缩唇腹式呼吸联合呼吸操训练对慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者血气分析指标、肺功能和生活质量的影响

目的:探讨缩唇腹式呼吸联合呼吸操训练对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者血气分析指标、肺功能和生活质量的影响。方法:选取2020年1月-2021年4月期间就诊于我院的82例COPD患者,根据随机数字表法分为对照组(缩唇腹式呼吸训练,41例)和研究组(缩唇腹式呼吸结合呼吸操训练,41例),对比两组疗效、血气分析指标[动脉血二氧化碳分压(PaCO₂)、血氧分压(PaO₂)、血氧饱和度(SaO₂)]、肺功能[用力肺活量(FVC)、第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV₁)、第1秒用力呼气容积所占FVC的比例(FEV₁/FVC)]、生活质量[圣乔治呼吸问卷(SGRQ)评分]、6分钟步行试验(6MWT)距离、BODE指数。结果:研究组的临床总有效率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗3个月后PaO₂、SaO₂高于对照组,PaCO₂低于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗3个月后FEV₁、FVC、FEV₁/FVC高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗3个月后6MWT距离长于对照组,SGRQ评分、BODE指数低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:缩唇腹式呼吸联合呼吸操训练可改善COPD患者血气分析指标,提高肺功能和运动耐力,改善生活质量,疗效显著。     

The effect of prostaglandin F2β on expiratory flow rates

Prostaglandin F_2β (PGF_2β), a stereoisomer of F₂ was administered by ultrasonic nebulization to eight patients with bronchial asthma and four normal subjects in increasing doses up to a 200 μg maximum dose. Maximum expiratory flow (MEF) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were analyzed at 5, 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after administration of aerosol.

All expiratory flow rates were reduced after 5 minutes. Some increase in terminal flow rates was observed after 60 minutes. We conclude that PGF_2β is not an effective bronchodilator at this dose level.     

心肺运动试验（CPET）精准预测功能状态良好的肺切除手术患者的术后并发症风险*

目的: 探讨以术前心肺运动试验（CPET）指标精准预测胸腔镜肺切除术后并发症风险的价值。方法: 选取448例患者术前完成含静态肺功能检查（PFT）的CPET,术后随访至出院,以有无并发症分组：418例无并发症、30例有并发症(含1例死亡)。计算峰值摄氧量 （Peak VO2）等核心指标,比较两亚组的异同,选取其预测风险的最佳分切值和危险系数（OR）。结果: ①本研究患者男184/女264例,年龄（54±12,16~79）岁,吸烟85例、淋巴结转移23例、高血压68例、糖尿病45例;Peak VO2和峰值负荷功率（Peak Work Rate）分别为（93.31±17.73,44~158）%pred和（99.70±22.93,53~179） %pred;用力肺活量（FVC）、最大肺活量（VC）和第一秒用力呼气容积（FEV₁）占用力肺活量比值（FEV₁/FVC）分别为（99.46±15.60,42~150）%pred、（101.58±15.77,44~148）%pred和（98.36±9.27,52~134）%pred。2性别、年龄、吸烟史、淋巴结转移及核心指标的Peak VO2（%pred）、Peak Work Rate（%pred）、FVC、VC、静息收缩压 （Rest SBP）和峰值收缩压（Peak SBP）均有显著差异（P<0.01）;Peak VO₂ （ml/（min·kg））、峰值氧脉搏（Peak VO₂/HR,%pred）、二氧化碳排出通气斜率（VE/VCO₂ Slope）、无氧阈时二氧化碳排出通气比值（VE/VCO₂@AT）、峰值心率（Peak HR,bpm）、呼吸交换率（RER）、FEV₁和空腹血糖也有差异（P<0.05）;其它指标无差异。③分切点为Rest SBP（140 mmHg）和FEV₁（80%pred）的OR分别为4.24和3.72 （P<0.01）;而Peak VO₂（80%pred）、Peak SBP（180 mmHg）、Peak VO₂ （20 ml/（min·kg））和VE/VCO₂ Slope（30）的OR分别为2.66、2.62、2.43和2.12 （P<0.05）。结论: 功能状态好的肺切除手术患者,术前CPET核心指标能精准预测术后并发症的风险,值得深入研究。     

重症心力衰竭患者运动病理生理学特征的临床研究*

目的: 通过症状限制性极限运动心肺运动试验（CPET）,从整体整合角度研究慢性心力衰竭患者（CHF）的运动病理生理学特征。方法: 选2016年10月至2017年10月就诊于中国医学科学院阜外医院签署知情同意书后的CHF 83例,并选同期12例正常人作为对照。在严格定标、规范化操作下按照美国加州大学洛杉矶分校医学中心标准完成连续递增功率方案的症状限制性CPET,并检测运动中呼吸循环代谢等功能指标。结果: CHF病人CPET核心指标中峰值摄氧量为（14.33±2.69） ml/（min·kg）, （44.25±14.74）%pred显著低于正常对照组（29.42±5.46） ml/（min·kg）, （83.88±6.28）%pred。此外,CHF组患者的无氧阈（AT）、峰值氧脉搏、摄氧通气效率峰值平台（OUEP）、二氧化碳通气当量最小值（Lowest VE/VCO₂）、二氧化碳通气当量斜率（VE/VCO₂ Slope）均与正常对照组有显著统计学差异（P<0.01）;CHF肺功能核心指标一秒用力呼气容积（FEV₁）、用力肺活量（FVC）、一秒率（FEV₁/FVC）、肺一氧化碳弥散量（DLCO）百分预计值均显著低于正常对照组（P<0.01）。CHF组收缩压的5个功能状态均显著低于正常对照组（P<0.05）,舒张压无统计学差异,心率在无氧阈、峰值和恢复2 min时均显著低于正常对照组（P<0.01）。分钟通气量、潮气量和呼吸频率在静息和热身状态下显著高于正常对照组（P<0.05）,在运动极限时显著低于正常对照组（P<0.05）,潮气量在恢复期显著高于正常对照组（P<0.05）。摄氧量在无氧阈、峰值和恢复2 min显著高于正常对照组（P<0.01）;氧脉搏在无氧阈、峰值显著高于正常对照组（P<0.01）;脉搏氧饱和在5个功能状态均显著低于正常对照组（P<0.01）。结论: 心源性疾病导致的CHF患者整体功能下降主要源于循环受限,同时呼吸和代谢也有受限。     

Inspiratory muscular activation during threshold therapy in elderly healthy and patients with COPD

Inspiratory muscles training in COPD is controversial not only in relation to the load level required to produce muscular conditioning effects but also in relation to the group of patients benefiting from the training. Consequently, inspiratory muscular response assessment during Threshold^® therapy may help optimizing training strategy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the participation of the diaphragm and the sternocleidomastoid (SMM) muscle to overcome with a 30% Threshold^® load using surface electromyography (sEMG) and to analyze the correlation between SMM activation, maximum strength level of inspiratory muscles (MIP) and obstruction degree in COPD patients (FEV₁). We studied seven healthy elderly subjects, mean age of 68 ± 4 years and seven COPD patients, FEV₁ 45 ± 17% of the predicted value, with mean age 66 ± 8 years. sEMG analysis of SMM muscles and diaphragm were obtained through RMS (root-mean-square) during three stages: pre-loading, loading and post-loading.

Results

In the COPD group, the RMS of the SMM increased 28% during load (p < 0.05) while the RMS of the diaphragm remained constant. In the elderly there was a trend of a 11% increase in diaphragm activity and of 7% in SMM activity but, without reaching significance levels. SMM activity demonstrated good correlation with the obstruction level (r = −0.537).

Conclusion

To overcome the load required by Threshold^® therapy, COPD patients demonstrated an increase of accessory muscles activity, represented by SMM. For the same relative load this increase seems to be proportional to the degree of pulmonary obstruction.     

Permanent night workers´ sleep and psychosocial factors in hospital work. A comparison to day and shift work

ABSTRACT

We aimed to study whether permanent night workers sleep and psychosocial factors differ from day workers and shift workers. The participants (n = 9 312, 92% females, average age 45 years, most commonly nurses and departmental secretaries) were day workers (DW, n = 2 672), shift workers (SW, n = 6 486) and permanent night workers (PNW, n = 154). The Finnish Public Sector survey responses from six hospital districts from 2012 were combined to payroll data from 91 days preceding the survey. The data were analyzed using Pearson χ²-test, one-way ANOVA and multinomial logistic regression analysis. The PNWs reported slightly longer average sleep length than the SWs or the DWs (7:27 vs. 7:13 and 7:10 h, p < 0.001). The PNWs reported least often difficulties in maintaining sleep (p < 0.001) compared to the SWs and the DWs. The PNWs reported most often difficulties to fall asleep and fatigue during free-time (p-values <0.001). The DWs and PNWs experienced less often work-life conflict than the SWs (25 and 26 vs. 38%, p < 0.001). The PNWs were more often satisfied with autonomy at work and appreciation and fair treatment by colleagues than the DWs or the SWs (p < 0.001). The SWs and PNWs reported remarkably higher occurrence of verbal (p < 0.001, OR 3.71, 95% CI 3.23–4.27 and OR 7.67, 95% CI 5.35–10.99, respectively) and physical workplace violence (p < 0.001, OR 9.24, 95% CI 7.17–11.90 and OR 28.34, 95% CI 16.64–43.06, respectively) compared to DWs. Conclusively, PNWs reported contradictory differences in sleep quality compared to DWs and SWs. PNWs are more often satisfied with their colleagues and autonomy at work than DWs or SWs but face workplace violence remarkably more often.     

Chronopharmacology of Albuterol in Hospitalized Asthmatic Children

Eleven children (8-16 years old) hospitalized for acute bronchospasm were included in this investigation. Throughout the study, the children received the standardized course of therapy for hospitalized asthmatics with corticosteroids and albuterol nebulizations. Children receiving ipratropium were excluded from the study. Spirometric measurements, including forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV₁), were made immediately before and 30 min after each albuterol nebuliza-tion over a 24-h period. The well-known temporal changes in FEV₁, were observed in patients suffering from nocturnal asthma (NA): basal values were maximal at midday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and lowest in the evening or at night (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.). This 24-h variation in lung function was not found in children without nocturnal exacerbations of their asthma. A 24-h variation was also observed in albuterol-induced bronchodilation in patients with NA: maximal effectiveness occurred at night, and lower effect was obtained with the midday administration. The albuterol-induced increases in FEV₁, were not clinically significant in children without nocturnal asthma except when the β₂-agonist was inhaled between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. The data suggest that patients with nonnocturnal asthma might have different drug requirements than those with nocturnal symptoms. Key Words: Albuterol—Asthma—Circadian rhythms—-Children—FEV₁.     

重度左心衰患者弥散功能降低的临床研究报告*

目的: 观察重度左心衰竭患者肺弥散功能(D_LCO)变化的临床特点,探讨其潜在的病理生理学机制及其临床意义。方法: 回顾性分析28例重度左心衰患者的临床资料、D_LCO、肺通气功能和心肺运动试验指标。结果: 左心衰竭患者的峰值摄氧量严重降低为34±7%pred和无氧阈为48±11%pred,D_LCO中度降低为63±12%pred 。28例患者有25例D_LCO低于80%pred,而用力肺活量、第一秒用力肺活量、第一秒用力肺活量/用力肺活量和肺总量分别为75±14 、71±17、97±11和79±13%pred,提示通气功能呈边界性至轻度限制性障碍。D_LCO的下降幅度显著大于肺通气指标。结论: 具有极严重心肺功能受限的重度心衰患者,D_LCO显著降低和仅仅边界性轻度限制性通气受限。D_LCO是心肺协同功能指标,在无明显呼吸受限前提下是反映循环功能受限的指标。     

Respiratory changes due to extreme cold in the Arctic environment

Effects of acute exposure and acclimatisation to cold stress on respiratory functions were investigated in healthy tropical Indian men (n=10). Initial baseline recordings were carried out at Delhi and thereafter serially thrice at the arctic region and once on return to Delhi. For comparison the respiratory functions were also evaluated on Russian migrants (RM;n=7) and Russian natives (RN;n=6). The respiratory functions were evaluated using standard methodology on a Vitalograph: In Indians, there was an initial decrease in lung vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume 1st s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) on acute exposure to cold stress, followed by gradual recovery during acclimatisation for 4 weeks and a further significant improvement after 9 weeks of stay at the arctic region. On return to India all the parameters reached near baseline values except for MVV which remained slightly elevated. RM and RN showed similar respiratory functions at the beginning of acute cold exposure at the arctic zone. RN showed an improvement after 10 weeks of stay whereas RM did not show much change. The respiratory responses during acute cold exposure are similar to those of initial altitude responses.     

Forced expiration: a test for airflow obstruction in horses.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether our method of inducing forced expiration detects small airway obstruction in horses. Parameters derived from forced expiratory flow-volume (FEFV) curves were compared with lung mechanics data obtained during spontaneous breathing in nine healthy horses, in three after histamine challenge, and in two with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pre- and posttherapy with prednisone. Parameters measured in the healthy horses included forced vital capacity (FVC = 41.6 +/- 5.8 liters; means +/- SD) and forced expiratory flow (FEF) at various percentages of FVC (range of 20.4-29.7 l/s). Histamine challenge induced a dose-dependent decrease in FVC and FEF at low lung volume. After therapy, lung function of the two COPD horses improved to a point where one horse had normal lung mechanics during tidal breathing; however, FEF at 95% of FVC (4.9 l/s) was still decreased. We concluded that FEFV curve analysis allowed the detection of induced or naturally occurring airway obstruction.     

舒利迭无创通气对慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并呼吸衰竭患者肺功能及动脉血 气分析的影响

目的:探讨舒利迭联合无创通气对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)合并呼吸衰竭患者肺功能和动脉血气的影响。方法:选取2013年5月-2015年5月在我院接受治疗的COPD合并呼吸衰竭患者92例,根据治疗方法不同,将患者分为研究组和对照组。对照组患者给予控制感染、化痰、平喘等常规治疗,研究组在此基础上给予舒利迭无创通气治疗。采用血气分析仪检测两组患者治疗前后二氧化碳分压(PaCO_2)、血氧分压(PaO_2)及酸碱度(pH)等动脉血气指标。应用肺功能检测仪检测患者用力肺活量(FVC)、呼气高峰流量(PEFR)以及1 s用力呼气容积(FEV1)等肺功能指标。结果:治疗前,两组患者PaCO_2,PaO_2,pH,FVC,PEFR及FEV1比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,两组患者PaCO_2较治疗前明显下降,而PaO_2与pH明显上升,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,研究组PaCO_2低于对照组,而PaO_2与pH高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,两组患者FVC,PEFR及FEV1明显上升,且研究组高于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:舒利迭联合无创通气对COPD合并呼吸衰竭患者肺功能及动脉血气具有明显的改善作用,值得临床推广及应用。     

Double-blind Randomized Cross-over Trial of Nocturnal Elixir Theophylline Supplementation of a Twice-daily Sustained-Release Theophylline Tablet Formulation in Asthmatic Patients

Sixteen asthmatic patients with normal diurnal activity between 05:00 and 23:00 h participated in this randomized, multiple-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of evening supplementation of a 12-hourly sustained-release theophylline (SRT) regimen with a nonsustained-release theophylline (NSRT) formulation. The treatments were Nuelin SA (SRT) every 12 h plus, in the evening, either placebo or an additional dose of Nuelin liquid (NSRT), determined to raise the early morning (0300) plasma theophylline concentration (PTC) to 18 μ/ml by using the dose-concentration prediction equation established in a study conducted on healthy volunteers and reported in this journal. The 11-day trial included two 24-h inpa-tient periods during which PTCs and lung functions (PEF, FEV, FEF_25-75, and FVC) were determined every 2 h. The value of the prediction equation was confirmed when the early morning PTC, after evening supplementation with Nuelin Liquid, was raised nearly to the targeted 18 μg/ml. The nocturnal peak-to-trough fluctuation in PTC was larger during additional treatment with Nuelin liquid, but the nocturnal peak-to-trough fluctuation in lung function parameters decreased. Overall, airflow during the early morning hours (0100-0500) significantly improved during this chronotherapeutically optimized treatment of adding an NSRT product to the evening dose of a 12-hourly SRT regimen. Key Words: Nocturnal asthma—Chronotherapy—Sustained-release theophylline—Nonsustained-release theophylline—Forced vital capacity—Forced expiratory volume— Forced expiratory flow—Peak expiratory flow—Area under the maximum expiratory flow-volume curve.     

Lung function in Canadian Inuit: a follow-up study.

To assess the impact of acculturation on lung function, the forced vital capacity (FVC) and the 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) of 341 Inuit at Igloolik, NWT were measured. The same observers had used the same equipment to test 196 subjects in 1970-71. Cross-sectional analysis suggested that, relative to the previous decade, younger subjects had larger lung volumes (with gains of about 10% in FVC and 5% in FEV1), while the elderly had smaller volumes (with losses of about 22% in FVC and 25% in FEV1). Longitudinal analysis confirmed an accelerating loss of lung function in the older subjects: from age 25 to 35 years men and women had a loss in FVC of 13 and 11 mL/yr respectively, whereas from age 45 to 55 years the corresponding figures were 70 and 38 mL/yr. Cigarette smoking had increased substantially among the Inuit over the decade: the proportion of males and females smoking rose from 64% to 81% and from 85% to 93% respectively. Daily cigarette consumption per smoker increased from 11.8 to 20.2 and from 7.4 to 12.0 among men and women respectively. Nevertheless, the main explanation for the shape of the ageing curve is the survival of a small cohort of elderly Inuit with advanced tuberculosis. With control of this disease future cohorts of the elderly will have better lung function.     

Spirometry in the Evaluation of Pulmonary Function

Spirometry should be more widely used in routine examinations. Equipment should meet the individual physician''s or hospital''s needs and include either a dependable water-sealed spirometer or an easily calibrated and accurate electronic spirometer. Justifiable concern over the reliability of electronic spirometers has resulted in requests to determine performance standards for these medical devices. Predicted normal standards must apply to the particular spirometer. Recommended tests are those of vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), the ratio of one-second forced expiratory flow (FEF200-1200) and forced midexpiratory flow (FEF25-75 percent). The maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) test may be useful for evaluation of work disability and detection of extrathoracic obstruction. Additional consideration may be given to measurements of total lung capacity (TLC) to discriminate between restrictive and obstructive impairment and the forced end-expiratory flow (FEF75-85 percent) to detect mild small airway obstruction. At this time, flow-volume curves measurement cannot be justified for routine clinical use.     

Influence of passive smoking on basic anthropometric characteristics and respiratory function in young athletes

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the maintenance difference in basic anthropometric characteristics and to outline the dynamics of respiratory function change in youngsters athletes exposed to passive smoking (PS) and athletes not exposed to passive smoking in their families (NPS). High and weight were determined as basis anthropometric characteristics. Measured parameters for respiratory function were vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), maximum expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow at 50% forced vital capacity (MEF 50) and forced expiratory flow at 25% forced vital capacity (MEF 25). Significant statistical differences in separate spirometric variable were found in three variables (FEV1, MEF50, and MEF25) for group older youngsters. Analysis of variance showed statistical differences between athletes unexposed to passive smoking (NPS) and athletes exposed to passive smoking (PS) in even four spirometric variables (VC, FEV1, MEF50 and MEF25).     

Shiftwork and Higher Pancreatic Secretion: Early Detection of an Intermediate State of Insulin Resistance?

Previous studies have suggested that shiftwork can affect the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. This is thought to be related to disturbance of lipid parameters rather than their effects on glucose metabolism. Several complex mechanisms are suspected to be involved and notably insulin resistance, though the available data are limited. The objective of the present study was to provide further evidence for the effects of shiftwork on glucose and lipid metabolism with a specific focus on insulin resistance. A cross-sectional study has recruited 97 shiftworkers (SWs) (three shifts, 8 h) and 95 strictly day workers (DWs) from the same plant for 2001–2002. Several indices of insulin sensitivity or resistance were calculated, based on formulas of the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the Revised-Quicki, McAuley and Disse indices. The HOMA-β-cell index was used as a reflection of pancreatic secretion. Characteristics of the occupation, habitual diet and lifestyles were recorded. Logistic regression analysis in which pancreatic function or insulin sensitivity was the dependent variable was used to compare alternative models. Results: SWs were characterized as having significantly higher triglycerides and free fatty acids and normal but lower blood glucose. The risk of a high β-cell activity was increased almost three-fold in SWs. By adjusting for many confounding factors, SWs had significantly lower insulin sensitivity according to several indices, whereas HOMA-IR was not meaningfully different between shift and DWs. Lower insulin sensitivity and a compensatory pancreas response to maintain a normal glucose tolerance may suggest an intermediate state before development of frank insulin resistance in SWs. Early detection of these moderate alterations of the insulin/glucose balance could be important in the prevention of diabetes.     

Longitudinal associations of adiposity with adult lung function in the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health (CDAH) study

Childhood BMI has been reported to be positively associated with adult lung function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of childhood BMI on young adult lung function independently of the effects of lean body mass (LBM). Clinical and questionnaire data were collected from 654 young Australian adults (aged 27-36 years), first studied when age 9, 12, or 15 years. Adult lung function was measured by forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), FEV(1)/FVC ratio, and the forced expiratory flow in the middle 50% of FVC (FEF(25-75)). BMI and LBM were derived from anthropometric measures at baseline (1985) and at follow-up (2004-2006). Multivariable models were used to investigate the effect of age and sex standardized BMI in childhood on adult lung function, before and after adjustment for LBM. Adult adiposity had a strong deleterious effect on lung function, irrespective of childhood BMI, and adjustment for childhood LBM eliminated any apparent beneficial effect of childhood BMI on adult FEV(1) or FVC. This suggests that the beneficial effect of increased BMI in childhood on adult FEV(1) and FVC observed in previous longitudinal studies is likely to be attributable to greater childhood LBM not adiposity. Obese children who become obese adults can expect to have poorer lung function than those who maintain healthy weight but large deficits in lung function are also likely for healthy weight children who become obese adults. This highlights the importance of lifetime healthy weight maintenance.     

Relationship between respiratory muscle function and age, sex, and other factors

To investigate the effects of gender and age on respiratory muscle function, 160 healthy volunteers (80 males, 80 females) were divided into four age groups. Twenty-eight of the male subjects were smokers. After the subjects were familiarized with the experimental procedure, respiratory muscle strength, inspiratory muscle endurance, and spirometric function, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, tidal volume, breathing rate, and duty cycle, were measured. The respiratory muscle strength was indicated by the maximal static inspiratory and expiratory pressures (PImmax and PEmmax). Inspiratory muscle endurance was determined by the time the subject was able to sustain breathing against an inspiratory pressure load on a modified Nickerson-Keens device. The results showed that 1) except for inspiratory muscle endurance and FEV1/FVC, men had greater respiratory muscle and pulmonary functions than women, 2) respiratory muscle function and pulmonary function decreased with age, 3) smoking tended to lower duty cycle and FEV1/FVC and to enhance PE,mmax, and 4) inspiratory muscle endurance was greater in men who were physically active than in those who were sedentary. Therefore we conclude that there are sexual and age differences in respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function and that smoking or physical activity may affect respiratory muscle function.     

Vital capacity and inspiratory capacity as additional parameters to evaluate bronchodilator response in asthmatic patients: a cross sectional study

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Bronchodilator response in patients with asthma is evaluated based on post-bronchodilator increase in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). However, the need for additional parameters, mainly among patients with severe asthma, has already been demonstrated. METHODS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of vital capacity (VC) and inspiratory capacity (IC) to evaluate bronchodilator response in asthma patients with persistent airflow obstruction. The 43 asthma patients enrolled in the study were stratified into moderate or severe airflow obstruction groups based on baseline FEV1. All patients performed a 6-minute walk test before and after the bronchodilator (BD). A bipolar visual analogue scale post-BD was performed to assess clinical effect. The correlation between VC and IC and clinical response, determined by visual analogue scale (VAS) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT), was investigated. RESULTS: Patients in the severe group presented: 1) greater bronchodilator response in VC (48% vs 15%, p = 0.02), 2) a significant correlation between VC variation and the reduction in air trapping (Rs = 0.70; p < 0.01), 3) a significant agreement between VC and VAS score (kappa = 0.57; p < 0.01). There was no correlation between IC and the reduction in air trapping or clinical data. CONCLUSIONS: VC may be a useful additional parameter to evaluate bronchodilator response in asthma patients with severe airflow obstruction.     

Density dependence of forced expiratory flows in healthy infants and toddlers.

In older children and adults, density dependence (DD) of forced expiratory flow is present over the majority of the full flow-volume curve. In healthy subjects, DD occurs because the pressure drop from peripheral to central airways is primarily dependent on turbulence and convective acceleration rather than laminar resistance; however, an increase in peripheral resistance reduces DD. We measured DD of forced expiratory flow in 22 healthy infants to evaluate whether infants have low DD. Full forced expiratory maneuvers were obtained while the subjects breathed room air and then a mixture of 80% helium-20% oxygen. Flows at 50 and 75% of expired forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured, and the ratio of helium-oxygen to air flow was calculated (DD at 50 and 75% FVC). The mean (range) of DD at 50 and 75% FVC was 1.37 (1.22-1.54) and 1.23 (1.02-1.65), respectively, values similar to those reported in older children and adults. There were no significant relationships between DD and age. Our results suggest that infants, compared with older children and adults, have similar DD, a finding that suggests that infants do not have a greater ratio of peripheral-to-central airway resistance.