Oscillometry reference values for children and adolescents.

Background: Oscillometry devices allow quantification of respiratory function at tidal breathing but device-specific reference equations are scarce: the present study aims to create sex-specific oscillometric reference values for children and adolescents using the Resmon PRO FULL device.

Methods: Healthy participants (n=981) aged 6 to 17 years of the Austrian LEAD general population cohort were included. Subjects had normal weight (body mass index ≤99th percentile) and normal lung volumes (total lung capacity (TLC) ≥ lower limit of normal).

Reference equations for pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, amplitude of forward and backward wave in a European general adult population.

Pulsatile hemodynamics have been shown to be independent predictors of cardiovascular events. The aim of the current study was to describe four pulsatile hemodynamic markers in a large, well-established, population-based cohort and to provide reference equations for sex- and age-based standardization of these measurements. 6828 adult participants from the Austrian LEAD (Lung, hEart, sociAl, boDy) cohort study, who were free from overt cardiovascular disease, non-diabetic based on blood test results, and had no history of pharmacological treatment for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, comprised the "reference population".

Supranormal lung function: Prevalence, associated factors and clinical manifestations across the lifespan.

Background And Objective: It is now well established that there are different life-long lung function trajectories in the general population, and that some are associated with better or worse health outcomes. Yet, the prevalence, clinical characteristics and risk factors of individuals with supranormal FEV or FVC values (above the upper-limit of normal [ULN]) in different age-bins through the lifetime in the general population are poorly understood.

Method: To address these questions, we investigated the prevalence of supranormal FEV and FVC values in the LEAD (Lung, hEart, sociAl and boDy) study, a general population cohort in Austria that includes participants from 6 to 82 years of age.

Prevalence of restrictive lung function in children and adults in the general population.

Background: Restrictive lung function (RLF) is characterized by a reduced lung expansion and size. In the absence of lung volume measurements, restriction can be indirectly assessed with restrictive spirometric patterns (RSP) by spirometry. Prevalence data on RLF by the golden standard body plethysmography in the general population are scarce.

Effects of Dynamic Hyperinflation on Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Healthy Subjects - A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

Diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle is common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Dynamic hyperinflation has been suggested as a key determinant of reduced diastolic function in COPD. We aimed to investigate the effects of induced dynamic hyperinflation on left ventricular diastolic function in healthy subjects to exclude other confounding mechanisms associated with COPD.

Induction of dynamic hyperinflation by expiratory resistance breathing in healthy subjects - an efficacy and safety study.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? The study aimed to establish a novel model to study the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related cardiopulmonary effects of dynamic hyperinflation in healthy subjects. What is the main finding and its importance? A model of expiratory resistance breathing (ERB) was established in which dynamic hyperinflation was induced in healthy subjects, expressed both by lung volumes and intrathoracic pressures. ERB outperformed existing methods and represents an efficacious model to study cardiopulmonary mechanics of dynamic hyperinflation without potentially confounding factors as present in COPD.

The European COPD audit : Adherence to guidelines, readmission risk and hospital care for acute exacerbations in Austria.

Objective: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are the major reason for COPD hospitalization and increased risk for readmissions. The organizational structure of Austrian hospitals provides the opportunity to investigate the impact of specialized respiratory care compared to general care on adherence to guidelines and readmission in AECOPD.

Methods: The data from the European COPD audit, a prospective observational non-interventional cohort trial were analyzed.

The LEAD (Lung, Heart, Social, Body) Study: Objectives, Methodology, and External Validity of the Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: The Lung, hEart, sociAl, boDy (LEAD) Study (ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT01727518; http://clinicaltrials.gov) is a longitudinal, observational, population-based Austrian cohort that aims to investigate the relationship between genetic, environmental, social, developmental and ageing factors influencing respiratory health and comorbidities through life.

Long-term outcomes after acute hypercapnic COPD exacerbation : First-ever episode of non-invasive ventilation.

Background: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is used to treat acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, long-term outcomes following discharge are largely unknown. This study aimed to characterize long-term outcomes and identify associated markers in patients with COPD after surviving the first episode of HRF requiring NIV.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 122 patients, mean age 62 ± 8 years, 52% female and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) predicted 30 ± 13%, admitted with an acute hypercapnic exacerbation of COPD and receiving a first-ever NIV treatment between 2000 and 2012.

Phenotypes of COPD in an Austrian population : National data from the POPE study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a major global health problem; however, there are no data regarding clinical phenotypes of these patients in Austria.

Methods: This was an analysis from the Austrian cohort of the cross-sectional Phenotypes of COPD in Central and Eastern Europe (POPE) study, which was offered to patients with stable COPD in a real-life setting. Patients were recruited at 5 different outpatient facilities in 3 different provinces in Austria.

Increased brachial intima-media thickness is associated with circulating levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine in patients with COPD.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. However, the mechanisms for this association are yet unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between brachial intima-media thickness (B-IMT), an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk, systemic inflammation, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, in patients with COPD and respective controls.

An update on the efficacy of endobronchial valve therapy in the management of hyperinflation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Lung volume reduction surgery has been shown to be effective in patients with heterogeneous emphysema, but is also associated with a relatively high perioperative morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, several novel and potentially less invasive methods for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction have been developed. Endobronchial valve (EBV) therapy is one such therapeutic approach in patients with advanced emphysema.

Tobacco addiction and smoking cessation in Austrian migrants: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Recent observations revealed substantial differences in smoking behaviour according to individuals' migration background. However, smoking cessation strategies are rarely tailored on the basis of a migration background. We aimed to determine whether smoking behaviour and preferences for smoking cessation programmes differ between Austrian migrant smokers and Austrian smokers without a migration background.

Effectiveness and safety of ciclesonide in the treatment of patients with persistent allergic or non-allergic asthma in medical practice (Data from a non-interventional study conducted in Austria).

Background: Effectiveness and safety profile of ciclesonide in the treatment of persistent allergic or non-allergic asthma was evaluated in real-life setting in Austria.

Methods: Prospective, single-arm, 3-month observational, non-interventional, open-label cohort study in patients with persistent asthma (with or without allergic component) of any severity grade was conducted. Patients were either treatment naïve or switched to treatment with ciclesonide and had an indication for treatment with inhaled corticosteroids.

Insulin resistance may contribute to vascular dysfunction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at an increased cardiovascular risk; however, the underlying mechanisms for this relationship are ill defined. Altered glucose metabolism may increase cardiovascular risk via impaired endothelial function.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal pilot study to assess the interrelationship between systemic vascular function, glucose metabolism, and lung function in patients with COPD.

Prevalence and prognosis of COPD in critically ill patients between 1998 and 2008.

The epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in critically ill patients is largely unknown. The aims of the study were: 1) to determine whether COPD, either as the cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission or as a comorbid condition, is an independent risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality; and 2) to investigate time trends in proportion and outcome of acute respiratory failure in patients with COPD admitted to ICUs. Prospectively recorded data from 194 453 adults consecutively admitted to 87 Austrian ICUs over a period of 11 years (1998-2008) were retrospectively analysed.

Sleep profile and symptoms of sleep disorders in patients with stable mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Sleep problems associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may have an important impact on quality of life and health outcome measures in patients. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess differences in symptom profile and polysomnographic parameters in patients with stable mild to moderate COPD and age, gender, and body-mass-index matched controls without airflow obstruction.

Methods: The Sleep Disorders Questionnaire was administered to both patients and controls prior to clinical and polysomnographic evaluation.

Long-term non-invasive ventilation in COPD after acute-on-chronic respiratory failure.

Background: COPD patients who remain hypercapnic after acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation have a poor prognosis. Long-term nocturnal non-invasive ventilation (NIV) may be beneficial for these patients. We hypothesized that stable patients on long-term NIV would experience clinical worsening after withdrawal of NIV.

Short-term effects of inhaled salbutamol on autonomic cardiovascular control in healthy subjects: a placebo-controlled study.

Aims: To investigate short-term effects of inhaled salbutamol on haemodynamic changes and cardiovascular autonomic control.

Methods: A randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled study of 0.2 mg of inhaled salbutamol was conducted on 12 healthy nonsmoking volunteers with a mean age of 24 +/- 2 years at two different testing sessions.

BODE index versus GOLD classification for explaining anxious and depressive symptoms in patients with COPD - a cross-sectional study.

Background: Anxiety and depression are common and treatable risk factors for re-hospitalisation and death in patients with COPD. The degree of lung function impairment does not sufficiently explain anxiety and depression. The BODE index allows a functional classification of COPD beyond FEV1.

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with COPD in the presence and absence of elevated pulmonary arterial pressure.

Background: Increased right ventricular afterload leads to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction due to ventricular interdependence. Increased right ventricular afterload is frequently present in patients with COPD. The purpose of this study was to determine whether left ventricular diastolic dysfunction could be detected in COPD patients with normal or elevated pulmonary artery pressure (PAP).

Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor and systemic inflammatory markers in patients with stable and exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The aim of the present study was to assess circulating levels of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), a biomarker with prognostic significance in cardiovascular disease, and markers of systemic inflammation in patients with stable and exacerbated COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Lung function parameters, arterial blood gas analysis and circulating levels of VEGF, IL-6 (interleukin-6), TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha), CRP (C-reactive protein), fibrinogen and the peripheral blood neutrophil cell count were assessed in 30 patients on admission to the hospital for acute exacerbation of COPD, in 30 age-, gender- and BMI (body mass index)-matched patients with stable COPD, and 30 matched controls with normal lung function. Patients with acute exacerbated COPD had higher circulating concentrations of VEGF (P<0.