Aspiration and severe exacerbations in COPD: a prospective study

Unmet needs and future directions of treatment options for chronic cough

INTRODUCTION

Chronic cough is a persistent condition that significantly affects patients' quality of life and poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Traditional anatomical diagnostic approaches often fail to address the underlying mechanisms, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes.

AREA COVERED

This review aims to summarize the challenges of the management of chronic cough and highlights recent advances of several promising drug candidates in cough trials. PUBMED/CINAHL/Web of Science/Scopus were searched (February 2025).

EXPERT OPINION

Over the past 40 years, chronic cough has evolved from a mere symptom to a recognized disease. A key observation is that hypersensitivity of the afferent vagus and its central projections cause the state of cough hypersensitivity leading to the urge to cough being precipitated by otherwise innocuous stimuli. Clinical trial designs have also advanced, incorporating placebo run-in periods to reduce placebo effects and refining patient-reported outcomes to modern standards. Additionally, the realization that the variability in chronic cough, both diurnal and day-to-day, has highlighted the need for continuous cough monitoring, which has only recently been available consequence to the revolution in electronic applications. However, progress is hindered by a widespread lack of awareness among healthcare professionals and patients, underscoring the urgent need for education on this condition.

Cost effectiveness of a novel swallowing and respiratory sensation assessment and a modelled intervention to reduce acute exacerbations of COPD

Swallowing impairment observed in ~ 20% of people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia and acute exacerbations. We designed a decision analytic model to assess the cost-effectiveness of the Swallowing and Respiratory Sensation Assessment (SwaRSA) tests and swallowing rehabilitation to reduce COPD exacerbations. We believe that swallowing rehabilitation to improve coordination of swallowing and breathing may reduce exacerbations in people with COPD.From the Australia health system perspective, we assessed the cost effectiveness of four tests relative to standard of care, or no testing, over a time horizon of one year. The SwaRSA tests assessed relative to a standard of care arm of no testing: included the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) score, Swallowing Capacity of Liquids, Tongue Strength Assessment, and Respiratory Sensation Assessment, in people with moderate to severe COPD. Outcome measures were COPD exacerbations per year, which were converted into quality adjusted life years (QALYs). Model inputs including costs, test sensitivities and specificities, COPD exacerbation risks, and exacerbation-related utilities were derived from published sources. Our assumptions on the costs, recovery, and risk reduction are based on the available data on pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD.Relative to no-SwaRSA, three individual testing strategies were found to be cost-effective at incremental cost effectiveness ratio per QALY ranging from $27,000 to $37,000 AUD assuming a willingness to pay of $50,000 AUD. The EAT-10 and the tongue strength were the two dominant options on the cost-effectiveness frontier. Model results were robust to variations in one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.In COPD, SwaRSA modelling suggests that self-assessment with the EAT-10 and subsequent intervention is highly cost-effective relative to no-SwaRSA.

Swallowing and ventilation patterns in stable COPD patients: An observational study

Our study aimed to investigate swallowing coordination by analyzing ventilatory patterns during of solids and liquids food intakes. Twenty-one patients with severe to very severe stable COPD (GOLD III and IV) underwent ventilation and swallowing recordings while performing standardized swallowing tasks. The results revealed that the expiratory-expiratory (EE) swallowing pattern was predominant, accounting for 80 % of swallows, with no significant differences between solid and liquid swallows. Non-EE patterns occurred in an average of 20.68 % of swallows per patient. Our results demonstrated an increased inspiratory time (IT) during liquid swallows compared to rest (1.05 ± 0.28 s vs 1.29 ± 0.22 s; p < 0.0125), as well as prolonged expiratory time (ET: 2.09 ± 0.78 s vs 3.42 ± 1.16 s; p < 0.001) and total respiratory cycle time (TT: 3.14 ± 1.03 s vs 4.70 ± 1.21 s; p < 0.01) during both solid and liquid swallows compared to rest. These changes resulted in a decreased IT/TT ratio during swallowing. Our findings confirm that the EE swallowing pattern remains predominant in stable COPD patients, consistent with observations in healthy individuals. Additionally, the study highlights significant alterations in ventilatory patterns during swallowing. These results contribute to a better understanding of the interplay between swallowing and ventilation in COPD and its potential implications for airways protection.

Study on predictive models for swallowing risk in patients with AECOPD

BACKGROUND

Dysphagia is considered a complication in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). However, AECOPD may have risk factors for dysphagia.

METHODS

Through a cross-sectional study, which included 100 patients with AECOPD. General information, Pulmonary function, COPD assessment test (CAT) and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) were collected by questionnaire. The questionnaires were administered by uniform-trained investigators using standard and neutral language, and swallowing risk was assessed by using a water swallow test (WST) on the day of patient admission.

RESULTS

Among the 100 included patients, 50(50%) were at risk of swallowing. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 74 years old, mMRC ≥ level 2, hospitalization days ≥ 7 days and the use of BIPAP assisted ventilation were important influencing factors for swallowing risk in patients with AECOPD.

CONCLUSION

Patients with AECOPD are at risk for dysphagia, assessing age, mMRC, hospitalization days and the use of BIPAP assisted ventilation can be used to screen for swallowing risk, thus contributing to the implementation of early prevention measures.

Chronic cough associated with COPD exacerbation, pneumonia and death in the general population

Background

Chronic cough affects up to 10% of the general population and was previously perceived as a comorbidity of underlying conditions, but is nowadays classified as a disease in its own entity that could confer increased risk of morbidity and mortality. We tested the hypothesis that chronic cough is associated with increased risk of COPD exacerbation, pneumonia and all-cause mortality in the general population.

Methods

We identified 2801 individuals with chronic cough, defined as cough lasting >8 weeks, among 44 756 randomly selected individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study, and recorded COPD exacerbations, pneumonia and all-cause mortality during follow-up.

Results

During up to 5.9 years of follow-up (median 3.4 years), 173 individuals experienced COPD exacerbation, 767 experienced pneumonia and 894 individuals died. Individuals with chronic cough versus those without had cumulative incidences at age 80 years of 12% versus 3% for COPD exacerbation, 30% versus 15% for pneumonia, and 25% versus 13% for death from all causes. After adjustment for age, sex and smoking, individuals with chronic cough versus those without had adjusted hazard ratios of 4.6 (95% CI 2.9-7.2) for COPD exacerbation, 2.2 (1.7-2.7) for pneumonia and 1.7 (1.4-2.0) for all-cause mortality. Among current smokers aged >60 years with airflow limitation, those with versus without chronic cough had an absolute 5-year risk of 10% versus 4% for COPD exacerbation, 16% versus 8% for pneumonia and 19% versus 12% for all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

Chronic cough is associated with higher risks of COPD exacerbation, pneumonia and death, independent of airflow limitation and smoking.

Videofluoroscopic measures of swallowing in people with stable COPD compared to healthy aging

PURPOSE

Swallowing impairment is a serious extra-pulmonary manifestation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Previous studies suggest that individuals with stable COPD show atypical values for several videofluoroscopy measures of swallowing, compared to healthy adults under age 60. However, it is unclear to what degree these changes are attributable to healthy aging. In this study, we aimed to clarify how swallowing in people with stable COPD differs from age-matched healthy controls.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of videofluoroscopy data from two previously-collected datasets: a) a sample of 28 adults with stable COPD (18 male); b) a sample of 76 healthy adults, from which 28 adults were selected, matched for sex and age to participants in the COPD cohort. In both prior studies, participants swallowed 20% w/v liquid barium prepared in different consistencies (thin; mildly, moderately, and extremely thick). Blinded duplicate ratings were performed according to a standard procedure, yielding measures of laryngeal vestibule closure (LVC) integrity and timing, swallow timing, upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening, pharyngeal constriction and pharyngeal residue. Mann-Whitney U tests and odds ratios were performed to determine significant group differences (p<.05).

RESULTS

Across the consistencies tested, participants with COPD showed significantly shorter durations of LVC, earlier onsets and shorter durations of UES opening, and reduced pharyngeal constriction. No significant differences were seen in other measures.

CONCLUSION

These results point to features of swallowing in people with stable COPD that differ from changes seen with healthy aging, and which represent risks for potential aspiration.

A prospective examination of swallow and cough dysfunction after lung transplantation

OBJECTIVES

Swallow and cough dysfunction are possible surgical complications of lung transplantation (LT). We examined voluntary cough strength, sensorimotor reflexive cough integrity, and swallow-related respiratory rate (RR) across swallowing safety and aspiration response groups in recovering LT recipients.

METHODS

Forty-five LT recipients underwent flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing indexed by the validated Penetration Aspiration Scale. RR before and after a 3-ounce water drinking task was measured. Voluntary and reflexive cough screening were performed to index motor and sensory outcomes. T-tests, one-way ANOVAs, and chi-square (odds ratios) were used.

RESULTS

60% of patients exhibited laryngeal penetration (n = 27) and 40% demonstrated tracheal aspiration (n = 18); 72% (n = 13) demonstrated silent aspiration. Baseline RR was higher in aspirators versus non-aspirators (26.5 vs. 22.6, p = 0.04) and in silent aspirators compared to non-silent aspirators (27.9 vs. 20.7, p = 0.01). RR change post-swallowing did not differ between aspiration response groups; however, it was significantly higher in aspirators compared to non-aspirators (3 vs. -2, p = 0.02). Compared to non-silent aspirators, silent aspirators demonstrated reduced voluntary cough peak expiratory flow (PEF; 166 vs. 324 L/min, p = 0.01). PEF, motor and urge to cough reflex cough ratings did not differ between aspirators and non-aspirators. Silent aspirators demonstrated a 7.5 times higher odds of failing reflex cough screening compared to non-silent aspirators (p = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

During the acute recovery period, all LT participants demonstrated some degree of unsafe swallowing and reduced voluntary cough strength. Silent aspirators exhibited elevated RR, reduced voluntary cough physiologic capacity to defend the airway, and a clinically distinguishable blunted motor response to reflex cough screening.

Swallow patterns associated with aspiration in COPD: a prospective analysis

Few studies have examined swallow of large liquid volumes representative of everyday drinking in COPD. Swallow by cup-drinking was evaluated in COPD using videofluoroscopy. Slower swallow was linked to aspiration indicating altered swallow habits in COPD. https://bit.ly/3wpdnO3.

Tongue strength and swallowing dynamics in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background

Swallowing disorders occur in COPD, but little is known about tongue strength and mastication. This is the first assessment in COPD of tongue strength and a test of mastication and swallowing solids (TOMASS).

Methods

Anterior tongue strength measures were obtained in 18 people with COPD, aged 73±11 years (mean±sd), and 19 healthy age-matched controls, aged 72±6 years. Swallowing dynamics were assessed using an eating assessment tool (EAT-10), timed water swallow test (TWST), and TOMASS. Swallowing measures were compared to an inhibitory reflex (IR) in the inspiratory muscles to airway occlusion (recorded previously in the same participants).

Results

Tongue strength was similar between COPD and controls (p=0.715). Self-assessed scores of dysphagia EAT-10 were higher (p=0.024) and swallowing times were prolonged for liquids (p=0.022) and solids (p=0.003) in the COPD group. During TWST, ∼30% of COPD group showed clinical signs of airway invasion (cough and wet voice), but none in the control group. For solids, the COPD group had ∼40% greater number of chews (p=0.004), and twofold-higher number of swallows (p=0.0496). Respiratory rate was 50% higher in COPD group than controls (p <0.001). The presence of an IR was not related to better swallowing outcomes, but signs of airway invasion were associated with a delayed IR.

Conclusion

Dysphagia in stable COPD is not due to impaired anterior tongue strength, but rather swallowing–breathing discoordination. To address dysphagia, aspiration and acute exacerbations in COPD, therapeutic targets to improve swallowing dynamics could be investigated further.

In this novel study of swallowing in COPD, there was no difference in tongue strength when compared to healthy controls, and in COPD participants with airway invasion, the inhibitory reflex to airway occlusion in inspiratory muscles was delayedhttps://bit.ly/3h4EeKw