[THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OBESITY AND CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)].

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable disease, with major respiratory and systemic expressions. Obesity is defined as a BMI>30 kg/ m2 and its prevalence has doubled in recent decades. The possible relationship of obesity to COPD, and its influence on respiratory pathophysiology, is considered a mystery. Studies show obesity to be a survival advantage among COPD patients, unlike in the general population, in which obesity correlates to decreased life expectancy. This study aims to assess the differences between obese and non-obese COPD patients. The main clinical aspect assessed is the number of COPDexacerbation related hospital admissions. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 323 COPD patients (95 obese, 228 non-obese), who had been followed from 2003-2010 by the Pulmonology Institute at the Soroka Medical Center. We collected demographics, medical history, BMI, lung function tests, information about hospital admissions and mortality. RESULTS: Non-obese COPD patients are 1.6 times more likely to be hospitalized due to COPD exacerbation. Additionally, women are 1.8 times more likely to be hospitalized due to COPD exacerbation. The FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratios, which were measured latest during the study period, were higher among obese COPD patients. There was no significant difference in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and male gender act as protective factors against COPD exacerbations requiring hospitalization. Lung function test values are higher among obese patients. Despite this, obesity has no influence on COPD patient survival. Subsequent studies are required, in order to define nutrition recommendations and target weights for COPD patients.

Hypertriglyceridemia in patients with metastatic breast cancer and treatment with capecitabine.

Several reports have described hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) in cancer patients, including breast cancer patients treated with capecitabine (CAP). However, the exact range of HTG in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated with CAP has clearly not been defined. A retrospective analysis on 54 patients with MBC treated with CAP longer than 2 months was conducted. HTG was defined as triglyceride blood level above 150 mg/dl. Baseline data included age, body mass index (BMI), tumour characteristics, treatment duration, concomitant treatment with lapatinib, diagnosis of dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus, as well as antihyperlipidemic therapy. Clinically significant HTG (triglycerides >300 mg/dl) was found in 4/54 (7%) of patients. Post-treatment HTG was associated only with concomitant treatment with lapatinib (P<0·01). Three of the patients had dyslipidemia before treatment with CAP, and one patient also had diabetes-mellitus. No HTG-related complications occurred. Clinically significant HTG in MBC patients treated with CAP may be associated with pre-existing risk factors, such as dyslipidemia or diabetes-mellitus.