ObjectiveTo investigate and compare the clinical characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS). MethodsA case-control study was conducted in 139 patients with COPD who admitted between March 2013 and September 2013. The patients were divided into a COPD-only group and an ACOS group. Clinical data were collected and compared between two groups. ResultsOf all 139 patients, 93 patients were diagnosed with COPD only (66.9%) and 46 patients were diagnosed with ACOS (33.1%). Compared with the COPD-only group, the ACOS group had a lower ratio of exposure to cigarette smoking (80.4% vs. 93.5%), but high possibility of a history of asthma (89.1% vs. 4.3%), allergies (60.9% vs. 9.6%) and airway hyperreactivity (80.4% vs. 6.5%) (P < 0.05). In clinical symptoms, the ACOS group had a higher ratio of breathless as the first complaint of symptom (26.1% vs. 8.6%) and dry and moist rales in lung by auscultation (67.4% vs. 31.2%) (P < 0.05). In laboratory examination, the ACOS group had increased levels of peripheral blood eosinophils and IgE than those of the COPD-only group (21.7% vs. 5.4%, 18.3% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.05). In treatment, the ACOS group was more likely to use systemic glucocorticoid (58.7% vs. 24.7%) and be treated with higher dosage of glucocorticoid (80 mg, P < 0.05). ConclusionsACOS and COPD-only are two subtypes of COPD. Compared with COPD-only patients, ACOS patients might be more likely to be breathless and have dry and moist rales in clinical symptoms, more likely to have increased levels of peripheral blood eosinophils and IgE in blood test, and more inclined to receive systemic glucocorticoid treatment.
Objective To study the clinical application of the GOLD/GINA criteria and the Spanish guideline in the diagnosis of asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS). Methods Patients with stable COPD were consecutively enrolled in the study. Clinical data were collected, lung function with bronchodilator test and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were performed, and peripheral blood eosinophils, total IgE, and sputum inflammatory cells were measured. Those overlap with asthma were identified by the 2 different criteria, and the prevalence and features of ACOS were compared. Results Among 104 cases of stable COPD, 24 (23.1%) and 10 (9.6%) were identified as ACOS by the GOLD/GINA criteria and the Spanish guideline, respectively; the latter 10 cases were all included in the former 24. For the GOLD/GINA criteria, the most common features were symptoms triggered by exercise or emotions, variable airflow limitation, family history of asthma, and other allergic conditions. Mean diurnal PEF variation≥10% was evident in 11 cases (45.8%, 11/24), while bronchodilator test was positive in 16 cases (66.7%, 16/24). For the Spanish guideline, the most common features were diagnosis of asthma before 40, other allergic diseases, positive bronchodilator test on 2 occasions. Conclusions The GOLD/GINA criteria may be more sensitive for the diagnosis of ACOS, and do not need sophisticated lab tests, which may be more applicable for clinical use. The Spanish guideline is restrictive, and therefore may lead to under-diagnosis.