Introduction: There is a need for a health-related quality of life questionnaire in COPD that fulfills the advantages of both, generic and disease-specific questionnaires. Objective: To finalize the development of a new, hybrid questionnaire (disease-specific items supplemented with items from the SF-36), the McGill COPD Quality of Life Questionnaire and to evaluate its psychometric properties (reliability, validity, responsiveness) in COPD subjects. [...] / Introduction: Il y a nécessité d'avoir accès à un questionnaire de qualité de vie qui pourrait offrir les avantages d'un questionnaire générique et ceux d'un questionnaire spécifique à la MPOC. Objectif: Finaliser l'élaboration d'un nouveau questionnaire hybride le 'McGill COPD Quality of Life Questionnaire' (éléments spécifiques à la maladie complémentés d'éléments génériques issus du SF-36) et évaluer ses propriétés psychométriques (fiabilité, validité, réponse au changement) chez les sujets atteint d'une MPOC. [...]

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Background: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), understanding the problem of poor patient participation in evidence-based self-management (SM) and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes (together referred to as SM support programmes) is critical. This thesis aimed to improve understanding of poor patient participation and retention in these programmes; how participation might be improved; and how might patients be better supported with their SM. Methods: Using the Medical Research Council guidance on complex interventions this thesis (1) quantified the 'actual' patient participation and completion rates; (2) explained, using theory, the factors that influenced participation in studies of SM support including the programmes among chronic disease and COPD patients; and (3) explored patient and expert stakeholders' perspectives on the reasons for non-participation in SM support programmes, how participation might be improved, how might patients be supported with their SM. Results: (1) Among 56 studies, high study participation rates and completion rates were seen however, the incomplete reporting of participant flow confused the problem of participation. (2) Among 31 studies, participation among patients with chronic disease including COPD was shown to be influenced by their 'attitude' and 'perceived social influence/subjective norms'; 'illness' and 'intervention perceptions'. (3) From 38 interviewees, besides patients' beliefs, non-participation was also influenced by resignation and denial of the illness; health systems; and programme organisational factors. Professionals building relationships and supporting patients with their SM alongside programme organisational improvements might encourage patient participation in SM and the programmes. Conclusions Patient participation is a complex behaviour, besides socio-behavioural factors, participation behaviour can by influenced by a mix of several health system and programme organisational factors. Changing the behaviour of health professionals and indeed the wider health system, towards normalising a patient partnership approach, with implementation of SM support in routine care might help more patients to consider participation in their care and improve patient participation in COPD SM support programmes.

Significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality exists in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease independent of traditional risk factors. A number of different hypotheses exist to explain this association including the contribution arterial stiffness and lung hyperinflation. Non-invasive cardiovascular imaging and assessment are ideal methods through which this relationship can be further studied although a number of the techniques have yet to be validated in COPD. In this thesis we aimed to achieve a number of goals. First, we aimed to assess the reproducibility and level of agreement between different measures of arterial stiffness in stable hyperinflated COPD. Second, we hoped to establish the utility of 3 different measurement techniques for measuring intrinsic cardiac function in stable hyperinflated COPD. Third, in a case-control study we compared surrogates of cardiovascular risk in hyperinflated COPD patients and a group matched for cardiovascular risk with normal lung function. Finally, we sought to understand the impact of pharmacologically reducing lung hyperinflation on cardiovascular structure, function and arterial stiffness. We have firstly demonstrated that non-invasive measures of arterial stiffness are reproducible in stable hyperinflated COPD. Secondly, we have established the level of agreement and reproducibility of three different CMR techniques for measuring intrinsic myocardial function which will provide important information for the powering of future CMR studies in COPD. Thirdly, we have shown that surrogates for cardiovascular outcomes are adversely affected in COPD compared to a group matched for global cardiovascular risk, suggesting that current scoring systems may be suboptimal in risk prediction in COPD. Finally, we have demonstrated that pharmacological lung deflation has consistent and physiologically plausible beneficial effects on cardiac structure, function and the pulmonary vasculature. Whether intrinsic myocardial function can be modulated through prolonged periods of lung deflation is as yet unverified and should be the focus of future clinical trials.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, avoidable and treatable disease characterized by persistent obstruction of the airways and lungs. This disease is usually progressive and associated with a chronic inflammatory response set off by noxious particles or gases. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, represents a great impact on the increase of clinical care, as well as the economic health spending to provide better quality of life. This study characterizes the pharmacoepidemiological profile, adherence to drug therapy, pharmacotherapy complexity and performance of using inhalation devices in outpatientâs subjects of a referral hospital for treatment of pulmonary diseases. This is a descriptive, exploratory and transversal study. 83 individuals were interviewed, with a predominance of males, a mean age of 68.22 years, and low schooling. The average number of medications per patient was 5.58, characterizing the polypharmacy, and 81.9% had some type of comorbidity. The founded prevalence was mean adherence rate (45.8%). The most frequent response among the questions asked to measure adherence was related to forgettings (38.6%). The complexity therapy had a mean value of 15.9 points, a high score that reveals the difficulties in following the treatment. After evaluation of inhalation devices was found that as the use of dry powder inhaler Aerolizer, the technique was considered good in 62.5% of patients, the use of Respimat  inhaler was "good" in 70.96% of cases and the use of metered-dose aerosol showed to be regular in 64.7%. The evaluation of the use of the devices found flaws in several steps considered essential for their proper management. From these data, are needed strategies that aimed at enhancing actions to improve adherence to therapy and ongoing evaluation of inhalation devices, minimizing complications for the patient. / A DoenÃa pulmonar obstrutiva crÃnica, à uma doenÃa comum, evitÃvel e tratÃvel, caracterizada por obstruÃÃo persistente das vias aÃreas e dos pulmÃes, geralmente progressiva e associada a uma resposta inflamatÃria crÃnica desencadeada por partÃculas ou gases nocivos. Os pacientes portadores de DoenÃa pulmonar obstrutiva crÃnica representam um grande impacto no aumento dos atendimentos clÃnicos, assim como nos gastos econÃmicos com a saÃde para proporcionar melhor qualidade de vida. Este trabalho caracteriza o perfil farmacoepidemiolÃgico, a adesÃo à terapia medicamentosa, complexidade da farmacoterapia e o desempenho do uso de dispositivos inalatÃrios em indivÃduos atendidos em um ambulatÃrio de um hospital de referÃncia em tratamento de doenÃas pulmonares. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, exploratÃrio e transversal. Foram entrevistados 83 indivÃduos, com predominÃncia do sexo masculino, idade mÃdia de 68,22 anos e baixa escolaridade. A mÃdia do nÃmero de medicamentos por paciente foi de 5,58, caracterizando a polifarmÃcia, e 81,9% tinham algum tipo de comorbidade. A prevalÃncia encontrada foi de mÃdia adesÃo (45,8%). A resposta mais frequente entre as perguntas realizadas para mensurar a adesÃo foi a referente aos esquecimentos dos pacientes em tomarem seus medicamentos diariamente (38,6%). A complexidade terapÃutica teve valor mÃdio de 15,9 pontos, um escore elevado que revela as dificuldades existentes no seguimento do tratamento. ApÃs avaliaÃÃo dos dispositivos inalatÃrios constatou-se que quanto ao uso de inaladores de pà seco Aerolizer a tÃcnica foi considerada boa em 62,5% dos pacientes, o uso de inalador Respimat foi âbomâ em 70,96% dos casos e o uso de aerossol dosimetrado mostrou-se regular em 64,7%. A avaliaÃÃo do uso dos dispositivos encontrou falhas em vÃrias etapas consideradas essenciais para o seu manejo adequado. A partir destes dados, se fazem necessÃrias estratÃgias que visem potencializar aÃÃes para melhorar a adesÃo à terapia e uma avaliaÃÃo contÃnua do uso dos dispositivos inalatÃrios, minimizando complicaÃÃes para o paciente.

Masters of Science in Medicine / The relationship between COPD and laryngopharyngeal sensitivity has not been previously determined. Limited research into the relationship between COPD and swallow function suggests that patients with COPD are at increased risk of aspiration. One possible mechanism for this is a reduction in laryngopharyngeal sensitivity (LPS). Reduced laryngopharyngeal sensitivity (LPS) has been associated with an increased risk of aspiration in pathologies such as stroke, however impaired LPS has not been examined with respect to aspiration risk in COPD. The Aims of this study were to investigate the effect of COPD on laryngopharyngeal sensation using Laryngopharyngeal Sensory Discrimination Testing (LPSDT) and to determine whether a relationship between LPS and swallow function in patients with proven COPD exists. Method: 20 patients with proven COPD and 11 control subjects underwent LPSDT utilising an air-pulse stimulator (Pentax AP4000) via a nasendoscope (Pentax FNL10AP). The threshold of laryngopharyngeal sensation was measured by the air pressure required to elicit the laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR). A number of further examinations were also completed for COPD subjects. These included respiratory function testing, self-reporting questionnaire on swallowing ability (SSQ), bedside clinical examination of swallowing (MASA) and endoscopic assessment of swallowing (EAS). Results: subjects with COPD had a significantly higher LAR threshold when compared to their normal healthy counterparts (p<0.001). Positive correlations were identified for the relationships between MASA score and EAS results for presence of laryngeal penetration / aspiration (p<0.04), vallecular residue (p<0.01) and piriform residue (p<0.01). Conclusion: Patients with COPD have significantly reduced mechanosensitivity in the laryngopharynx. Patients with COPD also have impaired swallow function characterised primarily by pharyngeal stasis. These changes may place patients with COPD at increased risk of aspiration.

ABSTRACT Asthma exemplifies a major medical concern and is a considerable cause of morbidity and mortality in Western society. Controversy still exists regarding the most effective mode and intensity of exercise training for asthmatics. Thus, the purpose of the study was to determine whether walking or jogging at 60% of age-predicted heart rate maximum can increase effort-dependent pulmonary function parameters in moderate, persistent asthmatics. Forty-four sedentary asthmatics were randomly assigned to either a non-exercising control (NE) group (n = 22) or an eight-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (AE) group (n = 22). Results indicated that the subjects in the AE training group significantly (p = 0.05) increased their forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) and inspiratory vital capacity (IVC). The NE group did not exhibit any significant changes in any of the measured variables. Therefore, walking or jogging at 60% heart rate maximum for 30 minutes three times a week for eight weeks can effectively improve the effort-dependent pulmonary parameters in moderate, persistent asthmatics. This represents a strong argument to support the inclusion of this mode of aerobic training in the treatment of moderate, persistent asthma due to its effectiveness, inexpensiveness and lowrisk.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a devastating illness that affects 4.3% of the population of British Columbia over the age of 45 years. Asthma is known to coexist in 10-20% of individuals with obstructive lung disease, and adds to the substantial burden of illness posed by COPD alone. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are currently recommended for the management of COPD among individuals with frequent exacerbations; however, the ability of inhaled corticosteroids to reduce death and hospitalizations among individuals with COPD is controversial. Less is known about the effectiveness of ICS among individuals who are afflicted with both COPD and asthma. Methods: We used a retrospective cohort study design and administrative data to estimate the relative effectiveness of ICS in reducing hospitalizations or death among individuals with concomitant asthma and COPD, compared with individuals with COPD alone. We used an extended Cox model to estimate this association, with a time-varying measure of exposure to ICS. Results: We did not find any association between ICS and hazard of death or hospitalization among individuals with COPD alone (HR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.94 – 1.05), however the hazard was 18% lower (HR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.69-0.99) among individuals with concomitant disease. Conclusions: Individuals with combined COPD and asthma show significant benefit from the use of ICS and are more responsive to the effects of ICS than individuals with COPD alone.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a devastating illness that affects 4.3% of the population of British Columbia over the age of 45 years. Asthma is known to coexist in 10-20% of individuals with obstructive lung disease, and adds to the substantial burden of illness posed by COPD alone. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are currently recommended for the management of COPD among individuals with frequent exacerbations; however, the ability of inhaled corticosteroids to reduce death and hospitalizations among individuals with COPD is controversial. Less is known about the effectiveness of ICS among individuals who are afflicted with both COPD and asthma. Methods: We used a retrospective cohort study design and administrative data to estimate the relative effectiveness of ICS in reducing hospitalizations or death among individuals with concomitant asthma and COPD, compared with individuals with COPD alone. We used an extended Cox model to estimate this association, with a time-varying measure of exposure to ICS. Results: We did not find any association between ICS and hazard of death or hospitalization among individuals with COPD alone (HR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.94 – 1.05), however the hazard was 18% lower (HR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.69-0.99) among individuals with concomitant disease. Conclusions: Individuals with combined COPD and asthma show significant benefit from the use of ICS and are more responsive to the effects of ICS than individuals with COPD alone.