Recently, many researchers paid more attentions to the association between air pollution and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Haze, a severe form of outdoor air pollution, affected most parts of northern and eastern China in the past winter. In China, studies have been performed to evaluate the impact of outdoor air pollution and biomass smoke exposure on COPD; and most studies have focused on the role of air pollution in acutely triggering symptoms and exacerbations. Few studies have examined the role of air pollution in inducing pathophysiological changes that characterise COPD. Evidence showed that outdoor air pollution affects lung function in both children and adults and triggers exacerbations of COPD symptoms. Hence outdoor air pollution may be considered a risk factor for COPD mortality. However, evidence to date has been suggestive (not conclusive) that chronic exposure to outdoor air pollution increases the prevalence and incidence of COPD. Cross-sectional studies showed biomass smoke exposure is a risk factor for COPD. A long-term retrospective study and a long-term prospective cohort study showed that biomass smoke exposure reductions were associated with a reduced decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and with a decreased risk of COPD. To fully understand the effect of air pollution on COPD, we recommend future studies with longer follow-up periods, more standardized definitions of COPD and more refined and source-specific exposure assessments.
Objective To analyse the content and structure of the health management policy text for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in China, and to provide a reference for the optimization and improvement of subsequent relevant policies. Methods We searched for relevant policy documents on COPD health management at the national level from January 2017 to December 2023, constructed a two-dimensional analysis framework for policy tools and chronic disease health management processes, coded and classified policy texts, and used content analysis method to analyze policy texts. Results Twenty-four policy texts were included. There were 183 codes for policy tool dimension, with supply based, environmental based, and demand based tools accounting for 43.72%, 47.54%, and 8.74%, respectively. There were 124 codes for the dimension of health management processes, with health information collection and management accounting for 12.10%, risk prediction accounting for 14.52%, intervention and treatment accounting for 66.13%, and follow-up and effectiveness evaluation accounting for 7.26%. Conclusions At present, the proportion of policy tools related to the management of COPD in China needs to be dynamically adjusted. Environmental tools should be appropriately reduced, the internal structure of supply tools should be optimized, the driving effect of demand tools should be comprehensively enhanced, the coupling of COPD health management processes should be strengthened, and the relevant policy system and overall quality should be continuously improved.
Objective To investigate the current situation of anxiety and depression in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and analyze the related influencing factors. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among AECOPD patients admitted to the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from August 2022 to October 2023. The survey included basic demographic information, anxiety and depression scores, quality of life and dyspnea symptoms in the AECOPD patients. The clinical data of patients in the electronic medical record system were also collected. According to the anxiety score or depression score, the patients were divided into an anxiety group and a non-anxiety group, or a depression group and a non-depression group. The indicators between two groups were compared and the influencing factors were analyzed. Results Among the 164 patients with AECOPD, 123 patients (75.0%) were complicated with anxiety, 125 patients (76.2%) were complicated with depression, and 105 patients (64.0%) were complicated with anxiety and depression. Education level, place of residence, monthly income, smoking index, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT) score were associated with AECOPD and anxiety (P<0.05). Higher CAT score was an independent risk factor for anxiety in the patients with AECOPD. Residence, monthly income, smoking index, CAT score, modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea questionnaire rating, actual bicarbonate, neutrophilic granulocyte percentage (NEU%), lymphocyte percentage (LYM%), basophile percentage (BASO%), alkaline phosphatase, total carbon dioxide concentration, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were associated with AECOPD and depression (P<0.05). Among them, higher CAT score and PLR value were independent risk factors of AECOPD and depression. Conclusion Anxiety and depression have higher prevalence in AECOPD patients, and the influencing factors include quality of life, dyspnea symptoms, education level, place of residence, monthly income, smoking index, acid base balance, NEU%, LYM%, BASO%, NLR和PLR, etc.
Objective To investigate the current status of disease uncertainty and alexithymia in elderly hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods By using the convenience sampling method, a total of 165 elderly patients with COPD were investigated by using general information questionnaire, Mishel's uncertainty in illness Scale (MUIS) and Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20). Results The disease course of the elderly hospitalized patients with COPD was mostly 3 - 6 years (40.0%), and most of them had 1 - 2 chronic diseases (59.4%). More than half of the elderly had a history of smoking and drinking. The severity of COPD in the elderly was moderate (57.0%), and the number of hospitalization in the year was more than 2 times (58.8%). The score of disease uncertainty in the elderly hospitalized patients with COPD was 89.49±9.45, and the score of uncertainty was the highest (36.59±4.08), followed by the lack of information (18.51±1.86). The score of alexithymia in the elderly hospitalized patients with COPD was 55.32±6.37, and the score of all dimensions was the highest (21.87±2.93), followed by affective recognition disorder (18.27±2.55). The results of correlation analysis showed that the total score and scores of each dimension were positively correlated (P<0.01). The results of multi-factor analysis showed that age and course of disease and severity of COPD were the main influencing factors of disease uncertainty in elderly hospitalized patients with COPD (P<0.05). Conclusions The elderly hospitalized patients with COPD have a moderate level of disease uncertainty and a high degree of alexithymia. Besides, the greater the disease uncertainty is, the more serious the alexithymia. Therefore, clinical doctors and nurses should pay more attention to give emotional and psychological support and education guidance to the elderly patients with COPD, in order to improve their clinical efficacy and quality of life.
Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between peripheral blood eosinophil (EOS) count and smoking history, some inflammatory indicators, lung function, efficacy of ICS, risk of respiratory failure and chronic pulmonary heart disease, risk of acute exacerbation within 1 year, readmission rate and mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Methods Retrospective analysis of the baseline clinical data of 816 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from January 1,2019 to December 31,2021. The patients were divided into EOS ≥ 200 cells / μL (High Eosinophi, HE) group and EOS<200 cells / μL (low Eosinophi, LE) group according to whether the peripheral blood EOS was greater than 200 cells / μL at admission. Peripheral venous blood data (including blood eosinophil count, white blood cell count, lymphocyte percentage, neutrophil percentage), blood gas analysis value, lung function index and medication regimen of all patients were collected, and the efficacy of ICS was recorded. The patients were followed up for 1 year to observe the acute exacerbation and readmission rate, and the mortality rate was followed up for 1 year and 2 years. Results Neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in HE group were positively correlated with EOS value (P<0.05), and smoking was more likely to increase EOS value. HE group was more sensitive to ICS. The risk of acute exacerbation in HEA group was higher than that in LE group. ICS could reduce the rate of acute exacerbation in HE group. EOS value in LE group was inversely proportional to FEV1 / FVC and MMEF values (P<0.05). The risk of chronic pulmonary heart disease in LE group was higher than that in HE group. The 2-year mortality rate in HE group was higher than that in LE group. Conclusions Peripheral blood EOS count is correlated with some inflammatory indicators, acute exacerbation risk, and lung function. ICS can improve the clinical symptoms and prognosis of patients with higher EOS count.
ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of different nebulization methods in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) requiring non-invasive ventilators (NIV). MethodsOne hundred and two patients with AECOPD were selected according to the standard, and randomly divided into a control group, a trial group I, and a trial group II according to the random number table. The patients in the control group received NIV intermittent oxygen-driven nebulization; the patients in the trial group I received NIV simultaneous oxygen-driven nebulization; and the patients in the trial group II received NIV simultaneous air-driven nebulization. The dynamic fluctuations of transcutaneous partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PtCO2), arterial blood gas indexes (PaCO2, PaO2, pH), vital signs and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) fluctuations were compared. ResultsPtCO2 at 15min of nebulization in the trial group II were lower than the other groups (P<0.05). PtCO2 at 15min of nebulization was higher than the other time points in the control group (P<0.05); there was no statistical difference of PtCO2 at different time points in the trial group I (P>0.05); PtCO2 gradually decreased with time in the trial group II (P<0.05). The difference before and after nebulization of PtCO2 (dPtCO2) was larger in trial group II than the other groups (P<0.05). PtCO2 at 0min and 5min after the end of nebulization in trial group II were lower than the other groups (P<0.05); there were no statistical differences of PtCO2 at 10min and 15min after the end of nebulization among three groups (P>0.05). There were statistical differences of the PtCO2 at each time point in the control group except for the PtCO2 at 10 min and 15min after the end of nebulization, all of which decreased with time; PtCO2 at each time points of nebulization decreased with time in the trial group I (P<0.05). PtCO2 only at 5min after the end of nebulization was lower than that at 0min after the end of nebulization in trial group II (P< 0.05), there were no statistical differences in other times (P>0.05). PaCO2, pH at the 4th day of treatment was lower than the pre-treatment in the control group (P<0.01); there were statistical differences of PaCO2 between the pre-treatment and the rest time points in the trial group I and group II (P<0.05). The number of abnormal fluctuations in vital signs and SpO2 during nebulization in three groups was not statistically different (P>0.05). ConclusionsThree groups can achieve good therapeutic effects. NIV intermittent oxygen-driven nebulization can make PtCO2 rise during nebulization; NIV simultaneous oxygen-driven nebulization can make PtCO2 remain stable during nebulization; NIV simultaneous air-driven nebulization can make PtCO2 fall during nebulization.
ObjectiveTo analyze the features and clinical significance of blood eosinophils (EOS) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).MethodsThe general data, laboratory examination and treatment of patients with AECOPD admitted to this department from January 2014 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Based on the inclusion of treatment targets for blood EOS according to 2018GOLD, patients were divided into group A (EOS<100 cells/μL), group B (100 cells/μL≤EOS≤300 cells/μL), and group C (EOS>300 cells/μL) with two cut-off levels. The differences in general data, severity, and glucocorticoid use between group A, group B and group C were compared.ResultsA total of 515 patients with AECOPD were enrolled. 10.87% of patients had blood EOS>300 cells/μL, and 39.03% of patients had blood EOS≥100 cells/μL. Patients in group B and C were younger, with shorter disease duration, intensive care unit stay time, non-invasive mechanical ventilation use time. The time of glucocorticoid administration was significantly shortened, and the cumulative dose of venous glucocorticoid, hospitalization cost, and total drug cost were also lower than those of group A (all P<0.05).ConclusionsPatients in group B and C are younger, shorter in disease duration, lower in severity and more responsive to glucocorticoid therapy. Blood EOS can be used as a marker to guide glucocorticoid therapy in patients with AECOPD.
Lung injury could be classified as acute and chronic injuries, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Lung function recovery mainly depends on inflammation adjusting, lung and airway remodeling, endogenous stem cell proliferation and differentiation, and tissue repair. The principles of clinical therapy include inhibition of inflammation, balancing coagulation and fibrinolysis, and protective lung ventilation for acute lung injury; while reduction of hyper-secretion, bronchodilation, adjusting airway mucosal inflammation and immunity, as well as improving airway remodeling for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The functional recovery of lung and airway depends on endogenous stem cell proliferation and repair. The purpose of clinical treatment is to provide assistance for lung and airway repair besides pathophysiological improvement.
Objective To investigate the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) for 28-day all-cause mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in intensive care unit (ICU). Methods The relationship between PNI and short-term mortality in COPD patients was analysed using COX proportional hazards and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted and area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the predictive performance of PNI. The optimal cut-off value for PNI was determined using the Youden index, and the data were divided into a low PNI group and a high PNI group. Kaplan-Meier curves were then constructed and the log-rank test was used to assess differences in survival between the two groups. Results A total of 980 COPD patients were included in the study. Multivariable COX regression analysis showed that PNI was an independent factor influencing short-term mortality in the severe COPD patients (HR=0.972, 95%CI 0.948 - 0.995, P=0.019). RCS curve results showed a non-linear relationship between PNI and short-term mortality in the severe COPD patients (P for non-linear=0.032), with the risk of death gradually decreasing as PNI increased. The ROC curve indicated that PNI had some predictive power, comparable to that of SOFA score [(AUCPNI=0.693) vs. (AUCSOFA=0.672)]. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed a significant difference in survival time between the low (≤38.3) PNI group and the high (>38.3) PNI group (P<0.05). Conclusions PNI has a certain predictive role for short-term all-cause mortality in patients with severe COPD. Patients with low PNI at ICU admission have a higher risk of short-term mortality.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the clinical efficacy of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in treating patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodsDatabases including PubMed, The Cochrane Library (Issue 10, 2013), EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about LMWH in treating acute exacerbation of COPD from the establishment to October 2013. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 6 RCTs involving 501 patients were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:compared with the control group, LMWH significantly improved levels of D-dimmer (MD=-0.28, 95%CI-0.50 to-0.05, P=0.02), reduced carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2) (MD=-3.42, 95%CI-6.66 to-0.18, P=0.04), improved coagulation (PT) (MD=1.85, 95%CI 1.29 to 2.42, P < 0.000 01), and improved clinical symptoms and signs (RR=1.33, 95%CI 1.12 to 1.58, P=0.001), but it did not improve oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) (MD=0.28, 95%CI-3.04 to 3.61, P=0.87). During treatment, no severe adverse reaction occurred in both groups. ConclusionLMWH could significantly improve symptoms caused by acute exacerbation of COPD. Due to limited quantity and quality of the included studies, the above conclusion needs to be confirmed by conducting more high quality RCTs with larger sample size.