in pulmonary function after each exacerbation, usually resulting in reduced physical activity and impaired skeletal muscle function. Not surprisingly, pulmonary rehabilitation after such events has been shown to prevent relapse, improve survival and enhance patients' overall function after acute exacerbations.

Mortality in COPD: inevitable or preventable? Insights from the cardiovascular arena

Mortality due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease continues to rise, whereas mortality rates related to cardiovascular disease appear to be slowing, or even declining. This is due at least in part to more widespread use of preventative therapies that have been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality, raising the question of whether appropriate use of therapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which potentially reduce mortality could have a similar impact. This article discusses approaches used successfully in managing heart disease and considers whether these can be applied to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and whether a better understanding of the strongest predictors of mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is needed. It reviews the role of inhaled corticosteroids, both alone and in combination with long-acting beta(2)-agonists, in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including the role of combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting beta(2)-agonists (budesonide/formoterol or salmeterol/fluticasone propionate) in decreasing exacerbations and improving health status, potentially providing survival benefits in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This review also discusses the potential impact of treatments indicated for cardiovascular disease on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and possible links between the two diseases.

Exacerbations worsen the quality of life of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in primary healthcare

AIMS

To investigate the evolution of the quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and quantify the impact of exacerbations on the deterioration of quality of life over 2 years.

METHODS

Multicentre, observational, prospective 2-year study carried out in primary care. Patients with COPD were seen every 6 months. All the exacerbations developing during the study period were recorded and the quality of life of these patients was measured with the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).

RESULTS

Twenty-seven physicians participated and collected information on 136 patients with a mean age of 70 years (SD: 9.7) and a mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) of 48.7% predicted (SD: 14.5%). The mean global score of the SGRQ was 39.6 at the beginning of the study and 37.9 at the end. Patients without exacerbations improved an average of -5.32 units compared with a worsening of +0.2 among patients with exacerbations (p = 0.023). Among the latter, patients with only one exacerbation improved -3.8 units (p = 0.012) compared with a worsening of +2.4 in those with two or more exacerbations (p = 0.134). The impact of exacerbations was greater in patients with more preserved pulmonary function, with a change in the SGRQ among patients with or without exacerbations of +0.23 and -6.17 (p = 0.017), respectively in patients with a FEV(1) > 50%, vs. +0.18 and -4.39 (p = 0.32) in patients with a FEV(1) </= 50%.

CONCLUSIONS

Exacerbations are associated with a significant worsening in the quality of life of patients with COPD measured with the SGRQ. The degree of impairment depends on the number of exacerbations, being greater in patients with more preserved pulmonary function.

Monitoring of patients with COPD: a review of current guidelines' recommendations

BACKGROUND

The goals for the management of COPD are to delay the process of disease progression and alleviate its manifestations. The follow-up of the patients' physical and mental condition is part of best practice management when monitoring routines results in information that contributes to the achievement of management goals. However, the recommendations on monitoring procedures may differ between guidelines and may not be based on scientific evidence. The aim of this article is to review the current guideline recommendations on monitoring routines for COPD.

METHODS

Clinical practice guidelines on the management of COPD were identified by a Medline search, Internet search and expanded by experts in the respiratory field. Guidelines on the management of COPD were analysed on recommended monitoring routines, recommended frequency of monitoring.

RESULTS

Eighteen clinical practice guidelines on the management of COPD were analysed. The follow-up of lung function indices was the most frequently recommended monitoring routine. Moreover, monitoring of symptoms, exercise tolerance, comorbidity, and smoking habits were recommended regularly. In none of the guidelines, the recommended monitoring routines were evidence based. Only one guideline provides a different set of monitoring parameters for advanced COPD compared to mild and moderate COPD.

CONCLUSION

Some monitoring routines were recommended frequently, especially follow-up of lung function indices. However, evidence to support the guideline recommendations for the monitoring of patients with COPD is missing. The effect of monitoring on care process and outcomes should be assessed.

Strategies for improving outcomes of COPD exacerbations

COPD is uniquely situated as a chronic disease at the beginning of the 21st century; it is not only an established major cause of mortality and morbidity but is increasing in prevalence despite current medical interventions. In addition COPD is not a stable disease but its natural history is punctuated by periods of acute deterioration or exacerbations. Exacerbations generate considerable additional morbidity and mortality, and directly affect patients’ quality of life. However, despite significant advances in understanding and treating this disease, exacerbations continue to be the major cause of COPD-associated hospitalization, and provision for their management incurs considerable health care costs. This review will consider the current management of COPD exacerbations and how new clinical strategies may improve outcome of these important clinical events.

Role of macrolide therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The Global Burden of Disease study has concluded that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020, and will increase its ranking of disability-adjusted life years lost from 12th to 5th. Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are associated with impaired quality of life and pulmonary function. More frequent or severe AECOPDs have been associated with especially markedly impaired quality of life and a greater longitudinal loss of pulmonary function. COPD and AECOPDs are characterized by an augmented inflammatory response. Macrolide antibiotics are macrocyclical lactones that provide adequate coverage for the most frequently identified pathogens in AECOPD and have been generally included in published guidelines for AECOPD management. In addition, they exert broad-ranging, immunomodulatory effects both in vitro and in vivo, as well as diverse actions that suppress microbial virulence factors. Macrolide antibiotics have been used to successfully treat a number of chronic, inflammatory lung disorders including diffuse panbronchiolitis, asthma, noncystic fibrosis associated bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis. Data in COPD patients have been limited and contradictory but the majority hint to a potential clinical and biological effect. Additional, prospective, controlled data are required to define any potential treatment effect, the nature of this effect, and the role of bronchiectasis, baseline colonization, and other cormorbidities.

Self-management strategies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

This article enables the reader to understand the newest scientific concepts and advances in the field of self-management in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, recognize the importance of self-management education and what might be needed to enhance behavior modification, and translate these advances into strategies and specific interventions in clinical practice.

A community-based, time-matched, case-control study of respiratory viruses and exacerbations of COPD

Respiratory viruses are associated with severe acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in hospitalized patients. However, exacerbations are increasingly managed in the community, where the role of viruses is unclear. In community exacerbations, the causal association between viruses and exacerbation maybe confounded by random fluctuations in the prevalence of circulating respiratory viruses. Therefore, to determine whether viral respiratory tract infections are causally associated with community exacerbations, a time-matched case-control study was performed. Ninety-two subjects (mean age 72 yrs), with moderate to severe COPD, (mean FEV(1) 40% predicted), were enrolled. Nasopharyngeal swabs for viral multiplex polymerase chain reaction and atypical pneumonia serology were obtained at exacerbation onset. Control samples were collected in synchrony, from a randomly selected stable patient drawn from the same cohort. In 99 weeks of surveillance, there were 148 exacerbations. Odds of viral isolation were 11 times higher in cases, than their time-matched controls (34 discordant case-control pairs; in 31 pairs only the case had virus and in three pairs only control). Picornavirus (26), influenza A (3), parainfluenza 1,2,3 (2), respiratory syncytial virus (1), and adenovirus (1) were detected in cases while adenovirus (1) and picornavirus (2) were detected in controls. In patients with moderate or severe COPD the presence of a virus in upper airway secretions is strongly associated with the development of COPD exacerbations. These data support the causative role of viruses in triggering COPD exacerbations in the community.

Underreporting exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a longitudinal cohort

RATIONALE

Unreported exacerbations and failure to seek medical attention may have consequences on the health of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine the incidence of reported and unreported exacerbations, to identify predictors of reporting, and to compare the impact of reported and unreported exacerbations on health status.

METHODS

The study is based on a multicenter Canadian cohort of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Patients completed a daily diary from which exacerbations were defined as a worsening of at least one key symptom (dyspnea, sputum amount, sputum color) recorded on at least 2 consecutive days. Patients were asked to contact the study center if there was a sustained worsening of symptom. Reported exacerbations were events that led to contacting study center or health care visit. The study enrolled 421 patients. The overall incidence of diary exacerbations was 2.7 per person per year, but only 0.8 per person per year was reported. Predictors of reporting included age (HR [hazard ratio], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-0.98 per 5-yr increase), FEV(1)% predicted (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.70-0.99 per 10% increase), number of symptoms at onset (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.37-1.84 per additional symptom), and time of the week (HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.22-0.56 weekend vs. weekday). There was a clinically important decline in health status for 52% of patients with reported exacerbation and 43% with unreported exacerbations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown that less than one-third of the exacerbations were reported. The number of symptoms at onset was the most important predictor of reporting an exacerbation, and both reported and unreported exacerbations had an impact on health status.

Effect of an integrated primary care model on the management of middle-aged and old patients with obstructive lung diseases

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of a primary care model for COPD on process of care and patient outcome.

DESIGN

Controlled study with delayed intervention in control group.

SETTING

The GP delegates tasks to a COPD support service (CSS) and a practice nurse. The CSS offers logistic support to the practice through a patient register and recall system for annual history-taking and lung function measurement. It also forms the link with the chest physician for diagnostic and therapeutic advice. The practice nurse's most important tasks are education and counselling.

SUBJECTS

A total of 44 practices (n =22 for intervention and n =22 for control group) and 260 of their patients > or = 40 years with obstructive lung diseases.

RESULTS

Within the intervention group planned visits increased from 16% to 44% and from 19% to 25% in the control condition (difference between groups p =0.014). Annual lung function measurement rose from 17% to 67% in the intervention and from 11% to 18% in the control group (difference between groups p =0.001). Compared with control, more but not statistically significant smokers received periodic advice to quit smoking (p =0.16). At baseline 41% of the intervention group were using their inhalers correctly and this increased to 54% after two years; it decreased in the control group from 47 to 29% (difference between groups p =0.002). The percentage of patients without exacerbation did not change significantly compared with the control condition. The percentage of the intervention group not needing emergency medication rose from 79% to 84% but decreased in the controls from 81 to 76% (difference between groups p =0.08).

CONCLUSION

Combining different disciplines in one model has a positive effect on compliance with recommendations for monitoring patients, and improves the care process and some patient outcomes.

Canadian Thoracic Society recommendations for management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - 2007 update

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major respiratory illness in Canada that is both preventable and treatable. Our understanding of the pathophysiology of this complex condition continues to grow and our ability to offer effective treatment to those who suffer from it has improved considerably. The purpose of the present educational initiative of the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) is to provide up to date information on new developments in the field so that patients with this condition will receive optimal care that is firmly based on scientific evidence. Since the previous CTS management recommendations were published in 2003, a wealth of new scientific information has become available. The implications of this new knowledge with respect to optimal clinical care have been carefully considered by the CTS Panel and the conclusions are presented in the current document. Highlights of this update include new epidemiological information on mortality and prevalence of COPD, which charts its emergence as a major health problem for women; a new section on common comorbidities in COPD; an increased emphasis on the meaningful benefits of combined pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies; and a new discussion on the prevention of acute exacerbations. A revised stratification system for severity of airway obstruction is proposed, together with other suggestions on how best to clinically evaluate individual patients with this complex disease. The results of the largest randomized clinical trial ever undertaken in COPD have recently been published, enabling the Panel to make evidence-based recommendations on the role of modern pharmacotherapy. The Panel hopes that these new practice guidelines, which reflect a rigorous analysis of the recent literature, will assist caregivers in the diagnosis and management of this common condition.

Global burden of COPD: risk factors, prevalence, and future trends

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continues to be an important cause of morbidity, mortality, and health-care costs worldwide. It is a global health issue, with cigarette smoking being an important risk factor universally; other factors, such as exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution, occupational hazards, and infections, are also important. As the global population ages, the burden of COPD will increase in years to come. Prevalence estimates of the disorder show considerable variability across populations, suggesting that risk factors can affect populations differently. Other advances in our understanding of COPD are increased recognition of the importance of comorbid disease, identification of different COPD phenotypes, and understanding how factors other than lung function affect outcome in our patients. The challenge we will all face in the next few years will be implementation of cost-effective prevention and management strategies to stem the tide of this disease and its cost.

COPD exacerbations: defining their cause and prevention

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are episodes of worsening of symptoms, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. COPD exacerbations are associated with increased airway and systemic inflammation and physiological changes, especially the development of hyperinflation. They are triggered mainly by respiratory viruses and bacteria, which infect the lower airway and increase airway inflammation. Some patients are particularly susceptible to exacerbations, and show worse health status and faster disease progression than those who have infrequent exacerbations. Several pharmacological interventions are effective for the reduction of exacerbation frequency and severity in COPD such as inhaled steroids, long-acting bronchodilators, and their combinations. Non-pharmacological therapies such as pulmonary rehabilitation, self-management, and home ventilatory support are becoming increasingly important, but still need to be studied in controlled trials. The future of exacerbation prevention is in assessment of optimum combinations of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies that will result in improvement of health status, and reduction of hospital admission and mortality associated with COPD.

Oral or IV prednisolone in the treatment of COPD exacerbations: a randomized, controlled, double-blind study

BACKGROUND

Treatment with systemic corticosteroids for exacerbations of COPD results in improvement in clinical outcomes. On hospitalization, corticosteroids are generally administered IV. It has not been established whether oral administration is equally effective. We conducted a study to demonstrate that therapy with oral prednisolone was not inferior to therapy with IV prednisolone using a double-blind, double-dummy design.

METHODS

Patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of COPD were randomized to receive 5 days of therapy with prednisolone, 60 mg IV or orally. Treatment failure, the primary outcome, was defined as death, admission to the ICU, readmission to the ICU because of COPD, or the intensification of pharmacologic therapy during a 90-day follow-up period.

RESULTS

A total of 435 patients were referred for a COPD exacerbation warranting hospitalization; 107 patients were randomized to receive IV therapy, and 103 to receive oral therapy. Overall treatment failure within 90 days was similar, as follows: IV prednisolone, 61.7%; oral prednisolone, 56.3% (one-sided lower bound of the 95% confidence interval [CI], -5.8%). There were also no differences in early (ie, within 2 weeks) treatment failure (17.8% and 18.4%, respectively; one-sided lower bound of the 95% CI, -9.4%), late (ie, after 2 weeks) treatment failure (54.0% and 47.0%, respectively; one-sided lower bound of the 95% CI, -5.6%), and mean (+/- SD) length of hospital stay (11.9 +/- 8.6 and 11.2 +/- 6.7 days, respectively). Over 1 week, clinically relevant improvements were found in spirometry and health-related quality of life, without significant differences between the two treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

Therapy with oral prednisolone is not inferior to IV treatment in the first 90 days after starting therapy. We suggest that the oral route is preferable in the treatment of COPD exacerbations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00311961.

Effects of an integrated care intervention on risk factors of COPD readmission

An integrated care intervention including education, coordination among levels of care, and improved accessibility, reduced hospital readmissions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after 1 year. This study analyses the effectiveness of this intervention in terms of clinical and functional status, quality of life, lifestyle, and self-management, under the hypothesis that changes in these factors could explain the observed reduction in readmissions. A total of 113 exacerbated COPD patients (14% female, mean (SD) age 73(8) years, FEV(1) 1.2(0.5) l) were recruited after hospital discharge in Barcelona, Spain, and randomly assigned (1:2) to integrated care (IC) (n=44) or usual care (UC) (n=69). The intervention consisted of an individually tailored care plan at discharge shared with the primary care team and access to a specialized case manager nurse through a web-based call centre. After 1 year of intervention, subjects in the intervention group improved body mass index by 1.34 kg/m(2). Additionally, they scored better in self-management items: COPD knowledge 81% vs. 44%, exacerbation identification 85% vs. 22%, exacerbation early treatment 90% vs. 66%, inhaler adherence 71 vs. 37%, and inhaler correctness 86 vs. 24%. There were no differences in the evolution of dyspnea, lung function, quality of life scores, lifestyle factors, or medical treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This IC trial improved disease knowledge, and treatment adherence, after 1 year of intervention, suggesting that these factors may play a role in the prevention of severe COPD exacerbations triggering hospital admissions.

Acute Exacerbations of COPD in Subjects Completing Pulmonary Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

Improvements in health status following pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) diminish with time. Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPDs) negatively impact adherence after PR and likely accelerate this diminution of benefit. This study was designed to characterize the pre-AECOPD status of patients with moderate or severe COPD who had completed PR, and then to measure the impact of AECOPDs on health-related quality of life (HRQL) and functional exercise capacity.

METHODS

Sixty subjects who completed PR were enrolled in a 6-month observational study and were followed up until an AECOPD occurred. In the event of an AECOPD, primary outcome measures, the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and the chronic respiratory disease questionnaire (CRDQ), were repeated 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms. Between-group and repeated-measures analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The mean (+/- SD) age of the 53 subjects (49% female) completing the study was 68 +/- 9 years. Baseline airflow obstruction was moderate in 35 subjects (66%) and severe in 18 subjects (34%). Thirty-four subjects experienced a moderate or severe AECOPD. The mean distance walked on the baseline 6MWT in those subjects who experienced AECOPDs was 350 +/- 95 m, compared to 416 +/- 95 m walked in those subjects who did not (difference, 66 m; p < 0.02). The presence of an AECOPD was associated with significant reductions in 6MWT distance walked (difference, 59.3 +/- 80 m; p < 0.01) and in the CRDQ domains of fatigue (difference, 1 +/- 1.3; p < 0.01), emotion (difference, 0.6 +/- 0.95; p < 0.01), and mastery (difference, 0.5 +/- 1.4; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with lower functional exercise capacity are more likely to experience AECOPDs following PR. AECOPDs are associated with significant and clinically meaningful reductions in functional exercise capacity and HRQL.

[Effectiveness of a specific program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and frequent exacerbations]

OBJECTIVE

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a history of frequent exacerbations are a target population of particular interest from both a clinical and an economic standpoint. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a program designed specifically to manage patients in this subgroup.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a 1-year randomized controlled trial designed to compare the effectiveness of a specific program (SP) with that of conventional management (CM) in a group of patients with a high frequency of exacerbations (3 or more per year). Within-group and between-group comparisons were carried out for a number of variables related to the patients medical care, dyspnea, health-related quality of life (HRQL), inhalation technique, and pulmonary function.

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients were enrolled in the study (all men). The mean (SD) age was 73 (8) years, and mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) expressed as a percentage of the reference value was 43% (15%). Exacerbations requiring hospital care (emergency department visits and/or admission) decreased in both groups: by 24.4% (P not significant) in the CM group and 44.1% (P=.061) in the SP group. Hospital admissions decreased 73.3% in the SP group and increased 22% in the CM group (P< .001). While length of hospital stay decreased 77.3% in the SP group, this figure almost doubled in the CM group (P=.014). Dyspnea, HRQL, and inhalation technique improved in both groups. FEV1 fell by 46 mL/year in the CM group and increased 10 mL/year in the SP group (P not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a simple program to manage selected patients with a history of frequent exacerbations produces a significant reduction in the number of hospital admissions, an improvement in HRQL, and may improve prognosis.

Exacerbations in cystic fibrosis. 1: Epidemiology and pathogenesis

With the improving survival of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), the clinical spectrum of this complex multisystem disease continues to evolve. One of the most important clinical events for patients with CF in the course of this disease is an acute pulmonary exacerbation. Clinical and microbial epidemiology studies of CF pulmonary exacerbations continue to provide important insight into the course, prognosis and complications of the disease. This review provides a summary of the pathophysiology, clinical epidemiology and microbial epidemiology of a CF pulmonary exacerbation.

Perspectives that influence action plans for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Prompt treatment of acute exacerbations (AEs) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) improves quality of life and reduces the use of health care resources. Although patient self-management through an individualized action plan (AP) can help with early initiation of therapy, its use is critically dependent on the patient recognizing the features of an exacerbation.

OBJECTIVE

To describe COPD patients' experiences with AEs, as well as health care professionals' (HCPs') attitudes toward the provision of an AP as part of self-management education.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients with moderate to severe COPD who recently experienced at least one AE, and 22 HCPs with experience in the management of COPD, were interviewed.

RESULTS

The most common symptoms and signs associated with an AE were difficulty breathing (84%), fatigue (81%), cold symptoms (59%), changes in sputum colour (53%) or amount (47%), and cough (44%). The main precipitants identified were environmental triggers (47%), infective agents (31%), excessive activities (25%), emotional factors (16%) and changes in medications (9%). Strategies for dyspnea relief included increasing medications (72%), resting (56%), avoiding exposure to environmental triggers (41%) and performing breathing exercises (31%). Patients supported the use of an AP and recommended that it be individualized for symptoms and triggers, and that it should also include strategies for addressing anxiety and depression. HCPs also supported the use of an individualized AP and recommended that it be regularly revisited, depending on the patient's disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients' experiences with AEs do not always conform to a standard medical definition. Therefore, an understanding of their experience is of value in the design of an individualized AP. HCPs support the use of an AP that emphasizes self-management of exacerbations as well as general COPD management.

Written action plans in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increase appropriate treatment for acute exacerbations

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND

COPD is a progressive disorder characterized by periodic exacerbations. While comprehensive self-management programmes decrease health-care resource utilization, the essential components are unclear. We performed a study of written action plans in the management of COPD.

METHODOLOGY

A randomized, controlled, prospective parallel-group study compared written action plans to usual practice.

SUBJECTS

Recruited from general practices, received an educational intervention with or without an action plan, which usually emphasized prompt treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids. Subjects were followed up 3-monthly for a year.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-nine participants, mean FEV(1) 45 +/- 16% predicted, were recruited, 81% completing the study. Both groups had a decline in lung function and physical activity, but increase in quality of life over the study period. Exacerbations were common. The intervention group was significantly more likely to have treatment with antibiotics (chi(2) = 3.86; d.f. = 1; P = 0.05) or short course oral corticosteroids (chi(2) = 14.25; d.f. = 1; P < 0.001). No differences were found between the number of general practitioner consultations, attendances at emergency departments or hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a written action plan in COPD increased appropriate therapeutic interventions for exacerbations, but this effect was not associated with a decrease in the use of health-care resources.

Tratamiento farmacológico de las agudizaciones infecciosas de la EPOC

Las agudizaciones de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) son episodios frecuentes y potencialmente graves, que dejan un impacto permanente en la calidad de vida y en la función pulmonar de los pacientes. Hasta un 75% de las agudizaciones tiene una etiología bacteriana, en ocasiones asociada a infección vírica. La tasa de fracaso del tratamiento ambulatorio de las agudizaciones alcanza el 20-25% y la gravedad de la enfermedad de base es el principal factor de riesgo de fracaso. La colonización bacteriana persistente es un factor de riesgo de agudizaciones frecuentes y graves, y de más rápida progresión de la EPOC. Por este motivo el tratamiento antibiótico de las agudizaciones debe perseguir no sólo la curación clínica, sino también la mejor erradicación posible para acelerar la recuperación y prevenir las recaídas. Nuevos ensayos clínicos han demostrado que el antibiótico que consigue una mejor erradicación puede prolongar el tiempo sin síntomas de agudización.

Levofloxacin 750 mg QD for five days versus amoxicillin/clavulanate 875 mg/125 mg BID for ten days for treatment of acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis: a post hoc analysis of data from severely ill patients

This post hoc analysis of data from a previous randomized, blinded, multicenter, parallel, noninferiority study assessed the bacterial etiology, symptom resolution, and tolerability of severe acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (ABECB) patients treated with either levofloxacin 750 mg QD for 5 days or amoxicillin/clavulanate 875 mg/125 mg BID for 10 days. Severe ABECB was defined as ABECB and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) <50% of the predicted value, or (FEV(1)) of 50% to 65% of the predicted value plus comorbidities, or > or =4 exacerbations per year. A total of 369 patients were included in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population (187 treated with levofloxacin and 182 treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate), and 175 patients were microbiologically assessable (MA) (86 treated with levofloxacin and 89 treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate). In the ITT population, the mean age was 58.7 years, 49.1 % were male, and 48.2% were current smokers. At the on-treatment visit, a significantly higher proportion of MA patients in the levofloxacin group resolved purulent sputum production (57.5% vs 35.6%; P < 0.006), sputum production (65.4% vs 45.3%; P < 0.013), and cough (60.0% vs 44.0%; P < 0.045), compared with the amoxicillin/clavulanate group. However, no significant between-group differences were observed at posttreatment. A total of 341 pathogens were isolated, of which 143 (41.9%) were traditional ABECB flora, 181 (53.1%) were other gram-negative organisms, and 17 (5.0%) were gram-positive organisms. Overall susceptibility of the pathogens was 97.1% for levofloxacin and 90.6% for amoxicillin/clavulanate (P < 0.001). The prevalence of treatment-emergent adverse events was 42.1 % in patients who received levofloxacin and 48.6 % in those who received amoxicillin/clavulanate (95% CI,-4.0 to 17.0).

Comment évaluer, orienter et suivre un patient ayant une pneumonie aiguë communautaire ? Une exacerbation de bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive ?

L'objectif de cette revue est de présenter une analyse bibliographique de la littérature de ces cinq dernières années concernant les pneumonies aiguës communautaires (PAC) et les exacerbations aiguës de bronchopneumopathies chroniques obstructives (EABPCO). La PAC et l'EABPCO sont des pathologies fréquentes grevées d'une mortalité et/ou morbidité encore élevée de nos jours. La connaissance des facteurs de risque d'évolution compliquée et l'identification des signes de gravité souvent liés au risque de mortalité permettent d'orienter le patient pour un traitement ambulatoire, en hospitalisation conventionnelle ou en secteur de réanimation ; des règles prédictives ont été établies dans ce sens. La littérature concernant les critères de sortie d'hospitalisation et le suivi des patients est plus pauvre.

The Lung Information Needs Questionnaire: Development, preliminary validation and findings

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Many chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are dissatisfied with the information they are given. A brief questionnaire completed prior to the clinical encounter would assist health professionals identify areas of information need.

DESIGN

Ten focus groups of 59 patients assisted in the process of questionnaire construction. Three hundred and four patients (return rate 63%) responded to a postal questionnaire.

RESULTS

Twenty-one per cent did not know the name of their disease, 3% reported medication non-compliance and 8% were confused with medicines. Fifty-five per cent of patients were exercising inappropriately, 8% did not know what to do when breathing worsened and 36% did not know when to call an ambulance. All six of the Lung Information Needs Questionnaire domains discriminated significantly as a function of health professional contact. Retest reliability for the six domains varied between .66 and .98, and for the total score was .89. alpha was .62.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients can act as experts during the process of questionnaire construction. Information needs vary between patients but tend to be high for non-drug related aspects of self-management COPD. This questionnaire can be used to guide the clinical encounter.

An experimental model of rhinovirus induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Acute exacerbations of COPD are a major cause of morbidity, mortality and hospitalisation. Respiratory viruses are associated with the majority of exacerbations but a causal relationship has not been demonstrated and the mechanisms of virus-induced exacerbations are poorly understood. Development of a human experimental model would provide evidence of causation and would greatly facilitate understanding mechanisms, but no such model exists.

METHODS

We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of developing an experimental model of rhinovirus induced COPD exacerbations and to assess safety of rhinovirus infection in COPD patients. We carried out a pilot virus dose escalating study to assess the minimum dose of rhinovirus 16 required to induce experimental rhinovirus infection in subjects with COPD (GOLD stage II). Outcomes were assessed by monitoring of upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms, lung function, and virus replication and inflammatory responses in nasal lavage.

RESULTS

All 4 subjects developed symptomatic colds with the lowest dose of virus tested, associated with evidence of viral replication and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines in nasal lavage. These were accompanied by significant increases in lower respiratory tract symptoms and reductions in PEF and FEV1. There were no severe exacerbations or other adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Low dose experimental rhinovirus infection in patients with COPD induces symptoms and lung function changes typical of an acute exacerbation of COPD, appears safe, and provides preliminary evidence of causation.

Patient understanding, detection, and experience of COPD exacerbations: an observational, interview-based study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to gain insight into patients' comprehension, recognition, and experience of exacerbations of COPD, and to explore the patient burden associated with these events.

DESIGN

A qualitative, multinational, cross-sectional, interview-based study.

SETTING

Patients' homes.

PATIENTS

Patients (n = 125) with predominantly moderate-to-very severe COPD (age > or = 50 years; with two or more exacerbations during the previous year).

INTERVENTIONS

Patients underwent a 1-h face-to-face interview with a trained interviewer.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

During the preceding year, patients experienced a mean +/- SD of 4.6 +/- 5.4 exacerbations, after which 19.2% (n = 24) believed they had not fully recovered. Although commonly used by physicians, only 1.6% (n = 2) of patients understood the term exacerbation, preferring to use simpler terms, such as chest infection (16.0%; n = 20) or crisis (16.0%; n = 20) instead. Approximately two thirds of patients stated that they were aware of when an exacerbation was imminent and, in most cases, patients recounted that symptoms were consistent from one exacerbation to another. Some patients (32.8%; n = 41), however, reported no recognizable warning signs. At the onset of an exacerbation, 32.8% of patients (n = 41) stated that they reacted by self-administering their medication. Some patients spontaneously mentioned a fear of dying (12.0%; n = 15) or suffocating (9.6%; n = 12) during exacerbations, and effects on activities, mood, and personal/family relationships were frequently reported. Physicians tended to underestimate the psychological impact of exacerbations compared with patient reports.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that patients with frequent exacerbations have a poor understanding of the term exacerbation. Patient recollections suggest that exacerbation profiles vary enormously between patients but that symptoms/warning signs are fairly consistent within individuals, and are generally recognizable. Exacerbations appear to have a significant impact on patient well-being, including psychological well-being, and this may be underestimated by physicians.

Maintaining exercise capacity and quality of life following pulmonary rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE

The optimum method for sustaining the benefits gained from pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has not been determined. In this report the authors describe the 4-year referral and uptake patterns to a hospital-based outpatient PR programme, and the sustained benefits of PR in patients with COPD attending a community-based maintenance exercise programme.

METHODS

Entry and exit data were mapped for all patients referred to the PR service over the review period. All eligible patients were offered a community-based maintenance exercise programme upon completion of PR. A total of 21 patients underwent follow-up assessment of functional exercise capacity, quality of life (QOL) and health-care utilization.

RESULTS

Over a 4-year period, 467 patients (80% with COPD) were referred to the programme, of whom 230 entered PR. In total, 172 patients completed PR, with attrition (25%) being mostly due to medical problems. Of the 84 patients who elected for the community-based programme, 46 were still attending at follow up and 21 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD (44.9 +/- 12.6 (mean +/- SD) FEV(1)% predicted) were reassessed at 18.4 +/- 11.9 months post PR. Significant improvements (mean change (95% confidence interval)) persisted in 6-min walk distance (41.1 m (15.7-66.5)), distance walked in 20 min (195.1 m (82.3-308)) and in QOL (Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire) (11.0 points (4.4-17.6)) (P < 0.01). The QOL improvements exceeded the minimum clinically important difference. A trend towards a reduction in COPD-related hospital admissions, bed-days and emergency department presentations was observed in the 12 months following PR. Self-reported adherence with the home exercise programme indicated that 67% of patients were exercising at least 3-5 days each week in addition to attending a class.

CONCLUSION

For patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, a weekly community-based maintenance exercise class, supervised by a physiotherapist, combined with a home exercise programme is an effective intervention for maintaining improvements following PR.

COPD exacerbations.5: management

A review of the most relevant evidence based therapeutic options currently available for the management of exacerbations of COPD.