Body mass index, airflow obstruction and dyspnea and body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea scores, age and pack years-predictive properties of new multidimensional prognostic indices of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care.

Background: The assessment of the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should involve a multidimensional approach that is now clearly shown to be better than using spirometric impairment alone. The aim of this study is to validate and compare novel tools without an exercise test and to extend prognostic value to patients with less severe impairment of Forced expiratory volume 1 s.

Methods: A prospective, observational, primary care cohort study identified 458 eligible patients recruited from the primary care clinics in the northeast of England in 1999-2002.

Precision in Diagnosing and Classifying COPD: Comparison of Historical Height with Current Height and Arm Span to Predict FEV(1).

Background: Measured reductions in lung function, as a result of COPD, use a measured current value and make comparisons to a determined 'normal' value arrived at using a regression equation based upon a patients height. Osteoporosis is a recognised co-morbidity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may cause excessive height loss resulting in the 'normal' values and disease progression being under-estimated.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the height variation in a cohort of COPD patients and controls over a 7-8 years period and evaluate its impact on estimates of lung function and hence COPD progression.

Muscle weakness, health status and frequency of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Multiple factors contribute to muscle weakness and reduced muscle mass in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and this impacts patients' quality of life. One factor implicated in this process is systemic inflammation, an accompaniment of acute exacerbations. Recurrent exacerbations are associated with lower health status.

Ventilation and perfusion lung scintigraphy of allergen-induced airway responses in atopic asthmatic subjects.

Background: Both ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) of the lungs are altered in asthma, but their relationships with allergen-induced airway responses and gas exchange are not well described.

Methods: The effects of aerosolized allergen provocation of V/Q abnormalities in nonsmoking, male atopic asthmatics (six dual responders and two isolated early responders) were compared with measurements of airflow limitation (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV(1)]), gas exchange (arterial oxygen saturation, arterial oxygen partial pressure and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient) and airway reactivity (provocative concentration of histamine causing a decrease of 20% in FEV(1)). V and Q lung scans at 30 min and 6 h following allergen challenge and changes in all variables were compared with prechallenge data.