Anemia and lung cancer

Erythopoietin (EPO) treatment of anemia during cancer has dramatically improved the tolerance of chemotherapy and quality of life of patients at all stages of the disease. Several surveys have demonstrated a high prevalence and a high incidence of anemia in lung cancer patients. The guidelines updates concerning EPO treatment for these patients are described. They take into account the debate concerning the potential harm of these molecules on the neoplastic disease and the possible role of EPO receptors expressed by several tumors, including non small cell lung cancer.     

COPD and inflammation: statement from a French expert group: inflammation and remodelling mechanisms

The present study reviews the literature on inflammation and remodelling mechanisms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The development of COPD is associated with chronic pulmonary inflammation. Immunity (innate or adaptive) plays a role in its onset and continuation. Airways inflammation alters bronchial structure/function relations: increased bronchial wall thickness, increased bronchial smooth muscle tone, seromucosal gland hypersecretion and loss of elastic structures. Circulating markers of pulmonary inflammation indicate its systemic dissemination. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the onset and persistence of tissue abnormalities. The determinants of extra- and intra-cellular redox control are only partially known. Susceptibility genes, antioxidant system insufficiency and reduced levels of anti-age molecules and of histone deacetylation are also involved. The molecular and cellular targets of inflammation and remodelling are numerous and complex. Currently, tools exist to limit inflammation in COPD but not to act on structural remodelling.     

Nébulisation dans l’asthme de l’adulte et la bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive

Nebulisation is an efficacious form of treatment for asthma and COPD. Pneumatic atomizer with an oral-nasal interface are the most widely used form (low cost and not incompatible with the contents), the oral interface being preferred for treatment over a long period. There are not many drugs that are now marketed for use in nebulisers: general practitioners are limited to using bronchodilators, beta2-adrenergic agonists (salbutamol and terbutaline), ipratropium bromide and corticoids (budesonide and beclomethasone). In acute asthma and exacerbations of COPD, nebulised beta2-adrenergic agonists are the treatment of first intention because they have been shown to be as efficacious as intravenous administration. Atropinic drugs add an additional benefit and their use is generally accepted. In less severe exacerbations, nebulised corticoids are an acceptable alternative to systemic corticotherapy. The indications for nebulisation over extended periods remain poorly defined, but it is not a substitute for classic forms of inhalation (spray with inhalation chamber and dry powders). Education of the patient remains obligatory.     

COPD and lung cancer: epidemiological and biological links

Lung cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) are two common fatal diseases. Apart from their common link to tobacco, these two diseases are usually considered to be the result of separate distinct mechanisms. In the past 15 years, numerous studies have produced arguments in favour of a relationship between these two pathologies that goes beyond a simple addition of risk factors. At the epidemiological level, there are data that demonstrate an increased incidence of bronchial carcinoma in patients with COPD. The links between these two pathologies are still unexplained but there are numerous arguments supporting a common physiopathology. Common genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, mechanical factors and signalisation pathways have been quoted. COPD and lung cancer appear to be two diseases possessing a genetic basis that creates a predisposition to environmental or toxic assaults, resulting in a different clinical manifestation in each disease. Consequently, improvements in the management of these two diseases will involve a more intensive investigation of their physiopathology, and require a closer collaboration between research centres and clinical units.     

Azithromycine et pathologies bronchiques chroniques : quels patients ? Quels bénéfices ? Quelles modalités ?

Azithromycin is a macrolide widely used in chronic bronchial diseases due to its anti-inflammatory properties. This treatment is prescribed to patients with bronchiectasis, asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who present more than 3 exacerbations per year or a deterioration of respiratory function despite an optimal treatment. Macrolides decrease the number of exacerbation but azythromycine must be prescribed carefully. Indeed, it involves potential cardiovascular and otological toxicities and the emergence of resistant bacteria. In addition, studies remain insufficient to establish the optimal dosage and duration of azithromycine.     

COPD in the general population: prevalence, incidence and survival

Worldwide, COPD is a leading cause of chronic morbidity and mortality. Although its prevalence is already well documented, very few studies have measured its incidence. We therefore investigated the prevalence, incidence and lifetime risk of COPD in the general population. In a population-based study including subjects ≥ 40, with 12 months of history available in the Dutch IPCI database, we identified COPD cases by a two-step validation algorithm. Among 185,325 participants with 601,283 years of follow-up, 7308 subjects with COPD were identified, and 1713 had incident COPD. The overall IR of physician-diagnosed COPD was 2.92/1000PY (95%CI 2.78-3.06). The incidence of COPD was higher in men (3.54; 95%CI 3.33-3.77) than in women (2.34; 95%CI 2.17-2.52), and the overall baseline prevalence of COPD was 3.02% (95%CI 2.94-3.10). For people who had entered the study free of COPD at the age of 40, the risk of developing COPD within the next 40 years was 12.7% for men and 8.3% for women. In patients with very severe COPD, 26% died after 1 year of follow-up, whereas 2.8% died among the non-COPD subjects. In the general population in the Netherlands, three on 1000 subjects were diagnosed with COPD per year. The incidence increased rapidly with age and was higher in men than in women. One in eight men and one in 12 women, being COPD free at the age of 40, will develop COPD during their further life. Mortality rates differed substantially between COPD patients and non-COPD subjects of the same age, underlining the burden of this disease.     

Montelukast therapy and psychological distress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A preliminary report

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an alteration in which ventilatory function, exercise capacity and health status of patients progressively decline and it is characterized by an increase of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, LTB4, IL-8, etc. In this study we considered twenty patients (15 males and 5 females; mean age: 72.8 ± 6.3) with stable COPD. All patients were performed evaluation of psychological stress at enrollment and were treated with leukotriene receptor antagonists (montelukast tablets) 10 mg/day for 12 months. After 12 months we observed a significant decrease of serum levels of LTB4, IL-8 and also a decrease of the number of outpatient clinic visits, of the number of hospitalizations and of the duration of hospitalization.     

Diagnosis and early detection of COPD using spirometry

The standard respiratory function test for case detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is spirometry. The criterion for diagnosis defined in guidelines is based on the FEV₁/FVC ratio forced expiratory ratio (FER) and its severity is based on forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) from measurements obtained during maximal forced expiratory manoeuvres. Spirometry is a safe and practical procedure, and when conducted by a trained operator using a spirometer that provides quality feedback, the majority of patients can be coached to provide acceptable and repeatable results. This allows potentially wide application of testing to improve recognition and diagnosis of COPD, such as for case finding in primary care. However, COPD remains substantially under diagnosed in primary care and a major reason for this is underuse of spirometry. The presence of symptoms is not a reliable indicator of disease and diagnosis is often delayed until more severe airflow obstruction is present. Early diagnosis is worthwhile, as it allows risk factors for COPD such as smoking to be addressed promptly and treatment optimised. Paradoxically, investigation of the patho-physiology in COPD has shown that extensive small airway disease exists before it is detectable with conventional spirometric indices, and methods to detect airway disease earlier using the flow-volume curve are discussed.     

The Role of Nebulized Therapy in the Management of COPD: Evidence and Recommendations

Abstract

Current guidelines recommend inhalation therapy as the preferred route of drug administration for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Previous systematic reviews in COPD patients found similar clinical outcomes for drugs delivered by handheld inhalers - pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs) - and nebulizers, provided the devices were used correctly. However, in routine clinical practice critical errors in using handheld inhalers are highly prevalent and frequently result in inadequate symptom relief. In comparison with pMDIs and DPIs, effective drug delivery with conventional pneumatic nebulizers requires less intensive patient training. Moreover, by design, newer nebulizers are more portable and more efficient than traditional jet nebulizers. The current body of evidence regarding nebulizer use for maintenance therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, including use during exacerbations, suggests that the efficacy of long-term nebulizer therapy is similar, and in some respects superior, to that with pMDI/DPIs. Therefore, despite several known drawbacks associated with nebulized therapy, we recommend that maintenance therapy with nebulizers should be employed in elderly patients, those with severe disease and frequent exacerbations, and those with physical and/or cognitive limitations. Likewise, financial concerns and individual preferences that lead to better compliance may favor nebulized therapy over other inhalers. For some patients, using both nebulizers and pMDI/DPI may provide the best combination of efficacy and convenience. The impact of maintenance nebulizer treatment on other relevant clinical outcomes in patients with COPD, especially the progressive decline in lung function and frequency of exacerbations, needs further investigation.     

Detecting oxygen desaturation in patients with COPD: incremental versus endurance shuttle walking

BACKGROUND: There has been no direct comparison between an incremental and endurance walking test to detect the relative oxygen desaturation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is of some importance as current guidelines have suggested that ambulatory oxygen should only be prescribed after a standard assessment and desaturation documented. No clear advice about the nature of the required exercise task is given. This study therefore compared the relative desaturation between the incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT) and the constant speed walking test (ESWT) and response to ambulatory oxygen. METHODS: Forty-one patients (29 male), mean (SD), age 71.18 (7.48) yrs, FEV(1) 0.85 (0.29) l with stable COPD were recruited after completion of a 7-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Patients completed a baseline (without carrying a cylinder) ISWT and ESWT and then, in random order in double blind fashion, completed the walk tests with a cylinder of air or a cylinder of oxygen. Measurements included distance walked, oxygen saturation, heart rate, perceived breathlessness and exertion (Borg scale). RESULTS: All patients desaturated (<4% below 90%). There was no significant difference in desaturation between the ISWT and the ESWT. There was a significant improvement in performance with supplementary oxygen compared to cylinder air (p<0.05) for both tests. However, compared to the baseline walk, supplementary oxygen did not enhance the distance walked for either test. There was a significant decrease in walking performance on both the ISWT and the ESWT when carrying an air cylinder compared with the control walk. When comparing the percentage difference between oxygen and air for responders (i.e. those that achieve a 10% or more increase), the ESWT showed a greater percentage change 42.1% compared to 26.1% for the ISWT. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies that incremental and endurance walking provokes significant desaturation and that there is a short-term benefit of oxygen versus air in enhancing exercise performance. There was no significant difference in the level of desaturation between tests. Therefore the ISWT is a suitable exercise test that can be used to evaluate desaturation and is practically more realistic.     

沙美特罗替卡松联合噻托溴铵吸入治疗中重度COPD 40例疗效观察

目的观察沙美特罗替卡松（舒利迭）联合噻托溴铵粉吸入剂（思力华）对中重度COPD的治疗效果。方法将40例临床诊断为中重度COPD的患者随机分为两组。A组：22例,舒利迭（50/500 ug）吸人,每天2次,加用思力华,使用吸入装置（HandiHaler）吸入,每次1粒胶囊（18 ug）,每天1次。B组：18例,单纯舒利迭（50/500 ug）吸人,每天2次.疗程3个月。观察两组患者治疗前后呼吸困难的评分、血气分析及肺功能情况。结果治疗3个月后,所有患者呼吸困难均减轻,但A组呼吸困难下降值明显高于B组（P〈0.001）。与B组比较,治疗后A组肺功能指标（FVC、FEV1及FEV1/FVC）及血气指标（SaO2、PaO2）明显升高,而PaCO2则明显下降（P〈0.01）。结论长效抗胆碱药噻托溴铵与舒利迭联合应用可明显改善中重度COPD患者的呼吸困难、血气和肺功能,优于单纯应用舒利迭,可使COPD得到良好的控制。     

Advanced imaging in COPD: insights into pulmonary pathophysiology

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involves a complex interaction of structural and functional abnormalities. The two have long been studied in isolation. However, advanced imaging techniques allow us to simultaneously assess pathological processes and their physiological consequences. This review gives a comprehensive account of the various advanced imaging modalities used to study COPD, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the nuclear medicine techniques positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Some more recent developments in imaging technology, including micro-CT, synchrotron imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and electrical impedance tomography (EIT), are also described. The authors identify the pathophysiological insights gained from these techniques, and speculate on the future role of advanced imaging in both clinical and research settings.     

贝那普利对慢性阻塞性肺疾病大鼠炎症因子及肺功能影响

目的观察贝那普利对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(简称慢阻肺)大鼠肺功能及炎症因子的影响,为贝那普利治疗慢阻肺提供实验依据。方法将60只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、贝那普利干预组,每组各20只。采用2次气管滴注脂多糖(LPS)加烟熏的方法建立慢阻肺大鼠模型,第28天时检测大鼠肺功能和血清及肺组织匀浆中白细胞介素-8(IL-8)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)含量。HE染色观察大鼠肺组织病理改变。结果模型组大鼠肺组织HE染色符合慢阻肺的病理改变,慢阻肺组大鼠出现明显肺气肿,贝那普利干预组也出现肺气肿,但程度较轻;模型组、干预组大鼠的肺功能与对照组比较均有下降,模型组的VE值、PEP值、FEV0.3值较干预组下降更为显著,差异均有统计学意义(P0.01或P0.05);模型组、干预组大鼠血清、肺组织匀浆中IL-8、TNF-α的含量均分别明显高于对照组,模型组较干预组升高更为显著,差异均有统计学意义(P0.01或P0.05)。结论贝那普利能明显减轻慢阻肺大鼠肺组织损伤,缓解肺功能下降,其机制可能是通过下调慢阻肺大鼠血清和肺组织匀浆中IL-8、TNF-α的水平来实现的。     

舒利迭和顺尔宁联合应用对CODP肺功能的影响

目的探讨沙美特罗替卡松（舒利迭）联合孟鲁斯特钠（顺尔宁）对慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者肺功能的影响。方法40例患者随机分为舒利迭组（对照组）和舒利迭加顺尔宁组（试验组）各20例。两组入院期间均给于常规抗感染、吸氧、化痰和平喘对症治疗。对照组加用舒利迭,试验组加用舒利迭和顺尔宁,两组平喘治疗包括普通氨茶碱,按需使用喘康速气雾剂（特布他林）。出院后对照组继续使用舒利迭,试验组继续使用舒利迭和顺尔宁,共随访观察12周。两组均于治疗前查肺功能,治疗症状好转出院,12周后再次测定上述指标。结果两组治疗前肺功能无明显差异;治疗后两组肺功能较治疗前均有显著改善。试验组较对照组第一秒用力呼气容积（FEV1）、用力肺活量（FVC）、第一秒用力呼气容积／用力肺活量（FEV1／FVC）和第一秒用力呼气容积占预计值百分比（FEV1 ％ Pred）等明显改善,差异有显著性;试验组较对照组每天按需使用特布他林次数减少,差异有显著性。结论舒利迭和顺尔宁共同作用对COPD患者肺功能更有显著的改善作用。     

Changes of HMGB1 and sRAGE during the recovery of COPD exacerbation

Background

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with increased airway and systemic inflammation. However, the correlation between acute exacerbation/convalescence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and simultaneous changes of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and soluble RAGE (sRAGE) levels has not been clearly clarified. The aim of this study was to assess these issues.

Methods

A total of 44 COPD patients were recruited. Following a structured interview, plasma levels of HMGB1, sRAGE, fibrinogen and serum level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) within 24 h of hospitalization and pre-discharge (convalescence). All patients were examined with spirometry in convalescence of COPD.

Results

There was a significant decline in plasma HMGB1 (P<0.01), sRAGE (P<0.05), fibrinogen (P<0.01) and serum hsCRP (P<0.01) levels from acute exacerbation to convalescence phase of COPD. Changes of sRAGE was significantly correlated with changes of HMGB1 (r=0.4, P=0.007). COPD disease status correlated with the ratio of HMGB1/sRAGE, but not gender, age, course of disease, smoking history and FEV1% pred. Levels of HMGB1 and sRAGE were the highest in the current smoker group, and significantly decreased in ex-smoker group in both acute exacerbation and convalescence phase of COPD, however, their levels in never smoker group were higher than ex-smoker group in either phase of COPD.

Conclusions

HMGB1 and sRAGE levels were dynamically changed between exacerbation and convalescence phase of COPD, HMGB1 and sRAGE were likely not only a potential marker in COPD exacerbation but also a therapeutic target for COPD treatment.     

A pulmonary rehabilitation program for patients with asthma and mild chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD)

The effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program on 44 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were compared to a control group. The treated group was admitted to the program for a period of three months. The program consisted of several parts, such as physical training, health education, and psychological and social matters. Before participation, the patients were thoroughly examined and provided with optimal medical treatment. Both groups were assessed by means of biometrical tests and questionnaires for a period of 2 years. The rehabilitation group improved significantly in endurance, psychological parameters, and consumption of medical care. Working days increased and their way of life became more active. Smoking habits and body fat percentage decreased. Bronchial hyperreactivity, need for pulmonary drugs, and coughing and sputum production did not improve in the rehabilitation group compared to the control group. Airway obstruction, expressed as forced expiratory volume in one second, and complaints of dyspnea, allergy and hyperreactivity scores on questionnaires improved only in the short term (<1 year), but did not improve significantly in the long term. This study shows that pulmonary rehabilitation can result in improvements in patients with asthma or COPD who have many complaints despite the fact that their pulmonary function is not severely disturbed.     

Pollutional haze and COPD: etiology,epidemiology, pathogenesis,pathology, biological markers and therapy

In recent years, serious pollutional haze occurs in the mainland of China thanks to the development of urbanization and industrialization. There is a close relationship between air pollution and the occurrence and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but there are some new characteristics in some aspects of COPD associated with pollutional haze compared with COPD induced by traditional physical and chemical factors. This article attempts to summarize the new progress from these new features of COPD related to pollutional haze, focus on etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathology, biological markers and therapy.