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Medicina Clinica Apr 2023Telemedicine is defined as the use of electronic technology for information and communication by healthcare professionals with patients (or care givers) aiming at... (Review)
Review
Telemedicine is defined as the use of electronic technology for information and communication by healthcare professionals with patients (or care givers) aiming at providing and supporting healthcare to patients away from healthcare institutions. This systematic review over the last decade (2013-2022) investigates the use of telemedicine in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We identified 53 publications related to: (1) home tele-monitorization; (2) tele-education and self-management; (3) telerehabilitation; and (4) mobile health (mHealth). Results showed that, although evidence is still weak in many of these domains, results are positive in terms of improvement of health-status, use of health-care resources, feasibility, and patient satisfaction. Importantly, no safety issues were identified. Thus, telemedicine can be considered today as a potential complement to usual healthcare.
Topics: Humans; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Health Status; Telemedicine; Patient Satisfaction
PubMed: 36801105
DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.01.008 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2016Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) performed to treat patients with severe diffuse emphysema was reintroduced in the nineties. Lung volume reduction surgery aims to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) performed to treat patients with severe diffuse emphysema was reintroduced in the nineties. Lung volume reduction surgery aims to resect damaged emphysematous lung tissue, thereby increasing elastic properties of the lung. This treatment is hypothesised to improve long-term daily functioning and quality of life, although it may be costly and may be associated with risks of morbidity and mortality. Ten years have passed since the last version of this review was prepared, prompting us to perform an update.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this review was to gather all available evidence from randomised controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) versus non-surgical standard therapy in improving health outcomes for patients with severe diffuse emphysema. Secondary objectives included determining which subgroup of patients benefit from LVRS and for which patients LVRS is contraindicated, to establish the postoperative complications of LVRS and its morbidity and mortality, to determine which surgical approaches for LVRS are most effective and to calculate the cost-effectiveness of LVRS.
SEARCH METHODS
We identified RCTs by using the Cochrane Airways Group Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) register, in addition to the online clinical trials registers. Searches are current to April 2016.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included RCTs that studied the safety and efficacy of LVRS in participants with diffuse emphysema. We excluded studies that investigated giant or bullous emphysema.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two independent review authors assessed trials for inclusion and extracted data. When possible, we combined data from more than one study in a meta-analysis using RevMan 5 software.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified two new studies (89 participants) in this updated review. A total of 11 studies (1760 participants) met the entry criteria of the review, one of which accounted for 68% of recruited participants. The quality of evidence ranged from low to moderate owing to an unclear risk of bias across many studies, lack of blinding and low participant numbers for some outcomes. Eight of the studies compared LVRS versus standard medical care, one compared two closure techniques (stapling vs laser ablation), one looked at the effect of buttressing the staple line on the effectiveness of LVRS and one compared traditional 'resectional' LVRS with a non-resectional surgical approach. Participants completed a mandatory course of pulmonary rehabilitation/physical training before the procedure commenced. Short-term mortality was higher for LVRS (odds ratio (OR) 6.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.22 to 11.79; 1489 participants; five studies; moderate-quality evidence) than for control, but long-term mortality favoured LVRS (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.95; 1280 participants; two studies; moderate-quality evidence). Participants identified post hoc as being at high risk of death from surgery were those with particularly impaired lung function, poor diffusing capacity and/or homogenous emphysema. Participants with upper lobe-predominant emphysema and low baseline exercise capacity showed the most favourable outcomes related to mortality, as investigators reported no significant differences in early mortality between participants treated with LVRS and those in the control group (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.23 to 3.29; 290 participants; one study), as well as significantly lower mortality at the end of follow-up for LVRS compared with control (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.78; 290 participants; one study). Trials in this review furthermore provided evidence of low to moderate quality showing that improvements in lung function parameters other than forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV), quality of life and exercise capacity were more likely with LVRS than with usual follow-up. Adverse events were more common with LVRS than with control, specifically the occurrence of (persistent) air leaks, pulmonary morbidity (e.g. pneumonia) and cardiovascular morbidity. Although LVRS leads to an increase in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), the procedure is relatively costly overall.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Lung volume reduction surgery, an effective treatment for selected patients with severe emphysema, may lead to better health status and lung function outcomes, specifically for patients who have upper lobe-predominant emphysema with low exercise capacity, but the procedure is associated with risks of early mortality and adverse events.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Laser Therapy; Lung; Pneumonectomy; Pulmonary Emphysema; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Surgical Stapling; Sutures
PubMed: 27739074
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001001.pub3 -
International Journal of Chronic... 2020Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are currently diagnosed based on changes in respiratory symptoms. Characterizing the imaging manifestation... (Review)
Review
Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are currently diagnosed based on changes in respiratory symptoms. Characterizing the imaging manifestation of exacerbations could be useful for objective diagnosis of exacerbations in the clinic and clinical trials, as well as provide a mechanism for monitoring exacerbation treatment and recovery. In this systematic review, we employed a comprehensive search across three databases (Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science) to identify studies that performed imaging of the thorax at COPD exacerbation. We included 51 from a total of 5,047 articles which met all our inclusion criteria. We used an adapted version of the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for cohort studies to assess the quality of the included studies. Conclusions were weighted towards higher-quality articles. We identified a total of 36 thoracic imaging features studied at exacerbation of COPD. Studies were generally heterogeneous in their measurements and focus. Nevertheless, considering studies which performed consecutive imaging at stable state and exacerbation, which scored highest for quality, we identified salient imaging biomarkers of exacerbations. An exacerbation is characterized by airway wall and airway calibre changes, hyperinflation, pulmonary vasoconstriction and imaging features suggestive of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Most information was gained from CT studies. We present the first ever composite imaging signature of COPD exacerbations. While imaging during an exacerbation is comparatively new and not comprehensively studied, it may uncover important insights into the acute pathophysiologic changes in the cardiorespiratory system during exacerbations of COPD, providing objective confirmation of events and a biomarker of recovery and treatment response.
Topics: Disease Progression; Humans; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
PubMed: 32801677
DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S250746 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Mar 2022Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by reduced levels of circulating alpha-1 antitrypsin and an increased risk of lung and...
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by reduced levels of circulating alpha-1 antitrypsin and an increased risk of lung and liver disease. Recent reviews of AATD have focused on diagnosis, epidemiology and clinical management; comprehensive reviews examining disease burden are lacking. Therefore, we conducted literature reviews to investigate the AATD disease burden for patients, caregivers and healthcare systems. Embase, PubMed and Cochrane libraries were searched for AATD publications from database inception to June 2021, in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Most published AATD studies were small and short in duration, with variations in populations, designs, measures and outcomes, complicating cross-study comparisons. AATD was associated with significant pulmonary and hepatic morbidity. COPD, emphysema and bronchiectasis were common lung morbidities, where smoking was a key risk factor. Fibrosis and steatosis were the most common liver complications reported in patients with a allele. Health status analyses suggested a poorer quality of life for AATD patients diagnosed with COPD those with non-AATD-associated COPD. The burden for caregivers included loss of personal time due to caring responsibilities, stress and anxiety. AATD was also associated with high direct medical costs and healthcare resource utilisation.
Topics: Bronchiectasis; Cost of Illness; Humans; Pulmonary Emphysema; Quality of Life; alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
PubMed: 35321931
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0262-2021 -
Journal of Pediatric Surgery Nov 2022With improvements in clinical management and an increase in CDH survivorship there is a crucial need for better understanding of long-term health outcomes in CDH. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
With improvements in clinical management and an increase in CDH survivorship there is a crucial need for better understanding of long-term health outcomes in CDH.
AIM
To investigate the prevalence of cardiopulmonary health morbidity and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in CDH survivors.
METHODS
We included all studies (n = 65) investigating long-term cardiopulmonary outcomes in CDH patients more than 2 years published in the last 30 years. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the CASP checklist for cohort studies were utilized to assess study quality. Results were reported descriptively and collated by age group where possible.
RESULTS
The incidence of pulmonary hypertension was highly variable (4.5-38%), though rates (%) appeared to diminish after 5 years of age. Lung function indices and radiological outcomes were frequently abnormal, and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) reduced also. Long term diseases notably emphysema and COPD are not yet fully described in the contemporary literature.
CONCLUSION
This study underscores cardiopulmonary health morbidity and a reduced HRQoL among CDH survivors. Where not already available dedicated multidisciplinary follow-up clinics should be established to support these vulnerable patients transition safely into adulthood. Future research is therefore needed to investigate the risk factors for cardiopulmonary ill health and morbidity in CDH survivors.
TYPE OF STUDY
Systematic review of case control and cohort studies.
Topics: Adult; Heart; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Quality of Life; Survivors
PubMed: 35508437
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2022.03.020 -
BMJ Open Oct 2015To compare the safety and effectiveness of long-acting β-antagonists (LABA), long-acting antimuscarinic agents (LAMA) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for managing... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To compare the safety and effectiveness of long-acting β-antagonists (LABA), long-acting antimuscarinic agents (LAMA) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
SETTING
Systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA).
PARTICIPANTS
208 randomised clinical trials (RCTs) including 134,692 adults with COPD.
INTERVENTIONS
LABA, LAMA and/or ICS, alone or in combination, versus each other or placebo.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES
The proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe exacerbations. The number of patients experiencing mortality, pneumonia, serious arrhythmia and cardiovascular-related mortality (CVM) were secondary outcomes.
RESULTS
NMA was conducted including 20 RCTs for moderate-to-severe exacerbations for 26,141 patients with an exacerbation in the past year. 32 treatments were effective versus placebo including: tiotropium, budesonide/formoterol, salmeterol, indacaterol, fluticasone/salmeterol, indacaterol/glycopyrronium, tiotropium/fluticasone/salmeterol and tiotropium/budesonide/formoterol. Tiotropium/budesonide/formoterol was most effective (99.2% probability of being the most effective according to the Surface Under the Cumulative RAnking (SUCRA) curve). NMA was conducted on mortality (88 RCTs, 97 526 patients); fluticasone/salmeterol was more effective in reducing mortality than placebo, formoterol and fluticasone alone, and was the most effective (SUCRA=71%). NMA was conducted on CVM (37 RCTs, 55,156 patients) and the following were safest: salmeterol versus each OF placebo, tiotropium and tiotropium (Soft Mist Inhaler (SMR)); fluticasone versus tiotropium (SMR); and salmeterol/fluticasone versus tiotropium and tiotropium (SMR). Triamcinolone acetonide was the most harmful (SUCRA=81%). NMA was conducted on pneumonia occurrence (54 RCTs, 61 551 patients). 24 treatments were more harmful, including 2 that increased risk of pneumonia versus placebo; fluticasone and fluticasone/salmeterol. The most harmful agent was fluticasone/salmeterol (SUCRA=89%). NMA was conducted for arrhythmia; no statistically significant differences between agents were identified.
CONCLUSIONS
Many inhaled agents are available for COPD, some are safer and more effective than others. Our results can be used by patients and physicians to tailor administration of these agents.
PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO # CRD42013006725.
Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; Disease Progression; Humans; Muscarinic Antagonists; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 26503392
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009183 -
Journal of Bronchology & Interventional... Jul 2022Pharmacologic therapeutics for advanced emphysema have limited benefit. Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves (EBVs) have reported improvements... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pharmacologic therapeutics for advanced emphysema have limited benefit. Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves (EBVs) have reported improvements in lung function, breathlessness, and quality of life through randomized clinical trials, with less morbidity as comparted to Surgical Lung volume Reduction. We here present a Meta-analysis and systematic review of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction in advanced chronic obstructive lung disease patients.
METHODS
PubMed (NLM), Embase (Elsevier), and Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics) search was conducted using a combination of keywords and subject headings. The search was confined to the last 15 years and was completed on October 23, 2020. Only placebo-controlled randomized control trials of emphysema patients with EBV were included. Quality assessment was done by 2 independent reviewers.
RESULTS
Nine studies were included for the meta-analysis with a total number of 1383 patients of whom 888 received EBV and 495 standard of care (SOC) medications. Our Metanalysis show statistically significant improvement in forced expiratory volume in first second, percentage forced expiratory volume in first second, St. George's respiratory questionnaire, and 6-minute walk distance in EBV group compared with SOC. Residual volume had statistically significant reduction after EBV placement compared with SOC. These differences continued to be present during short-term (<=6 mo) and long-term follow-up (>=6 mo). These improvements were even higher when the EBV patients'. Collateral ventilation was negative/fissure was intact (CV-/FI >90%). The rate of hemoptysis and pneumothorax was higher in the EBV group compared with SOC, however, did not lead to increased fatal outcomes.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, EBV has favorable effects on patients' outcomes in patients who have heterogeneous emphysema particularly with no collateral ventilation.
Topics: Bronchoscopy; Emphysema; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Pneumonectomy; Pulmonary Emphysema; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35698281
DOI: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000872 -
Biomedicines Dec 2021Half of acute exacerbations of COPD are due to bacterial infection, and the other half are likely influenced by microbial colonisation. The same organisms commonly... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Half of acute exacerbations of COPD are due to bacterial infection, and the other half are likely influenced by microbial colonisation. The same organisms commonly cultured during acute exacerbations are often found in the sputum of patients during stability. A robust assessment of the prevalence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPMs) in the sputum of stable COPD patients may help to inform the targeted prevention of exacerbation by these organisms.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to determine the prevalence of PPMs in patients with COPD in the stable state. Meta-analysis of prevalence was carried out using the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation random effects model, and sub-group analysis was performed for sputum modality. Prevalence of total and individual PPMs was calculated from patient-level data from individual studies.
RESULTS
Pooled prevalence of PPMs identified by sputum culture was found to be 41% (95% CI 36-47%). Significant heterogeneity was found across all studies, which can likely be attributed to inconsistent measuring and reporting of PPMs. The most commonly reported organisms were , , , , and . Declining lung function was weakly correlated with prevalence of PPMs.
CONCLUSION
The airways of patients with COPD are colonised with PPMs during the stable state in almost half of patients. A complex relationship likely exists between the microbiome in the stable state and the phenotype of COPD patients. Targeted microbial therapy for preventing exacerbations of COPD should carefully consider the stable microbiome as well as the exacerbated.
PubMed: 35052762
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010081 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Jul 2023Lung volume reduction (LVR) and lung transplantation (LTx) have been used in different populations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. To date,...
BACKGROUND
Lung volume reduction (LVR) and lung transplantation (LTx) have been used in different populations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. To date, comparative study of LVR and LTx has not been performed. We sought to address this gap by pooling the existing evidence in the literature.
METHODS
An electronic search was performed to identify all prospective studies on LVR and LTx published since 2000. Baseline characteristics, perioperative variables, and clinical outcomes were extracted and pooled for meta-analysis.
RESULTS
The analysis included 65 prospective studies comprising 3,671 patients [LTx: 15 studies (n=1,445), LVR: 50 studies (n=2,226)]. Mean age was 60 [95% confidence interval (CI): 58-62] years and comparable between the two groups. Females were 51% (95% CI: 30-71%) in the LTx group 28% (95% CI: 21-36%) in LVR group (P=0.05). Baseline 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and pulmonary function tests were comparable except for the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), which was lower in the LTx group [21.8% (95% CI: 16.8-26.7%) 27.3% (95% CI: 25.5-29.2%), P=0.04]. Postoperatively, both groups experienced improved FEV1, however post-LTx FEV1 was significantly higher than post-LVR FEV1 [54.9% (95% CI: 41.4-68.4%) 32.5% (95% CI: 30.1-34.8%), P<0.01]. 6MWT was also improved after both procedures [LTx: 212.9 (95% CI: 119.0-306.9) to 454.4 m (95% CI: 334.7-574.2), P<0.01; LVR: 286 (95% CI: 270.2-301.9) to 409.1 m (95% CI: 392.1-426.0), P<0.01], however, with no significant difference between the groups. Pooled survival over time showed no significant difference between the groups.
CONCLUSIONS
LTx results in better FEV1 but otherwise has comparable outcomes to LVR.
PubMed: 37559607
DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-63 -
International Journal of Chronic... 2023Both COPD and interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are conditions associated with smoking and age. The impact of coexistent ILAs on the manifestations and outcomes of...
BACKGROUND
Both COPD and interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are conditions associated with smoking and age. The impact of coexistent ILAs on the manifestations and outcomes of COPD or emphysema awaits evaluation.
METHODS
We searched PubMed and Embase using Medical Subject Headings terms in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
RESULTS
Eleven studies were included in the review. The sample size of the studies ranged from 30 to 9579. ILAs were reported in 6.5% to 25.7% of the patients with COPD/emphysema, higher than that reported in the general populations. COPD/emphysema patients with ILAs were older, mostly male, and had a higher smoking index than those without ILAs. Hospital admission and mortality were increased in COPD patients with ILAs compared to those without ILAs, whereas the frequency of COPD exacerbations was discrepant in 2 of the studies. The FEV and FEV% predicted tended to be higher in the group with ILAs, but not significantly in most of the studies.
CONCLUSION
ILAs were more frequent in subjects with COPD/emphysema than in the general population. ILAs may have a negative impact on hospital admission and mortality of COPD/emphysema. The impact of ILAs on lung functions and exacerbations of COPD/emphysema was discrepant in these studies. Further prospective studies are warranted to provide high-quality evidence of the association and interaction between COPD/emphysema and ILAs.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Pulmonary Emphysema; Emphysema; Smoking; Lung
PubMed: 36890863
DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S392349