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.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive intervention based on a thorough patient assessment followed by patient-tailored therapies, which include, but are not limited to, exercise training, education, and behavior change, designed to improve the physical and psychological condition of people with chronic respiratory disease and to promote the long-term adherence of health-enhancing behaviors. It has been proven beneficial in reducing dyspnea and improving functional capacity and quality of life for patients with stable chronic respiratory disease. However, recent randomized clinical trials reported conflicting results on the timing of intervention, protocol and effectiveness of acute exacerbation or intensive care unit pulmonary rehabilitation to improve patient outcomes. We should find a balance between " dynamic” and " static” to maximize the benefit of patients from early pulmonary rehabilitation.
ObjectiveTo explore the relevance of the ratio of pulmonary arterial diameter to aortic diameter exceeding one (PA:A>1) with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and inflammatory factor levels in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). MethodsFrom August 2013 to December 2013,95 inpatients with AECOPD in West China Hospital were divided into two groups according to the ratio of pulmonary arterial diameter to aortic diameter. The clinical data of the patients were collected. Meanwhile,arterial blood gas,plasma levels of BNP,C-reactive protein (CRP),and interleukin-6 (IL-6) within 24 hours were measured. ResultsThe plasma BNP level was 2005(483-4582)ng/L in the group with PA:A>1,and 404(137-1224)ng/L in the group with PA:A<1. There was significant difference in plasma BNP level between two groups (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in CRP or IL-6 level between two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe ratio of pulmonary arterial diameter to aortic diameter is correlated with BNP level in patients with AECOPD,but is not correlated with CRP or IL-6.
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between serum thyroid hormone levels and prognosis for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) without thyroid disease, and explore the prognostic value of serum thyroid hormone levels for patients with AECOPD.MethodsThe clinical data of 239 hospitalized cases of AECOPD [149 males, 90 females, aged 42-92 (77.7±8.9) years] from January 2013 to November 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Serum thyroid hormone levels including total tetraiodothyronin (TT4), total triiodothyronin (TT3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free tetraiodothyronin (FT4) and free triiodothyronin (FT3) were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. All patients were divided into a survival group and a death group according to the prognosis. Serum thyroid hormone levels were compared between two groups. Correlations of serum thyroid hormone levels with the occurrence of death in AECOPD patients were analyzed. The prognostic value of serum thyroid hormone levels for AECOPD patients was explored by receiveroperating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. And the best cut-off value of serum thyroid hormone level in predicting the risk of death was calculated.ResultsSerum TT4, TT3, FT4 and FT3 levels in the survival group were significantly higher than those in the death group [TT4: (89.35±21.45) nmol/L vs. (76.84±21.33) nmol/L; TT3: (1.05±0.34) nmol/L vs. (0.72±0.19) nmol/L; FT4: (16.17±2.91) pmol/L vs. (14.45±2.85) pmol/L; FT3: (3.06±0.81) pmol/L vs. (2.24±0.72) pmol/L; all P<0.05]. The differences of serum TSH level between two groups were not statistically significant [0.98 (0.54-1.83)vs. 0.57 (0.31-1.84), P>0.05]. Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum TT4, TT3, FT4 and FT3 levels were significant correlated with the occurrence of death (r values were 0.226, 0.417, 0.220, 0.387, respectively, P<0.05). And there was no significant correlation between serum TSH level and the occurrence of death (P>0.05). ROC curve analysis was done between serum thyroid hormone levels (TT4, TT3, TSH, FT4 and FT3) and the occurrence of death in the AECOPD patients. The areas under ROC curve were 0.659, 0.793, 0.588, 0.655 and 0.772, respectively. Serum TT3 was the best indicator for predicting the occurrence of death. When serum TT3 level was 0.85nmol/L, the Youden index was the highest (0.486), with a sensitivity of 70.2%, and a specificity of 78.3%. It was the best cut-offl value of serum TT3 to predict the risk of death in AECOPD patients.ConculsionsSerum thyroid hormone levels are significant associated with the prognostic for AECOPD patients. There is certain value of serum thyroid hormone levels in prognostic evaluation of AECOPD patients.
Objective To study the effect of glucocorticoid-containing triple therapy on the acute exacerbation frequency of patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with different blood eosinophil percentage (EOS%). Methods One hundred and twenty-four patients who were admitted to the hospital with moderate to severe COPD from January 2020 to March 2020 in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine in this hospital were selected as the research subjects, and the patients were divided into group A according to EOS% (EOS%<2%) and B group (EOS%≥2%). Then the A and B groups were randomly divided into four subgroups A1, A2 and B1, B2, and the patients in groups A1 and B1 were treated with dual long-acting bronchodilation. The medication for the patients in groups A2 and B2 was a triple preparation containing glucocorticoids. Namely A1 group (EOS%<2%, dual therapy), A2 group (EOS%<2%, triple therapy), B1 group (EOS%≥2%, dual therapy), B2 group (EOS%≥2%, triple therapy). The patients were instructed to take medication regularly as in hospital after discharge. After discharge, patients were followed up by telephone every two weeks for a period of one year. The number of acute exacerbations, the change of forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of the expected value (FEV1%pred) and the incidence of pneumonia were compared between group A and group B during the follow-up period of one year. Results In the patients with EOS%≥2%, triple therapy reduced the number of acute attacks by 40% during treatment compared with dual therapy patients (average 0.875 vs. 1.471 times per patient per year, P=0.0278). While in the patients with EOS%<2%, it was reduced by 4% (1.080 vs. 1.125 times, P=0.3527). In the same use of glucocorticoid-containing triple preparations, the number of acute exacerbations in the patients with EOS%≥2% during medication was 19% less than that of the patients with EOS%<2% (an average of 0.875 to 1.080 times per patient per year, P=0.0462). Regardless of EOS%≥2% or <2%, there was no significant difference in the changes of FEV1%pred between triple therapy and double therapy patients before and after treatment (P>0.05). Regardless of EOS%≥2% or <2%, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of pneumonia between patients with triple therapy and double therapy during medication (P>0.05). Conclusion Inhaled glucocorticoid triple therapy is suitable for moderate to severe COPD patients with high percentages of blood eosinophils.
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 explore the feasibility and clinical application value of low attenuation areas (LAA) scoring system in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).MethodsA total of 380 patients with AECOPD were included. Clinical data including general information, laboratory examinations and treatments during hospitalization were collected. According to the high-resolution computed CT (HRCT) imaging performance, the patients were divided into bronchitis phenotype and emphysema phenotype. The clinical data between these two groups were compared to analyze the differences between different phenotypes and the feasibility of LAA scoring system.ResultsIn patients of bronchitis phenotype, the levels of body mass index, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, procalcitonin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and eosinophil counts on admission were higher than those of emphysema phenotype (P<0.05). Patients with emphysema phenotype had a higher proportion of male, a higher smoking index, higher cystatin C levels and lower bilirubin levels on admission (P<0.05), the rates of using mechanical ventilation and systemic glucocorticoids were higher as also (P<0.05). LAA scores had a positive correlation with the use of mechanical ventilation and systemic glucocorticoids and cystatin C levels, and a negative correlation with interleukin-6 levels (P<0.05).ConclusionsFor patients with AECOPD, using LAA scoring system to classify different phenotype through HRCT has relevant accuracy and clinical practicability. The LAA scoring system might help to evaluate the patient's condition and prognosis to a certain extent.
Objective To analyze the clinical presentations and radiological characteristics of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF) . Methods Clinical and radiological data of 2 patients with acute exacerbation of IPF from April 2006 to July 2008 were retrospectively analyzed and literatures were reviewed. Results Both patients were senior male patients over 60 years old. Dyspnea, cough and inspiratory crackles were the major symptoms and signs. Two patients were experiencing an exacerbation of dyspnea for one week and half of month, respectively. PaO2 /FiO2 of both patients was less than225 mm Hg. In both patients, high-resolution computed tomography ( HRCT) scans at the exacerbation showed typical signs of IPF including peripheral predominant, basal predominant reticular abnormality, with honeycombing and traction bronchiectasis and bronchiolectasis, and newly developing alveolar opacity. HRCT scan showed peripheral area of ground-glass attenuation adjacent to subpleural honeycombing in one patient, and diffusely distributed ground-glass opacity in another patient. Two patients had received corticosteroid treatment. For one patient, the symptoms improved, and ground-glass attenuation adjacent to subpleural honeycombing had almostly resolved. The other patient died of respiratory failure. Conclusions Some acute exacerbation in idiopatic pulmonary fibrosis can be idiopathic. The clinical presentations mainly include the worsening of dyspnea within short time. HRCT generally demonstrates new bilateral ground-glass abnormality with or without areas of consolidation, superimposed on typical changes of IPF.
Objective To investigate the serum level of surfactant protein D ( SP-D) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) and its clinical significance. Methods Serumlevels of SP-D in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD ( n = 29) , stable COPD ( n = 26) , and control subjects ( n = 19 ) were measured by ELISA. Multiple regression modeling was performed to determine the independent relationship between SP-D and lung function variables. Results The serum SP-D levels were significantly increased in the patients who experienced an acute exacerbation [ ( 70. 6 ±20. 7) ng/mL] compared with the patients with stable COPD and the control subjects [ ( 47. 9 ±13. 3) ng/mL and ( 31. 2 ±11. 4) ng/mL] ( both P lt; 0. 01) . The serum SP-D levels in the patients with stable COPD increased significantly than the control subjects ( P lt; 0. 01) . Smoking index and staging of COPD were positively related to SP-D level. Serum SP-D levels were also found to be inversely related to FEV1% pred in stable COPD. Conclusion Serum SP-D may be a potential diagnostic and staging biomarker for COPD.