Compartmental nutritional status and respiratory muscle function assessment in subjects with neuromuscular diseases / Evaluación del estado nutricional compartimental y de la función muscular respiratoria en sujetos con enfermedades neuromusculares

Abstract There are few data devoted to the combined assessment of the nutritional and respiratory status of subjects with neuromuscular diseases. The objective was to establish correlations between com partmental nutritional variables and respiratory variables to identify respiratory muscle weakness determinants of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Cross-sectional study with ALS and DMD patients included in an Institutional Registry of Neuromuscular diseases. Nutritional status was assessed through body mass index (BMI), expected weight for zero muscle mass (ZMM%) and creatinine-height index (CHI%). Respiratory indices evaluated were spirometry, maximal static inspiratory and expiratory pressures at the mouth (MIP and MEP), and peak cough flow (PCF). A total of 36 ALS and 34 DMD patients were included. Both groups showed a decrease in the body muscle mass and an excess in body fat (p < 0.001). Only in the ALS group was there a weak uphill relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the respiratory variables. In both groups, the ZMM% index did not correlate with any respiratory variable. The CHI% showed the strongest (r > 0.700) positive linear relationship with FVC%, MIP%, MEP%, and PCF% in both ALS and DMD patients (p < 0.001).In this study our patients, BMI did not accurately reflect body composition and underestimated excess fat. This study puts into perspective the relevance of compartmental evaluation to assess respiratory muscle function and establishes that body muscle mass is the most relevant nutritional parameter in relation to respiratory muscle strength.

Resumen Hay pocos datos relativos a la evaluación combinada del estado nutricional y respiratorio de sujetos con enfermedades neuromusculares. El objetivo fue establecer correlaciones entre las variables nutricionales compartimentales y las variables respiratorias para identificar los determinantes de la debilidad de los músculos respiratorios de los pacientes con esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) y distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD). Estudio transversal con pacientes con ELA y DMD incluidos en el Registro Institucional de Enfermedades Neuromusculares. El estado nutricional se evaluó mediante el índice de masa corporal (IMC), el peso esperado para masa muscular cero (ZMM%) y el índice de creatinina-talla (CHI%). Los índices respiratorios evaluados fueron espirometría, presiones inspiratorias y espiratorias estáticas máximas en la boca (MIP y MEP) y flujo espiratorio pico tosido (PCF). Se incluyeron un total de 36 pacientes con ELA y 34 con DMD. Ambos grupos mostraron una disminución de la masa muscular corporal y un exceso de grasa corporal (p <0.001). Solo en el grupo ELA hubo una débil correlación positiva entre el IMC y las variables respiratorias. En ambos grupos, el índice ZMM% no se correlacionó con ninguna variable respiratoria. El CHI% mostró la relación lineal positiva más fuerte (r > 0.700) con FVC%, MIP%, MEP% y PCF% tanto en pacientes con ELA como con DMD (p < 0.001). El IMC no reflejó con precisión la composición corporal y subestimó el exceso de grasa. Este estudio pone en perspectiva la relevancia de la evaluación compartimental para evaluar la función de la musculatura respiratoria y establece que la masa muscular corporal es el parámetro nutricional más relevante en relación a la fuerza de la musculatura respiratoria.

Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 impact on the cardiorespiratory fitness in young and middle-aged populations

The goal of the present study was to compare pulmonary function test (PFT) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) performance in COVID-19 survivors with a control group (CG). This was a cross-sectional study. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19, without severe signs and symptoms, were evaluated one month after the infection. Healthy volunteers matched for sex and age constituted the control group. All volunteers underwent the following assessments: i) clinical evaluation, ii) PTF; and iii) CPET on a cycle ergometer. Metabolic variables were measured by the CareFusion Oxycon Mobile device. In addition, heart rate responses, peak systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and perceived exertion were recorded. Twenty-nine patients with COVID-19 and 18 healthy control subjects were evaluated. Surviving patients of COVID-19 had a mean age of 40 years and had higher body mass index and persistent symptoms compared to the CG (P<0.05), but patients with COVID-19 had more comorbidities, number of medications, and greater impairment of lung function (P<0.05). Regarding CPET, patients surviving COVID-19 had reduced peak workload, oxygen uptake (V̇O2), carbon dioxide output (V̇CO2), circulatory power (CP), and end-tidal pressure for carbon dioxide (PETCO2) (P<0.05). Additionally, survivors had depressed chronotropic and ventilatory responses, low peak oxygen saturation, and greater muscle fatigue (P<0.05) compared to CG. Despite not showing signs and symptoms of severe disease during infection, adult survivors had losses of lung function and cardiorespiratory capacity one month after recovery from COVID-19. In addition, cardiovascular, ventilatory, and lower limb fatigue responses were the main exercise limitations.

Correlation Analysis of the Lung Volume Reduction and the Lung Function Loss after the Thoracoscopic Lobectomy / 中国肺癌杂志

BACKGROUND@#To investigate the correlation between the reduction of lung volume and the degree of lung function damage after lobectomy.@*METHODS@#A total of 131 patients (72 males and 59 females) who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University from January 2019 to July 2020 (including thoracoscopic resection of left upper lobe, left lower lobe, right upper lobe, right middle lobe and right lower lobe). In order to compare the difference between postoperative pulmonary function and preoperative pulmonary function, the pulmonary function measurements were recorded at 7 days before operation, and 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after operation. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was used as the main evaluation parameter of pulmonary function. The original lung volume and the remaining lung volume at each stage were calculated by Mimics Research 19.0 software. The correlation between lung volume and lung function was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#FEV1 in postoperative patients was lower than that before operation, and the degree of decline was positively correlated with the resection volume of lung lobes (the maximum value was shown in the left lower lobe group). Significantly, there was no significant difference in the degree of pulmonary function reduction between 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after operation.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The decrease of lung tissue volume after lobectomy is the main reason for the decrease of lung function, especially in the left lower lobe. And 3 months after lobectomy can be selected as the evaluation node of residual lung function.

Combining montelukast with exercise in the clinical treatment of children with mild asthma / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe any effect of combining the anti-asthmatic drug montelukast with exercise therapy on the pulmonary function, clinical symptoms, functional exercise capacity and quality of life of children with asthma.Methods:Seventy children (between 7 and 14 years old) with mild asthma were randomly divided into an observation group ( n=35) and a control group ( n=35). Both groups were given the anti-asthmatic drug montelukast, while the observation group was additionally provided with breathing training and aerobic pedaling training. Before and after the intervention, both groups′ forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity and 6min walking test (6MWT) distance were tested. Their asthma symptoms were scored using the pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ). Any adverse events during the study were recorded. Results:After 8 weeks the observation group′s average 6MWT distance, total PAQLQ score, as well as the scores on each domain of the PAQLQ (symptoms, activity restriction, emotions) had improved significantly. The observation group′s average heart rate and perceived exertion rating after the 6MWT had also improved significantly, as had their average daytime and nighttime asthma symptom scores. The control group also demonstrated significant improvement in their PAQLQ symptom scores and their daytime and nighttime asthma symptom scores after the intervention. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups.Conclusions:Supplementing montelukast with exercise is effective and feasible in the treatment of children with mild asthma, with good safety and tolerance. Such combined therapy is worthy of further research and promotion.

Inspiratory muscle training can improve the pulmonary functioning, respiratory muscle strength and endurance of morbidly obese persons after bariatric surgery / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on the pulmonary functioning, respiratory muscle strength and endurance of morbidly obesity persons after bariatric surgery.Methods:Thirty-six morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. A 20-minute daily IMT intervention was administered on the 2nd through the 30th day after the operation. The intensities were 40% and 5% of the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP). Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, maximum peak expiratory flow, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure, as well as endurance were measured before the operation and on the 2nd, 7th, 14th and 30th day afterward.Results:By the 7th day the pulmonary function of the experimental group had recovered to the level before the operation. For the control group that took until the 14th day. On the 30th day after the operation the average MIP and inspiratory muscle endurance of the experimental group had increased significantly compared with before the operation, while the average MIP of the control group had decreased significantly.Conclusions:Inspiratory muscle training can improve inspiratory muscle strength and endurance and accelerate the recovery of lung function of morbidly obese persons after bariatric surgery.

Relationship between peripheral blood eosinophils levels and clinical characteristics of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective:To study the correlation between peripheral blood eosinophils levels and clinical characteristics of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted in 79 AECOPD patients admitted to the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Peking University Third Hospital from January 2015 to December 2016. Peripheral blood EOS level 100/μl, 300/μl, 2%, 3%, and sputum EOS level 3% were the cut-off values. Patients were divided into EOS≥100/μl group ( n=33), EOS<100/μl group ( n=46); EOS≥300/μl group ( n=10), EOS<300/μl group ( n=69); EOS%≥2% group ( n=27), EOS<2% group ( n=52); blood EOS≥3% group ( n=16), blood EOS<3% group ( n=63); sputum EOS≥3% group ( n=7), sputum EOS<3% group ( n=15) respectively. The study analyzed the differences of clinical features between each two groups of patients; According to the blood EOS level in the acute phase and the recovery phase, ≥100/μl was high and<100/μl was low, they were divided into high EOS in both acute and recovery phase group ( n=21), high EOS in the acute phase and low EOS in the recovery phase group ( n=4), low EOS in the acute phase and high EOS in the recovery phase group ( n=20) and low EOS in both acute and recovery phase group ( n=12). The differences of clinical characteristics in each group were analyzed. Results:The median duration of COPD, proportion of patients with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1) percentage of predicted value (FEV 1% predicted value)<50%, proportion of complicated with respiratory failure, median level of procalcitonin, proportion of systemic glucocorticoid therapy and median length of stay in the EOS≥100/μl group were all significantly lower than EOS<100/μl group (5 vs 13 years, 48.0% vs 81.8%, 21.9% vs 50.0%, 0.04 vs 0.09 μg/L, 21.2% vs 56.5%, 11 vs 14 d, all P<0.05). The proportion of re-acute exacerbation in the EOS≥300/μl group was significantly higher than EOS<300/μl group (60.0% vs 23.2%), while the median fibrinogen level and median procalcitonin level were significantly lower than EOS<300/μl group (3.38 vs 3.85 g/L, 0.03 vs 0.07 μg/L, all P<0.05). The median duration of COPD, proportion of FEV 1% predicted value<50%, proportion of complicated with respiratory failure, the modified British Medical Research Council′s dyspnea scale (mMRC) score, median fibrinogen level, median C-reactive protein level, median procalcitonin level, proportion of systemic glucocorticoid therapy, proportion of non-invasive ventilation during hospitalization and median length of stay in the EOS≥2% group were all significantly lower than EOS<2% group [5 vs 13 years, 40.9% vs 83.3%, 12.0% vs 51.0%, 3 (2, 3) vs 3 (3, 4) points, 3.37 vs 3.97 g/L, 3.6 vs 16.8 mg/L, 0.04 vs 0.09 μg/L, 14.8% vs 55.8%, 0 vs 19.2%, 9 vs 14 d] (all P<0.05). The median duration of COPD, proportion of complicated with respiratory failure, median level of C-reactive protein and proportion of systemic glucocorticoid therapy in the blood EOS≥3% group were significantly lower than blood EOS<3% group (5 vs 10 years, 6.7% vs 45.8%, 4.4 vs 12.9 mg/L, 12.5% vs 49.2%) (all P<0.05). The median duration of COPD and median length of stay in the sputum EOS≥3% group were significantly shorter than sputum EOS<3% group (2 vs 15 years, 10 vs 21 d), while the median blood EOS count and median blood EOS ratio were significantly higher than sputum EOS<3% group (0.20 vs 0.01×10 9/L, 2.4% vs 0.1%) (all P<0.05). The proportion of complicated with respiratory failure and received systemic glucocorticoid therapy in the high EOS in both acute and recovery phase group were significantly lower than the low EOS in the acute phase and high EOS in the recovery phase group (14.3% vs 75.0%, 14.3% vs 55.0%) (all P<0.05). The proportion of FEV 1% predicted value <50% in the high EOS in the acute phase and low EOS in the recovery phase group was significantly lower than the low EOS in the acute phase and high EOS in the recovery phase group (0 vs 82.4%) ( P<0.05). The median FEV1% predicted value level in the high EOS in the acute phase and low EOS in the recovery phase group was significantly higher than the low EOS in both acute and recovery phase group (59.5% vs 36.0%) ( P<0.05). Conclusions:High EOS AECOPD patients have a shorter duration of disease and fewer days of hospitalization. The proportion of patients complicated with respiratory failure is lower. It is easier to distinguish the differences in clinical characteristics of AECOPD patients with a blood EOS count of 100/μl as a cut-off value. EOS levels in the acute phase and the recovery phase are helpful to distinguish the clinical characteristics of AECOPD patients.

Application of CT pulmonary function imaging in convalescent COVID-19 patients / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the application value of CT pulmonary function imaging in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the convalescent phase.Methods:The COVID-19 patients who were clinically cured and discharged from Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology were prospectively collected from January to April 2020. Clinical pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and CT pulmonary function imaging were performed 3 months after discharge. The Philips IntelliSpace Portal image post-processing workstation was used to obtain the paired inspiratory-expiratory CT quantitative indexes of the whole lung, left lung, right lung and five lobes. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether residual lesions remain in inspiratory CT images: non-residual lesion group and residual lesion group. The chi-square test was used to compare the differences in the PFT results between groups; the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences in PFT indexes [forced expiratory volume in the first second as percentage of predicted value (FEV 1%), FEV 1/forced vital capacity (FEV 1/FVC), total lung capacity as percentage of predicted value (TLC%), FVC%] and the differences in quantitative CT indexes [lung volume (LV), mean lung density (MLD), volume change in inspiratory phase and expiratory phase (?LV)] between groups. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between CT pulmonary function imaging and PFT indexes of convalescent COVID-19 patients. Results:Of the 90 patients with COVID-19, 35 were males and 55 were females; 45 were included in the non-residual lesion group and 45 were included in the residual lesion group. Fifty-three patients had clinical pulmonary dysfunction 3 months after discharge, including 22 patients in the non-residual lesion group and 31 patients in the residual lesion group. In patients with residual disease, left lower lobe and right lower lobe LV, left lower lobe and right lower lobe ?LV in the inspiratory and expiratory phase were smaller than those without residual disease; whole lung, left lung, right lung, left upper lobe, left lower lobe and right lower lobe MLD in the inspiratory phase and left lower lobe and right lower lobe MLD in the expiratory phase were greater than those without residual disease ( P<0.05). Since there was no significant difference in FEV 1/FVC and FVC% between residual and non-residual lesion groups ( P>0.05), FEV 1/FVC and FVC% of two groups were combined. Multiple linear regression analysis showed FEV 1/FVC=91.765-0.016×LV in-right middle lobe+0.014×MLD ex-left lower lobe ( R2=0.200, P<0.001), FVC%=-184.122-0.358×MLD in-right lung-0.024×?LV left upper lobe ( R2=0.261, P<0.001). There was significant difference in TLC% between residual and non-residual lesion groups ( P<0.05), so multiple linear regression analysis was performed both in the two groups. In the non-residual lesion group, TLC%=80.645+0.031×LV ex-right lower lobe ( R2=0.132, P<0.001); In the residual lesion group, TLC%=-110.237-0.163×MLD in-right upper lobe-0.098×MLD ex-left upper lobe -0.025×LV ex-right lower lobe ( R2=0.473, P<0.001). Conclusion:CT pulmonary function imaging can quantitatively analyze the whole lung, unilateral lung and lobulated lung, thus reflecting the regional pulmonary function, providing more valuable diagnostic information for the assessment of pulmonary function in convalescent patients with COVID-19.

Study on the correlation between breath sound audio frequency spectrum analysis and lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中国综合临床

Objective:To study the characteristics of breath sound spectroscopy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) patients with different lung function grades, to preliminarily determine the characteristic parameters and indicators of breath sound spectrograms with different lung function grades of COPD, and to explore the visualization and measurability of the differences in respiratory auscultation in patients with different lung function grades.Methods:Patients diagnosed and treated in Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Chongming Branch from October 2018 to December 2020 were selected. Fifty-two patients with COPD (22 patients with moderate to moderate obstructive ventilation dysfunction (mild to moderate group), 30 patients with severe obstructive ventilation dysfunction (severe group)) and 36 normal controls (control group) were selected. The respiratory sounds were sampled with an electronic stethoscope and transmitted to the audit audio software to calculate the relevant data of respiratory sound pressure level (SPL) and the ratio to minute ventilation (VE) of samples with different lung function grades. A retrospective case-control study was used. The data with normal distribution were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and the pairwise comparison was performed by SNK- q test. Results:The breathing audio frequency of mild-moderate, severe COPD patients and the control group has a sound pressure difference of (-0.5±2.2) dB and (-1.6±6.1) dB, (0.7±4.0) dB, and there was significant difference between each group ( F=2.64, P=0.038). The sound pressure level per minute ventilation (SPL 50-200/VE) of respiratory sound inspiratory phase in COPD patients with mild to moderate and severe obstructive ventilation dysfunction and the control group were (5.7±1.8) dB/L, (6.1±2.3) dB/L and (5.4±0.9) dB/L, respectively. The expiratory SPL 50-200/VE were (5.8±1.7), (6.3±2.2) and (5.3±1.2) respectively. There was significant difference among the three groups ( Finhalation=3.26, P=0.048; Frespiration=2.44, P=0.045). ROC curve results showed that SPL 50-200/VE in the inspiratory phase, SPL 50-200/VE in the expiratory phase, and sound pressure difference to assess different grades of obstructive ventilatory dysfunction had diagnostic value (AUC values were 0.697, 0.725 and 0.686, respectively; and P values were 0.015, 0.005 and 0.022, respectively). In some patients with COPD, abnormally high energy levels may appear in the time-frequency diagram of breath sounds. Conclusion:There are significant differences in respiratory audio spectrum analysis between patients with different degrees of obstructive ventilation dysfunction and those with normal ventilation function, which can provide a basis for auxiliary judgment of obstructive ventilation dysfunction.

Risk factors of hypoxemia in patients admitted to intensive care unit after surgery / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of postoperative hypoxemia in patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) for resuscitation.Methods:Clinical data of 220 postoperative patients admitted to the ICU for resuscitation in Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University from June to August 2020 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. According to their oxygenation index within 30 minutes after admission to ICU, they were divided into hypoxemia group (oxygenation index≤ 300 mmHg, 1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa) and non-hypoxemia group (oxygenation index > 300 mmHg). Baseline data and perioperative indicators were compared between the two groups, and risk factors for early postoperative hypoxemia were analyzed. The improvement of oxygenation index of patients with hypoxemia in next morning after admission to ICU was observed, and the factors related to the improvement of hypoxemia were analyzed.Results:The incidence of hypoxemia was 36.8% (81/220) in the cohort. The majority cases of hypoxemia were from general surgery department, accounting for 42.0% (34/81). The incidence rate of hypoxemia from orthopaedic was the highest at 53.3% (16/30). Univariate analysis showed that body mass index (BMI), intraoperative hypoxemia, minimally invasive surgery were all risk factors of postoperative hypoxemia (test values were -2.566, 12.352 and 0.033; P values were 0.010, 0.000 and 0.019, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that intraoperative hypoxemia and BMI were independent risk factors for postoperative hypoxemia [intraoperative hypoxemia: odds ratio ( OR) = 3.602, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.143-3.817, P = 0.001; BMI: OR = 1.119, 95% CI was 1.026-1.208, P = 0.036]. The improvement rate of hypoxemia next morning after admission to ICU was 63.0% (51/81). Pulmonary dysfunction was the independent risk factor for the improvement of hypoxemia ( OR = 0.200, 95% CI was 0.052-0.763, P = 0.019). Conclusions:Hypoxemia might occur early after surgery. Intraoperative hypoxemia and BMI were independent risk factors for postoperative hypoxemia.

Effect of bel canto in the respiratory rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in stable stage / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of bel canto breathing training method on the respiratory rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in stable stage.Methods:Using a quasi-experimental research method, 40 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in stable stage from September to December 2018 in two wards (the first ward and the second ward) with the same level of diagnosis and treatment of respiratory physicians, nurses' nursing ability and the ward environment of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University were selected. The first ward was used as the experimental group, and the second ward was used as the control group, there were 20 cases in each group. The patients in the experimental group were given bel canto breathing training and conventional breathing training, while the patients in the control group were given conventional breathing training. A WeChat group was established, and training videos were distributed in the WeChat group after discharge to urge patients to perform training. After 3 months of intervention, the quality of life, anxiety, depression, and pulmonary function were evaluated by St George′s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), proportion of forced expiratory volume in forced vital capacity in the first second(FEV1/FVC).Results:The SGRQ score, HADS score and FEV1/FVC value in the experimental group before intervention respectively were (41.35 ± 9.94), (16.55 ± 4.29) points and (47.13 ± 8.85)%, at discharge respectively were (28.95 ± 5.66), (11.20 ± 2.75) points and (59.51 ± 10.49)% and after three months of intervention respectively were (21.75 ± 6.31), (7.15 ± 3.51) points and (66.69 ± 7.87)%, while the SGRQ score, HADS score and FEV1/FVC value in the control group before the intervention respectively were (42.10 ± 10.50), (16.60 ± 4.73) points and (46.23 ± 10.14)%, at discharge respectively were (34.90 ± 10.16), (13.35 ± 2.37) points and (52.91 ± 7.86)%, and after three months of intervention (35.80 ± 7.27), (14.20 ± 5.05) points and (52.65 ± 8.60)%. With the increase of the intervention time of bel canto breathing training, the SGRQ score and HADS score decreased ( F=29.65, 17.44, both P<0.05), and the FEV1/FVC value increased ( F=27.38, P<0.05). Within-group comparisons the SGRQ score, HADS score, and FEV1/FVC value in the experimental group at discharge, three months after the intervention versus pre-intervention, and three months after the intervention versus discharge showed statistically significant differences ( t values were -7.73 - 7.38, all P<0.05). SGRQ score, HADS score, and FEV1/FVC value in the control group were only statistically significant at discharge versus pre-intervention ( t=-4.63, -2.79, 5.28, all P<0.05). The SGRQ, HADS score and FEV1/FVC value between the 2 groups were not statistically significant before the intervention, but statistically significant at discharge and three months after the intervention ( t values were -6.53 - 5.39, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Bel canto breathing training can improve the quality of life, reduce anxiety, depression and increase FEV1/FVC in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in stable stage.

Clinical progress in tidal breathing pulmonary function of infant / 国际儿科学杂志

Tidal breathing pulmonary function test can obtain signals of flow and volume via air flow sensors to evaluate lung function.Because the advantages are prominent(high sensitivity and safety, without children′s active cooperation and easy to operate), tidal breathing pulmonary function still assists in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the infant wheezing and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, prognostic evaluation, etc, although affected by multiple factors.This article reviews recent progress of tidal breathing pulmonary function test in young children at home and abroad.

Predictive value of preoperative pulmonary function test indexes for postoperative pneumonia in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To analyze the relationship between preoperative pulmonary function indexes and postoperative pneumonia (POP) in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery. Methods    The clinical data of 303 patients who underwent lung function examination and upper gastrointestinal surgery in West China Hospital, Sichuan University from September 2020 to January 2021 were prospectively collected and analyzed. There were 217 males and 86 females, with an average age of 61.61±10.42 years. Pulmonary function was evaluated from four aspects including ventilatory function, pulmonary volume, diffusion function and airway resistance. Relevant pulmonary function indicators were displayed as the percentage of actual measured value to predicted value (%pred). The outcome index was pneumonia within 30 days after the surgery. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between preoperative pulmonary function indicators and POP. Results    A total of 196 patients with gastric cancer and 107 patients with esophageal cancer were included, and the incidence of POP in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery was 26.7% (81/303). Patients with preoperative low peak expiratory flow (PEF%pred) had a 3.094 times higher risk of developing POP than those with normal PEF%pred [OR=3.094, 95%CI (1.362, 7.032), P=0.007]. The incidence of POP had no correlation with the other preoperative indicators. Conclusion    Preoperative PEF%pred may be an important indicator for predicting the occurrence of POP in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Effect of interlimb-coordinated training on pulmonary function in patients with early primary Parkinson's disease / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of interlimb-coordinated training on pulmonary function in patients with early primary Parkinson's disease. MethodsFrom February, 2021 to February, 2022, 60 patients with primary Parkinson's disease in Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were divided into control group (n = 30) and experimental group (n = 30) according to the management, who accepted medicine and medicine combined with interlimb-coordinated training, for twelve weeks, respectively. Before and after treatment, the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum expiratory flow (PEF) and vital capacity (VC) were measured with pulmonary function instrument, while the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), anaerobic threshold (AT) and peak power (WRpeak) were measured with Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET), and the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured with respiratory driving instrument. ResultsAfter treatment, FEV1, FVC, PEF, VC, VO2peak, AT, WRpeak, MIP and MEP increased in the experimental group (t > 2.087, P < 0.05), and they were more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.079, P < 0.05). ConclusionInterlimb-coordinated training could improve the pulmonary function, aerobic exercise ability and respiratory muscle strength of patients with early primary Parkinson's disease.

Investigation of small airway function of occupational asthma at different stages / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of small airway dysfunction in patients with occupational asthma, and explore the significance of small airway function indicators in the evaluation of occupational asthma. Methods: A total of 53 patients with occupational asthma diagnosed in our hospital from December 2008 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected in May 2020. 55 healthy people were included as the control group (NC group) and 58 bronchial asthma patients as BA group. The general information and baseline pulmonary function (FVC、FEV(1)、PEF) of the subjects were collected, the pulmonary function were reexamined and small airway function (FEF(25%)pred、FEF(50%)pred、FEF(75%)pred、MMEF(25-75%)pred) were tested at the time of diagnosis and remission. Results: There was no significant difference in pulmonary function and asthma control score (ACT) between OA group and BA group (P=0.356, 0.610, 0.364, 0.430, 0.533, 0.759, 0.426, 0.632) . The incidence of small airway dysfunction in OA group was 77.4%. The indexes of small airway function (FEF(25%)pred, FEF(50%)pred, FEF(75%)pred, MMEF(25-75%)pred) were lower than those in the NC group (P<0.001) . The small airway function indexes of mild and moderate OA patients in remission stage were improved (P=0.029, 0.182) , but the abnormal rate of small airway function was still 62.3%, and there was no significant difference compared with those at the time of diagnosis (P=0.091) . Small airway function (MMEF(25-75%)pred, FEF(50%)pred) was correlated with large airway function (FEV(1)% pred, PEF% pred) (P=0.001) . Conclusion: Small airway dysfunction often occurs and persists in patients with occupational asthma, and has a certain correlation with large airway function indexes.

Evaluation of the pulmonary function of patients with severe coronavirus 2019 disease three months after diagnosis / Evaluación de la función pulmonar de pacientes con enfermedad grave por coronavirus 2019 tres meses después del diagnóstico

Abstract There are few data regarding the repercussion in the pulmonary function of patients who had severe or critical COVID-19 pneumonia. The objective was to describe these patients´ pulmonary function and establish an association with the severity of the disease (patients with severe or critical pneumonia), the presence of comorbidities, the tomographic involvement and the persistence of dyspnoea. Fifty-five patients were included, 40 (73%) male, media of age 54.9 (11.6) years old and body mass index (BMI) 33.1 (6.09) kg/m2. Fifty (90%) had 1 comorbidity, obesity 67%, arterial hypertension 36%, and diabetes mellitus 35%. Twenty-five (45%) had critical pneumonia. Fifteen (27%) had a spirometric alteration that suggested restriction and 32 (58%) had gas exchange defect. The latter had forced volume capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) values significantly lower. Ninety percent presented some degree of involvement in the chest CT scan, ground glass-opacities the most frequent finding. A moderate negative correlation was found between the severity of the tomographic involvement and the DLCO levels. Thirty patients (55%) referred some degree of dyspnoea. Patients with this symptom had DLCO and KCO values below those who did not have dyspnoea: 70.5 vs. 85.1 p = 0.02 and 88 vs. 104 p = 0.02. The presence of abnormal gas exchange is the main characteristic of patients with pulmonary sequelae due to COVID-19. Our study does not show either predictor of evolution towards pulmonary sequelae or an association with the severity of the disease.

Resumen Se conocen pocos datos acerca de la repercusión en la función pulmonar de pacientes que cursaron una neumonía grave o crítica por COVID-19. El objetivo fue describir la función pulmonar de estos pacientes y establecer si existe asociación con la gravedad (neumonía grave o crítica), comorbilidades, compromiso tomográfico y persistencia de disnea. Se incluyeron 55 pacientes, 40 (73%) varones, media de edad 54.9 (11.6) años e índice de masa corporal (IMC) 33.1 (6.09) kg/m2. Cincuenta (90%) tenían una comorbilidad, obesidad 67%, hipertensión arterial 36% y diabetes mellitus 35%. Veinticinco (45%) presentaron neumonía crítica. Se hallaron 15 (27%) con una alteración que sugiere restricción y 32 (58%) presentaron trastorno del intercambio gaseoso. Aquellos con trastorno del intercambio gaseoso, tenían valores de capacidad vital forzada (FVC), volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo (FEV1) y difusión de monóxido de carbono (DLCO) significativamente menores. El 90% tenía algún grado de compromiso en TAC de tórax siendo vidrio esmerilado el hallazgo más frecuente. Se encontró moderada correlación negativa entre gravedad del compromiso tomográfico y nivel de DLCO. A la consulta, 30 (55%) referían algún grado de disnea. Los pacientes con disnea presentaban valores de DLCO y KCO inferiores respecto a los que no referían disnea 70.5 vs. 85.1 p = 0.02 y 88 vs. 104 p = 0.02. La presencia de intercambio anormal de gases es la característica principal de los pacientes con secuelas pulmonares por COVID-19. De nuestro trabajo no surgen predictores para evolución hacia secuela pulmonar ni pudimos asociarlo a la gravedad de la enfermedad.

Recommendations for pulmonary function laboratories in the COVID-19 era / Recomendaciones para el laboratorio de función pulmonar en la era COVID-19

Abstract The airborne spread is the main route of human-to-human transmission of coronavirus, including he SARS CoV-2 virus causing the disease known as COVID-19. The implicit risk of aerosolization of SARS CoV-2 infective microdroplets while carrying out respiratory function tests has caused a significant limitation of activity in most Pulmonary Function Laboratories since the beginning of the pandemic. This document aims to update the recommendations for the management of Pulmonary Function Laboratories in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak in Argentina. New recommendations include ways to carry out pulmonary function testing during the context of a high and low community viral spread phase, the evaluation of post-COVID-19 patients, as well as several aspects of biosafety for patients and operators. Measures consist of promoting air circulation in the environment, the use of antimicrobial filters, the protection of airways and mucous membranes, and hand washing.

Resumen La diseminación aerógena del virus SARS CoV-2 es la principal forma de transmisión interhumana de este coronavirus causante de la enfermedad conocida como COVID-19. El riesgo implícito de la aerosolización de microgotas infectantes del SARS CoV-2 durante la ejecución de las pruebas funcionales respiratorias ha provocado una importante limitación de la actividad en la mayoría de los laboratorios de función pul monar desde el inicio de la pandemia. Este documento tiene por objetivo actualizar las recomendaciones para el manejo del laboratorio de función pulmonar en el contexto de la epidemia COVID-19 en Argentina. Se incorporan nuevas recomendaciones para realizar pruebas funcionales respiratorias en el contexto de una fase alta y baja de circulación viral comunitaria, para pacientes post COVID-19, así como para la bio seguridad de pacientes y operadores. Las medidas incluyen la ventilación del ambiente, el uso de filtros antimicrobianos, la protección de vía área y mucosas y el lavado de manos.

High-resolution CT pulmonary findings in children with severe asthma

Abstract Objective: To compare quantitative CT parameters between children with severe asthma and healthy subjects, correlating to their clinical features. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed CT data from 19 school-aged children (5-17 years) with severe asthma and 19 control school-aged children with pectus excavatum. The following CT parameters were evaluated: total lung volume (TLV), mean lung density (MLD), CT air trapping index (AT%) (attenuation ≤856 HU), airway wall thickness (AWT), and percentage of airway wall thickness (AWT%). Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) data were correlated to the following clinical parameters: forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flow at 25-75% (FEF 25-75%), FEV1/FVC ratio, sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage analysis, serum IgE levels, and previous hospitalizations due to asthma. Results: Asthma patients presented higher mean values of AT% (23.8 ± 6.7% vs. controls, 9.7 ± 3.2%), AWT (1.46 ± 0.22 mm vs. controls, 0.47 ± −735 ± 28 HU vs. controls, −666 ± 19 HU). Mean AT% was 29.0 ± 4.7% in subjects with previous hospitalization against 19.2 ± 5.0% in those with no prior hospitalization (p < 0.001). AT% presented very strong negative correlations with FVC (r = −0.933, p < 0.001) and FEV1 (r = −0.841, p < 0.001) and a moderate correlation with FEF 25-75% (r = −0.608, p = 0.007). AT% correlation with FEV1/FVC ratio and serum IgE was weak (r = −0.184, p = 0.452, and r = −0.363, p = 0.202) Conclusion: Children with severe asthma present differences in quantitative chest CT scans compared to healthy controls with strong correlations with pulmonary function tests and previous hospitalizations due to asthma.

Pulmonary function evaluation after hospital discharge of patients with severe COVID-19

OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be associated with prolonged symptoms and post-recovery health impairment. This study aimed to evaluate the persistence of symptoms, lung function, and pulmonary diffusion for carbon monoxide (DLCO) in patients between 15 and 30 days after hospital discharge after admission for severe COVID-19. METHODS: The evaluation consisted of 1) comparative analysis between the initial symptoms and symptoms still present at the post-discharge evaluation 2) analysis of the chest images obtained during hospitalization, and 3) conducting spirometry, plethysmography, and DLCO assessment. RESULTS: Forty-one patients who were hospitalized for 16±8 days with severe COVID-19 were included. Patients were predominantly men (73%) and had a mean age of 51±14 years. The most frequent comorbidities were arterial hypertension (51%) and diabetes mellitus (37%). Pulmonary evaluation was performed a mean of 36 days after the onset of symptoms, with the most frequent persistent symptoms being dyspnea (83%) and coughing (54%). Approximately 93% of patients still had at least one symptom, and 20% had more than five symptoms. Chest imaging revealed a typical pattern of COVID-19 on X-ray (93%) and computer tomography (95%). Lung function test results showed a restrictive pattern with a reduction in forced vital capacity (FVC) in 54% of individuals, with an average FVC of 78±14%. A reduction in DLCO was observed in 79% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high prevalence of symptoms, in addition to a significant change in lung function and DLCO, in the post-discharge assessment of patients requiring hospitalization after admission for COVID-19.

Predictors of functional capacity as measured by the Glittre activities of daily living test in women with rheumatoid arthritis

Although pulmonary involvement is the most common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), traditional pulmonary function tests (PFTs) do not show a good correlation with the field tests usually performed in these patients. In recent decades, measurement of ventilation distribution heterogeneity through the nitrogen single-breath washout (N2SBW) test and evaluation of functional capacity during exercise using the Glittre activities of daily living test (GA-T) have been increasingly used. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate predictors of GA-T outcomes in women with RA considering demographic, anthropometric, clinical, functional variables, and chest computed tomography (CT) findings. Forty-three women with RA underwent the GA-T, the N2SBW test, spirometry, measurement of the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), measurement of respiratory muscle strength, and evaluation of physical function of the lower and upper limbs through the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Chest CT scans were analyzed retrospectively. The GA-T time showed significant correlations with the DLco (rs=-0.397, P=0.008), forced vital capacity/DLco (rs=0.307, P=0.044), phase III slope of the N2SBW test (SIIIN2, rs=0.644, P<0.0001), and the HAQ-DI (rs=0.482, P=0.001). Disease extent as assessed by chest CT was associated with the GA-T time. On multiple regression analysis, the SIIIN2 and HAQ-DI were the only predictors of the GA-T time, explaining 40% of its variability. Thus, ventilation distribution heterogeneity and worse physical function substantially explain the variability in GA-T time in women with RA and varying extents of disease on chest CT.

Pulmonary function of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia from 0 to 6 months / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:Through analyzing pulmonary function and clinical characteristics of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) from 0 to 6 months, the characteristics of pulmonary function in infants with BPD were investigated.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 85 infants hospitalized in the Department of Neonatology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College from December 2015 to December 2017, including 25 preterm infants with BPD (BPD group), 30 preterm infants without BPD (preterm control group), and 30 term infants without respiratory diseases (full-term control group), respectively.Pulmonary function were tested in preterm infants at 37 to 41 weeks of corrected age as well as at 6 months of corrected age, and full-term infants at 3 days to 1 week after birth as well as at 6 months old.The outcomes of respiratory system diseases at 6 months of corrected age in two groups of preterm infants were followed up.Results:(1) While preterm infants at 37 to 41 weeks of corrected age and full-term infants at 3 days to 1 week after birth, time to peak tidal expiratory flow/expiratory time(TPTEF/TE)and volume to peak tidal expiratory flow/exhaled volume(VPTEF/VE) of BPD group were lower than those of the other two groups ( P<0.05), while the differences between preterm control group and full-term control group is not significant.VPTEF, peak expiratory flow (PEF), tidal expiratory flow when 75% of tidal volume reminds in the lung (TEF75%), TEF50%, TEF25% in BPD group and preterm control group were lower than those in the full-term group ( P<0.05). The differences between BPD group and preterm control group were not significant ( P>0.05). The BPD group had significantly lower TPTEF/TE, VPTEF/VE and ratio of tidal expiratory flow and tidal inspiratory flow when 50% of tidal volume reminds in the lung (TEF50%/TIF50%) and higher VPTEF, PEF, TEF25% at 6 months of corrected age than those at 37 to 41 weeks of corrected age ( P<0.05). While at 6 months of corrected age, the BPD group had higher PEF than that in the preterm control group ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between that in the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections (43.3% vs.16.7%), wheezing (21.7% vs.8.3%), rehospitalization (39.1% vs.16.7%) between BPD group and preterm control group within 6 months of corrected age ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Infants with BPD had small airway obstruction at 37 to 41 weeks of corrected age and may not improve significantly at 6 months of corrected age.