Inflammatory and immunological profiles in patients with COPD: relationship with FEV 1 reversibility.

Objective:: To determine whether COPD severity correlates with sputum cell counts, atopy, and asthma.

Methods:: This was a cross-sectional study involving 37 patients with COPD and 22 healthy subjects with normal lung function (controls). Sputum cell counts were determined by microscopy after centrifugation of samples.

Lung function in the absence of respiratory symptoms in overweight children and adolescents.

Objective: To describe lung function findings in overweight children and adolescents without respiratory disease.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving male and female overweight children and adolescents in the 8-18 year age bracket, without respiratory disease. All of the participants underwent anthropometric assessment, chest X-ray, pulse oximetry, spirometry, and lung volume measurements.

Evaluation of atopy in patients with COPD.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of atopy and to evaluate clinical, laboratory, and radiological profiles in patients with COPD.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving outpatients with stable COPD (defined by the clinical history and a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 70% of the predicted value). The patients completed a questionnaire regarding clinical characteristics and atopy, after which they underwent nasal lavage cytology, skin prick testing, chest X-rays, arterial blood gas analyses, and determination of total serum IgE.