Monocyte distribution width (MDW) and DECAF: two simple tools to determine the prognosis of severe COPD exacerbation.

Monocyte distribution width (MDW) has been associated with inflammation and poor prognosis in various acute diseases. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations (ECOPD) are associated with mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of the MDW as a predictor of ECOPD prognosis.

Alterations in circulating mitochondrial signals at hospital admission for COPD exacerbation.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation (ECOPD) alters the natural course of the disease. To date, only C-reactive protein has been used as a biomarker in ECOPD, but it has important limitations. The mitochondria release peptides (Humanin (HN), FGF-21, GDF-15, MOTS-c and Romo1) under certain metabolic conditions.

Early Desaturation During 6-Minute Walk Test is a Predictor of Mortality in COPD.

Background: Oxygen desaturation during exercise is mainly observed in severe cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with a worse prognosis, but little is known about the type of desaturation that causes the greatest risk of mortality.

Material And Methods: We studied all of the 6-min walk tests performed periodically at a tertiary hospital over a period of 12 years in patients with moderate or severe COPD. We classified patients as non-desaturators if they did not suffer a drop in oxygen saturation (SpO2 < 88%) during the test, early desaturators if the time until desaturation was < 1 min, and non-early desaturators if it was longer than 1 min.

Circulating levels of mitochondrial oxidative stress-related peptides MOTS-c and Romo1 in stable COPD: A cross-sectional study.

Background: MOTS-c and Romo1 are mitochondrial peptides that are modulated by oxidative stress. No previous studies have explored circulating levels of MOTS-c in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We enrolled 142 patients with stable COPD and 47 smokers with normal lung function in an observational cross-sectional study.

Associations between serum mitokine levels and outcomes in stable COPD: an observational prospective study.

Mitokines (Humanin (HN), GDF15 and FGF21) are produced as a result of mitochondrial dysfunction and may have major roles in chronic inflammation, malnutrition and exercise capacity in people with COPD. Except for GDF15, studies on this subject are lacking. A total of 165 patients with stable COPD and 49 smokers without COPD were enrolled.

Pulmonologists' Opinion on the Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients in Spain: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Introduction: Identifying the variables that guide decision-making in relation to the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) can contribute to the appropriate use of these drugs. The objective of this study was to identify the clinical variables that physicians consider most relevant for prescribing or withdrawing ICS in COPD.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Spain from November 2020 to May 2021.

A new, three-dimensional approach to the GOLD COPD assessment tool.

Background: The 2-dimensional, 4-quadrant 2017 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) COPD A-D assessment tool (GOLD) does not include lung function variables to classify patients into different risk groups. The previous 2011 tool (GOLD) classified cases in the upper-quadrants (higher risk groups) regardless of whether they had a history of exacerbations or worse lung function. We hypothesized that a modified, three-dimensional classification (GOLD) that separately includes assessment of lung function and exacerbations history would improve the ability to predict adverse events.

High parathyroid hormone predicts exacerbations in COPD patients with hypovitaminosis D.

Background: Hypovitaminosis D has been linked to deterioration in clinical parameters and lung function in COPD. As a response to low levels of vitamin D serum Parathyroid Hormone (iPTH) is increased in some, but not all, patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether COPD patients with elevated PTH levels are at higher risk of COPD exacerbations and hospitalizations.

Information Needs in COPD After an Educational Programme: Influence in Exacerbations and Admissions.

Introduction: Improving patients' information needs (IN) may contribute to better control in COPD. This study analyses IN using Lung Information Needs Questionnaire (LINQ) following an educational intervention, evaluates how clinical characteristics modify IN, and studies high IN as a prognostic factor for COPD exacerbations and hospital admissions.

Methods: Cohort of 143 patients with initial diagnosis of COPD included in a structured educational program.

Telerehabilitation Programme as a Maintenance Strategy for COPD Patients: A 12-Month Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: There is uncertainty regarding efficacy of telehealth-based approaches in COPD patients for sustaining benefits achieved with intensive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).

Research Question: To determine whether a maintenance pulmonary telerehabilitation (TelePR) programme, after intensive initial PR, is superior to usual care in sustaining over time benefits achieved by intensive PR.

Study Design And Methods: A multicentre open-label pragmatic parallel-group randomized clinical trial was conducted.

The Ratio Serum Creatinine/Serum Cystatin C (a Surrogate Marker of Muscle Mass) as a Predictor of Hospitalization in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Outpatients.

Background: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), low muscle mass has been associated with several clinical outcomes such as low exercise capacity, hospital admission, and mortality. The Sarcopenia Index (SI) is a novel way to estimate muscle mass based on the ratio of serum creatinine (produced exclusively by muscle)/cystatin C (produced by all nucleated body cells).

Objectives: This study aims to assess the SI in stable COPD outpatients, as compared with a healthy control group, to quantify its relationship with several important clinical features in COPD, and to study its potential usefulness to predict COPD exacerbations and hospital admissions.

Vitamin D nutritional status and vitamin D regulated antimicrobial peptides in serum and pleural fluid of patients with infectious and noninfectious pleural effusions.

Background: Vitamin D and vitamin D dependent antimicrobial peptides such as Cathelicidin (LL-37) and β-defensin 2 have an important role in innate and adaptative immunity, but their role in pleural effusions has not been studied before.

Methods: Serum and pleural fluid samples from 152 patients with pleural effusion were collected, corresponding to 45 transudates and 107 exudates, 51 infectious effusions (14 complicated and 37 non-complicated), 44 congestive heart failure effusions and 38 malignant effusions. The levels of 25 OH-vitamin D, 1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D, Vitamin D Binding Protein (VDBP), LL-37 and β-defensin 2, both in serum and pleural fluid were evaluated in this prospective study.