COPD: Iron Deficiency and Clinical Characteristics in Patients With and Without Chronic Respiratory Failure.

Background: The prevalence of iron deficiency in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) varies in previous studies. We aimed to assess its prevalence according to 3 well-known criteria for iron deficiency, its associations with clinical characteristics of COPD, and mortality.

Methods: In a cohort study consisting of 84 COPD patients, of which 21 had chronic respiratory failure, and 59 were non-COPD controls, ferritin, transferrin saturation (TSat), and mortality across 6.

Low diffusion capacity of the lung predicts pneumothorax and chest drainage after CT-guided lung biopsy.

Objectives: Complications after CT-guided lung biopsy is a burden both for the individual patient and for the overall healthcare. Pneumothorax is the most common complication. This study determined the association between lung function tests and pneumothorax and chest drainage following CT-guided lung biopsy in consecutive patients in a large university hospital.

It is unlikely that oxygen supplementation in COPD patients with chronic respiratory failure reduce cardiac troponin level.

Background: Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is a biomarker of myocardial injury frequently elevated in COPD patients, potentially because of hypoxemia. This non-randomised observational study investigates whether long-term oxygen treatment (LTOT) reduces the cTnT level.

Methods: We compared cTnT between COPD patients who were candidates for LTOT (n = 20) with two reference groups.

Treatable Traits in Misdiagnosed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Data from the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often misdiagnosed. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of misdiagnosed COPD in middle-aged Norwegians, and to assess potentially treatable clinical traits in over- and undiagnosed individuals.

Methods And Findings: The Akershus Cardiac Examination (ACE) 1950 Study is a population-based study of the 1950 birth cohort of Akershus county including 3706 participants aged 62-65 years at baseline.

Systemic inflammation induced by exacerbation of COPD or pneumonia in patients with COPD induces cardiac troponin elevation.

Background: Troponin is a biomarker of myocardial injury. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), troponin is an important determinant of mortality after acute exacerbation. Whether acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) causes troponin elevation is not known.

Predictors of pneumothorax and chest drainage after percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy: A prospective study.

Objectives: We present an analysis of predictors of pneumothorax, and pneumothorax requiring chest drainage after CT-guided lung biopsy, in one of the largest Scandinavian dataset presented.

Methods: We prospectively registered 875 biopsy procedures from 786 patients in one institution from January 27, 2012, to March 1, 2017, and recorded complications including pneumothorax with or without chest drainage, and multiple variables we assumed could be associated with complications. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of pneumothorax and pneumothorax requiring chest drainage.

Coping Patterns and Emotional Distress in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Who Are Undergoing Lung Transplant Evaluation.

Objectives: Living with severe lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a very stressful situation. The way patients cope may impact their symptoms of anxiety and depression and physical function as well. We studied how ways of coping are associated with levels of emotional distress and lung function in patients with COPD being evaluated for lung transplantation.

Annual decline in forced expiratory volume and airway inflammatory cells and mediators in a general population-based sample.

Background: Few studies have examined the relationships between sputum inflammatory markers and subsequent annual decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (dFEV). This study investigated whether indices of airway inflammation are predictors of dFEV in a general population-based sample.

Methods: The study, conducted from 2003 to 2005, included 120 healthy Norwegian subjects aged 40 to 70 years old.

Premature Ventricular Complex is More Prevalent During Acute Exacerbated than Stable States of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Is Related to Cardiac Troponin T.

During acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), myocardial stress may be aggravated. Sparse data exist concerning the prevalence and correlates of cardiac arrhythmias in the stable and exacerbated states of COPD. We hypothesized that AECOPD is associated with increased prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias independent of COPD-severity and co-morbidity, and explored possible mechanisms.

The prognostic value of measurement of high-sensitive cardiac troponin T for mortality in a cohort of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common comorbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cardiac troponin (cTn) elevation, indicating myocardial injury, is frequent during acute COPD exacerbations and associated with increased mortality. The prognostic value of circulating cTnT among COPD patients in the stable state of the disease is still unknown.

Psychiatric disorders and psychological distress in patients undergoing evaluation for lung transplantation: a national cohort study.

Objective: We sought to investigate type and prevalence of psychiatric disorders and psychological distress in patients being evaluated for lung transplantation.

Methods: One hundred eighteen patients were assessed [74% with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)] with the MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). Spirometry and the 6-min walk test (6MWT) assessed lung function with data subject to multivariate regression analyses.

Sputum neutrophils are elevated in smelter workers, and systemic neutrophils are associated with rapid decline in FEV1.

Objectives: In a previous study on smelter workers we, found significant relationship between exposure to dust and accelerated annual decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). In this cross-sectional study at the end of a follow-up, we aimed to investigate the possible association between annual decline in FEV1 and markers of airways, and systemic inflammation in smelter workers.

Methods: Employees (n=76 (27 current smokers)) who had been part of a longitudinal study (9-13 years) that included spirometry (>6 measurements) and respiratory questionnaires, performed induced sputum, exhaled NO and had blood drawn.

Annual decline in forced expiratory volume is steeper in aluminum potroom workers than in workers without exposure to potroom fumes.

Background: Aluminum potroom exposure is associated with increased mortality of COPD but the association between potroom exposure and annual decline in lung function is unknown. We have measured lung volumes annually using spirometry from 1986 to 1996. The objective was to compare annual decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (dFEV1) and forced vital capacity (dFVC).

The influence of heart failure co-morbidity on high-sensitivity troponin T levels in COPD exacerbation in a prospective cohort study: data from the Akershus cardiac examination (ACE) 2 study.

Context: Troponin (hs-TnT) levels predict mortality after acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). Whether this is independent of heart failure (HF) is not established.

Material And Methods: Prospectively included AECOPD patients adjudicated for acute HF categorized into three groups: (A) AECOPD, but acute HF the primary cause for hospitalization; (B) AECOPD the primary cause, but co-existing myocardial dysfunction and (C) AECOPD without myocardial dysfunction.

Construction of a Job Exposure Matrix to Dust, Fluoride, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Norwegian Aluminum Industry using Prediction Models.

Background: The Norwegian aluminum industry developed and implemented a protocol for prospective monitoring of employees' exposure using personal samplers. We analyzed these data to develop prediction lines to construct a job exposure matrix (JEM) for the period 1986-1995.

Methods: The protocol for personal monitoring of exposure was implemented in all seven Norwegian aluminum plants in 1986 and continued until 1995.

Increased Decline in Pulmonary Function Among Employees in Norwegian Smelters Reporting Work-Related Asthma-Like Symptoms.

Objective: To investigate associations between work-related asthma-like symptoms (WASTH) and annual pulmonary function decline among employees of 18 Norwegian smelters.

Methods: A 5-year longitudinal study in which WASTH was defined as a combination of dyspnea and wheezing that improved on rest days and vacation.

Results: A total of 12,966 spirometry examinations were performed in 3084 employees.

Rosuvastatin treatment in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (RODEO): a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine whether statin therapy is associated with enhanced endothelium-dependent vascular function, improved pulmonary function and reduced systemic inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Design And Setting: This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel trial including patients with COPD was performed at two University hospitals in Norway.

Subjects, Intervention And Measurements: Patients with stable COPD (n = 99) were assigned randomly to receive rosuvastatin 10 mg (n = 49) or matching placebo (n = 50) once daily for 12 weeks.

The clinical value of serial measurement of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T in acute exacerbations ofchronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and long-term prognostic value of a dynamic (rise/fall) pattern of cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) elevation during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) compared with a stable hs-cTnT elevation.

Methods: Prospective cohort study of unselected patients admitted with AECOPD to the emergency room of a university hospital. Serial hs-cTnT measurements were made during admission.

Respiratory disorders in aluminum smelter workers.

Objectives: Summarizing the knowledge status, including the morphology, possible etiological factors, and clinical expression of aluminum potroom asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease related to aluminum potroom exposure.

Methods: A review of the literature from the last two decades as it appears in PubMed.

Results: There is substantial evidence for the existence of potroom asthma, although the incidence seems to decline over the last 10 years.

Standardized evaluation of lung congestion during COPD exacerbation better identifies patients at risk of dying.

Background: Congestive heart failure is underdiagnosed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulmonary congestion on chest radiograph at admission for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is associated with an increased risk of mortality. A standardized evaluation of chest radiographs may enhance prognostic accuracy.

Dust exposure is associated with increased lung function loss among workers in the Norwegian silicon carbide industry.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between dust exposure and annual change in lung function among employees in Norwegian silicon carbide (SiC) plants using a quantitative job exposure matrix (JEM) regarding total dust.

Methods: All employees, 20-55 years of age by inclusion (n=456), were examined annually for up to 5 years (1499 examinations). Spirometry was performed at each examination, and a questionnaire encompassing questions of respiratory symptoms, smoking status, job and smoking history, and present job held was completed.