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Voulgareli I, Semitekolou M, Morianos I, Blizou M, Sfika M, Hillas G, Bakakos P, Loukides S. Endotyping Eosinophilic Inflammation in COPD with ELAVL1, ZfP36 and HNRNPD mRNA Genes. J Clin Med 2024; 13:854. [PMID: 38337546 PMCID: PMC10856681 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease characterized by progressive airflow obstruction, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Eosinophils have been implicated in COPD pathogenesis, prompting the categorization into eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic endotypes. This study explores the association between eosinophilic inflammation and mRNA expression of ELAVL1, ZfP36, and HNRNPD genes, which encode HuR, TTP and AUF-1 proteins, respectively. Additionally, it investigates the expression of IL-9 and IL-33 in COPD patients with distinct eosinophilic profiles. Understanding these molecular associations could offer insights into COPD heterogeneity and provide potential therapeutic targets. Methods: We investigated 50 COPD patients, of whom 21 had eosinophilic inflammation and 29 had non-eosinophilic inflammation. Epidemiological data, comorbidities, and pulmonary function tests were recorded. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated for mRNA analysis of ELAVL1, ZfP36, and HNRNPD genes and serum cytokines (IL-9, IL-33) were measured using ELISA kits. Results: The study comprised 50 participants, with 66% being male and a mean age of 68 years (SD: 8.9 years). Analysis of ELAVL1 gene expression revealed a 0.45-fold increase in non-eosinophilic and a 3.93-fold increase in eosinophilic inflammation (p = 0.11). For the ZfP36 gene, expression was 6.19-fold higher in non-eosinophilic and 119.4-fold higher in eosinophilic groups (p = 0.07). Similarly, HNRNPD gene expression was 0.23-fold higher in non-eosinophilic and 0.72-fold higher in eosinophilic inflammation (p = 0.06). Furthermore, serum levels of IL-9 showed no statistically significant difference between the eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic group (58.03 pg/mL vs. 52.55 pg/mL, p = 0.98). Additionally, there was no significant difference in IL-33 serum levels between COPD patients with eosinophilic inflammation and those with non-eosinophilic inflammation (39.61 pg/mL vs. 37.94 pg/mL, p = 0.72). Conclusions: The data suggest a notable trend, lacking statistical significance, towards higher mRNA expression for the ZfP36 and HNRNPD genes for COPD patients with eosinophilic inflammation compared to those with non-eosinophilic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilektra Voulgareli
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (I.V.); (M.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Crete, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas Voutes, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (M.S.); (I.M.)
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Crete, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas Voutes, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (M.S.); (I.M.)
| | - Myrto Blizou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (I.V.); (M.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Maria Sfika
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (I.V.); (M.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (I.V.); (M.B.); (M.S.)
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Tzilas V, Roussis I, Sakellaropoulou K, Chrysikos S, Hillas G, Ryu JH. A 68-Year-Old Patient With Dyspnea and Hypoxemia After Total Hip Arthroplasty. Chest 2023; 164:e107-e110. [PMID: 37805247 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.04.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
CASE PRESENTATION A 68-year-old patient with obesity (BMI, 4 7 kg/m2) was transferred to the ED of our hospital because of dyspnea and pronounced hypoxemia. The patient underwent total right hip arthroplasty in an outside hospital because of osteoarthritis; there was no history of trauma. After 48 h, she experienced dyspnea with severe hypoxemia. The next day she was transferred to our hospital. Her history was notable for arterial hypertension and depression, but not heart failure. Her medications included candesartan (16 mg once daily) and sertraline (100 mg once daily). Perioperatively, she received enoxaparin 4.000 International Units subcutaneously once daily. There was no family history of respiratory diseases. The patient currently smokes (50 pack-years) with no recent increase in her habit and denied vaping, alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, and any home or occupational exposures. Prior to surgery, the family of the patient reported that she maintained modest mobility despite her osteoarthritis and was able to fulfill her daily activities. Interestingly, she reported a similar event of severe dyspnea and hypoxemia after total knee arthroplasty 3 years earlier; however, no further details were available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilios Tzilas
- 5th Respiratory Department, Chest Diseases Hospital "Sotiria," Athens Greece.
| | - Ioannis Roussis
- 5th Respiratory Department, Chest Diseases Hospital "Sotiria," Athens Greece
| | | | - Serafeim Chrysikos
- 5th Respiratory Department, Chest Diseases Hospital "Sotiria," Athens Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Department, Chest Diseases Hospital "Sotiria," Athens Greece
| | - Jay H Ryu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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Karageorgou V, Papaioannou AI, Kallieri M, Blizou M, Lampadakis S, Sfika M, Krouskos A, Papavasileiou V, Strakosha F, Vandorou KT, Siozos P, Moustaka Christodoulou M, Kontonasiou G, Apollonatou V, Antonogiannaki EM, Kyriakopoulos C, Aggelopoulou C, Chronis C, Kostikas K, Koukaki E, Sotiropoulou Z, Athanasopoulou A, Bakakos P, Schoini P, Alevrakis E, Poupos S, Chondrou E, Tsoukalas D, Chronaiou A, Tsoukalas G, Koukidou S, Hillas G, Dimakou K, Roukas K, Nakou I, Chloros D, Fouka E, Papiris SA, Loukides S. Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 in the Periods of Delta and Omicron Variant Dominance in Greece: Determinants of Severity and Mortality. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5904. [PMID: 37762846 PMCID: PMC10531654 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12185904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a pandemic since 2020, and depending on the SARS-CoV-2 mutation, different pandemic waves have been observed. The aim of this study was to compare the baseline characteristics of patients in two phases of the pandemic and evaluate possible predictors of mortality. METHODS This is a retrospective multicenter observational study that included patients with COVID-19 in 4 different centers in Greece. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the period during which they were infected during the Delta and Omicron variant predominance. RESULTS A total of 979 patients (433 Delta, 546 Omicron) were included in the study (median age 67 years (54, 81); 452 [46.2%] female). Compared to the Omicron period, the patients during the Delta period were younger (median age [IQR] 65 [51, 77] vs. 70 [55, 83] years, p < 0.001) and required a longer duration of hospitalization (8 [6, 13] vs. 7 [5, 12] days, p = 0.001), had higher procalcitonin levels (ng/mL): 0.08 [0.05, 0.17] vs. 0.06 [0.02, 0.16], p = 0.005, ferritin levels (ng/mL): 301 [159, 644] vs. 239 [128, 473], p = 0.002, C- reactive protein levels (mg/L): 40.4 [16.7, 98.5] vs. 31.8 [11.9, 81.7], p = 0.003, and lactate dehydrogenase levels (U/L): 277 [221, 375] vs. 255 [205, 329], p < 0.001. The Charlson Comorbidity Index was lower (3 [0, 5] vs. 4 [1, 6], p < 0.001), and the extent of disease on computed tomography (CT) was greater during the Delta wave (p < 0.001). No evidence of a difference in risk of death or admission to the intensive care unit was found between the two groups. Age, cardiovascular events, acute kidney injury during hospitalization, extent of disease on chest CT, D-dimer, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio values were identified as independent predictors of mortality for patients in the Delta period. Cardiovascular events and acute liver injury during hospitalization and the PaO2/FiO2 ratio on admission were identified as independent predictors of mortality for patients in the Omicron period. CONCLUSIONS In the Omicron wave, patients were older with a higher number of comorbidities, but patients with the Delta variant had more severe disease and a longer duration of hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vagia Karageorgou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Andriana I. Papaioannou
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.I.P.); (Z.S.); (P.B.)
| | - Maria Kallieri
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Myrto Blizou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Stefanos Lampadakis
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Maria Sfika
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Antonios Krouskos
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Vasileios Papavasileiou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Franceska Strakosha
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Kalliopi Theoni Vandorou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Pavlos Siozos
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Marina Moustaka Christodoulou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Georgia Kontonasiou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Vasiliki Apollonatou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Elvira Markella Antonogiannaki
- 4th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.M.A.); (P.S.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (E.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Christos Kyriakopoulos
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (C.K.); (C.C.); (K.K.)
| | - Christina Aggelopoulou
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (C.K.); (C.C.); (K.K.)
| | - Christos Chronis
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (C.K.); (C.C.); (K.K.)
| | - Konstantinos Kostikas
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (C.K.); (C.C.); (K.K.)
| | - Evangelia Koukaki
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.I.P.); (Z.S.); (P.B.)
| | - Zoi Sotiropoulou
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.I.P.); (Z.S.); (P.B.)
| | - Athanasia Athanasopoulou
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.I.P.); (Z.S.); (P.B.)
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.I.P.); (Z.S.); (P.B.)
| | - Pinelopi Schoini
- 4th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.M.A.); (P.S.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (E.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Emmanouil Alevrakis
- 4th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.M.A.); (P.S.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (E.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Sotirios Poupos
- 4th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.M.A.); (P.S.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (E.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Evangelia Chondrou
- 4th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.M.A.); (P.S.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (E.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Dionisios Tsoukalas
- 4th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.M.A.); (P.S.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (E.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Alexia Chronaiou
- 4th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.M.A.); (P.S.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (E.C.); (A.C.)
| | - George Tsoukalas
- 4th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.M.A.); (P.S.); (E.A.); (S.P.); (E.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Sofia Koukidou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.K.); (G.H.); (K.D.)
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.K.); (G.H.); (K.D.)
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.K.); (G.H.); (K.D.)
| | - Konstantinos Roukas
- COVID-19 Clinic, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece (I.N.); (D.C.); (E.F.)
| | - Ifigeneia Nakou
- COVID-19 Clinic, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece (I.N.); (D.C.); (E.F.)
| | - Diamantis Chloros
- COVID-19 Clinic, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece (I.N.); (D.C.); (E.F.)
| | - Evangelia Fouka
- COVID-19 Clinic, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece (I.N.); (D.C.); (E.F.)
| | - Spyros A. Papiris
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (V.K.); (M.K.); (M.B.); (S.L.); (M.S.); (F.S.); (V.A.)
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Matthaiou AM, Tomos I, Chaniotaki S, Liakopoulos D, Sakellaropoulou K, Koukidou S, Gheorghe LM, Eskioglou S, Paspalli A, Hillas G, Dimakou K. Association of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Therapy and Vitamin E Supplementation with Vitamin K Deficiency-Induced Coagulopathy: A Case Report and Narrative Review of the Literature. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1349. [PMID: 37763117 PMCID: PMC10533186 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13091349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin K is a lipid-soluble vitamin that is normally maintained within appropriate levels by means of dietary intake and bacterial production in the intestinal microflora. It holds a central role in coagulation homeostasis, and thus its depletion leads to hypocoagulation and haemorrhagic diathesis. The association of antibiotic therapy and vitamin E supplementation with vitamin K deficiency was previously described in animal experiments, clinical studies, and case reports. Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy potentially leads to intestinal microflora dysbiosis and restriction of vitamin K-producing bacterial populations, resulting in decreased vitamin K levels, whereas antibiotics of the cephalosporin class with 1-N-methyl-5-thiotetrazole (NMTT) or 2-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (MTD) side groups inhibit vitamin K function. Vitamin E supplementation interferes with both the bioavailability and function of vitamin K, yet its mechanisms are not fully understood. We present the case of a 45-year-old male patient, with a history of epilepsy and schizophrenia, catatonically incapacitated and immobilised, who was hospitalised in our centre for the investigation and management of aspiration pneumonia. He demonstrated a progressively worsening prolongation of international normalised ratio (INR), which was attributed to both broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and vitamin E supplementation and was reversed upon administration of vitamin K. We highlight the need for close monitoring of coagulation parameters in patients receiving broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, especially those with underlying malnutritive or malabsorptive conditions, and we further recommend the avoidance of NMTT- or MTD-containing antibiotics or vitamin E supplementation, unless absolutely necessary, in those patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas M. Matthaiou
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sotiria Thoracic Diseases General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Medical School, University of Cyprus, 2029 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ioannis Tomos
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sotiria Thoracic Diseases General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Chaniotaki
- Department of Laboratory Haematology, Georgios Gennimatas General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Liakopoulos
- Department of Laboratory Haematology, Georgios Gennimatas General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Sakellaropoulou
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sotiria Thoracic Diseases General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Koukidou
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sotiria Thoracic Diseases General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Loredana-Mariana Gheorghe
- Department of Laboratory Haematology, Georgios Gennimatas General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Stefanos Eskioglou
- Department of Laboratory Haematology, Georgios Gennimatas General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Angeliki Paspalli
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sotiria Thoracic Diseases General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sotiria Thoracic Diseases General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sotiria Thoracic Diseases General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Kostikas K, Gogali A, Hillas G. Cardiovascular Disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Adding a Third Dimension to the ABE Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2023 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Classification. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2023; 208:502-504. [PMID: 37311251 PMCID: PMC10449081 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202304-0691le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Athena Gogali
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece; and
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Pulmonary Department, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Bartziokas K, Papathanasiou E, Papaioannou AI, Papanikolaou I, Antonakis E, Makou I, Hillas G, Karampitsakos T, Papaioannou O, Dimakou K, Apollonatou V, Verykokou G, Papiris S, Bakakos P, Loukides S, Kostikas K. Eosinopenia as a Prognostic Biomarker for Noninvasive Ventilation Use in COPD Exacerbations. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13040686. [PMID: 37109072 PMCID: PMC10145416 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13040686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, blood eosinophils have been evaluated as a surrogate biomarker for eosinophilic airway inflammation and as a prognostic indicator of the outcomes of hospitalized COPD subjects. During an exacerbation of COPD, eosinopenia has been proposed as a prognostic marker of adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present post hoc analysis was to elucidate the effectiveness of blood eosinophils for predicting the need of NIV in subjects with COPD exacerbation. METHODS Consecutive subjects admitted to a hospital for COPD exacerbation were included in the analysis. The eosinophil count from the first complete blood count was used to designate the eosinophil groups. The relationship between the clinical characteristics and blood eosinophil counts, as dichotomized using 150 cells/μL, was evaluated. Results Subjects with blood eosinophil number < 150 k/μL had a more severe disease on admission compared to subjects with ≥150 k/μL, regarding pH 7.400 (7.36, 7.44) vs. 7.42 (7.38, 7.45), p = 0.008, PO2/FiO2 levels 238.1 (189.8, 278.6) vs. 276.2 (238.2, 305.6), p < 0.001, CRP (mg/L) levels 7.3 (3.1, 19.9) vs. 3.5 (0.7, 7.8), p < 0.001 and required a longer hospital stay (days) 10.0 (8.0, 14.0) vs. 5.0 (3.0, 7.0) p < 0.001 respectively. The number of blood eosinophils correlated with the levels of CRP upon admission (p < 0.001, r = -0.334), with arterial pH upon admission (p < 0.030, r = 0.121), with PO2/FiO2 (p < 0.001, r = -0.248), and with duration of hospital stay (p < 0.001, r = -0.589). In the multinomial logistic regression analysis, blood eosinophil count < 150 k/μL was an independent predictor of the use of NIV during hospital stay. CONCLUSION During COPD exacerbation, low blood eosinophil levels upon admission are related to more severe disease and can be used as a predictor of the need of NIV. Further prospective studies are needed to identify the use of blood eosinophil levels as a predictor of unfavorable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Bartziokas
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
| | - Evgenia Papathanasiou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
| | - Andriana I Papaioannou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
| | - Ilias Papanikolaou
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Corfu General Hospital, 49100 Corfu, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Antonakis
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Corfu General Hospital, 49100 Corfu, Greece
| | - Ioanna Makou
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Corfu General Hospital, 49100 Corfu, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Ourania Papaioannou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Apollonatou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
| | - Galateia Verykokou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros Papiris
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10676 Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
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7
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Karampitsakos T, Sotiropoulou V, Katsaras M, Tsiri P, Georgakopoulou VE, Papanikolaou IC, Bibaki E, Tomos I, Lambiri I, Papaioannou O, Zarkadi E, Antonakis E, Pandi A, Malakounidou E, Sampsonas F, Makrodimitri S, Chrysikos S, Hillas G, Dimakou K, Tzanakis N, Sipsas NV, Antoniou K, Tzouvelekis A. Post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease: Insights from a machine learning radiographic model. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:1083264. [PMID: 36733935 PMCID: PMC9886681 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1083264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 seem to be an emerging global crisis. Machine learning radiographic models have great potential for meticulous evaluation of post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods In this multicenter, retrospective study, we included consecutive patients that had been evaluated 3 months following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection between 01/02/2021 and 12/5/2022. High-resolution computed tomography was evaluated through Imbio Lung Texture Analysis 2.1. Results Two hundred thirty-two (n = 232) patients were analyzed. FVC% predicted was ≥80, between 60 and 79 and <60 in 74.2% (n = 172), 21.1% (n = 49), and 4.7% (n = 11) of the cohort, respectively. DLCO% predicted was ≥80, between 60 and 79 and <60 in 69.4% (n = 161), 15.5% (n = 36), and 15.1% (n = 35), respectively. Extent of ground glass opacities was ≥30% in 4.3% of patients (n = 10), between 5 and 29% in 48.7% of patients (n = 113) and <5% in 47.0% of patients (n = 109). The extent of reticulation was ≥30%, 5-29% and <5% in 1.3% (n = 3), 24.1% (n = 56), and 74.6% (n = 173) of the cohort, respectively. Patients (n = 13, 5.6%) with fibrotic lung disease and persistent functional impairment at the 6-month follow-up received antifibrotics and presented with an absolute change of +10.3 (p = 0.01) and +14.6 (p = 0.01) in FVC% predicted at 3 and 6 months after the initiation of antifibrotic. Conclusion Post-COVID-19-ILD represents an emerging entity. A substantial minority of patients presents with fibrotic lung disease and might experience benefit from antifibrotic initiation at the time point that fibrotic-like changes are "immature." Machine learning radiographic models could be of major significance for accurate radiographic evaluation and subsequently for the guidance of therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasilina Sotiropoulou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Matthaios Katsaras
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Panagiota Tsiri
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | | | - Eleni Bibaki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tomos
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, ‘SOTIRIA’, Athens, Greece
| | - Irini Lambiri
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ourania Papaioannou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Eirini Zarkadi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Aggeliki Pandi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Corfu General Hospital, Corfu, Greece
| | - Elli Malakounidou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Fotios Sampsonas
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Sotiria Makrodimitri
- Department of Infectious Diseases-COVID-19 Unit, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Serafeim Chrysikos
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, ‘SOTIRIA’, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, ‘SOTIRIA’, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, ‘SOTIRIA’, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Tzanakis
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Nikolaos V. Sipsas
- Department of Infectious Diseases-COVID-19 Unit, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece,Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Greece
| | - Katerina Antoniou
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Argyris Tzouvelekis
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece,*Correspondence: Argyris Tzouvelekis, ,
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8
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Karampitsakos T, Tzilas V, Papaioannou O, Chrysikos S, Vasarmidi E, Juge PA, Vizirianaki S, Bibaki E, Reppa A, Sidiropoulos P, Katsaras M, Sotiropoulou V, Tsiri P, Koulousousa E, Theochari E, Tsirikos G, Christopoulos I, Malakounidou E, Zarkadi E, Sampsonas F, Hillas G, Karageorgas T, Daoussis D, Kalogeropoulou C, Dimakou K, Tzanakis N, Borie R, Dieudé P, Antoniou K, Crestani B, Bouros D, Tzouvelekis A. Clinical features and outcomes of patients with myositis associated-interstitial lung disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:1096203. [PMID: 36698813 PMCID: PMC9868310 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1096203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Myositis associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) seems to be an under-recognized entity. Methods In this multicenter, retrospective study, we recorded between 9/12/2019 and 30/9/2021 consecutive patients who presented in five different ILD centers from two European countries (Greece, France) and received a multidisciplinary diagnosis of myositis associated-ILD. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality over 1 year in specific subgroups of patients. Secondary outcomes included comparison of disease characteristics between patients diagnosed with the amyopathic subtype and patients with evidence of myopathy at diagnosis. Results We identified 75 patients with myositis associated-ILD. Median age (95% CI) at the time of diagnosis was 64.0 (61.0-65.0) years. Antinuclear antibody testing was positive in 40% of the cohort (n = 30/75). Myopathy onset occurred first in 40.0% of cases (n = 30), ILD without evidence of myopathy occurred in 29 patients (38.7%), while 16 patients (21.3%) were diagnosed concomitantly with ILD and myopathy. The commonest radiographic pattern was cellular non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and was observed in 29 patients (38.7%). The radiographic pattern of organizing pneumonia was significantly more common in patients diagnosed with the amyopathic subtype compared to patients that presented with myopathy [24.1% (n = 7/29) vs. 6.5% (n = 3/46), p = 0.03]. One year survival was 86.7% in the overall population. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated significantly higher all-cause 1-year mortality in patients with the amyopathic subtype compared to patients with evidence of myopathy [H R 4.24 (95% CI: 1.16-15.54), p = 0.03]. Patients diagnosed following hospitalization due to acute respiratory failure experienced increased risk of 1-year all-cause mortality compared to patients diagnosed in outpatient setting [HR 6.70 (95% CI: 1.19-37.81), p = 0.03]. Finally, patients with positive anti-MDA5 presented with higher 1-year all-cause mortality compared to anti-MDA5 negative patients [HR 28.37 (95% CI: 5.13-157.01), p = 0.0001]. Conclusion Specific ILD radiographic patterns such as NSIP and organizing pneumonia may herald underlying inflammatory myopathies. Hospitalized patients presenting with bilateral organizing pneumonia refractory to antibiotics should be meticulously evaluated for myositis associated-ILD even if there is no overt muscular involvement. Incorporation of ILD radiological patterns in the diagnostic criteria of inflammatory myopathies may lead to timely therapeutic interventions and positively impact patients' survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasilios Tzilas
- 5th Department of Pneumonology, General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases Sotiria, Athens, Greece
| | - Ourania Papaioannou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Serafeim Chrysikos
- 5th Department of Pneumonology, General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases Sotiria, Athens, Greece
| | - Eirini Vasarmidi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece,Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1152, F-75018, Paris, France,Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Service de Pneumologie A, Centre de Référence Constitutif des Maladies Pulmonaires Rares, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) APOLLO, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Antoine Juge
- Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1152, F-75018, Paris, France,Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Service de Rheumatologie, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, F-75018, Paris, France
| | - Styliani Vizirianaki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eleni Bibaki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Argyro Reppa
- Department of Rheumatology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Matthaios Katsaras
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Panagiota Tsiri
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Electra Koulousousa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Eva Theochari
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsirikos
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Elli Malakounidou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Eirini Zarkadi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Fotios Sampsonas
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Department of Pneumonology, General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases Sotiria, Athens, Greece
| | - Theofanis Karageorgas
- Department of Rheumatology, Attikon University Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Daoussis
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Patras, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Department of Pneumonology, General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases Sotiria, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Tzanakis
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Raphael Borie
- Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1152, F-75018, Paris, France,Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Service de Pneumologie A, Centre de Référence Constitutif des Maladies Pulmonaires Rares, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) APOLLO, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Dieudé
- Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1152, F-75018, Paris, France,Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Service de Rheumatologie, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, F-75018, Paris, France
| | - Katerina Antoniou
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Bruno Crestani
- Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1152, F-75018, Paris, France,Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Service de Pneumologie A, Centre de Référence Constitutif des Maladies Pulmonaires Rares, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) APOLLO, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France
| | - Demosthenes Bouros
- First Academic Department of Pneumonology, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, “SOTIRIA”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Argyris Tzouvelekis
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece,*Correspondence: Argyris Tzouvelekis, ,
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9
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Karampitsakos T, Sotiropoulou V, Katsaras M, Tsiri P, Georgakopoulou VE, Papanikolaou IC, Bibaki E, Tomos I, Lambiri I, Papaioannou O, Zarkadi E, Antonakis E, Pandi A, Malakounidou E, Sampsonas F, Makrodimitri S, Chrysikos S, Hillas G, Dimakou K, Tzanakis N, Sipsas NV, Antoniou K, Tzouvelekis A. Corrigendum: Post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease: Insights from a machine learning radiographic model. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1194925. [PMID: 37122328 PMCID: PMC10134070 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1194925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1083264.].
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasilina Sotiropoulou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Matthaios Katsaras
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Panagiota Tsiri
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | | | - Eleni Bibaki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tomos
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, ‘SOTIRIA', Athens, Greece
| | - Irini Lambiri
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ourania Papaioannou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Eirini Zarkadi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Aggeliki Pandi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Corfu General Hospital, Corfu, Greece
| | - Elli Malakounidou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Fotios Sampsonas
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Sotiria Makrodimitri
- Department of Infectious Diseases-COVID-19 Unit, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Serafeim Chrysikos
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, ‘SOTIRIA', Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, ‘SOTIRIA', Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, ‘SOTIRIA', Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Tzanakis
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Nikolaos V. Sipsas
- Department of Infectious Diseases-COVID-19 Unit, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Greece
| | - Katerina Antoniou
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Argyris Tzouvelekis
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
- *Correspondence: Argyris Tzouvelekis ;
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10
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Bartziokas K, Papaporfyriou A, Hillas G, Papaioannou AI, Loukides S. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommendations: strengths and concerns for future needs. Postgrad Med 2022; 135:327-333. [PMID: 36226501 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2022.2135893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is already the third leading cause of death worldwide and simultaneously a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (also known as GOLD) committee, has been created in 1997 to increase the awareness regarding the burden of COPD. GOLD recommendations have been contributing to diagnosis, management and therapy of COPD since 2001. Through these years, by reviewing published articles, GOLD aimed to provide state-of-the-art information not only for pulmonologists, but also for non-respiratory physicians, and to encourage research on COPD. From 2011, GOLD annual reports have changed the way of COPD evaluation from based entirely on spirometric parameters to more clinical indices, such as the assessment of symptoms and dyspnea alongside with exacerbations. Moreover, according to recent developments in pathophysiology of COPD, there is a trend in identifying new pre-clinical stages, contributing to prevention and early COPD treatment. In the field of therapeutic algorithms, changes turn to a more personalized approach. However, it is not clear in what extent this personalized disease management would be feasible and the real challenge for current recommendations is to include more patient characteristics such as co-morbidities and multidimensional scores in disease evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
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11
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Angelakis L, Papaioannou AI, Papathanasiou E, Mazioti A, Kallieri M, Papatheodorou G, Patentalakis G, Hillas G, Papiris S, Koulouris N, Loukides S, Bakakos P. Sestrin 2 levels are associated with emphysematous phenotype of COPD. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273652. [PMID: 36040980 PMCID: PMC9426901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sestrins (Sesns) are a family of highly conserved stress-inducible proteins and various stresses have been shown to strongly up-regulate them. Sestrin 2 (Sesn2) deficiency has been shown to partially suppress pulmonary emphysema. The aim of this study was to evaluate Sesn2 levels in COPD patients and its possible associations with the presence of emphysema and blood eosinophils. All patients underwent lung function testing and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest. The presence of emphysematous lesions in >15% of the pulmonary parenchyma was considered as significant emphysema. Sixty-seven patients were included in the study. 40/67 patients were characterized as having significant emphysema. Patients with significant emphysema had higher levels of Sesn2 (ng/ml) [median (IQR) 6.7 (2.7,10.3 vs 1.09 (0.9,1.9), p<0.001)] and significantly lower % and absolute blood eosinophil counts (cells/μL) compared to patients without emphysema [1 (0, 2) vs 4 (2, 4) p<0.001 and 62 (0, 110) vs 248 (180, 300), p<0.001 respectively]. Sesn2 presented a significant positive correlation to the score of emphysema in HRCT (rs = 0.87, p<0.001) and similar positive but weaker correlation to FRC (rs = 0.27, p = 0.024). Negative correlations were observed between Sesn2 and either the % of blood eosinophils and/or the absolute blood eosinophil count (rs = -0.79, p<0.001, and rs = -0.78, p<0.001 respectively). Sesn2 levels above 1.87 ng/ml showed a high diagnostic performance for the presence of significant emphysema in HRCT with an AUC 0.93, 95% CI (0.85,0.98), p<0.001. Sesn2 could serve as a potential biomarker of emphysema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas Angelakis
- 1 University Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andriana I. Papaioannou
- 2 University Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evgenia Papathanasiou
- 2 University Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Argiro Mazioti
- Radiology Department, “Mediterraneo” Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Kallieri
- 2 University Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - George Patentalakis
- 1 University Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5 Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Papiris
- 2 University Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Koulouris
- 1 University Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2 University Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1 University Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- * E-mail:
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12
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Chrysikos S, Papaioannou O, Karampitsakos T, Tavernaraki K, Thanou I, Filippousis P, Anyfanti M, Hillas G, Tzouvelekis A, Thanos L, Dimakou K. Diagnostic Accuracy of Multiple D-Dimer Cutoff Thresholds and Other Clinically Applicable Biomarkers for the Detection and Radiographic Evaluation of Pulmonary Embolism. Adv Respir Med 2022; 90:300-309. [PMID: 36004959 PMCID: PMC9717334 DOI: 10.3390/arm90040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Diagnostic work-up of pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a challenge. Methods: We retrospectively studied all patients referred for computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with suspicion of PE during a 12-month period (2018). The diagnostic accuracy of different D-dimer (Dd) cutoff thresholds for ruling out PE was evaluated. Furthermore, the association of Dd and red cell distribution width (RDW) with embolus location, CTPA findings, and patient outcome was recorded. Results: One thousand seventeen (n = 1017) patients were finally analyzed (mean age: 64.6 years (SD = 11.8), males: 549 (54%)). PE incidence was 18.7%. Central and bilateral embolism was present in 44.7% and 59.5%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for conventional and age-adjusted Dd cutoff was 98.2%, 7.9%, and 98.2%, 13.1%, respectively. A cutoff threshold (2.1 mg/L) with the best (64.4%) specificity was identified based on Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis. Moreover, a novel proposed Dd cutoff (0.74 mg/L) emerged with increased specificity (20.5%) and equal sensitivity (97%) compared to 0.5 mg/L, characterized by concurrent reduction (17.2%) in the number of performed CTPAs. Consolidation/atelectasis and unilateral pleural effusion were significantly associated with PE (p < 0.05, respectively). Patients with consolidation/atelectasis or intrapulmonary nodule(s)/mass on CTPA exhibited significantly greater median Dd values compared to patients without the aforementioned findings (2.34, (IQR 1.29−4.22) vs. 1.59, (IQR 0.81−2.96), and 2.39, (IQR 1.45−4.45) vs. 1.66, (IQR 0.84−3.12), p < 0.001, respectively). RDW was significantly greater in patients who died during hospitalization (p = 0.012). Conclusions: Age-adjusted Dd increased diagnostic accuracy of Dd testing without significantly decreasing the need for imaging. The proposed Dd value (0.74 mg/L) showed promise towards reducing considerably the need of CTPA. Multiple radiographic findings have been associated with increased Dd values in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serafeim Chrysikos
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Diseases Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Ourania Papaioannou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | | | - Kyriaki Tavernaraki
- Department of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, “Sotiria” Chest Diseases Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna Thanou
- Department of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, “Sotiria” Chest Diseases Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Filippousis
- Department of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, “Sotiria” Chest Diseases Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Anyfanti
- ICU, G Gennimatas, General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Diseases Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Argyrios Tzouvelekis
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Loukas Thanos
- Department of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, “Sotiria” Chest Diseases Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Diseases Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
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13
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Pagkratis K, Chrysikos S, Antonakis E, Pandi A, Kosti CN, Markatis E, Hillas G, Digalaki A, Koukidou S, Chaini E, Afthinos A, Dimakou K, Papanikolaou IC. Predictors of Mortality in Tocilizumab-Treated Severe COVID-19. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10060978. [PMID: 35746585 PMCID: PMC9230711 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10060978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Tocilizumab is associated with positive outcomes in severe COVID-19. We wanted to describe the characteristics of nonresponders to treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter study in two respiratory departments investigating adverse outcomes at 90 days from diagnosis in subjects treated with tocilizumab (8 mg/kg intravenously single dose) for severe progressive COVID-19. Results: Of 121 subjects, 62% were males, and 9% were fully vaccinated. Ninety-six (79.4%) survived, and 25 died (20.6%). Compared to survivors (S), nonsurvivors (NS) were older (median 57 versus 75 years of age), had more comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity index 2 versus 5) and had higher rates of intubation/mechanical ventilation (p < 0.05). On admission, NS had a lower PO2/FiO2 ratio, higher blood ferritin, and higher troponin, and on clinical progression (day of tocilizumab treatment), NS had a lower PO2/FiO2 ratio, decreased lymphocytes, increased neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, increased ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), disease located centrally on computed tomography scan, and increased late c-reactive protein. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis identified age and LDH on deterioration as predictors of death; admission PO2/FiO2 ratio and LDH as predictors of intubation; PO2/FiO2 ratios, LDH, and central lung disease on radiology as predictors of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) (a < 0.05). The log-rank test of mortality yielded the same results (p < 0.001). ROC analysis of the above predictors in a separate validation cohort yielded significant results. Conclusions: Older age and high serum LDH levels are predictors of mortality in tocilizumab-treated severe COVID-19 patients. Hypoxia levels, LDH, and central pulmonary involvement radiologically are associated with intubation and NIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Pagkratis
- Pulmonary Department, Corfu General Hospital, 49100 Corfu, Greece; (K.P.); (E.A.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (E.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Serafeim Chrysikos
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, SOTIRIA Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.C.); (C.N.K.); (G.H.); (A.D.); (S.K.); (K.D.)
| | - Emmanouil Antonakis
- Pulmonary Department, Corfu General Hospital, 49100 Corfu, Greece; (K.P.); (E.A.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (E.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Aggeliki Pandi
- Pulmonary Department, Corfu General Hospital, 49100 Corfu, Greece; (K.P.); (E.A.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (E.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Chrysavgi Nikolaou Kosti
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, SOTIRIA Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.C.); (C.N.K.); (G.H.); (A.D.); (S.K.); (K.D.)
| | - Eleftherios Markatis
- Pulmonary Department, Corfu General Hospital, 49100 Corfu, Greece; (K.P.); (E.A.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (E.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, SOTIRIA Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.C.); (C.N.K.); (G.H.); (A.D.); (S.K.); (K.D.)
| | - Antonia Digalaki
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, SOTIRIA Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.C.); (C.N.K.); (G.H.); (A.D.); (S.K.); (K.D.)
| | - Sofia Koukidou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, SOTIRIA Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.C.); (C.N.K.); (G.H.); (A.D.); (S.K.); (K.D.)
| | - Eleftheria Chaini
- Pulmonary Department, Corfu General Hospital, 49100 Corfu, Greece; (K.P.); (E.A.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (E.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Andreas Afthinos
- Pulmonary Department, Corfu General Hospital, 49100 Corfu, Greece; (K.P.); (E.A.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (E.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, SOTIRIA Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.C.); (C.N.K.); (G.H.); (A.D.); (S.K.); (K.D.)
| | - Ilias C. Papanikolaou
- Pulmonary Department, Corfu General Hospital, 49100 Corfu, Greece; (K.P.); (E.A.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (E.C.); (A.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-266-136-0694; Fax.: +30-266-136-0488
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14
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Papaioannou AI, Fouka E, Tzanakis N, Antoniou K, Samitas K, Zervas E, Kostikas K, Bartziokas K, Porpodis K, Papakosta D, Tzouvelekis A, Gerogianni I, Kotsiou O, Makris M, Rovina N, Vlachou G, Markatos M, Vittorakis S, Katsoulis K, Papanikolaou I, Afthinos A, Katsaounou P, Steiropoulos P, Latsios D, Dimakou K, Koukidou S, Hillas G, Tryfon S, Kallieri M, Georgopoulou A, Avarlis P, Bakakos P, Markopoulou K, Gaki E, Paspala A, Kyriakaki Z, Gourgoulianis KI, Papiris S, Loukides S. SARS-Cov-2 Infection in Severe Asthma Patients Treated With Biologics. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice 2022; 10:2588-2595. [PMID: 35752436 PMCID: PMC9222651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background At the beginning of the pandemic, there have been considerable concerns regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and outcomes in patients with severe asthma treated with biologics. Objective To prospectively observe a cohort of severe asthmatics treated with biologics for the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and disease severity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Physicians from centers treating patients with severe asthma all over Greece provided demographic and medical data regarding their patients treated with biologics. Physicians were also asked to follow up patients during the pandemic and to perform a polymerase chain reaction test in case of a suspected SARS-Cov-2 infection. Results Among the 591 severe asthmatics (63.5% female) included in the study, 219 (37.1%) were treated with omalizumab, 358 (60.6%) with mepolizumab, and 14 (2.4%) with benralizumab. In total, 26 patients (4.4%) had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 9 (34.6%) of whom were admitted to the hospital because of severe COVID-19, and 1 required mechanical ventilation and died 19 days after admission. Of the 26 infected patients, 5 (19.2%) experienced asthma control deterioration, characterized as exacerbation that required treatment with systemic corticosteroids. The scheduled administration of the biological therapy was performed timely in all patients with the exception of 2, in whom it was postponed for 1 week according to their doctors’ suggestion. Conclusion Our study confirms that despite the initial concerns, SARS-CoV-2 infection is not more common in asthmatics treated with biologics compared with the general population, whereas the use of biologic treatments for severe asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic does not seem to be related to adverse outcomes from severe COVID-19.
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15
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Papaporfyriou A, Bakakos P, Hillas G, Papaioannou AI, Loukides S. Blood eosinophils in COPD: friend or foe? Expert Rev Respir Med 2021; 16:35-41. [PMID: 34821191 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2021.2011219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly complex and the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. AREAS COVERED COPD has been traditionally associated with neutrophilic inflammation of the bronchi, but in the last decade, studies have demonstrated that eosinophils may also migrate into the lower airways of patients with COPD and their increased numbers can be noticed during exacerbations as well as stable disease. In this review, we present clinical characteristics of eosinophilic COPD, as well as the role of eosinophils as a biomarker-guided therapy in COPD. A systematic research using the database of Pubmed up to February 2021 was performed. The terms we searched were eosinophilic inflammation, COPD, COPD phenotypes, COPD exacerbations, corticosteroids in COPD, and monoclonal antibodies in COPD. EXPERT OPINION Blood eosinophil levels show strong potential as a prognostic and theragnostic biomarker in the clinical management of COPD being at the moment the most reliable biomarker. The lack of a certain cutoff value of blood eosinophils as guidance for treatment with ICS and biologic therapies and the uncertainty regarding the stability of eosinophilia and eosinophilic phenotype through the course of COPD remain as unmet dilemmas and problems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School Sotiria' Chest Hospital,'Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Pulmonary Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Andriana I Papaioannou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School 'Attikon' Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School 'Attikon' Hospital, Athens, Greece
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16
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Traversi L, Miravitlles M, Martinez-Garcia MA, Shteinberg M, Bossios A, Dimakou K, Jacob J, Hurst JR, Paggiaro PL, Ferri S, Hillas G, Vogel-Claussen J, Dettmer S, Aliberti S, Chalmers JD, Polverino E. ROSE: radiology, obstruction, symptoms and exposure - a Delphi consensus definition of the association of COPD and bronchiectasis by the EMBARC Airways Working Group. ERJ Open Res 2021; 7:00399-2021. [PMID: 34820447 PMCID: PMC8607072 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00399-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The coexistence of COPD and bronchiectasis seems to be common and associated with a worse prognosis than for either disease individually. However, no definition of this association exists to guide researchers and clinicians. METHODS We conducted a Delphi survey involving expert pulmonologists and radiologists from Europe, Turkey and Israel in order to define the "COPD- [bronchiectasis] BE association".A panel of 16 experts from EMBARC selected 35 statements for the survey after reviewing scientific literature. Invited participants, selected on the basis of expertise, geographical and sex distribution, were asked to express agreement on the statements. Consensus was defined as a score of ≥6 points (scale 0 to 9) in ≥70% of answers across two scoring rounds. RESULTS 102 (72.3%) out of 141 invited experts participated in the first round. Their response rate in the second round was 81%. The final consensus definition of "COPD-BE association" was: "The coexistence of (1) specific radiological findings (abnormal bronchial dilatation, airways visible within 1 cm of pleura and/or lack of tapering sign in ≥1 pulmonary segment and in >1 lobe) with (2) an obstructive pattern on spirometry ([forced expiratory volume in 1 s] FEV1/[forced vital capacity] FVC <0.7), (3) at least two characteristic symptoms (cough, expectoration, dyspnoea, fatigue, frequent infections) and (4) current or past exposure to smoke (≥10 pack-years) or other toxic agents (biomass, etc.)". These criteria form the acronym "ROSE" (Radiology, Obstruction, Symptoms, Exposure). CONCLUSIONS The Delphi process formulated a European consensus definition of "COPD-BE association". We hope this definition will have broad applicability across clinical practice and research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Traversi
- Dept of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Diseases, Università dell'Insubria, Varese-Como, Italy
- Pneumology Dept, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Miravitlles
- Pneumology Dept, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Martinez-Garcia
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Barcelona, Spain
- Respiratory Dept, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - Michal Shteinberg
- Pulmonology Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Carmel Medical Center, and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, the B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel
| | - Apostolos Bossios
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Karolinska University Hospital and Dept of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Respiratory Department, “SOTIRIA” Hospital for Chest diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Joseph Jacob
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
- UCL Respiratory, University College London, London, UK
| | - John R. Hurst
- UCL Respiratory, University College London, London, UK
| | - Pier Luigi Paggiaro
- Dept of Surgery, Medicine, Molecular Biology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sebastian Ferri
- Personalized Medicine, Asthma and Allergy, Humanitas Research Hospital IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Dept of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Department, “SOTIRIA” Hospital for Chest diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Jens Vogel-Claussen
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, German Center for Lung Research, Breath, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sabine Dettmer
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, German Center for Lung Research, Breath, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefano Aliberti
- Dept of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - James D. Chalmers
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
- School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Eva Polverino
- Pneumology Dept, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Barcelona, Spain
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17
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Tzouvelekis A, Akinosoglou K, Karampitsakos T, Panou V, Tomos I, Tsoukalas G, Stratiki M, Dimakou K, Chrysikos S, Papaioannou O, Hillas G, Bakakos P, Stratakos G, Anagnostopoulos A, Koromilias A, Boutou A, Kioumis I, Chloros D, Kontakiotis T, Papakosta D, Papiris S, Manali E, Antonogiannaki EM, Koulouris N, Bouros D, Loukides S, Gogos C. Epidemiological characteristics and outcomes from 187 patients with COVID-19 admitted to 6 reference centers in Greece: an observational study during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adv Respir Med 2021; 89:378-385. [PMID: 34494241 DOI: 10.5603/arm.a2021.0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epidemiological data from patients with COVID-19 has been recently published in several countries. Nationwide data of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Greece remain scarce. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was an observational, retrospective study from 6 reference centers between February 26 and May 15, 2020. RESULTS The patients were mostly males (65.7%) and never smokers (57.2%) of median age 60 (95% CI: 57.6-64) years. The majority of the subjects (98%) were treated with the standard-of-care therapeutic regimen at that time, including hydroxychlo-roquine and azithromycin. Median time of hospitalization was 10 days (95% CI: 10-12). Twenty-five (13.3%) individuals were intubated and 8 died (4.2%). The patients with high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ( > 3.58) exhibited more severe disease as indicated by significantly increased World Health Organization (WHO) R&D ordinal scale (4; 95% CI: 4-4 vs 3; 95% CI: 3-4, p = 0.0001) and MaxFiO2% (50; 95% CI: 38.2-50 vs 29.5; 95% CI: 21-31, p < 0.0001). The patients with increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels ( > 270 IU/ml) also exhibited more advanced disease compared to the low LDH group ( < 270 IU/ml) as indicated by both WHO R&D ordinal scale (4; 95% CI: 4-4 vs 4; 95% CI: 3-4, p = 0.0001) and MaxFiO2% (50; 95% CI: 35-60 vs 28; 95% CI: 21-31, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION We present the first epidemiological report from a low-incidence and mortality COVID-19 country. NLR and LDH may represent reliable disease prognosticators leading to timely treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argyris Tzouvelekis
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, University of Patras, Patras, Greece, Greece.,Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Karolina Akinosoglou
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Theodoros Karampitsakos
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, University of Patras, Patras, Greece, Greece. .,Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
| | - Vassiliki Panou
- 1st Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tomos
- 2nd Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, ATTIKON General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsoukalas
- 4th Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Magdalini Stratiki
- 4th Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Serafeim Chrysikos
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ourania Papaioannou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, University of Patras, Patras, Greece, Greece.,5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Stratakos
- 1st Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aris Anagnostopoulos
- 1st Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Koromilias
- 1st Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Afroditi Boutou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Papanikolaou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kioumis
- Department of Respiratory Failure, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Diamantis Chloros
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theodoros Kontakiotis
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Despoina Papakosta
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Spyridon Papiris
- 2nd Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, ATTIKON General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Effrosyni Manali
- 2nd Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, ATTIKON General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Elvira-Markela Antonogiannaki
- 2nd Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, ATTIKON General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Koulouris
- 1st Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Demosthenes Bouros
- 1st Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, SOTIRIA General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stylianos Loukides
- 2nd Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, ATTIKON General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Charalampos Gogos
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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Hillas G, Papaporfyriou A, Dimakou K, Papaioannou AI. Updated simplified approach of pharmacological treatment of stable COPD: Do common co-morbidities have a role? Postgrad Med 2021; 133:873-874. [PMID: 34325611 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2021.1962612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Hillas
- 5th Pulmonary Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Pulmonary Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
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19
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Liapikou A, Tzortzaki E, Hillas G, Markatos M, Papanikolaou IC, Kostikas K. Outpatient Management of COVID-19 Disease: A Holistic Patient-Centered Proposal Based on the Greek Experience. J Pers Med 2021; 11:709. [PMID: 34442353 PMCID: PMC8400346 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11080709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a worldwide pandemic and affected more than 227 countries or territories, resulting in more than 179 million cases with over 3.890.00 deaths, as of June 25, 2021. The Hellenic Thoracic Society (HTS) during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic released a guidance document for the management of patients with COVID-19 in the community and in hospital setting. In this review, with guidance the HTS document, we are discussing the outpatient management of COVID-19 patients, including the preventive measures, the patients' isolation and quarantine criteria of close contacts, the severity and risk stratification, including the decisions for advanced hospitalization, and the disease management at home in patients with mild disease and after hospital discharge for those with more severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adamantia Liapikou
- 6th Respiratory Department, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Tzortzaki
- Respiratory Outpatient Clinic, Heraklion, 71305 Crete, Greece; (E.T.); (M.M.)
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Department, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Miltiadis Markatos
- Respiratory Outpatient Clinic, Heraklion, 71305 Crete, Greece; (E.T.); (M.M.)
| | - Ilias C. Papanikolaou
- Pulmonary Department, Sarcoidosis Clinic, General Hospital of Corfu, 49100 Corfu, Greece;
| | - Konstantinos Kostikas
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece;
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20
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Souliotis K, Silva Miguel L, Hillas G, Borges M, Papageorgiou G, Viana D, Malhadeiro J, Soulard S. The cost-saving switch from inhaled corticosteroid-containing treatments to dual bronchodilation: a two-country projection of epidemiological and economic burden in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Ther Adv Respir Dis 2021; 14:1753466620926802. [PMID: 32519591 PMCID: PMC7288795 DOI: 10.1177/1753466620926802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2018 recommendations support maintenance treatment with long-acting bronchodilators in most symptomatic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While restricting the overuse of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) may influence healthcare utilization required to treat inadvertent respiratory (exacerbations and pneumonia) and diabetes-related events, it may also change the total medication cost. This analysis was performed to estimate the 5-year budget impact of switching from ICS-containing treatment combinations to dual bronchodilation, in line with the recommendations. Methods: The model quantified the budget impact of treatment and healthcare resource utilization when COPD patients were anticipated to switch from ICS-containing treatments to dual bronchodilation. Three switch scenarios were calculated with increasing proportions of patients on dual long-acting bronchodilators, to the detriment of ICS-containing double and triple combinations. Clinical and cost input data were based on results from clinical trials and Greek and Portuguese healthcare cost databases. Results: Healthcare resource use to manage exacerbations, pneumonia and diabetes-related events were projected to increase between 2019 and 2023 in parallel with the growing COPD patient population and associated costs were estimated at 52–57% of the total disease cost in the Greek and Portuguese base case scenarios. Total cost savings between 21 and 112 million EUR were projected when the proportion of patients on double and triple ICS-containing treatments was gradually reduced to 50% in scenario A, 20% in scenario B and 7% in scenario C. Sensitivity analyses showed that none of the model assumptions had a major impact on the projected savings. Conclusion: The alignment of COPD treatment with current recommendations may bring clinical benefits to patients, without substantial cost increases and even cost savings for payers. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriakos Souliotis
- Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Peloponnese, Corinth, Greece.,Health Policy Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Luís Silva Miguel
- The Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (CEMBE), Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Pulmonary Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Margarida Borges
- The Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (CEMBE), Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Stéphane Soulard
- Boehringer Ingelheim, De Boelelaan 32, Amsterdam, 1083 HJ, The Netherlands
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21
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Kostikas K, Papathanasiou E, Papaioannou AI, Bartziokas K, Papanikolaou IC, Antonakis E, Makou I, Hillas G, Karampitsakos T, Papaioannou O, Dimakou K, Apollonatou V, Verykokou G, Papiris S, Bakakos P, Loukides S. Blood eosinophils as predictor of outcomes in patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbations: a prospective observational study. Biomarkers 2021; 26:354-362. [PMID: 33724121 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2021.1903998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In the present prospective multicentre observational study, we evaluated the potential role of blood eosinophils on the outcomes of patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbations. MATERIAL AND METHODS Consecutive patients >40 years with a previous COPD diagnosis were recruited. Blood eosinophils were measured on admission prior to the initiation of treatment and were evaluated in three groups (<50, 50-149 and ≥150 cells/μL). Patients received standard care and were followed up for a year. RESULTS A total of 388 patients were included (83.5% male, mean age 72 years). Patients with higher blood eosinophils had less dyspnoea (Borg scale), lower C-reactive protein (CRP) and higher PaO2/FiO2 (partial pressure for oxygen/fraction of inhaled oxygen), and were discharged earlier (median 11 vs. 9 vs. 5 days for patients with <50, 50-149 and ≥150 cells/μL, respectively). Patients with <50 cells/μL presented higher 30-day and 1-year mortality, whereas there were no differences in moderate/severe COPD exacerbations between the three groups. In a post hoc analysis, treatment with inhaled corticosteroids as per physicians' decision was associated with better exacerbation prevention during follow-up in patients with ≥150 cells/μL. CONCLUSIONS Higher blood eosinophils were associated with better outcomes in hospitalized COPD patients, further supporting their use as a prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evgenia Papathanasiou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andriana I Papaioannou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Bartziokas
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.,2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Ioanna Makou
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Corfu General Hospital, Corfu, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vicky Apollonatou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Galateia Verykokou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros Papiris
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Papaioannou AI, Bartziokas K, Hillas G, Fouka E, Dimakou K, Kallieri M, Tsikrika S, Papadaki G, Papathanasiou E, Papaporfyriou A, Apollonatou V, Verykokou G, Mplizou M, Papakosta D, Manali ED, Papiris S, Loukides S. Device use errors among patients with asthma and COPD and the role of training: a real-life study. Postgrad Med 2021; 133:524-529. [PMID: 33689545 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2021.1902188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Administration of inhaled medication for asthma and COPD is often difficult and incorrect device use is associated with unfavorable outcomes. We aimed to evaluate device use errors in asthma and COPD patients and to associate incorrect use with the patient's characteristics and medical history.Methods: Demographics and medical history were recorded. The use of each prescribed device was evaluated according to predefined steps.Results: 607 patients (49.9% male, median age (IQR) 63 (51, 70) years performed 663 demonstrations (56 patients were using 2 different types of devices). 51.4% were treated for asthma and 48.6% for COPD. 79.6% of demonstrations were performed using DPIs. Errors were documented on 41.2% of demonstrations and were associated with the type of device, p < 0.001. Elderly patients were less frequently using their devices correctly compared to younger patients, 50.8% vs 62.2%, respectively, p = 0.007. Correct demonstrations were more among asthmatics compared to COPD patients 63.1% vs 54.5%, p = 0.024. Incorrect use was associated with more acute exacerbations in the preceding year [median(IQR), 1(0, 2) vs 1(0, 1)], for incorrect and correct use, respectively, p < 0.001. Upon demonstration, 15.5% of patients have never been trained (i.e., undergone actual demonstrations and observation while using their device) by anyone. Errors occurred more frequently among patients who reported not to be trained compared to those who were trained, 67.0% vs 14.6%, respectively, p < 0.001. The commonest error was associated with the inspiration maneuver and accounted for the 48.3% of errors in the DPIs and 53.0% of errors in the MDIs.Conclusion: Device use errors are common and associated with unfavorable outcomes. Trained patients were more likely to use the device correctly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Fouka
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, G Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Kallieri
- 2 Respiratory Medicine Department, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Georgia Papadaki
- 2 Respiratory Medicine Department, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Vasiliki Apollonatou
- 2 Respiratory Medicine Department, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Galateia Verykokou
- 2 Respiratory Medicine Department, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Myrto Mplizou
- 2 Respiratory Medicine Department, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Despina Papakosta
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, G Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Effrosyni D Manali
- 2 Respiratory Medicine Department, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Papiris
- 2 Respiratory Medicine Department, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2 Respiratory Medicine Department, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Papathanassiou E, Papaioannou AI, Papanikolaou I, Antonakis E, Makou I, Hillas G, Mizi E, Bakakos P, Apollonatou V, Verykokou G, Roussakis N, Tsilogianni Z, Papiris S, Loukides S. Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) as a Predictor of Outcomes during Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD 2021; 18:219-225. [PMID: 33759663 DOI: 10.1080/15412555.2021.1902491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Systemic inflammation may be the common denominator between COPD and type 2 diabetes and may explain the correlation in both diseases' development and progress. The aim of this prospective observational study is to examine the prognostic value of glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c) and HbA1c-adjusted glycemic variables (glycemic gap, stress hyperglycemia ratio και modified stress hyperglycemia ratio) in an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) as well as in COPD disease's morbidity and mortality during the following year. We evaluated patients hospitalized only for COPD exacerbations. Levels of HbA1c and HbA1c-adjusted glycemic variables were recorded upon admission. The study outcomes included duration of hospital stay, need for mechanical ventilation and exacerbation outcome. All subjects were followed up for one year. A total of 156 patients were included in the study (74.4% men, age [mean ± SD] 72 ± 7 years). Patients (21.8%) had type 2 diabetes and 67.9% of patients were receiving ICS treatment. The median value of HbA1c was 5.9 (IQR: 5.4, 6.5). Necessity for mechanical ventilation was significantly higher for patients with lower values of HbA1c [median: 5.3 (IQR 5.02, 6.3) vs. 5.9 (IQR 5.5, 6.5), p = .038]. However, duration of hospitalization, death during hospitalization as well as the number of new exacerbation events, time to next exacerbation and mortality during the following year did not differ significantly. Moreover, none of the HbA1c-adjusted glycemic variables examined, demonstrated any statistical significance. In conclusion neither the preceding nor the present glycemic state exhibit a predictive value regarding short- or long-term outcomes of an AECOPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Papathanassiou
- Second Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Andriana I Papaioannou
- Second Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Ioanna Makou
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Corfu General Hospital, Corfu, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- Department of Critical Care and Pulmonary Services, University of Athens, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleutheria Mizi
- Department of Critical Care and Pulmonary Services, University of Athens, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- First Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Sotiria" Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Apollonatou
- Second Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Galateia Verykokou
- Second Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Roussakis
- Second Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Zoe Tsilogianni
- Second Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros Papiris
- Second Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- Second Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Chrysikos S, Karampitsakos T, Zervas E, Anyfanti M, Papaioannou O, Tzouvelekis A, Hillas G, Dimakou K. Thoracic endosonography (EBUS/EUS-b) in the diagnosis of different intrathoracic diseases: A 4-year experience at a single-centre in Greece. Int J Clin Pract 2021; 75:e13684. [PMID: 32813909 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.13684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last decade, the advent of thoracic endosonography has revolutionised the field of diagnostic bronchoscopy. METHODS We conducted a single-centre prospective study in "Sotiria" Chest diseases hospital between January 2016 and December 2019. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and diagnostic value of combined EBUS/EUS-b in comparison with EBUS-TBNA and EUS-b FNA in different intrathoracic diseases. RESULTS A total of 266 patients were enrolled (70.7% males, 85.7% smokers, mean age ± SD: 62.8 ± 11.8). Diagnosis and staging of suspected lung cancer (LC) were the main indications for EBUS/EUS-b in 56.7% of patients, followed by lymphadenopathy of unknown origin in 27%, lymphadenopathy in previous malignancy in 10.9%, and staging of proven LC in 5.3%. EUS-b FNA alone or combined with EBUS-TBNA was performed in 14.7% of patients. A total of 512 lymph nodes was sampled (481 through EBUS-TBNA and 31 through EUS-b FNA). EBUS/EUS-b led to a definitive diagnosis in 68.4% of the patients. Most cases (50.4%) were malignancies, while 18% represented benign diseases (83.3% sarcoidosis). Sensitivity of combined EBUS/EUS-b was higher in comparison with sensitivity of both procedures alone (100% vs 89.4% vs 88.9%). Accordingly, the overall sensitivity of EBUS/EUS-b for the detection of malignancy and sarcoidosis was 93% and 95.2%, respectively. No severe complications were observed. CONCLUSION Thoracic endosonography is an efficient, safe, minimally invasive tool yielding high sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy in patients with suspected malignancy and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Experienced pulmonologists in EBUS-TBNA should more routinely perform EUS-b FNA to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serafeim Chrysikos
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Eleftherios Zervas
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Anyfanti
- Intensive Care Unit, Georgios Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ourania Papaioannou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Argyrios Tzouvelekis
- 1st Academic Respiratory Medicine Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
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25
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Papaioannou AI, Loukides S, Bakakos P, Kosmas EN, Rovina N, Steiropoulos P, Fouka E, Hillas G, Patentalakis G, Kouvela M, Tzanakis N. Dual Bronchodilator in the Era of Triple Therapy. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2020; 15:2695-2705. [PMID: 33149567 PMCID: PMC7604249 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s273987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological medications used for the treatment of COPD patients have increased significantly. Long-acting bronchodilators have been recognized as the mainstay of the treatment of stable COPD, while ICS are usually added in patients with COPD who experience exacerbations, despite bronchodilator treatment. In the latest years, several studies have been published showing the beneficial effect of adding ICS on dual bronchodilation in patients suffering from more severe disease comparing triple therapy with several therapeutic regiments including dual bronchodilation and providing a message that this triple therapy might be more appropriate for COPD patients. However, not all COPD patients have a desirable response to ICS treatment while long-term ICS use in COPD is associated with several side effects. In this report, we aimed to provide a review of the current knowledge on the importance of dual bronchodilation on COPD patients and to compare its use with triple therapy, by covering a wide spectrum of topics. Finally, we propose an algorithm on performing treatment step up from dual bronchodilation to triple therapy and step down from triple to double bronchodilation considering the current evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andriana I Papaioannou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Sotiria" Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Nikoletta Rovina
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, "Sotiria" Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Paschalis Steiropoulos
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Evangellia Fouka
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, G Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Marousa Kouvela
- 3rd Department of Medicine, Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Tzanakis
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
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26
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Tomos I, Kostikas K, Hillas G, Bakakos P, Loukides S. Primary care and COVID-19: cutting the Gordian knot - the Greek experience and algorithm. ERJ Open Res 2020; 6:00468-2020. [PMID: 32904656 PMCID: PMC7456642 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00468-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel human coronavirus that is now named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The disease is mild in most people (∼80%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, in many countries the crisis has quickly overwhelmed the capacities of healthcare systems, leading to major challenges in their ability to respond [1, 2]. In Greece, we managed to control the pandemic by eliminating the number of cases and by keeping mortality rates within acceptable limits. As of 4 July 2020, the National Public Health Organisation reported 3511 cases (55% male) with 192 deaths; 517 patients were hospitalised. 811 (23%) of the total cases were linked to travelling abroad, while 1933 (55.1%) were linked to exposure to a confirmed case. Following extended discussions with primary care physicians and after fully considering our experiences during hospital emergencies, these findings suggest that primary care in Greece may have played a key role in the management of suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2, perhaps relieving the referral hospitals from suspect and mild cases, and critically contributing to our success story during the pandemic. The Greek experience reveals that harmonised collaboration among primary care, secondary facilities, designated hospitals and official authorities results in prompt and accurate management of the pandemic-related crisis of COVID-19https://bit.ly/3eSHVhG
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Tomos
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2nd Respiratory Medicine Dept, "Attikon" University Hospital, Chaidari, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kostikas
- Respiratory Medicine Dept, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Dept, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st Respiratory Medicine Dept, "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2nd Respiratory Medicine Dept, "Attikon" University Hospital, Chaidari, Athens, Greece
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Abstract
Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the impact of social distancing interventions in Greece and to examine what would have happened if those interventions had not been implemented. Study design A dynamic, discrete time, stochastic individual-based model was developed to simulate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. Methods The model was fitted to the observed trends in COVID-19 deaths and intensive care unit (ICU) bed use in Greece. Results If Greece had not implemented social distancing interventions, the healthcare system would have been overwhelmed between March 30 and April 4. The combined social distancing interventions and increase in ICU beds averted 4360 (95% credible interval: 3050, 5700) deaths and prevented the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed. Conclusions The quick and accurate interventions of the Greek government limited the burden of the COVID-19 outbreak. Without the social distancing (SD) interventions, the healthcare system would have been overwhelmed by early April. The early implementation of the SD interventions prevented 4360 (95% credible interval: 3050, 5700) deaths by April 27. Any interventions to boost health care capacity, without the simultaneous of SD interventions, would not have been effective. The decision of the Greek government to launch early SD measures resulted in limiting the burden of the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Gountas
- Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Peloponnese, Corinth, Greece.
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Pulmonary Department, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Kyriakos Souliotis
- Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Peloponnese, Corinth, Greece; Health Policy Institute, Athens, Greece
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28
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Hillas G, Fouka E, Papaioannou AI. Antibodies targeting the interleukin-5 signaling pathway used as add-on therapy for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma: a review of the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety of the subcutaneously administered agents, mepolizumab and benralizumab. Expert Rev Respir Med 2020; 14:353-365. [PMID: 31958239 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2020.1718495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Since the discovery of eosinophils in the sputum of asthmatic patients, several studies have offered evidence on their prominent role in the pathology and severity of asthma. Blood eosinophils, are a useful biomarker for therapy selection in severe asthma patients. IL-5 plays crucial role on maturation, activation, recruitment, and survival of eosinophils and constitutes an important therapeutic target for patients with severe uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma.Areas covered: This review focuses on the similarities and differences on mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety, of two subcutaneously(SC) administered agents, the anti-interleukin(IL)-5 monoclonal antibody mepolizumab and the IL-5 receptor-α(IL-5Rα)-directed cytolytic monoclonal antibody benralizumab. All information used was collected from PubMed using keywords such as severe asthma, eosinophils, IL-5, airway inflammation, asthma exacerbations, mepolizumab, benralizumab, anti-IL5, and anti-IL5R either as single terms or in several combinations.Expert opinion: Both mepolizumab and benralizumab are promising for the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma resulting in asthma control improvement and exacerbations reduction and can serve as steroid-sparing agents. However, since no head-to-head comparisons exist, it is unknown whether their different mechanisms of action might be related to different efficacy in specific patients' sub-phenotypes. Long-term clinical observations will provide real-world evidence regarding their lasting effectiveness and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Hillas
- 5th Pulmonary Department, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Fouka
- Pulmonary Department of Aristotele University of Thessaloniki, G Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Andriana I Papaioannou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
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29
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Hillas
- 5th Pulmonary Department, “Sotiria” Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - A. Papaporfyriou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - K. Dimakou
- 5th Pulmonary Department, “Sotiria” Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - A. I. Papaioannou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
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30
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Karampitsakos T, Papaioannou O, Kaponi M, Kozanidou A, Hillas G, Stavropoulou E, Bouros D, Dimakou K. Low penetrance of antibiotics in the epithelial lining fluid. The role of inhaled antibiotics in patients with bronchiectasis. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2019; 60:101885. [PMID: 31891761 DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2019.101885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Plasma drug concentrations, spectrum of antibacterial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) had been widely considered as markers of the efficacy of antibiotics. Nonetheless, in several cases, antibiotics characterized by all these features were ineffective for the treatment of respiratory tract infections. A typical paradigm represented the case of patients with bronchiectasis who do not always benefit from antibiotics and thus experiencing increased sputum production, worse quality of life, more rapid forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) decline, more frequent exacerbations and increased mortality rates, especially those with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) chronic infection. Subsequently, penetrance of antibiotics in the epithelial lining fluid has gradually emerged as another key factor for the outcome of antibiotic treatment. Given that a plethora of antibiotics presented with poor or intermediate penetrance in the epithelial lining fluid, inhaled antibiotics targeting directly the site of infection emerged as a new option for patients with respiratory disorders including patients with bronchiectasis. This review article intends to summarize the current state of knowledge for the penetrance of antibiotics in the epithelial lining fluid and present results from clinical trials of inhaled antibiotics in patients with bronchiectasis of etiology other than cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ourania Papaioannou
- 5th Department of Pneumonology, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Kaponi
- 5th Department of Pneumonology, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Andreana Kozanidou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokrateion Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Department of Pneumonology, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Elisavet Stavropoulou
- Service de Médecine Interne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Demosthenes Bouros
- First Academic Department of Pneumonology, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, "Sotiria", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Department of Pneumonology, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, "Sotiria", Athens, Greece.
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31
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Karampitsakos T, Dimakou K, Papaioannou O, Chrysikos S, Kaponi M, Bouros D, Tzouvelekis A, Hillas G. The role of increased red cell distribution width as a negative prognostic marker in patients with COPD. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2019; 60:101877. [PMID: 31843703 DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2019.101877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major burden with no clinically applicable biomarkers. AIM To investigate the association of Red cell Distribution Width (RDW) values on admission with previous hospitalizations, need of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) and long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in patients with COPD. METHODS Patients with AECOPD admitted to our department during 2018 were included in the study. RESULTS One hundred sixty patients were enrolled (M/F 95/65, median age 71.00 years, mean FEV1± SD = 46.6 ± 28.9). Median RDW was significantly higher for patients in need of NIMV (14.8, 95% CI: 14.2 to 15.6) than patients not in need of NIMV (13.5, 95% CI: 13.2 to 13.8) (p < 0.001). Median RDW was significantly higher for patients in need of LTOT (14.2, 95% CI: 13.7 to 14.6) compared to patients not receiving LTOT (13.2, 95% CI: 12.5 to 13.6) (p = 0.001). Patients with hospitalization during the last 12 months had increased RDW values compared to patients with no hospitalizations [median RDW 14.3, (95% CI: 13.5 to 14.9) versus median RDW 13.5, (95% CI: 13.1 to 13.9)](p = 0.001). CONCLUSION Patients with COPD in need of LTOT, NIMV or patients with previous hospitalizations presented with increased RDW values. Increased RDW values could serve as a negative prognostic marker in patients with COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Pulmonary Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Serafeim Chrysikos
- 5th Pulmonary Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Kaponi
- 5th Pulmonary Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Demosthenes Bouros
- 1st Academic Department of Pneumonology, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, "Sotiria", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Argyrios Tzouvelekis
- 1st Academic Department of Pneumonology, Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, "Sotiria", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Pulmonary Department, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Patentalakis G, Bakakos P, Papaporfyriou A, Papatheodorou G, Hillas G, Kostikas K, Papiris S, Koulouris N, Loukides S. Asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap: Diagnostic stability and inflammatory characteristics. Allergy 2019; 74:2271-2273. [PMID: 31077386 DOI: 10.1111/all.13865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Patentalakis
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases Athens Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases Athens Greece
| | - Anastasia Papaporfyriou
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases Athens Greece
| | | | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases Athens Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kostikas
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” Hospital Athens Greece
| | - Spyros Papiris
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” Hospital Athens Greece
| | - Nikolaos Koulouris
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases Athens Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” Hospital Athens Greece
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Papathanasiou E, Bakakos P, Hillas G, Ntontsi P, Blizou M, Kostikas K, Koulouris N, Papiris S, Loukides S. Diagnostic accuracy of T2 biomarkers for the prediction of airway eosinophilia in treated smoking asthmatic patients with loss of asthma control. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2019; 8:385-387.e2. [PMID: 31257188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Papathanasiou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Attiko University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Chest Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5(th) Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Polyxeni Ntontsi
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Attiko University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Myrto Blizou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Attiko University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kostikas
- Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital of Ioannina, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Koulouris
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Chest Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros Papiris
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Attiko University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Attiko University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
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Kourlaba G, Hillas G, Vassilakopoulos T, Maniadakis N. The Economic Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Greece. Appl Health Econ Health Policy 2019; 17:111-121. [PMID: 30328016 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-018-0431-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden on societies and patients due to the long-term management required. OBJECTIVE To assess the economic burden of COPD in Greece and its potential determinants. METHODS A population-based, random-digit dialled, telephone nationwide survey was conducted to recruit patients with COPD in Greece (N = 351). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The total annual cost per patient from a societal perspective was calculated. RESULTS The mean (95% CI) annual total cost per patient for the management of COPD from a societal perspective was €2150 (€1879-€2443). The total annual cost was mainly driven by the medication cost (36.1%), followed by the cost of hospitalizations (26.7%) and long-term oxygen therapy (13.8%). Multiple generalized linear model revealed that age, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score and exacerbations were independently associated with the total annual cost. CONCLUSION Investment in interventions aiming at delaying progression of disease, preventing acute exacerbations, and managing chronic symptoms are required to reduce the overall economic burden of COPD in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georgios Hillas
- Department of Critical Care of Evangelismos Hospital, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros Vassilakopoulos
- Department of Critical Care of Evangelismos Hospital, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Maniadakis
- Department οf Health Services Organization and Management, National School οf Public Health, Athens, Greece
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Ntontsi P, Detta A, Bakakos P, Loukides S, Hillas G. Experimental and investigational phosphodiesterase inhibitors in development for asthma. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2019; 28:261-266. [PMID: 30678501 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2019.1571582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Severe, inadequately-controlled asthma remains a clinical challenge. For this reason, clinical trials and preclinical experimental studies on novel agents as an add-on therapies continue emerge. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes that regulate the function of immune cells by hydrolyzing cyclic guanosine monophosphate/cGMP and cyclic adenosine monophosphate/cAMP. PDEs are divided into subfamilies [PDE3, PDE4, PDE5 and PDE7] which are mainly found in the respiratory tract. Inhibitors of PDEs have already been approved for COPD and pulmonary hypertension. AREAS COVERED The role of PDE inhibitors in asthma treatment and the possible mechanism of action via their anti-inflammatory and/or bronchodilating effect are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Novel PDE inhibitors exhibiting fewer adverse events may have a role as add-on therapies in asthma treatment in the future. More clinical trials are necessary to prove their efficacy and evaluate their safety profile before approval by regulatory bodies is granted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polyxeni Ntontsi
- a 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Attikon Hospital , Athens , Greece
| | - Aggeliki Detta
- b 1st Respiratory Medicine Department , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Hospital , Athens , Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- b 1st Respiratory Medicine Department , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Hospital , Athens , Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- a 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Attikon Hospital , Athens , Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- c 5th Pulmonary Department , "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital , Athens , Greece
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Petta V, Perlikos F, Loukides S, Bakakos P, Chalkias A, Iacovidou N, Xanthos T, Tsekoura D, Hillas G. Therapeutic effects of the combination of inhaled beta2-agonists and beta-blockers in COPD patients with cardiovascular disease. Heart Fail Rev 2018; 22:753-763. [PMID: 28840400 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-017-9646-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem worldwide, with co-morbidities contributing to the overall severity and mortality of the disease. The incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease among COPD patients are high. Both disorders often co-exist, mainly due to smoking, but they also share common underlying risk factors, such as aging and low-grade systemic inflammation. The therapeutic approach is based on agents, whose pharmacological properties are completely opposed. Beta2-agonists remain the cornerstone of COPD treatment due to their limited cardiac adverse effects. On the other hand, beta-blockers are administered in COPD patients with cardiovascular disease, but despite their proven cardiac benefits, they remain underused. There is still a trend among physicians over underprescription of these drugs in patients with heart failure and COPD due to bronchoconstriction. Therefore, cardioselective beta-blockers are preferred, and recent meta-analyses have shown reduced rates in mortality and exacerbations in COPD patients treated with beta-blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Petta
- Medical School, Postgraduate Study Program (MSc) "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Fotis Perlikos
- Pulmonary Division, Department of Critical Care, University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Chalkias
- Medical School, Postgraduate Study Program (MSc) "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece
| | - Nicoletta Iacovidou
- Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece
- Department of Neonatology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Aretaieio University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros Xanthos
- Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece
- European University Cyprus, School of Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Dorothea Tsekoura
- Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Aretaieio University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- Pulmonary Division, Department of Critical Care, University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Ntontsi P, Bakakos P, Papathanasiou E, Tsilogianni Z, Kostikas K, Hillas G, Papatheodorou G, Koulouris N, Papiris S, Loukides S. Exhaled breath temperature in optimally treated asthmatics: severity and underlying mechanisms. J Breath Res 2018; 12:026013. [PMID: 29176061 DOI: 10.1088/1752-7163/aa9d46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Increased vascularity may lead to loss of heat in the airways and may modulate exhaled breath temperature (EBT). Increased EBT has been associated with uncontrolled asthma. AIM We wanted to determine whether the measurement of EBT in optimally treated asthmatic patients is influenced by the increased vascular permeability and whether Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is implicated in the above process. Furthermore, to assess the impact of asthma severity on EBT values. The diagnostic performance of EBT for the identification of inflammatory profiles in induced sputum was also assessed. METHODS 88 stable asthmatic patients optimally treated for at least 6 months were studied (46 with Severe Refractory Asthma, SRA). EBT was measured with the X-halo device. All patients underwent spirometry, sputum induction for the measurement of % inflammatory cells and for the assessment of both VEGF and albumin in sputum supernatant. The airway vascular permeability index was calculated as the ratio of albumin concentrations in induced sputum and serum. RESULTS EBT (°C) was significantly higher in patients with SRA compared to those with mild to moderate asthma (median IQR 34.2 [32.4-34.6] versus 31.8 [26.3-34.1], p = 0.001). EBT was significantly associated with VEGF levels in sputum supernatant, while SRA was recognized as a significant co-variate. No other significant associations were observed. Finally, in ROC analysis, the diagnostic performance of EBT for the pure eosinophilic or/and neutrophilic profile did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION EBT is increasing in severe asthma and is significantly modulated by VEGF levels. Despite the above results its performance for predicting cellular profiles is of limited value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polyxeni Ntontsi
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
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Ntontsi P, Papathanassiou E, Loukides S, Bakakos P, Hillas G. Targeted anti-IL-13 therapies in asthma: current data and future perspectives. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2018; 27:179-186. [PMID: 29334288 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2018.1427729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The identification of patients with severe asthma who will benefit from a personalized management approach remains an unmet need. Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is a cytokine possessing a significant role in asthma pathogenesis and progression of disease. Humanised monoclonal antibodies against IL-13 and IL-13 and IL-4 receptors are mainly proposed as add-on therapy in patients with TH2-high inflammation with uncontrolled asthma despite maximum therapy. AREAS COVERED The role of IL-13 in airway inflammation in severe asthma, the targeted anti-IL-13 therapies and biomarkers that predict response to anti-IL-13 treatment are discussed. EXPERT OPINION New effective individualized therapies in severe asthma are urgently needed to block specific inflammatory pathways using monoclonal antibodies. Studies on anti-IL-13 therapies showed that asthmatic patients could benefit from this novel targeted therapy as far as lung function and exacerbation rate are concerned. TH2-high and especially periostin-high groups of asthmatics with moderate-to-severe uncontrolled asthma seem to compose the group that could benefit from anti-IL-13 therapy. Targeting IL-13 alone may not be sufficient to achieve asthma control. Inhibition of IL-13 and IL-4 with mabs may be more encouraging and patients will probably have additional benefits from these therapeutic interventions because of IL-13/IL-4 overlapping actions in asthma pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polyxeni Ntontsi
- a 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Attikon Hospital , Athens , Greece
| | - Evgenia Papathanassiou
- a 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Attikon Hospital , Athens , Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- a 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Attikon Hospital , Athens , Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- b 1st Respiratory Medicine Department , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Hospital , Athens , Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- c Department of Critical Care and Pulmonary Services , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital , Athens , Greece
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Papaioannou AI, Kostikas K, Papaporfyriou A, Angelakis L, Papathanasiou E, Hillas G, Mazioti A, Bakakos P, Koulouris N, Papiris S, Loukides S. Emphysematous Phenotype is Characterized by Low Blood Eosinophils: A Cross-Sectional Study. COPD 2017; 14:635-640. [DOI: 10.1080/15412555.2017.1386644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Konstantinos Kostikas
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Leonidas Angelakis
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, Sotiria Hospital, Athens Greece
| | - Evgenia Papathanasiou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, Sotiria Hospital, Athens Greece
| | - Argyro Mazioti
- Department of Radiology, University of Athens “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, Sotiria Hospital, Athens Greece
| | - Nikolaos Koulouris
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, Sotiria Hospital, Athens Greece
| | - Spyros Papiris
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens, Sotiria Hospital, Athens Greece
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Ntontsi P, Loukides S, Bakakos P, Kostikas K, Papatheodorou G, Papathanassiou E, Hillas G, Koulouris N, Papiris S, Papaioannou AI. Clinical, functional and inflammatory characteristics in patients with paucigranulocytic stable asthma: Comparison with different sputum phenotypes. Allergy 2017; 72:1761-1767. [PMID: 28407269 DOI: 10.1111/all.13184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to induced sputum cell count, four different asthma phenotypes have been recognized (eosinophilic, neutrophilic, mixed and paucigranulocytic). The aim of this study was to detect functional and inflammatory characteristics of patients with paucigranulocytic asthma. METHODS A total of 240 asthmatic patients were categorized into the four phenotypes according to cell counts in induced sputum. All patients underwent pulmonary function tests, and measurement of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). The levels of IL-8, IL-13 and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) were also measured in sputum supernatant. Treatment, asthma control and the presence of severe refractory asthma (SRA) were also recorded. RESULTS Patients were categorized into the four phenotypes as follows: eosinophilic (40%), mixed (6.7%), neutrophilic (5.4%) and paucigranulocytic (47.9%). Although asthma control test did not differ between groups (P=.288), patients with paucigranulocytic asthma had better lung function (FEV1 % pred) [median (IQR): 71.5 (59.0-88.75) vs 69.0 (59.0-77.6) vs 68.0 (60.0-85.5) vs 80.5 (69.7-95.0), P=.009] for eosinophilic, mixed, neutrophilic and paucigranulocytic asthma, respectively, P=.009). SRA occurred more frequently in the eosinophilic and mixed phenotype (41.6% and 43.7%, respectively) and less frequently in the neutrophilic and paucigranulocytic phenotype (25% and 21.7%, respectively, P=.01). FeNO, ECP and IL-8 were all low in the paucigranulocytic, whereas as expected FeNO and ECP were higher in eosinophilic and mixed asthma, while IL-8 was higher in patients with neutrophilic and mixed asthma (P<.001 for all comparisons). Interestingly, 14.8% of patients with paucigranulocytic asthma had poor asthma control. CONCLUSION Paucigranulocytic asthma most likely represents a "benign" asthma phenotype, related to a good response to treatment, rather than a "true" phenotype of asthma. However, paucigranulocytic patients that remain not well controlled despite optimal treatment represent an asthmatic population that requires further study for potential novel targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Ntontsi
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department Attikon Hospital University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - S. Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department Attikon Hospital University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - P. Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department Sotiria Hospital University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - K. Kostikas
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department Attikon Hospital University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - G. Papatheodorou
- Clinical Research Unit Athens Army General Hospital Athens Greece
| | - E. Papathanassiou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department Attikon Hospital University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - G. Hillas
- Respiratory Medicine Department Evangelismos Hospital Athens Greece
| | - N. Koulouris
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department Sotiria Hospital University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - S. Papiris
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department Attikon Hospital University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - A. I. Papaioannou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department Attikon Hospital University of Athens Athens Greece
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Tsikrika S, Dimakou K, Papaioannou AI, Hillas G, Thanos L, Kostikas K, Loukides S, Papiris S, Koulouris N, Bakakos P. The role of non-invasive modalities for assessing inflammation in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Cytokine 2017; 99:281-286. [PMID: 28863927 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2017.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 07/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous entity, taking into account clinical characteristics, inflammatory response, effectiveness of treatment and frequency of exacerbations. In stable state non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis, little is known about non-invasive techniques used for evaluating airway inflammation in obstructive airway diseases. OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the associations between induced sputum and clinical/radiologic characteristics, and the differences between biomarkers expressing Th1 and Th2 response in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis and to compare our findings with a previously studied population of patients with asthma and COPD. METHODS We evaluated prospectively collected data from subjects with bronchiectasis. Comparisons were made between clinical, radiographic and physiologic characteristics, as well as induced sputum markers using appropriate statistical tools. We compared the levels of sputum markers with those of a previously studied cohort of asthma and COPD patients. RESULTS We enrolled 40 subjects (21men, mean age 63.5yrs) with bronchiectasis. Fifteen subjects (37.5%) had a neutrophilic phenotype, 7 (17.5%) had an eosinophilic phenotype, 3 (12.5%) had a mixed neutrophilic-eosinophilic phenotype and 15 (37.5%) had a paucigranulocytic phenotype. Subjects with sputum neutrophilia had more severe bronchiectasis in HRCT and higher levels of IL-8 in sputum, whereas subjects with eosinophilia had higher levels of FeNO, greater bronchodilator reversibility and higher sputum IL-13. Sputum IL-8 levels were higher in subjects exhibiting frequent exacerbations and correlated with neutrophils in sputum (r=0.799), the extent of bronchiectasis in HRCT (r=0.765) and post-bronchodilator FEV1 (r=-0.416). Sputum IL-13 levels correlated with sputum eosinophils (r=0.656) and bronchodilator reversibility (r=0.441). Neutrophilic bronchiectasis exhibited comparable IL-8 levels to COPD, whereas eosinophilic bronchiectasis showed significantly lower IL-13 levels compared to asthma. CONCLUSIONS Sputum cell counts and IL-8 and IL-13 correlate with distinct clinical and functional measurements of disease severity and therefore may have a role for non-invasively assessing inflammation in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stamatoula Tsikrika
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, Mesogeion 152, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Dimakou
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, Mesogeion 152, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Andriana I Papaioannou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon General Hospital, Rimini 1, 12462 Chaidari, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- Pulmonary Division, Department of Critical Care, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Evangelismos General Hospital, Ipsilantou 45, 10676 Athens, Greece
| | - Loukas Thanos
- Department of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, Mesogeion 152, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Kostantinos Kostikas
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon General Hospital, Rimini 1, 12462 Chaidari, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon General Hospital, Rimini 1, 12462 Chaidari, Greece
| | - Spyros Papiris
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon General Hospital, Rimini 1, 12462 Chaidari, Greece
| | - Nickolaos Koulouris
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, Mesogeion 152, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, Mesogeion 152, 11527 Athens, Greece.
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Souliotis K, Kousoulakou H, Hillas G, Tzanakis N, Toumbis M, Vassilakopoulos T. The direct and indirect costs of managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Greece. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2017; 12:1395-1400. [PMID: 28546747 PMCID: PMC5436756 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s132825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective COPD is associated with significant economic burden. The objective of this study was to explore the direct and indirect costs associated with COPD and identify the key cost drivers of disease management in Greece. Methods A Delphi panel of Greek pulmonologists was conducted, which aimed at eliciting local COPD treatment patterns and resource use. Resource use was translated into costs using official health insurance tariffs and Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs). In addition, absenteeism and caregiver’s costs were recorded in order to quantify indirect COPD costs. Results The total costs of managing COPD per patient per year were estimated at €4,730, with direct (medical and nonmedical) and indirect costs accounting for 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively. COPD exacerbations were responsible for 32% of total costs (€1,512). Key exacerbation-related cost drivers were hospitalization (€830) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission costs (€454), jointly accounting for 85% of total exacerbation costs. Annual maintenance phase costs were estimated at €835, with pharmaceutical treatment accounting for 77% (€639.9). Patient time costs were estimated at €146 per year. The average number of sick days per year was estimated at 16.9, resulting in productivity losses of €968. Caregiver’s costs were estimated at €806 per year. Conclusion The management of COPD in Greece is associated with intensive resource use and significant economic burden. Exacerbations and productivity losses are the key cost drivers. Cost containment policies should focus on prioritizing treatments that increase patient compliance as these can lead to reduction of exacerbations, longer maintenance phases, and thus lower costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriakos Souliotis
- Department of Social and Educational Policy, University of Peloponnese, Corinth
| | - Hara Kousoulakou
- Department of Social and Educational Policy, University of Peloponnese, Corinth
| | - Georgios Hillas
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
| | - Nikos Tzanakis
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Medical School, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Crete
| | - Michalis Toumbis
- Sixth Pulmonary Department, "Sotiria" Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros Vassilakopoulos
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
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Souliotis K, Kousoulakou H, Hillas G, Bakakos P, Toumbis M, Loukides S, Vassilakopoulos T. Direct and Indirect Costs of Asthma Management in Greece: An Expert Panel Approach. Front Public Health 2017; 5:67. [PMID: 28424767 PMCID: PMC5380663 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Asthma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is associated with significant economic burden worldwide. The objectives of this study were to map current resource use associated with the disease management and to estimate the annual direct and indirect costs per adult patient with asthma. METHODS A Delphi panel with seven leading pulmonologists was conducted. A semistructured questionnaire was developed to elicit data on resource use and treatment patterns. Unit costs from official, published sources were subsequently assigned to resource use to estimate direct medical costs. Indirect costs were estimated as number of work loss days. Cost base year was 2015, and the perspective adopted was that of the National Organization of Health Care Services Provision, as well as the societal. RESULTS Patients with asthma are mainly managed by pulmonologists (71.4%) and secondarily by general practitioners and internists (28.6%). The annual cost of managing exacerbations was estimated at €273.1, while maintenance costs were estimated at €1,100.2 per year. Total costs of managing asthma per patient per year were estimated at €2,281.8, 64.4% of which represented direct medical costs. Of the direct costs, pharmaceutical treatment was the key driver, accounting for 63.9 and 41.2% of direct and total costs, respectively. Direct non-medical costs (patient travel and waiting time) were estimated at €152.3. Indirect costs accounted for 28.9% of total costs. CONCLUSION Asthma is a chronic condition, the management of which constrains the already limited Greek health care resources. The increasing prevalence of the disease raises concerns as it could translate per patient costs into a significant burden for the Greek health care system. Thus, the prevention, self-management, and improved quality of care for asthma should find a place in the health policy agenda in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriakos Souliotis
- Department of Social and Educational Policy, University of Peloponnese, Corinth, Greece
| | - Hara Kousoulakou
- Department of Social and Educational Policy, University of Peloponnese, Corinth, Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Michalis Toumbis
- 6th Pulmonary Department, “Sotiria” Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros Vassilakopoulos
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Papaporfyriou A, Bakakos P, Kostikas K, Papatheodorou G, Hillas G, Trigidou R, Katafigiotis P, Koulouris NG, Papiris SA, Loukides S. Activin A and follistatin in patients with asthma. Does severity make the difference? Respirology 2016; 22:473-479. [PMID: 27807906 DOI: 10.1111/resp.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Activin A is a pleiotropic cytokine holding a fundamental role in inflammation and tissue remodelling. Follistatin can modulate the bioactivity of activin. We aimed to measure activin A and follistatin in sputum supernatants and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of asthmatic patients and to determine the possible associations with severity as well as with inflammatory and remodelling indices. METHODS A total of 58 asthmatic patients (33 with severe refractory asthma (SRA)) and 10 healthy controls underwent sputum induction for % cells, activin A, follistatin, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), IL-13 and IL-8 measurements. In 22 asthmatic patients, BAL and bronchial biopsies were also performed for the assessment of the above-mentioned variables, measurement of remodelling indices and immunostaining for different activin A receptors. RESULTS Sputum activin A (pg/mL) was higher in patients with SRA (median (interquartile ranges): 76 (33-185)) compared to mild-to-moderate asthma (44 (18-84); P = 0.005), whereas follistatin did not differ between the two groups. BAL activin A (pg/mL) was higher in patients with SRA compared to those with mild-to-moderate disease. A significant association was observed between activin A and TGF-β1, eosinophils in sputum and/or in BAL, while reticular basement membrane (RBM) thickness was significantly associated with BAL activin levels only. No difference in immunostaining for activin receptor type IB was observed between patients with SRA and those with mild-to-moderate asthma. CONCLUSION Sputum and BAL levels of activin A are higher in SRA. The association of activin A with TGF-β1, eosinophils and RBM thickness may indicate a role of this cytokine in the inflammatory and remodelling process in SRA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Papaporfyriou
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kostikas
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Hillas
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Rodoula Trigidou
- Pathology Department, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Nikolaos G Koulouris
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros A Papiris
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Tsilogianni Z, Hillas G, Bakakos P, Aggelakis L, Konstantellou E, Papaioannou AI, Papaporfyriou A, Papiris S, Koulouris N, Loukides S, Kostikas K. Sputum interleukin-13 as a biomarker for the evaluation of asthma control. Clin Exp Allergy 2016; 46:1498. [PMID: 27790845 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
Background The objective of the study was to estimate the self-reported prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Greece and to quantify its burden on patients’ daily activities, productivity, and psychological status. Methods A population-based, random digit-dialed telephone nationwide survey was conducted between July 10, 2015 and July 31, 2015 in order to recruit patients with COPD in Greece. Among the 11,471 persons contacted, 3,414 met the inclusion criterion of age ≥40 years and completed the screening questions regarding COPD. Of the 362 subjects who reported that they had been diagnosed with COPD, 351 completed the survey. Data on demographic and lifestyle characteristics, comorbidities, disease history, perceived disease severity, breathlessness severity, symptoms severity, limitations in daily activities, psychological distress, and productivity were collected. All data were collected through the telephone interview method using a structured questionnaire. Results The overall self-reported COPD prevalence was 10.6%. Among 351 participants, only 9% reported that they suffered from severe breathlessness. The mean COPD assessment test score was 19.0, with 84% of participants having a COPD assessment test score ≥10. As for the perceived severity of COPD, the majority of subjects considered that their respiratory condition was of moderate (34.2%) or mild severity (33.9%). Overall, the participants reported a significant impact of COPD on their daily life. For instance, 61.5% of them reported that their respiratory condition has affected their sports activities. Moreover, 73% of subjects considered that the health care system could do more for them than it actually does. Almost one-fourth of the participants reported that they had missed work during the past 12 months due to their respiratory symptoms, with the mean number of days lost being 10. Conclusion This survey provides insightful data regarding the impact of COPD on Greek patients’ everyday life, psychology, and productivity, revealing the increased individual morbidity and the significant burden of this condition on society.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georgios Hillas
- Department of Critical Care of Evangelismos Hospital, Medical School of National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
| | - Theodoros Vassilakopoulos
- Department of Critical Care of Evangelismos Hospital, Medical School of National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
| | - Nikos Maniadakis
- Department of Health Services Organization and Management, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
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Papaioannou AI, Kostikas K, Bakakos P, Papaporfyriou A, Konstantellou E, Hillas G, Papatheodorou G, Koulouris NG, Papiris S, Loukides S. Predictors of future exacerbation risk in patients with asthma. Postgrad Med 2016; 128:687-92. [PMID: 27494758 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2016.1220807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although modern treatment of asthma improves asthma control, some patients still experience exacerbations. The aim of the present study was to detect predictors of asthmatic exacerbations Methods: We included patients with asthma followed up in asthma clinics of 2 tertiary University hospitals. Demographic and functional characteristics, levels of exhaled NO, and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-13, ΕCP και IL-8) and cell counts in induced sputum were recorded at baseline. Measurements were performed with the patients in stability and were considered as their personal best. Patients received optimal treatment with good compliance and were followed up for 1 year for asthma exacerbations occurrence. Evaluation of the effect of recorded parameters on asthma exacerbations was performed with univariate and multivariate Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS 171 patients (118 female) with bronchial asthma (mean age 51.6 ± 13.2 years) were included in the study. The mean number of exacerbations in 1 year of follow up was 0.4 ± 0.8 while the majority of patients (71.9%) did not experience any exacerbation. In multivariate Poisson Regression analysis only 3 characteristics were predictors of future exacerbations: FEV1 [IRR(95% CI)], [0.970(0.954-0.987)], p = 0.001, high BMI [1.078(1.030-1.129)], p = 0.001, and the need for permanent treatment with oral corticosteroids for asthma control maintenance [2.542(1.083-5.964)], p = 0.032 CONCLUSION: Optimal guideline-based asthma management results in minimal occurrence of exacerbations in the majority of patients. Predictors of exacerbations are low FEV1 levels in stability, high BMI and the need for permanent treatment with oral corticosteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andriana I Papaioannou
- a 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Attikon Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kostikas
- a 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Attikon Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- b 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - Anastasia Papaporfyriou
- b 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - Elissavet Konstantellou
- b 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - Georgios Hillas
- c Respiratory Medicine Department , Evagelismos Hospital , Athens , Greece
| | | | - Nikolaos G Koulouris
- b 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - Spyridon Papiris
- a 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Attikon Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- a 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Attikon Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
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Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the top five major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite worldwide health care efforts, costs, and medical research, COPD figures demonstrate a continuously increasing tendency in mortality. This is contrary to other top causes of death, such as neoplasm, accidents, and cardiovascular disease. A major factor affecting COPD-related mortality is the acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). Exacerbations and comorbidities contribute to the overall severity in individual patients. Despite the underestimation by the physicians and the patients themselves, AECOPD is a really devastating event during the course of the disease, similar to acute myocardial infarction in patients suffering from coronary heart disease. In this review, we focus on the evidence that supports the claim that AECOPD is the “stroke of the lungs”. AECOPD can be viewed as: a Semicolon or disease’s full-stop period, Triggering a catastrophic cascade, usually a Relapsing and Overwhelming event, acting as a Killer, needing Emergent treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Hillas
- Department of Critical Care and Pulmonary Services, University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens
| | - Fotis Perlikos
- Department of Critical Care and Pulmonary Services, University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens
| | - Nikolaos Tzanakis
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
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Tsilogianni Z, Hillas G, Bakakos P, Aggelakis L, Konstantellou E, Papaioannou AI, Papaporfyriou A, Papiris S, Koulouris N, Loukides S, Kostikas K. Sputum interleukin-13 as a biomarker for the evaluation of asthma control. Clin Exp Allergy 2016; 46:923-31. [PMID: 26990030 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma control refers to the extent to which the manifestations of asthma have been reduced or eradicated by treatment. Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has a central role in Th2 response and serves as a possible therapeutic target in uncontrolled asthma. Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and sputum eosinophils have modest performance in the evaluation of asthma control. OBJECTIVE To assess the diagnostic performance of sputum IL-13 for the evaluation of asthma control and furthermore to investigate the performance of sputum eosinophils and FeNO. METHODS One hundred and seventy patients with asthma were studied. All subjects underwent assessment of asthma control by asthma control test (ACT), lung function tests, FeNO measurement and sputum induction for cell count identification and IL-13 measurement in supernatants. RESULTS IL-13 (pg/mL) levels in sputum supernatant differed significantly among patients with well-controlled asthma and those with not well-controlled asthma [median IQR 78 (66-102) vs. 213 (180-265), P < 0.001]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that, for the whole study population, the diagnostic performance of IL-13 was superior to both sputum eosinophils and FeNO levels [area under the curve (AUC) 0.92, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.95 vs. AUC 0.65, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.72 vs. AUC 0.65, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.72, respectively]. CONCLUSION The diagnostic performance of sputum IL-13 was superior to both sputum eosinophils and FeNO levels for the identification of well-controlled asthma. Sputum IL-13 levels could serve as a useful biomarker for asthma control assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Tsilogianni
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - G Hillas
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - P Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - L Aggelakis
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - E Konstantellou
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - A I Papaioannou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - A Papaporfyriou
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - S Papiris
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - N Koulouris
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - S Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - K Kostikas
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
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Hillas G, Perlikos F, Toumpanakis D, Litsiou E, Nikolakopoulou S, Sagris K, Vassilakopoulos T. Controlled Mechanical Ventilation Attenuates the Systemic Inflammation of Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2016; 193:696-8. [DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201508-1700le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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