body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea and exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A multidimensional grading system that incorporates an assessment of symptoms; nutritional state and exercise capacity together with the spirometric measure of airflow [forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]] can provide useful prognostic information in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the role of the BODE [body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity] index as a predictor for hospitalization in COPD patients compared to FEV1 alone. The present study included 49 patients with COPD. The BODE index was calculated for each patient using variables obtained within 3 weeks of enrollment. The main outcome measure was the number of hospitalization for COPD exacerbation. Poisson regression model, including the incidence rate ratios [IRRs] and corresponding 95% confidence intervals [CIs] were used to quantify and compare the relationship between FEV1 and BODE index scores with the number of hospital admissions. Of the 49 studied patients, 41 patients [83.7%] completed the study, while 8 patients [16.3%] died during the follow up period. The mean duration of follow up period was 8.2 +/- 3.2 months. There were 22 [44.9%] who required at least one hospital admission. Using Poisson regression analysis, a significant effect of BODE score on the number of hospital admissions was found [IRR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.55; P<0.001]. In comparison, there was also a significant but smaller effect of FEV1 percentage of predicted on the number of hospital admissions [IRR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.85; P<0.001]. All the individual components of the BODE index were significantly associated with hospitalization. The BODE index, a simple multidimensional grading system, is better than the FEV1 as a predictor for hospitalization for patients with COPD

High resolution multi-detector row computed tomography in imaging of interstitial lung diseases

To test the role of multi-detector row computed tomography [MDCT] in the imaging of interstitial lung diseases [ILDs]. The present study included 28 patients with ILDs. The diagnosis was based on clinical background, restrictive pulmonary defect and conclusive radiographic or histopathologic findings. All patients were studied using 16-slice MDCT. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias [IIPs] was the diagnosis in 13 patients, sarcoidosis in 7 patients, Langerhans' cell histiocytosis [LCH] in 2 patients, extrinsic allergic alveolitis [EAA] in 2 patients, scleroderma in 2 patients, lymphangioleiomyomatosis [LAM] in one patient and lymphangitis carcinomatosis in one patient. MDCT findings included the pattern of parenchymal abnormalities [ground glass opacities, reticular and linear opacities, cystic lesions, honeycombing, bronchial wall thickening, traction bronchiectasis, nodular opacities, and consolidation], anatomical distribution, and associated findings. MDCT of the chest helps better detection, assessment of distribution, evaluation of extent, and characterization of different findings in ILDs, hence increasing the confidence in the diagnosis