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Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease that is characterized by variable airflow obstruction. The Korean Asthma Study Group of the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases has recently updated the Korean Asthma Guideline. This review summarizes the updated Korean Asthma Guideline. Asthma prevalence is increasing worldwide, and in Korea. Variable airflow obstruction can be confirmed by bronchodilator response or other tests, and should be established prior to the controller medication. A low-dose inhaled corticosteroid-formoterol is used to alleviate symptoms in all treatment step, and it can be used as a controller as well as reliever in steps 3–5. This approach is preferred, because it reduces the risk of severe exacerbations, compared to the use of short-acting β2-agonist as reliever. In severe asthma, phenotype/endotype based on the underlying inflammation should be evaluated. For type 2 severe asthma, the biologics should be considered.
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Background@#The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) update 2023 proposed new definitions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and COPD exacerbation. However, an agreement on the definitions has not been made, either internationally or domestically. This study aimed to reach an agreement between experts on the new definitions of COPD and COPD exacerbation in South Korea. @*Methods@#A modified Delphi method was used to make an agreement on the definitions of COPD and COPD exacerbation proposed by the GOLD update 2023. We performed two rounds of the survey including 15 Korean experts on COPD, asthma, and tuberculosis. @*Results@#More than two-thirds of the experts agreed on 12 of the 13 statements related to the definitions of COPD and COPD exacerbation in the two rounds of the survey. The experts agreed on the definitions of COPD and COPD exacerbation that should be revised in line with the definitions proposed by the GOLD update 2023. However, the experts showed an uncertain opinion on the statement that the definition of COPD includes patients with persistent airflow obstruction due to bronchiectasis. @*Conclusion@#Based on this Delphi survey, experts’ agreement was made on the definitions of COPD and COPD exacerbation proposed by the GOLD update 2023.
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Background/Aims@#Hypoxemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leads to reduced ability to exercise, decreased quality of life, and, eventually, increased mortality. Home oxygen therapy in patients with severe COPD reduces distress symptoms and mortality rates. However, there have been few studies on physicians’ prescription behavior toward home oxygen therapy. Therefore, we investigated the respiratory specialists’ perspective on home oxygen therapy. @*Methods@#In this cross-sectional, study, a questionnaire was completed by 30 pulmonary specialists who worked in tertiary hospitals and prescribed home oxygen therapy. The questionnaire consisted of 28 items, including 15 items on oxygen prescription for outpatients, four for inpatients, and nine on service improvement. @*Results@#All physicians were prescribing less than 2 L/min of oxygen for either 24 (n = 10, 33.3%) or 15 hours (n = 9, 30.3%). All (n = 30) used pulse oximetry, 26 (86.7%) analyzed arterial blood gas. Thirteen physicians had imposed restrictions and recommended oxygen use only during exercise or sleep. Sixteen (53.3%) physicians were educating their patients about home oxygen therapy. Furthermore, physicians prescribed home oxygen to patients that did not fit the typical criteria for longterm oxygen therapy, with 30 prescribing it for acute relief and 17 for patients with borderline hypoxemia. @*Conclusions@#This study identified the prescription pattern of home oxygen therapy in Korea. Respiratory physicians prescribe home oxygen therapy to hypoxemic COPD patients for at least 15 hours/day, and at a rate of less than 2 L/min. More research is needed to provide evidence for establishing policies on oxygen therapy in COPD patients.
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MRI has the advantages of having excellent soft-tissue contrast and providing functional information without any harmful ionizing radiation. Although previous technical limitations restricted the use of chest MRI, recent technological advances and expansion of insurance coverage are increasing the demand for chest MRI. Recognizing the need for guidelines on appropriate use of chest MRI in Korean clinical settings, the Korean Society of Radiology has composed a development committee, working committee, and advisory committee to develop Korean chest MRI justification guidelines. Five key questions were selected and recommendations have been made with the evidence-based clinical imaging guideline adaptation methodology.Recommendations are as follows. Chest MRI can be considered in the following circumstances:for patients with incidentally found anterior mediastinal masses to exclude non-neoplastic conditions, for pneumoconiosis patients with lung masses to differentiate progressive massive fibrosis from lung cancer, and when invasion of the chest wall, vertebrae, diaphragm, or major vessels by malignant pleural mesothelioma or non-small cell lung cancer is suspected. Chest MRI without contrast enhancement or with minimal dose low-risk contrast media can be considered for pregnant women with suspected pulmonary embolism. Lastly, chest MRI is recommended for patients with pancoast tumors planned for radical surgery.
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MRI has the advantages of having excellent soft-tissue contrast and providing functional information without any harmful ionizing radiation. Although previous technical limitations restricted the use of chest MRI, recent technological advances and expansion of insurance coverage are increasing the demand for chest MRI. Recognizing the need for guidelines on appropriate use of chest MRI in Korean clinical settings, the Korean Society of Radiology has composed a development committee, working committee, and advisory committee to develop Korean chest MRI justification guidelines. Five key questions were selected and recommendations have been made with the evidence-based clinical imaging guideline adaptation methodology.Recommendations are as follows. Chest MRI can be considered in the following circumstances:for patients with incidentally found anterior mediastinal masses to exclude non-neoplastic conditions, for pneumoconiosis patients with lung masses to differentiate progressive massive fibrosis from lung cancer, and when invasion of the chest wall, vertebrae, diaphragm, or major vessels by malignant pleural mesothelioma or non-small cell lung cancer is suspected. Chest MRI without contrast enhancement or with minimal dose low-risk contrast media can be considered for pregnant women with suspected pulmonary embolism. Lastly, chest MRI is recommended for patients with pancoast tumors planned for radical surgery.
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Background@#Many chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients receiving monotherapy continue to experience symptoms, exacerbations and poor quality of life. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of direct switch from once-daily tiotropium (TIO) 18 μg to indacaterol/glycopyrronium (IND/GLY) 110/50 μg once-daily in COPD patients in Korea. @*Methods@#This was a randomized, open-label, parallel group, 12-week trial in mild-to-moderate COPD patients who received TIO 18 μg once-daily for ≥12 weeks prior to study initiation. Patients aged ≥40 years, with predicted postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) ≥50%, post-bronchodilator FEV1/forced vital capacity <0.7 and smoking history of ≥10 pack-years were included. Eligible patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either IND/GLY or TIO. The primary objective was to demonstrate superiority of IND/GLY over TIO in pre-dose trough FEV1 at week 12. Secondary endpoints included transition dyspnea index (TDI) focal score, COPD assessment test (CAT) total score, and rescue medication use following the 12-week treatment, and safety assessment. @*Results@#Of the 442 patients screened, 379 were randomized and 347 completed the study. IND/GLY demonstrated superiority in pre-dose trough FEV1 versus TIO at week 12 (least squares mean treatment difference [Δ], 50 mL; p=0.013). Also, numerical improvements were observed with IND/GLY in the TDI focal score (Δ, 0.31), CAT total score (Δ, –0.81), and rescue medication use (Δ, –0.09 puffs/day). Both treatments were well tolerated by patients. @*Conclusion@#A direct switch from TIO to IND/GLY provided improvements in lung function and other patient-reported outcomes with an acceptable safety profile in patients with mild-to-moderate airflow limitation.
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Background/Aims@#Many chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patientshave physical limitations. We investigated EuroQol five-dimensions five-level (EQ-5D-5L) of COPD patients to assess quality of life, and assessed indirect burden including time expenditure to visit doctor, home care rate, and caregiver related burden. @*Methods@#We recruited 355 COPD patients according to severity of airflow limitationthat severity was set at 10% mild, 40% moderate, 30% severe, and 20% very severe in two primary and 11 secondary/tertiary hospitals. Eligible patients were aged ≥ 40 years, who have been diagnosed with COPD for more than 1 year. Patients were recruited between June 2015 and October 2016. @*Results@#The quality of life tended to decline with age, from mild to very severe impairment, as revealed by the EQ-5D-5L scores and the EQ visual analog scale.Family caregivers accompanied 22.6% of patients who visited outpatient clinics,and 25% of stage IV COPD patients. During emergency visits and hospitalization,this figure increased to > 60%. The home care rates were 28.5% for stage I patients, and 34.4, 31.8, and 52% for stage II to IV patients, respectively. The percentage of caregivers who stopped working was 13.6%. The EQ-5D index was strongly associated with the dyspnea scale (r = –0.64, p < 0.001). The average required time to see a doctor and visit the pharmacy was 154 minutes. @*Conclusions@#In patients with COPD, the EQ-5D index decreased and disease-relatedhome caregiving increased with airflow limitation. We considered the caregiver-related burden when making a strategy for COPD managemen
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BACKGROUND: Although the association of hyperuricemia with an increased risk of mortality has been demonstrated in the context of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the long-term outcomes of hyperuricemia have not been studied in the case of stable COPD.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed baseline data of 240 men with stable COPD enrolled in the Korea Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. We evaluated associations between serum uric acid levels and clinical parameters, risk factors for all-cause mortality, and acute exacerbation of COPD.RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 66.4 ± 7.7 years, and the median follow-up time was 5.9 years. We identified no significant difference in terms of lung function or laboratory findings between patients with hyperuricemia and those without. Serum uric acid level was negatively associated with systemic inflammation indicated by neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (r = −0.211, P = 0.001). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed hyperuricemia to not be associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in men with stable COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.580; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–1.370; P = 0.213). In the multivariate Cox regression model, hyperuricemia was not an independent predictor of acute exacerbation (HR, 1.383; 95% CI, 0.977–1.959; P = 0.068).CONCLUSION: Among men with stable COPD, hyperuricemia is not an independent predictor of all-cause mortality or future acute exacerbation of COPD. These results differ from those of previous studies on patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Cohort Studies , Follow-Up Studies , Hyperuricemia , Inflammation , Korea , Lung , Lung Diseases, Obstructive , Mortality , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Uric AcidABSTRACT
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Cross-Sectional Studies , Emergency Service, Hospital , Hospitalization , Korea , Morinda , Oxygen , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Although the association of hyperuricemia with an increased risk of mortality has been demonstrated in the context of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the long-term outcomes of hyperuricemia have not been studied in the case of stable COPD.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed baseline data of 240 men with stable COPD enrolled in the Korea Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. We evaluated associations between serum uric acid levels and clinical parameters, risk factors for all-cause mortality, and acute exacerbation of COPD.@*RESULTS@#The mean age of subjects was 66.4 ± 7.7 years, and the median follow-up time was 5.9 years. We identified no significant difference in terms of lung function or laboratory findings between patients with hyperuricemia and those without. Serum uric acid level was negatively associated with systemic inflammation indicated by neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (r = −0.211, P = 0.001). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed hyperuricemia to not be associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in men with stable COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.580; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–1.370; P = 0.213). In the multivariate Cox regression model, hyperuricemia was not an independent predictor of acute exacerbation (HR, 1.383; 95% CI, 0.977–1.959; P = 0.068).@*CONCLUSION@#Among men with stable COPD, hyperuricemia is not an independent predictor of all-cause mortality or future acute exacerbation of COPD. These results differ from those of previous studies on patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.
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BACKGROUND@#Long-term oxygen therapy provides various benefits, including prolonged survival for severely hypoxic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, adequate management strategies for home oxygen therapy are not well established in Korea. This study aimed to explore the current situation of home oxygen therapy to provide basic data for developing a strategy for COPD patients on home oxygen therapy.@*METHODS@#In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled COPD patients using home oxygen therapy for at least 1 month. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, guided by a structured questionnaire about home oxygen therapy.@*RESULTS@#A total of 195 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 72.6 ± 9.7 years, and 76.4% of patients were men. The mean modified Medical Research Council, COPD Assessment Test, and EuroQol-5D index scores were 3.4 ± 0.8, 29.7 ± 6.8, and 0.35 ± 0.44, respectively. At rest, patients were prescribed oxygen for 12.5 ± 7.3 hr/day and used 12.9 ± 8.5 hr/day on average. During exercise, the mean duration of prescribed oxygen was 6.6 ± 4.3 hr/day, and the actual use was 1.1 ± 2.9 hr/day. A total of 25.6% of patients used ambulatory oxygen; with financial burden the main reason for nonuse. The mean number of hospitalizations and emergency room visits were 2.5 and 2.6, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#This study revealed low adherence to home oxygen therapy, poor health-related quality of life, frequent hospitalizations, and a high financial burden among COPD patients using home oxygen therapy. The study highlights the need for adequate strategies to improve the quality of home oxygen therapy.
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BACKGROUND@#Although the association of hyperuricemia with an increased risk of mortality has been demonstrated in the context of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the long-term outcomes of hyperuricemia have not been studied in the case of stable COPD.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed baseline data of 240 men with stable COPD enrolled in the Korea Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. We evaluated associations between serum uric acid levels and clinical parameters, risk factors for all-cause mortality, and acute exacerbation of COPD.@*RESULTS@#The mean age of subjects was 66.4 ± 7.7 years, and the median follow-up time was 5.9 years. We identified no significant difference in terms of lung function or laboratory findings between patients with hyperuricemia and those without. Serum uric acid level was negatively associated with systemic inflammation indicated by neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (r = −0.211, P = 0.001). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed hyperuricemia to not be associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in men with stable COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.580; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–1.370; P = 0.213). In the multivariate Cox regression model, hyperuricemia was not an independent predictor of acute exacerbation (HR, 1.383; 95% CI, 0.977–1.959; P = 0.068).@*CONCLUSION@#Among men with stable COPD, hyperuricemia is not an independent predictor of all-cause mortality or future acute exacerbation of COPD. These results differ from those of previous studies on patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.
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BACKGROUND@#Long-term oxygen therapy provides various benefits, including prolonged survival for severely hypoxic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, adequate management strategies for home oxygen therapy are not well established in Korea. This study aimed to explore the current situation of home oxygen therapy to provide basic data for developing a strategy for COPD patients on home oxygen therapy.@*METHODS@#In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled COPD patients using home oxygen therapy for at least 1 month. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, guided by a structured questionnaire about home oxygen therapy.@*RESULTS@#A total of 195 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 72.6 ± 9.7 years, and 76.4% of patients were men. The mean modified Medical Research Council, COPD Assessment Test, and EuroQol-5D index scores were 3.4 ± 0.8, 29.7 ± 6.8, and 0.35 ± 0.44, respectively. At rest, patients were prescribed oxygen for 12.5 ± 7.3 hr/day and used 12.9 ± 8.5 hr/day on average. During exercise, the mean duration of prescribed oxygen was 6.6 ± 4.3 hr/day, and the actual use was 1.1 ± 2.9 hr/day. A total of 25.6% of patients used ambulatory oxygen; with financial burden the main reason for nonuse. The mean number of hospitalizations and emergency room visits were 2.5 and 2.6, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#This study revealed low adherence to home oxygen therapy, poor health-related quality of life, frequent hospitalizations, and a high financial burden among COPD patients using home oxygen therapy. The study highlights the need for adequate strategies to improve the quality of home oxygen therapy.
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BACKGROUND: Understanding the burden of disease is important to establish cost-effective treatment strategies and to allocate healthcare resources appropriately. However, little reliable information is available regarding the overall economic burden imposed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Korea. METHODS: This study is a multicenter observational research on the COPD burden in Korea. Total COPD costs were comprised of three categories: direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect costs. For direct medical costs, institutional investigation was performed at 13 medical facilities mainly based on the claims data. For direct non-medical and indirect costs, site-based surveys were administered to the COPD patients during routine visits. Total costs were estimated using the COPD population defined in the recent report. RESULTS: The estimated total costs were approximately 1,245 million US dollar (1,408 billion Korean won). Direct medical costs comprised approximately 20% of the total estimated costs. Of these, formal medical costs held more than 80%. As direct non-medical costs, nursing costs made up the largest percentage (39%) of the total estimated costs. Costs for COPD-related loss of productivity formed four fifths of indirect costs, and accounted for up to 33% of the total costs. CONCLUSION: This study shows for the first time the direct and indirect costs of COPD in Korea. The total costs were enormous, and the costs of nursing and lost productivity comprised approximately 70% of total costs. The results provide insight for an effective allocation of healthcare resources and to inform establishment of strategies to reduce national burden of COPD.
Subject(s)
Humans , Delivery of Health Care , Efficiency , Health Care Costs , Korea , Nursing , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveABSTRACT
The guidelines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment are important for the management of the disease. However, studies regarding the treatment adherence to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines have been scarce in Korea. Therefore, to examine the adherence to the GOLD guidelines, we examined the patterns of prescribed medication in COPD patients from 2011 to 2018. Patients were classified as having been appropriately and inappropriately treated (overtreatment or undertreatment) for the GOLD group. Appropriate medical therapy was defined as using the first choice or alternative choice drug recommended in the GOLD guidelines. Inappropriate therapy was classified as overtreatment or undertreatment in accordance with the categorization in the GOLD guidelines. According to treatment of 2011 GOLD guidelines, there was inappropriate treatment in 52.3% in group A, 47.3% in group B, 56.3% in group C, and 17.8% in group D. According to treatment of 2017 GOLD guidelines, there was inappropriate treatment in 66.7% in group A, 45.3% in group B, 14.3% in group C, and 24.0% in group D. The common type of inappropriate COPD treatment is overtreatment, with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) containing regimens. In conclusions, adherence to the GOLD guideline by the pulmonologist in clinical practice is still low in Korea. Therefore, we need better strategies to both optimize the use of the guidelines and adhere to the guidelines as well.
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Humans , Korea , Lung Diseases , Medical Overuse , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveABSTRACT
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Female , Humans , Male , Forced Expiratory Volume , Linear Models , Lung , Radiography, Thoracic , Spirometry , Vital CapacityABSTRACT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) results in high morbidity and mortality among patients nationally and globally. The Korean clinical practice guideline for COPD was revised in 2018. The guideline was drafted by the members of the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases as well as the participating members of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Korean Physicians' Association, and Korea Respiration Trouble Association. The revised guideline encompasses a wide range of topics, including the epidemiology, diagnosis, assessment, monitoring, management, exacerbation, and comorbidities of COPD in Korea. We performed systematic reviews assisted by an expert in meta-analysis to draft a guideline on COPD management. We expect this guideline to facilitate the treatment of patients with respiratory conditions by physicians as well other health care professionals and government personnel in South Korea.
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Humans , Comorbidity , Delivery of Health Care , Diagnosis , Epidemiology , Insurance, Health , Korea , Mortality , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Respiration , TuberculosisABSTRACT
Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as an acute aggravation of the patient's respiratory symptoms, particularly cough, sputum production, and dyspnea, which requires a change of medication. COPD exacerbation leads to an accelerated decline in lung function, poorer health status, and is the main cause of hospital admission and death in patients with COPD. A majority of COPD exacerbations are triggered by respiratory infection. The Management of acute exacerbation of COPD consists of systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics, and inhaled short-acting bronchodilators. Oxygen supplementation is an essential component of treatment to improve hypoxemia. Noninvasive or invasive ventilator support is necessary for COPD patients with severe exacerbation, particularly associated with hypercapnic respiratory failure. The Korean clinical practice guideline for COPD was revised in 2018 by the members of the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases as well as participating members of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the treatment and prevention strategies recommended in the 2018 Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases for patient with acute exacerbation of COPD.
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Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as an acute aggravation of the patient's respiratory symptoms, particularly cough, sputum production, and dyspnea, which requires a change of medication. COPD exacerbation leads to an accelerated decline in lung function, poorer health status, and is the main cause of hospital admission and death in patients with COPD. A majority of COPD exacerbations are triggered by respiratory infection. The Management of acute exacerbation of COPD consists of systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics, and inhaled short-acting bronchodilators. Oxygen supplementation is an essential component of treatment to improve hypoxemia. Noninvasive or invasive ventilator support is necessary for COPD patients with severe exacerbation, particularly associated with hypercapnic respiratory failure. The Korean clinical practice guideline for COPD was revised in 2018 by the members of the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases as well as participating members of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the treatment and prevention strategies recommended in the 2018 Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases for patient with acute exacerbation of COPD.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adrenal Cortex Hormones , Hypoxia , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Bronchodilator Agents , Cough , Dyspnea , Insurance, Health , Lung , Oxygen , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Respiratory Insufficiency , Sputum , Tuberculosis , Ventilators, MechanicalABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The diffusing capacity of the lung is influenced by multiple factors such as age, sex, height, weight, ethnicity and smoking status. Although a prediction equation for the diffusing capacity of Korea was proposed in the mid-1980s, this equation is not used currently. The aim of this study was to develop a new prediction equation for the diffusing capacity for Koreans. METHODS: Using the data of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 140 nonsmokers with normal chest X-rays were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Using linear regression analysis, a new predicting equation for diffusing capacity was developed. For men, the following new equations were developed: carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco)=−10.4433−0.1434×age (year)+0.2482×heights (cm); DLco/alveolar volume (VA)=6.01507−0.02374×age (year)−0.00233×heights (cm). For women the prediction equations were described as followed: DLco=−12.8895−0.0532×age (year)+0.2145×heights (cm) and DLco/VA=7.69516−0.02219×age (year)−0.01377×heights (cm). All equations were internally validated by k-fold cross validation method. CONCLUSION: In this study, we developed new prediction equations for the diffusing capacity of the lungs of Koreans. A further study is needed to validate the new predicting equation for diffusing capacity.