Evaluation of symptoms and risks in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with radiographic bronchiectasis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of previously undiagnosed radiographic bronchiectasis in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and to evaluate the effect of radiographic bronchiectasis on the symptoms and risks in stable COPD patients. METHODS: From May 2012 to April 2014, there were 347 patients enrolled in COPD database. Data describing the general conditions, the frequency of acute exacerbations the year before, COPD assessment test, modified medical research council (mMRC) score, spirometric classification, and HRCT were collected. COPD patients were classified into two groups: COPD with bronchiectasis and COPD without bronchiectasis. The clinical characteristics of both groups were compared. RESULTS: Bronchiectasis was presented in 18.4% (n = 64). The proportion of smokers, smoking index, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second predicted value were 62.5%, 27.3 ± 13.2, 48.2 ± 26.4, respectively, in the bronchiectasis group, which were lower than those of the group without bronchiectasis (82.0%, 32.6 ± 17.6, and 57.9 ± 18.8) (P < 0.05). Complications, COPD assessment test (CAT) and the rate of CAT ≥ 10 in the bronchiectasis group were 2.8 ± 1.7,13.6 ± 7.4 and 26.6%, respectively, which were higher than those of the group without bronchiectasis (2.3 ± 1.5,11.3 ± 6.0, and 11.7%) (P < 0.05). The proportion of type D (high-risk more-symptoms) in the bronchiectasis group was 50.0%; it was significantly higher than that of 35.7% in the group without bronchiectasis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: COPD with bronchiectasis is associated with more complications, symptoms, and risks. More attention should be paid to the treatment of COPD with bronchiectasis to reduce the frequency of exacerbation and improve the health status.

[Interventional effects of different management programs on the outcomes of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the interventional effects of different management programs on the outcomes of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. METHODS: Systemic education, follow-up and control groups were divided according to the frequency of follow-ups and the profile of participating in education. A total of 157 patients were enrolled into the COPD database from May 2002 to May 2010. They were interviewed face-to-face at our department. The investigation contained general conditions, the frequency of acute exacerbations (AE) the previous year, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) and spirometric classification. A combined assessment was conducted. RESULTS: The frequency of AE and rate of AE < once the previous year in systemic education group was 0.9 ± 1.1 and 71.2%, 1.0 ± 0.8 and 68.6% in follow-up group and 1.4 ± 1.1 and 44.4% in control group. And the frequency of AE in systemic education and follow-up groups was significantly less than that in control group (P < 0.05). Rate of AE < once in systemic education and follow-up groups was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). CAT and rate of CAT ≤ 20 in systemic education, follow-up and control groups were 10.0 ± 5.0 and 96.2%, 11.1 ± 6.0 and 88.2%, 15.3 ± 6.8 and 64.8% respectively. CAT in systemic education and follow-up groups was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.01). Rate of CAT ≤ 20 in systemic education and follow-up groups was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). mMRC in systemic education, follow-up and control groups was 1.5 ± 0.8, 1.6 ± 0.9 and 2.1 ± 1.0 respectively. mMRC in systemic education and follow-up groups was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). Combined assessment showed that no significant difference existed in Types A and B among three groups (P > 0.05). Type C in the systemic education group was significantly higher than that of the control (P < 0.05). Type D in the systemic education and follow-up groups was significantly lower than that of the control (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Long-term systemic education and follow-up management program can reduce the frequency of AE of COPD effectively and improve the health status of COPD patients.

[Evaluation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease screening in a high risk population].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the results of spirometry testing used in the screening of COPD from at risk populations. METHODS: A survey of the population aged over 40 years with any of chronic cough and sputum, dyspnea, heavy tobacco smoke was performed, using a questionnaire on clinical characteristics of COPD. Spirometry and chest X ray examination were performed. Different screening methods were compared for sensitivity and specificity for COPD diagnosis. RESULTS: Of 241 surveyed persons, 156 were diagnosed as having COPD, among whom 126 cases were firstly diagnosed. Among all surveyed persons, 87 (36. 1%) cases had mild and moderate COPD, while 69 (28. 6%) had severe and very severe disease. The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of COPD of shortness of breath were 61.5% and 61.2% respectively. Combination of respiratory symptoms and risk factors improved the screening power. More than 40 years of age combined with any of heavy smoking, chronic cough and sputum, or shortness of breath, improved the sensitivity to more than 90 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Spirometry test screening of the at risk population can effectively improve early diagnosis of COPD.

[Respiration control dysfunction and the relationship to sleep-disordered breathing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the polysomnographic (PSG) features of sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to define the association between SAHS and respiratory control disorder. METHODS: Three hundred patients with stable COPD were screened for SAHS using questionnaire, Epworth sleep scale (ESS) and home pulse oximeter testing. Those with ESS > or = 10 or oxygen desaturation over 3% more than 5 times per hour sleep were under further PSG testing. The PSG features were compared between COPD patients with apnea hypopnea index (AHI) > 10 and 118 SAHS patients with normal lung function. The two groups were matched for age, body mass index (BMI) and AHI. Among them 22 with COPD and AHI > or = 10 were tested for the chemo-responsiveness to isocapnic hypoxia and hypercapnia. RESULTS: Among the 300 patients with stable COPD, 79 had AHI over 10, meeting the diagnostic criteria of overlap syndrome (OS). Analysis of the polysomnography found that 32 cases (40%) with OS had more hypoventilation lasting over 1 min during sleep. Compared to patients with SAHS only, OS patients had higher percentage of hypopnea index over AHI [(69 +/- 30)% vs (52 +/- 31)%] and a higher percentage of total hypopnea time over total time of sleep apnea and hypopnea [(15 +/- 12)% vs (12 +/- 10)%]. OS patients also had lower hypoxic [(-0.11 +/- 0.05) vs (-0.35 +/- 0.24) L.min(-1).%(-1)] and hypercapnic responses [(1.1 +/- 0.8) vs (1.6 +/- 0.8) L.min(-1).mm Hg(-1) (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa)]. CONCLUSION: Patients with both COPD and SAHS had more episodes of hypopnea and hypoventilation during sleep, and had depressed chemo-responsiveness to hypoxia during wakefulness.

[Roles of the central nucleus of amygdala in the cardiovascular response elicited by the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cardiovascular responses induced by activation of the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) and the roles of the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) on this effect. METHODS: The PVN was activated by microinjection of L-glutamate or electrical stimulation. The CeA was injected with L-glutamate or Kainic acid (KA). The femoral arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate (HR) of the male SD rats were recorded when the PVN was electrically stimulated. RESULT: The blood pressure increased when the PVN was activated either by electrical current or by L-glutamate. The blood pressure increased for (10.27+/-1.80)mmHg and the change of heart rate was -10.66 +/- 8.11 beat/min after L-Glu (100 nl) was injected into the ipsilateral CeA. The pressor response of PVN stimulation could still be evoked by electrical stimulation of (13.78 +/- 3.18)mmHg 10 min after kainic acid (100 nl) was injected into the ipsilateral CeA. But this pressor response decreased of 6.57 mmHg compared to that before injection of KA (P <0.05). The locations of the electrode tips and termination of the injector tracts were identified according to the atlas after the recording. CONCLUSION: Stimulating the PVN elicits pressor response in rats. The CeA mediates partly the pressor response elicited by activation of the PVN.

[Role of dorsal column in pathway of hypotensive effect of the somatic afferent inputs].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the dorsal column (DC) in the inhibitory effect of somatic afferent inputs on the central pressor response. METHODS: The femoral arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate (HR) of the male SD rats were recorded when the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was electrically stimulated with or without destruction of DC. The inhibitory effect of the deep peroneal nerve (DPN) on the pressor response induced by stimulation of PVN was observed 20 min or 5 d after ipsilateral DC destruction. RESULTS: Stimulating DPN inhibited the pressor response elicited by electrical stimulation of PVN with an inhibitory rate of 43.29%. Twenty minutes after destroying the right DC, stimulation of the right or left DPN could inhibit the pressor response with an inhibitory rate of 38.64% and 39.97%, respectively (P>0.05); five days later the inhibitory rates remained as 33.87% and 36.86% respectively (P>0.05). The pain responses of both hindlimbs in the rats with the right DC destroyed showed no significant difference compared with the intact rats. CONCLUSION: DC is not involved in the inhibitory effect of DPN on the pressor response induced by PVN stimulation.

[Study on matrix metalloproteinase 1, 9, 12 polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among Han nationality in northern China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between the functional polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: 147 COPD patients and 120 healthy smoking controls were selected. Spirometry and chest X-rays had been taken. Questionnaires including sex, age, smoking history, occupational exposure were completed. MMP-9 (-1562 C/T), MMP-1(-1607 1G/2G), MMP-12 (-82 A/G), MMP-12(-357 Asn/ Ser) alleles were determined using PCR-RFLP method. Independent samples T test analysis was carried out to compare patients' age, smoking index, FEV1 /FVC, FEV1 % pred with that of healthy controlled group. The frequencies of genotypes and alleles between groups were analyzed by chi-square tests and multilogistic regression. RESULTS: MMP12 Asn/Asn, CT/AsnAsn were risk factors for smoking-induced COPD. The ORs were 2.361 (95% CI: 1.369-4.017) and 2.433(95% CI: 1.159-5.342) respectively while CC/1G1G/ SerSer seemed to be a protective factor for smoking-induced COPD, with OR as 0.457 and 95% CI as 0.231-0.911. CONCLUSION: Asn/Asn, CT/AsnAsn might be susceptible genotypes while CC/GG/SerSer might serve as protective genotype.

[The role of dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus in the cardiovascular responses induced by habenular nucleus stimulation and inhibitory effect of deep peroneal nerve].

AIM: To explore whether dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) is involved in the cardiovascular responses induced by habenular nucleus (Hb) stimulation and inhibitory effect of deep peroneal nerve (DPN) stimulation on above responses or not and to analysis transmitter mechanism. METHODS: Experiments were performed on white male rabbits anesthetised with chloralose and urethan. Experimental data were collected by means of stimulating Hb and DPN, recording arterial blood pressure and ectal electrocardiogram (EECG) and microinjecting transmitter blocker. RESULTS: Prominent pressor and ischemic EECG segment changes were elicited by Hb stimulation (P < 0.01) Microinjecting kynurenic acid into ipsilateral DMH had partial blocking effect on pressor and ischemic EECG-ST segment changes induced by Hb stimulation (P < 0.01). Stimulation of bilateral DPN prominently inhibited the pressor and ischemic EECG-ST changes induced by Hb stimulation (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Microinjecting naloxone into ipsilateral DMH decreased the inhibitory effect of DPN stimulation on above cardiovascular responses elicited by Hb stimulation (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Glutamic acid receptor in DMH is involved in pressor and ischemic changes induced by Hb stimulation. DMH and opiate peptide receptors in DMH are involved in the inhibitory effect of DPN stimulation on pressor and ischemic changes induced by Hb stimulation.