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 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 role of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3)/ gasdermin-E (GSDME)-mediated pyroptosis in skeletal muscle atrophy induced by cigarette smoke in mice.Methods To construct a mouse model of COPD, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) for 24 weeks. HE staining was used to observe the changes in the morphology of the gastrocnemius muscle in mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins in gastrocnemius muscle. To construct a model of skeletal muscle cell atrophy in vitro, C2C12 myoblasts were induced to differentiate into skeletal muscle cells with 2% horse serum, and then skeletal muscle cells were treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Skeletal muscle cells were further treated with the caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK and the GSDME inhibitor Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) to explore the effects of inhibition of caspase-3/GSDME on CSE-induced skeletal muscle cell atrophy. To observe the effects of TNF-α on the expression of caspase-3 and GSDME proteins as well as the impact on myotubes, skeletal muscle cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Western blotting was applied to detect protein expression levels of caspase-3 and GSDME in skeletal muscle cells. Hoechst 33342/ Hoechst33342/ Propidium Iodide (PI) staining was applied to detect the PI-positive rate of skeletal muscle cells. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release of C2C12 myotubes was measured by LDH release test. Immunofluorescence was used to detect changes in myotube diameter. Results CS-induced skeletal muscle atrophy was observed in mice, accompanied by increased pyroptosis- associated proteins (c-caspase-3 and GSDME-N) (P<0.05). CSE also induced elevated c-caspase-3 and GSDME-N expression in C2C12 cells , resulting in increased LDH release, positive ratio of PI, along with reduced myotube diameter (P<0.05). In addition, TNF-α promotes myotube atrophy and the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 and GSDME-N proteins in skeletal muscle cells. ConclusionCS can induce skeletal muscle atrophy through activated TNF-α/Caspase-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis.
Objective To explore the effect of respiratory training based on mechanical vibration-assisted sputum expulsion on arterial blood gases in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary type 2 respiratory failure and clinical efficacy observation. Methods 105 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease combined with type 2 respiratory failure who were hospitalized in our hospital from November 2019 to February 2023 were selected as study subjects. They were randomly numbered and divided into experimental and control groups according to the order of admission, and 3 patients withdrew from the study cohort due to their own reasons, and 51 cases each of the experimental and control groups were finally included. Patients in the control group were given conventional treatment and lung function exercise, while the experimental group was given respiratory training with mechanical vibration-assisted sputum expulsion. Lung function and blood gas analysis indexes were measured before and 2 weeks after treatment to evaluate the clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse events in the two groups. Results After the treatment, pulmonary function indexes such as PEF, FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC, and blood gas analysis indexes such as PaO2, PaCO2 of the experimental group and daily sputum excretion improved significantly compared with those of the pre-treatment and control groups (P<0.05). The total clinical efficacy rate of the patients in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05), and the incidence of adverse events was lower than that of the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Respiratory training based on mechanical vibration-assisted sputum expectoration can help improve the lung function and blood gas level of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease combined with type 2 respiratory failure, and it has a certain clinical value in promoting the rehabilitation and prognosis of patients.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride in sedation practices during NPPV for patients with acute exacerbation of COPD ( AECOPD) and respiratory failure. Methods 50 patients with AECOPD and respiratory failure, admitted in ICU between January 2011 and April 2012, were divide into an observation group and a control group. All patients received conventional treatment and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation ( NPPV) . Meanwhile in the observation group, dexmedetomidine hydrochloride ( 1 μg/kg) was intravenously injected within 10 minutes, then maintained using a micropump by 0.1 ～0. 6 μg·kg- 1 ·h- 1 to maintaining Ramsay Sedation Scale ( RSS) score ranged from 2 to 4. The patients’compliance to NPPV treatment ( conversion rate to invasive ventilation) and ICU stay were compared between two groups. Heart rate,mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, and arterial blood gas ( pH, PaO2 , PaCO2 ) before and 24 hours after treatment were also compared. Results After 24 hours treatment, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, and arterial blood gas were all improved in two groups, while the improvements were more remarkable in the observation group. The conversion rate to invasive ventilation ( 4% vs. 16% ) and ICUstay [ ( 5.47 ±3.19) d vs. ( 8.78 ±3.45) d] were lower in the observation group than those in the control group. ( P lt;0.05) . Conclusion Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride may serve as a safe and effective sedative drug during NPPV in patients with AECOPD and respiratory failure.
Objective To evaluate the influence of early mobilization on delirium and respiratory dynamics in mechanically ventilated patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods The study prospectively recruited 107 AECOPD patients who admitted between January 2014 and June 2015 and underwent mechanical ventilation.On basis of same routine treatment,the patients were randomly divided into a treatment group (54 cases)receiving regime of early mobilization,and a control group (53 cases)receiving routine sedation and analgesia treatment.The incidence of delirium,duration of delirium,time of mechanical ventilation,and ICU mortality were compared between two groups.The respiratory mechanical parameters including endogenous positive end expiratory pressure (PEEPi),airway resistance(Raw),static compliance(Cs),and dynamic compliance(Cd)before treatment,3 days and 5 days after treatment were also compared between two groups. Results Compared with the control group,the incidence of delirium decreased (59.3% vs. 77.4%),the duration of delirium [(1.8±1.1)d vs. (2.6±1.3)d] and mechanical ventilation[(6.2±3.4)d vs. (7.9±4.2)d] reduced in the treatment group with significant difference(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in respiratory mechanical parameters before treatment between two groups(P>0.05).While at 3 days and 5 days after treatment,PEEPi decreased [(6.23±2.83)cm H2O vs. (7.42±2.62)cm H2O,(4.46±2.20)cm H2O vs. (5.92±2.51)cm H2O],Raw decreased [(20.35±7.15)cmH2O·L-1·s-1 vs. (23.23±6.64)cm H2O·L-1·s-1,(16.00±5.41)cm H2O·L-1·s-1 vs. (19.02±6.37)cm H2O·L-1·s-1],Cd increased [(25.20±9.37)mL/cm H2O vs (21.75±7.38)mL/cm H2O,(27.46±5.45)mL/cm H2O vs. (24.40±6.68)mL/cm H2O] in the treatment group compared with the control group(P<0.05),and the difference in Cs was not significant(P>0.05).No complications such as slippage,physical injury,or malignant arrhythmia occurred in two groups.The mortality slightly decreased in the treatment group compared with the control group (5.6% vs 11.3%),but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). Conclusions The incidence of delirium is high in mechanically ventilated patients with AECOPD.Early mobilization can reduce the incidence and duration of delirium,decrease the airway resistance,increase the dynamic lung compliance,relieve dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation and reduce PEEPi,so as to improve the respiratory function and shorten the time of mechanical ventilation.Therefore,early mobilization is an effective and safe regime for AECOPD patients underwent mechanical ventilation.
Objective To investigate the clinical significance of changes in cardiopulmonary function, degree of hypoxia and inflammatory factors in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients combined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 209 patients with OSAHS admitted from October 2015 to April 2022. The OSAHS patients were divided into an OSAHS-only group, an OSAHS combined with mild COPD group, an OSAHS combined with moderate COPD group, and an OSAHS combined with severe and very severe COPD group based on pulmonary function test. The characteristics of cardiopulmonary function [(pulmonary artery pressure, N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), percent predicted value of FEV1 (FEV1%pred)], hypoxia indexes [night lowest saturation of pulse oxygen (NL-SpO2), night medial saturation of pulse oxygen (NM-SpO2), saturation of pulse oxygen less than 85% of the time (TS85), diurnal lowest saturation of pulse oxygen (DL-SpO2)], inflammatory factor indicators [procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR)], and other characteristics were compared separately. The partial correlation analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of OSAHS with COPD. Results There were statistically significant differences in age, days of hospitalization, cardiopulmonary function indexes, hypoxia indexes and inflammatory factor indexes between the OSAHS combined with COPD group and the OSAHS-only group (all P<0.05). And pulmonary artery pressure, NT-proBNP, TS85, IL-6, and NLR were higher and DL-SpO2, NL-SpO2, and NM-SpO2 were lower in the OSAHS combined with severe and very severe COPD group compared with the OSAHS combined with mild COPD group (all P<0.05). In the partial correlation analysis, FEV1%pred was negatively correlated with pulmonary artery pressure, NT-proBNP, TS85, IL-6, hs-CRP and NLR, and positively correlated with DL-SpO2, NL-SpO2 and NM-SpO2 (all P<0.05). In regression analysis, NLR and TS85 were the main risk factors for OSAHS combined with COPD (all P<0.05). Conclusions OSAHS patients combined with COPD have longer hospital days, greater burden of hypoxia, cardiopulmonary function and inflammation compared with patients with OSAHS alone, especially more significant in patients with poorer pulmonary function, and higher incidence of pulmonary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and lower limb edema. NLR and TS85 are the main risk factors in patients with OSAHS combined with severe and very severe COPD.
ObjectiveTo explore the value of three brief scales (BAP-65 class, DECAF score, and CAPS) on assessing the severity of acute exacerbation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) complicated by hypercapnic respiratory failure. MethodsTwo hundred and forty-four cases with acute exacerbation of COPD complicated by hypercapnic respiratory failure, admitted in West China Hospital from August 2012 to December 2013, were analyzed retrospectively.The scores of each scale were calculated.The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) of each scale for hospital mortality, mechanical ventilation use, mortality of patients requiring mechanical ventilation, invasive mechanical use were analyzed and compared. ResultsThe AUROCs of BAP-65 class, DECAF score and CAPS for hospital mortality were 0.731, 0.765, and 0.711; for mechanical ventilation were 0.638, 0.702, and 0.617; for mortality of patients requiring mechanical ventilation were 0.672, 0.707, and 0.677; for invasive mechanical ventilation use were 0.745, 0.732, and 0.627(BAP-65 vs.CAPS, P < 0.05).Mortality and mechanical ventilation use increased as the three scales escalated.In the patients whose BAP-65 or DECAF score were more than 4 points, the hospital mortality was nearly 50%, and about 95% of the patients underwent mechanical ventilation. ConclusionsThe BAP-65 class, DECAF score, and CAPS of patients on admission have predictive values on assessing the severity of acute exacerbation in patients with COPD complicated by hypercapnic respiratory failure, especially the simple and practical BAP-65 class and DECAF score.
Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of single and bilateral lung transplantation in the treatment of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Chinese and English databases were searched by computer, including PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database and CBM. Case-control studies on single lung transplantation or bilateral lung transplantation for COPD were collected from the inception to July 31, 2022. We evaluated the quality of the literature via Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). All results were analyzed using Review Manager V5.3 and STATA 17.0. Results A total of 8 studies were included covering 14076 patients, including 8326 patients in the single lung transplantation group and 5750 patients in the bilateral lung transplantation group. NOS scores were≥6 points. The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no statistical difference in the postoperative 1-year survival between the two groups (P=0.070). The 2-year survival rate (P=0.002), 3-year survival rate (P<0.001), 5-year survival rate (P<0.001), overall survival rate (P＜0.001), postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second/predicted value (P<0.001), postoperative forced vital capacity (P<0.001), and postoperative 6-minute walking distance (P=0.002) were lower or shorter than those in the bilateral lung transplantation group, the postoperative intubation time (P=0.030) was longer than that in the bilateral lung transplantation group. Bilateral lung transplantation group showed better surgical results. There was no statistical difference in the mortality, obliterative bronchiolitis, length of hospitalization, primary graft dysfunction, or postoperative adverse events (P>0.05). Conclusion Bilateral lung transplantation is associated with better long-term survival and postoperative lung function compared with single lung transplantation. In-hospital mortality and postoperative complications are similar between them.
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.