ABSTRACT
Background: COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is considered as a systemic disease due to associated systemic inflammation which can manifest as metabolic syndrome or its component illnesses. This study was undertaken to determine the proportion of metabolic syndrome in patients with COPD.Methods: 51 patients with COPD were compared with equal number of age and gender matched controls. GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) criteria were used for diagnosing COPD. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) was diagnosed based on modified NCEP:ATP III criteria (National cholesterol education Program Adult Treatment Panel III). Subjects were evaluated for hypertension, WC, FBS, and serum triglycerides and serum HDL (High-density lipoprotein) to diagnose MS.Results: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 16 (31.4%) patients with COPD and in 8 (15.7%) controls. The proportion of individual parameters of MS in cases and controls was as follows: DM in 19 (37.3%) cases and 13 (25.5%) controls, hypertension in 21(41.2%) cases and 9 (17.6%) controls, low serum HDL in 31 (60.7%) cases and 22 (43.1%) controls increased WC in 14 (27.5%) cases and 7 (13.7%) controls and elevated serum TG in 12 (23.5%) cases and an equal number of controls.Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome and its parameters are more prevalent in COPD patients. Early detection and treatment of MS in COPD patients can prevent development of complications due to the combined effects of both diseases
ABSTRACT
Background: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is one of the important molecules involved in lung cancer initiation and progression. Studies on over expression of EGFR and its survival in relation with Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have yielded controversial results. Prevalence of EGFR expression in NSCLC patients and 6-month survival in south Indian population is unknown.Methods: We carried out a prospective study in tertiary hospital. Diagnosed patients with NSCLC were included in the study and were interviewed with questionnaire containing demography and investigations like Chest X-ray, CT thorax, Bronchoscopy were recorded. EGFR expression analysis was done for all patients and were followed up monthly for 6 months and details of survival and treatment were collected. Cox regression analysis was used to assess their survival.Results: 50 patients with NSCLC were included. Forty-four (88%) were men, median age of study group was 65 years. Twenty-seven patients (54%) had Adenocarcinoma, 14 patients (28%) had Squamous cell carcinoma, 7 patients (14%) had poorly differentiated carcinoma and 2 patients (4%) had large cell carcinoma. Thirty-four (68%) samples were positive for EGFR expression. On multivariate analysis we found patients who took chemotherapy and with good performance status (Karnofsky score >65 and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group >2.5) had better survival at 6 months.Conclusions: Patients with EGFR positivity had better survival with chemotherapy but worse with radiotherapy. Patients who took chemotherapy and had good performance status had better survival on multivariate analysis. We didn’t find any correlation between EGFR positivity and poor survival.