Class of 2016 Abstract / Objectives: To assess the relationship between adherence to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations and the corresponding 30-day, all-cause readmissions rate in a community hospital. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients admitted with the primary diagnosis of a COPD exacerbation. Medications administration records relevant to the GOLD guidelines were examined as separate independent variables in relation to a readmission within 30 days of discharge. Additional factors examined included: demographic data, resident of a long-term care facility, pre-index hospitalization, pulmonary consult, vaccines, length of stay (LOS), discharge medications, and follow-up appointments. Results: Electronic health records of 120 patients were reviewed and divided into non-readmitted patients (n = 65, mean age 73.4 ± 10.1 years), all-cause readmissions (n = 55, mean age 70.15 ± 9.69 years), and COPD-related readmissions (n = 21, mean age 70.7 ± 11.1 years). Patients with heart failure (p = 0.024), a LOS >5 days (p = 0.045), a pre-index hospitalization (p = 0.001), or who were long-term care residents (p = 0.024) experienced more all-cause readmissions. Females experienced less all-cause readmissions (p = 0.035). Significantly more patients with a pre-index hospitalization had a COPD-related readmission (p = 0.027). Lastly, adherence to the GOLD treatment parameters was not significantly different across all groups. Conclusions: COPD is a complex disease and adherence to the GOLD guidelines during an exacerbation is unlikely to significantly impact 30-day readmission rates.

BACKGROUND Inhalation therapy has proven to be the best way to control the asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms. The most commonly used delivery system to control these symptoms is the metered-dose inhaler. The primary goal of this study is to demonstrate an association between incorrect inhaler use and patient age. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study, performed at Centro Médico Naval “Cirujano Mayor Santiago Távara”, in Callao, Peru, in 2014. Patients older than 18 years that used metered-dose inhalers were included. We used film recordings of patients using a metered-dose inhaler and compared their technique with the recommendations on the guidelines on the correct use of inhalers of the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR). The main variables measured were age and incorrect inhaler use. The results were analyzed with the Chi squared test for bivariate analysis, and for multivariate analysis we used the Poisson regression model with robust variance. RESULTS We included 378 patients in the analysis; 167 were older than 60 years. An association was found between incorrect inhalator technique and age (p=0.014) (PR 1.19 95% CI 1.03 to 1.37). The highest prevalence of incorrect technique was found in the young adult population (88%). There was no association between the incorrect technique and the person who taught it (p=0.114). Finally, this study showed that 81.2% of the study population presented an incorrect inhalation technique. CONCLUSIONS The percentage of incorrect inhaler use, in the general population is high. Even if we found no association between an incorrect technique and the person who taught it; still, there is a high percentage of errors and it was even demonstrated that being instructed by a pulmonologist does not guarantee a correct performance of metered-dose inhaler inhalations. / INTRODUCCIÓN La terapia inhalatoria ha demostrado ser la más rápida y eficaz para el control del asma y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. El inhalador de dosis medida es el más usado por la población. El objetivo de este estudio es evidenciar la asociación entre la técnica inhalatoria incorrecta y la edad. MÉTODOS Estudio observacional, analítico, de corte transversal realizado en Perú durante 2014. Se incluyeron pacientes desde los 18 años que utilizaran inhalador de dosis medida. Se utilizó una lista de verificación de pasos establecidos por la Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica y filmaciones para evaluar la técnica inhalatoria de los pacientes. Las variables principales fueron la edad y la mala técnica inhalatoria práctica. Para el análisis bivariado se utilizó la prueba Chi cuadrado y para el análisis multivariado regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta. RESULTADOS Se incluyeron 378 pacientes; 167 fueron mayores de 60 años. El estudio reveló que el 81,2% de la población presentó una incorrecta técnica inhalatoria. Se encontró asociación entre la edad y la técnica inhalatoria incorrecta (p=0,014) (PR 1,19 con IC 95% 1,03-1,37). El grupo etario con mayor frecuencia de técnica incorrecta fue el de adultos jóvenes (88%). CONCLUSIONES La frecuencia de uso incorrecto del inhalador en la población es alta y esta característica predomina en el grupo de adultos jóvenes. A pesar de no haber asociación entre la persona que enseña la técnica inhalatoria y el desempeño de la misma, se demostró que existe alta frecuencia de errores, incluso en aquellos pacientes instruidos por un médico especialista.

Title: Analysis of Pharmacotherapy by patients with diagnosis of COPD Student: Marilena Kartali-Kaouni Tutor: Prof. RNDr. Jiri Vlcek, CSc Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Background: " Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually both progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases". Tobacco smoking is the major risk factor in the development of COPD. COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Aim: 1st from the current literature to understand the nature of COPD and obtain information about the aetiopathogenesis of the disease, diagnosis options and summarize the current view of strategies for achieving the goals of treatment. 2nd in a pilot study to analyze drug therapy in COPD patients visiting a pharmacy in Greece. Methods: 56 prescriptions with the diagnosis of COPD were collected during a period of 8 months from a Greek pharmacy. Information from the prescriptions with regard to COPD medications prescribed (active substances, trade names, strength, dosage scheme, pack size), patients characteristics (age and gender) and prescribing...

Among those subjects admitted with AECOPD and concomitant pneumonia, a total of 118 patients (91 males) with 150 episodes were identified. Haemophilus influenzae was the commonest organism found in sputum (26.0%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.5%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (3.4%), and Moraxella catarrhalis (3.4%). In contrast to most studies from other countries reporting Streptococcus pneumoniae as the most likely bacterial pathogen, Haemophilus influenzae was the commonest bacterium isolated in sputum in this cohort of patients with AECOPD and concomitant pneumonia. / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. / Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) analysis is a novel tool which has been developed in recent years and the technique is believed to reflect the lower airway lining fluid. My previous work has demonstrated the repeatability of certain inflammatory markers in the EBC of stable asthma and COPD patients. / Hypothesis 1: Bacterial pathogens are the major cause of AECOPD with and without concomitant pneumonia in patients requiring hospitalization. In the one-year retrospective bacteriology study, there were 329 patients with 418 episodes of AECOPD without concomitant pneumonia. These result noted that H. influenzae was the commonest bacterium isolated in sputum in patients with AECOPD without concomitant pneumonia. In areas endemic of tuberculosis, it is advisable to use fluoroquinolones for AECOPD with caution in view of the positive sputum culture of mycobacterium tuberculosis in some patients. / Hypothesis 2: Viral pathogens are an important cause of AECOPD in patients hospitalized with AECOPD. For the prospective infectious aetiology study, there were 643 episodes of AECOPD among 373 patients (307 males). Severe airflow obstruction (stable state spirometry) was associated with a higher chance of positive sputum culture (28.2% for FEV1 ≥30% vs. 40.4% for FEV1 <30% predicted normal, p=0.006). In this study, Haemophilus influenzae and influenza A were the commonest aetiological agents in patients hospitalized with AECOPD. More severe airflow obstruction was associated with a higher chance of positive sputum culture. / Hypothesis 3: The rates of hospital admissions due to AECOPD are associated with indices of air pollution in Hong Kong. Concerning the effect of air pollutants on AECOPD, significant associations were found between hospital admissions for COPD with all 5 air pollutants. Adverse effects of ambient concentrations of air pollutants on hospitalization rates for COPD are evident, especially during the winter season in Hong Kong. / Hypothesis 4: During the course of AECOPD, it is possible to assess inflammation in the airway by measuring biomarkers non-invasively using the method of EBC collection. To explore the course of inflammation in the airway during AECOPD, 26 patients (22 male) with AECOPD (mean percentage predicted FEV1, 44.8 +/- 14.3), 11 stable COPD and 14 age and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. Repeatability measurements of TNFalpha and LTB4 in 6 stable COPD patients were satisfactory. EBC TNFalpha level was low in patients receiving systemic steroid and antibiotic therapy for AECOPD whereas EBC TNFalpha level was also lower in stable patients receiving ICS post AECOPD than those who were not. These findings suggest a potential role for serial EBC TNFalpha for non-invasive monitoring of disease activity. / Summary. The above studies have shown that bacterial pathogens are the major cause of AECOPD with and without concomitant pneumonia in patients requiring hospitalization and the commonest bacterium found in the sputum of the patients was Haemophilus influenzae. Viral pathogens are also an important cause of AECOPD in patients hospitalized with AECOPD in Hong Kong and the commonest virus identified in the NPA of the patients was influenza A. Concerning the effect of air pollutants on AECOPD, significant associations were found between hospital admissions for AECOPD with the air pollutants of SO2, NO3, O3, PM10 and PM2.5. Finally, TNFalpha could be measured in the EBC of patients during the course of AECOPD and its level was low in patients receiving systemic steroid and antibiotic therapy for AECOPD. The results suggest that it is possible to assess inflammation in the airway by measuring biomarkers non-invasively using the method of EBC collection. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Ko, Wai-san Fanny. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-02, Section: B, page: 0926. / Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-250). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / School code: 1307.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph.D.). / Written for the Dept. of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2009/06/11). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Virginia Commonwealth University, 2004. / Title from title-page of electronic thesis. Prepared for: Dept. of Physiology. Bibliography: p. 156-178.

Background: Respiratory disease has been one of the top three causes of deaths in Macau in the past decade. As one of the chronic respiratory diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is incurable, but is preventable and treatable. COPD patients suffer from recurrent and progressive respiratory symptoms, and this impacts the health and well-being of patients. Self-management education programmes (SMEP) provide teaching and learning guidance for understanding COPD, emotional support and behaviour change needed to carry out disease-specific care in chronic patients. Evidence has demonstrated that SMEP can mediate a change in health-related behaviours, improve symptom control and the quality of life of COPD patients, with an associated reduction in health care utilization. However, SMEP has never been conducted in Macau, and experiences of providing any form of chronic care for COPD patients in this place is lacking. Aims: This study aimed to explore the effects of a specifically designed self-management education programme on Stage II to IV COPD patients in Macau. Design: The study was conducted as an exploratory randomized controlled trial in a mixed methods approach. Both illness perception and self-efficacy beliefs were adopted to formulate the theoretical framework. In the quantitative strand, the assessment of primary outcomes included illness perception, self-efficacy and inhaler technique. The secondary outcomes included pulmonary function, healthcare utilization and health-related quality of life. In the qualitative strand, focus groups were conducted to explore the subjective perception and experiences of self-management of COPD patients. Fifty one eligible COPD patients were recruited and allocated to experimental (26 patients) and control group (25 patients) by block randomization. A SMEP for COPD patients was developed and validated according to Medical Research Council (MRC) framework. Results: Quantitative results indicated that the primary outcomes (illness perception, self-efficacy and inhaler technique) improved in the experimental group after the SMEP. In relating to the secondary outcomes, days of hospitalization were reduced and symptom dimension of disease-specific health related quality of life (St. George Respiratory Questionnaire) improved. Qualitative findings identified the emergence of a core theme ‘Essentiality’ and five sub-themes ‘Helplessness’, ‘Mutual involvement’, ‘Support’, ‘Control’ and ‘Beneficial’, indicating perception and experiences of participants for self-management. These findings indicate a potential relationship of illness perception and self-efficacy in guiding COPD patients to adapt to health-related behaviour. Discussion and Conclusion: This study has obtained evidence for supporting the proposed theoretical framework and expected experimental effect through employing the MRC guidelines. The study also confirms the estimates of recruitment for a definitive RCT, demonstrated readiness and positive impact in Macau COPD patients to receive self-management intervention, and SMEP as an acceptable and preferable mode of chronic care for COPD for the healthcare system of Macau.

Orientador: Irma de Godoy / Resumo: Várias doenças pulmonares são associadas ou apresentam na sua evolução a hipoxemia crônica. A mais comum é a doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), que é caracterizada pela obstrução ao fluxo aéreo devido a bronquite crônica e/ou enfisema. O tratamento para esta condição é a administração de oxigênio. A oxigenoterapia domiciliar prolongada (ODP) melhora a expectativa de vida, reduz a policitemia, aumenta o peso do corpo, melhora a atividade cardíaca e a função neuropsicológica e aumenta a capacidade para realização de exercícios e atividades da vida diária. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram levantar as características dos pacientes cadastrados no Serviço de Oxigenoterapia, avaliar as condições de fornecimento e uso do oxigênio e orientá-los quanto ao manuseio dos materiais e equipamentos para o tratamento com oxigênio. Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo e prospectivo no período de janeiro de 1997 a janeiro de 1999, que avaliou o total de 70 pacientes. Foram analisados dados da avaliação clínica e nutricional, de exames laboratoriais e de função pulmonar, questionário geral e de qualidade de vida e visita domiciliar. Os resultados mostraram que maior prevalência era do sexo masculino (59%), idade de 61 ? 12 anos, com mínimo de 20 e o máximo de 89 anos, sendo que a maioria dos pacientes (58%) tinha idade acima dos 61 anos. A avaliação nutricional apontou peso médio do corpo de 63,6 ? 19,3 Kg, o IMC foi de 24,7 ? 7,2 kg/m e a pocentagem do peso ideal era de 103,1 ? 42,1%. O diagnóstico de DPOC ocorreu em 70% dos pacientes estudados. O resultado de gasometria arterial mostrou valores de PaO2 de 46,12 ? 9,10 mmHg, PaCO2 de 44,68 ? 8,75 mmHg e SaO2 de 79,30 ? 11,91%. O resultado da prova de função pulmonar mostrou que a maioria dos pacientes apresentava distúrbios ventilatórios restritivos ou obstrutivos... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Several pulmonary diseases are associated or in it's evolution is presented chronic hypoxemia. The most common is the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): witch is characterized by the obstruction of the airflow due to a chronic bronchitis or na emphysema. The long term domiciliary oxygen therapy (LTOT) improves the life expectation, reduces the polycythemia and the neuropsychological and also increases the patient's faculty for exercises and daily activities. This research has as main objectives to study the registered patient's on Oxygen Therapy Services, evaluate the oxygen supplyng and using condictions and orientates these patients for the correct use of the materials and oxygen equipment used in treatment. A retrospective and prospective study was made in the period of January of 1997 to January of 1999; witch evaluated the total of 70 patients. Clinical and nutritional data were analysed and the patient's laboratory exams and pulmonary function, domiciliary visits survey and life conditions were as well analysed. The results shown a prevalence of male gender (59%) ages of 61 ? 12 years with the minimum average of 20 and the maximum average of 89 years, that the greatest part of the patients (58%) had their ages above 61 years. The nutritional evaluations shown a medium weigh average of 63,6 ? 19,3 Kg, the body mass index (BMI) was 24,7 ? 7,2Kg/m2 and the percentile of the patients with the ideal body weigh was 103,1 ? 42,1%. The COPD diagnoses occurred in 70% of the evaluated patients. The arterial gasometry results shown PaO2 levels of 46,12 ? 9,10 mmHg, PaCO2 levels of the 44,68 ? 8,75 mmHg and SaO2 levels of 79,30 ? 11,91%. The results of the pulmonary function testing shown that the greatest part of the studies patients has presented restrictives or obstructives ventilatory disturbs. The patient's characteristics results shown... (Complete abstract click electronic address below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-23Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:29:06Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 amaral_raf_me_botfm.pdf: 275363 bytes, checksum: 6531c12b1bb2da7ec7e8769316e5d677 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) e o tabagismo são doenças inflamatórias que interferem no metabolismo da vitamina A; entretanto, o comportamento do retinol nas vias aéreas destes pacientes ainda é desconhecido. Avaliar o retinol no escarro induzido e no soro de tabagistas e pacientes com DPOC e a associação destes valores com os marcadores da inflamação sistêmica e nas vias aéreas. Foram avaliados 50 pacientes com DPOC moderada a muito grave [idade média = 64,0 +/- 9,0 anos; VEF1(%) 49,9 +/- 16,8], 19 tabagistas [idade média = 49,0 +/- 6,4 anos; VEF1(%) 107,2 +/- 15,9] e 31 indivíduos controles [idade média = 48,2 +/- 8,1 anos; VEF1(%) 111,8 +/- 15,5]. Todos os indivíduos da pesquisa foram submetidos à avaliação clínica, espirometria pré e pósbroncodilatador, oximetria de pulso, avaliação da ingestão de vitamina A e do estado nutricional e coleta de sangue. A indução e coleta de escarro foi realizada em pacientes com DPOC e tabagistas. As concentrações de retinol e do fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-a), interleucina (IL)-6 e IL-8 foram avaliadas no soro e no sobrenadante de escarro induzido. A concentração de PCR no soro também foi avaliada. O teste “t” de Student ou de Mann-Whitney foi utilizado para a comparação entre dois grupos. As associações entre as variáveis foram analisadas por meio do teste de correlação de Pearson ou Spearman. Para a comparação de mais de dois grupos foi utilizada ANOVA de uma via seguido do teste de Tukey ou Kruskal-Wallis seguido do teste Dunn. A correção para idade foi realizada através da análise de covariância (ANCOVA). Os valores médios de vitamina sérica foram significativamente menores nos pacientes com DPOC (1,80 [1,25-2,16] μmol/L) quando comparados aos tabagistas (2,40 [1,95-3,14]μmol/L) (p<0, 001); enquanto que, não foi observada diferença... / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tobacco smoking are inflammatory diseases that interfere with vitamin A metabolism; however, the retinol status in the airways of these patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate retinol concentration in the induced sputum and serum of current smokers and COPD patients and to study the association between these values and those of systemic and airways inflammatory markers. We evaluated 50 patients with moderate to very severe COPD [mean age= 64,0 +/- 9,0 y; FEV1 (%) 49,9 +/- 16,8], 19 current smokers [mean age = 49,0 +/- 6,4 y; FEV1(%) 107,2 +/- 15,9] and 31 control subjects [mean age = 48,2 +/- 8,1y; FEV1 (%) 111,8 +/- 15,5]. All subjects underwent to clinical evaluation, pre and post-bronchodilator spirometry, pulse oximetry, evaluation of vitamin A intake and of the nutritional status and blood sampling. Sputum induction was perfomed only in COPD patients and current smoker subjects. Retinol, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were measured in serum and induced sputum. Serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) was also measured. For comparison between two groups, we used either the Student “t” test or Mann- Whitney test. The associations among variables were analyzed by means of the Pearson correlation or using Spearman. For comparison of more than two groups we used one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test and Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn. The correction for age was performed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Mean values of serum retinol were significantly lower in COPD patients (1,80 [1,25-2,16] μmol/L) when compared to current smokers (2,40 [1,95- 3,14]μmol/L) (p<0,001); however, values were not significantly different between control subjects (1,98 [1,82-2,32] μmol/L), current... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)