FIDEPOC: Consensus on Inspiratory Flow and Lung Deposition as Key Decision Factors in COPD Inhaled Therapy.

Purpose: The pharmacological treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is largely based on inhaled bronchodilators. Inspiratory flow and lung deposition are key parameters to be considered in inhaled therapy; however, the relationship between these two parameters, the patient specificities, and the suitability of the inhaler type for COPD management has not been fully addressed. The present study follows a Delphi Panel methodology to find expert consensus on the role of inspiratory flow and lung deposition as key decision factors in COPD inhaled therapy.

Lung Deposition and Inspiratory Flow Rate in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Using Different Inhalation Devices: A Systematic Literature Review and Expert Opinion.

Background: Our aim was to describe: 1) lung deposition and inspiratory flow rate; 2) main characteristics of inhaler devices in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to analyze the features and results of inhaler devices in COPD patients. These devices included pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), and a soft mist inhaler (SMI).

Relationship Between Clinical Control, Respiratory Symptoms and Quality of Life for Patients with COPD.

Background: The concept of clinical control has been proposed as an instrument for evaluating patients with COPD. However, the possible association between clinical control, reduced symptom severity and HRQoL has yet to be confirmed.

Methods: This multicentre, prospective and observational study was carried out in 15 pulmonology clinics in Spain.

Risk Factors of Poor Outcomes after Admission for a COPD Exacerbation: Multivariate Logistic Predictive Models.

The aim of this study was to identify a multivariate model to predict poor outcomes after admission for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  We performed a multicenter, observational, prospective study. Patients admitted to hospital for COPD were followed up for 3 months.

The evaluation of a remote support program on quality of life and evolution of disease in COPD patients with frequent exacerbations.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients often present considerable individual medical burden in their symptoms, limitations, and well-being that complicate medical treatment. To improve their overall health status, while reducing the number of exacerbations, a multidisciplinary approach including different elements of care is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a remote support program on COPD patients at high risk of experiencing worsening of their disease and other health-related outcomes.

Factors Associated with Depression in COPD: A Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Depression is a prevalent comorbidity in COPD and has an impact on the prognosis of these patients, thereby making it important to study the factors associated with depression in patients with COPD.

Method: A multicenter, observational and cross-sectional study was conducted to study the factors associated with depression in patients with COPD measured by the hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) questionnaire. We analyzed anthropometric variables and the number of exacerbations in the previous year and calculated the 6-min walking test and the body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise (BODE) index.

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test improves the predictive value of previous exacerbations for poor outcomes in COPD.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations have a negative impact on the quality of life of patients and the evolution of the disease. We have investigated the prognostic value of several health-related quality of life questionnaires to predict the appearance of a composite event (new ambulatory or emergency exacerbation, hospitalization, or death) over a 1-year follow-up.

Methods: This was a multicenter, prospective, observational study.

The CAT (COPD Assessment Test) questionnaire as a predictor of the evolution of severe COPD exacerbations.

Introduction: Since exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cause both a great impact on the progression of the disease and generate high health expenditures, there is a need to develop tools to evaluate their prognosis.

Method: Multicenter, observational, prospective study that evaluated the prognostic utility of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) in severe exacerbations of COPD. Anthropometric and clinical variables were analyzed: smoking, history of exacerbations during the previous year, drug treatment, degree of baseline dyspnea, comorbidities; laboratory variables at admission (complete blood count, arterial blood gas and biochemistry) and CAT scores in the first 24 h of admission, on the third day, at discharge and at 3 months.

What pulmonologists think about the asthma-COPD overlap syndrome.

Background: Some patients with COPD may share characteristics of asthma; this is the so-called asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS). There are no universally accepted criteria for ACOS, and most treatments for asthma and COPD have not been adequately tested in this population.

Materials And Methods: We performed a survey among pulmonology specialists in asthma and COPD aimed at collecting their opinions about ACOS and their attitudes in regard to some case scenarios of ACOS patients.

Outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in two secondary schools.

Objectives: To describe an outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in two schools

Methods: This was a prospective, observational study of an outbreak of MDR-TB in 2 schools located in the towns of Onda and Nules, in the Spanish province of Castellon, from the moment of detection in November 2008 until November 2014, including patient follow-up and contact tracing.

Results: Five cases of MDR-TB were diagnosed. Overall attack rate was 0.

Clinical variables impacting on the estimation of utilities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Purpose: Health utilities are widely used in health economics as a measurement of an individual's preference and show the value placed on different health states over a specific period. Thus, health utilities are used as a measure of the benefits of health interventions in terms of quality-adjusted life years. This study aimed to determine the demographic and clinical variables significantly associated with health utilities for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Course of COPD assessment test (CAT) and clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ) scores during recovery from exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: COPD exacerbations have a negative impact on lung function, decrease quality of life (QoL) and increase the risk of death. The objective of this study was to assess the course of health status after an outpatient or inpatient exacerbation in patients with COPD.

Methods: This is an epidemiological, prospective, multicentre study that was conducted in 79 hospitals and primary care centres in Spain.

Factors associated with high healthcare resource utilisation among COPD patients.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) places a huge economic burden on healthcare systems, especially patients with frequent exacerbations and co-morbidities.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with high utilisation of healthcare resources in a population of patients with COPD.

Method: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study with the aim of identifying the factors associated with high resource utilisation among patients with COPD.

Factors associated with hospital admission for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that require hospital admission have a major impact on the progression of disease and generate high health costs.

Method: A multi-center, cross-sectional, observational, study was conducted with the aim to identify factors associated with hospital admission in patients with COPD. We obtained data of socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics, quality of life, respiratory symptoms, anxiety and depression, physical activity and pulmonary function tests.