<b>Objectives:</b> The bronchodilator efficacy of a once-daily fixed-dose combination of tiotropium/formoterol (18/12 µg administered via a dry-powder inhaler, Discair) [TIO/FORM<sub>fixed</sub> group] vs a single-dose of tiotropium (18 µg) by Handihaler<sup>1</sup> alone [TIO<sub>mono</sub> group], or combined with formoterol 12 µg twice-daily by Aerolizer<sup>2</sup> [TIO/FORM<sub>bid</sub> group] was compared in patients with moderate-to-severe stable COPD.<b>Methods:</b> COPD patients were randomized (28 patients/group) to receive TIO/FORM<sub>fixed</sub>, TIO<sub>mono</sub><b>
COPD patients (n = 101) presented with a higher frequency of obstructive coronary lesions ≥50% (n = 72, 71.3%), multivessels (n = 29, 28.7%), more lesions of the left coronary trunk (n = 18, 17.8%), and more calcified atherosclerotic plaques and higher Agatston coronary calcium score than the patients without COPD (<i>P</i> < 0.0001).
COPD patients had a higher mean CHA<sub>2</sub>DS<sub>2</sub>-VASc (4.21 vs 3.46; <i>P</i>=0.02) and received less beta-blocker and more digoxin therapy than those without COPD.
COPD and lung cancer are strictly related; to date it is unknown if COPD-associated cancers have different features from tumours arising in non-COPD patients.
COPD severity was determined using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria, and the correlations between nutritional status and disease severity parameters were measured.
COPD genetic determinants likely act through biological networks, and a variety of network-based approaches have been used to gain insights into COPD susceptibility and heterogeneity.
COPD is a lung disease characterized by chronic, irreversible airway obstruction that can precipitate into acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) often requiring hospitalization.
A causal association has not yet been proven, but it is biologically plausible that COPD, and particularly the infective and exacerbator COPD phenotypes, could be the cause of bronchiectasis without any other known etiology, beyond any mere association or comorbidity.
A genome-wide association study (GWAS) for circulating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) biomarkers could identify genetic determinants of biomarker levels and COPD susceptibility.
A novel therapy for COPD involving the use of aerosolized hyaluronan (HA) was tested on a small cohort of COPD patients to determine both its safety and efficacy in reducing levels of desmosine and isodesmosine (DID), biomarkers for elastin degradation.
A number of patient characteristics (being male [OR 0.5, p < 0.001], ≤55 years old [OR 2.38, p<0.001], BMI≤21 kg/m2 [OR 1.71, p<0.001], FEV1(%)<50% [OR 1.35, p<0.001], chronic bronchitis [OR 0.79, p < 0.001], Charlson index ≥ 3 [OR 0.66, p < 0.001], or history or symptoms of asthma [OR 1.32, p<0.001]), and management at a specialized COPD outpatient clinic [OR 2.73,p<0.001] were identified as factors independently associated with ever testing COPD patients for AATD.
A population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted from a subset of samples obtained from the Lung Function and Quality of Life Assessment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Closed Triple Therapy trial to characterize the pharmacokinetics of fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol in patients with symptomatic COPD following treatment with fluticason furoate-umeclidinium-vilanterol combined in a single inhaler.
A telephone-delivered motivational interviewing-based coaching program for COPD patients is a feasible, well-accepted (by both participants and providers), simple, and novel intervention to improve the well-being of patients with COPD.
A total of 121 patients were divided into two study groups, COPD alone or ACO, which was based on criteria from the joint document by the Global Initiative for Asthma and the Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.
A total of 184 patients aged ≥40 years with COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage II-IV) received tiotropium/olodaterol for 6 weeks, then tiotropium for 6 weeks, or vice versa.