Serum YKL-40 Levels, Leukocyte Profiles, and Acute Exacerbations of Advanced COPD.

Little information exists on YKL-40-a key protein in tissue remodeling-and complete blood count (CBC) parameters during acute exacerbations of advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This pilot exploratory study (August 2020-January 2021) investigated the connection between serum YKL-40 levels and CBC profile in sex- and age-matched individuals with severe COPD (GOLD stage III, n = 23, median age = 66 years, 65.21% males) and very severe COPD (GOLD stage IV, n = 24, median age = 66.5 years, 74.81% males). The measured parameters were serum YKL-40, absolute leukocyte count (ALLC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), neutrophil percentage, absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), lymphocyte percentage, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), absolute eosinophil count (AEC), eosinophil percentage, absolute monocyte count (AMC), monocyte percentage, absolute basophil count (ABC), basophil percentage, hemoglobin levels, and hematocrit concentrations. No significant inter-group differences were observed. However, high YKL-40 subjects (n = 23)-as stratified via median YKL-40 (3934.5 pg/mL)-showed significantly increased neutrophil percentage and NLR but significantly lower lymphocyte-, eosinophil-, and basophil-related parameters compared to low YKL-40 patients (n = 24). These results reveal multidimensional, YKL-40-associated changes in leukocyte profile of patients with advanced COPD during acute exacerbations, with potential implications for personalized treatment.

Circulating Hsp70 Levels and the Immunophenotype of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes as Potential Biomarkers for Advanced Lung Cancer and Therapy Failure after Surgery.

Lung cancer remains a devastating disease with a poor clinical outcome. A biomarker signature which could distinguish lung cancer from metastatic disease and detect therapeutic failure would significantly improve patient management and allow for individualized, risk-adjusted therapeutic decisions. In this study, circulating Hsp70 levels were measured using ELISA, and the immunophenotype of the peripheral blood lymphocytes were measured using multiparameter flow cytometry, to identify a predictive biomarker signature for lung cancer patients pre- and post-operatively, in patients with lung metastases and in patients with COPD as an inflammatory lung disease. The lowest Hsp70 concentrations were found in the healthy controls followed by the patients with advanced COPD. Hsp70 levels sequentially increased with an advancing tumor stage and metastatic disease. In the early-recurrence patients, Hsp70 levels started to increase within the first three months after surgery, but remained unaltered in the recurrence-free patients. An early recurrence was associated with a significant drop in B cells and an increase in Tregs, whereas the recurrence-free patients had elevated T and NK cell levels. We conclude that circulating Hsp70 concentrations might have the potential to distinguish lung cancer from metastatic disease, and might be able to predict an advanced tumor stage and early recurrence in lung cancer patients. Further studies with larger patient cohorts and longer follow-up periods are needed to validate Hsp70 and immunophenotypic profiles as predictive biomarker signatures.

The experience of hospitalization in people with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A qualitative, phenomenological study.

OBJECTIVES: People with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are frequently hospitalized, reporting high physical, psychological and spiritual suffering. Existing research focused on discrete aspects of hospitalization, such as care or treatment, yet lacks a complete picture of the phenomenon. The aim of this study is to understand the lived experience of hospitalization in people with advanced COPD. METHODS: A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach was employed to study the phenomenon of hospitalization for people with advanced COPD. Unstructured interviews were conducted during hospitalization at a tertiary care hospital in India, in 2017, audio-recorded, and then transcribed. Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological analysis method guided the analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen people with advanced COPD participated. Emergency admissions were common because of acute breathlessness, leading to repeated hospitalizations. Hospitalization gave a sense of safety but, despite this, people preferred to avoid hospitalization. Care influenced trust in hospitalization and both shaped the experience of hospitalization. Multi-dimensional suffering was central to the experience and was described across physical, psychological and spiritual domains. DISCUSSION: Hospitalization was identified largely as a negative experience due to the perception of continued suffering. Integrating palliative care into the routine care of people with advanced COPD may enable improvements in care.

A Systematic Review with Thematic Synthesis of the Experience of Hospitalization in People with Advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Hospital admissions are common for people with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To provide effective, responsive care, it is important to understand how people experience hospitalization. The aim of this review was to explore the experience of hospitalization in people with advanced COPD, drawing from qualitative research data. Guided by a thematic synthesis approach, a systematic search of databases (n = 13) including PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and ProQuest was undertaken from database inception to May 2020. Inclusion criteria included papers reporting qualitative research focused on any aspect of hospitalization for people with advanced COPD and reported in English language from peer reviewed journals. Following quality appraisal, relevant data were extracted, and a three-stage thematic synthesis method used to develop inductive themes. From 1935 papers, the 11 included studies focused on specific aspects of hospitalization (e.g., care and treatment), rather than the totality of the experience. Four analytical themes were identified: unpredictable hospitalization, benefits and burdens of treatment, overwhelming distress and the communicative attitude of staff. Hospitalization was unpredictable because of the frequent, sudden admissions required for acute breathlessness. Hospital could be perceived both as a safe place, due to immediate symptom relief, but also as a place for experiencing overwhelming distress. Breathlessness was the most difficult symptom experienced, causing physical and psychological distress. Both communication and attitudes of the staff could influence the experience. A holistic approach to the care of hospitalized individuals with advanced COPD is required to improve care.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15412555.2021.1971186 .

Information needs of older patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) indicated for a specific geriatric rehabilitation programme: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Post-acute rehabiitation is recommended in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It enhances the sense of control by education, which should focus on patient information needs. However, it is unknown whether a geriatric rehabilitation programme for older patients with advanced COPD and severely impaired health status (the GR-COPD programme) does fit these patient information needs. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to identify the information needs of patients who were eligible for the GR-COPD programme, and investigated if health-related knowledge improved during rehabilitation. METHODS: All patients indicated for the GR-COPD programme were eligible for this study. The information needs were measured with the Lung Information Needs Questionnaire (LINQ). FINDINGS: The 158 patients (mean age 70.8 years; FEV1 %predicted: 35.5) showed relatively high baseline information needs (mean LINQ overall score: 8.6 [SD 3.1]), with the greatest need in the domains 'diet' and 'self-management'. After follow-up, the mean LINQ overall score significantly improved in patients who completed the GR-COPD programme (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients' knowledge showed a statistically significant improvement in some areas during the GR-COPD programme.

Funcionamiento psíquico de pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructivo crónica avanzada: Formulación psicodinámica de casos clínicos

Los pacientes con Enfermedad Obstructiva Pulmonar Crónica (EPOC) tienen una limitación del flujo aéreo progresiva y poco reversible. Presentan permanentemente síntomas con episodios de agudización y pérdidas funcionales irrecuperables con una creciente dependencia. Se investigó con el fin de comprender el funcionamiento psicológico de los pacientes con EPOC y las modalidades vinculares con sus cuidadores. Se utilizó una metodología cualitativa, descriptiva de estudio de casos clínicos de 14 pacientes en estadío avanzado de su EPOC (oxigenodependientes), usuarios de la Red de Atención Primaria (ASSE). Se tomó para el Formulaciones Psicodinámicas de los Casos clínicos (Varela, De Souza, Miller, Villalba, Oyenard, Zytner, & Bernardi, 2014). Se analizaron las categorías: "experiencia subjetiva de enfermedad", "diagnóstico de relaciones interpersonales" y "diagnóstico de conflictos". Se encontró que los pacientes utilizan un modelo explicativo de la enfermedad orientado a factores externos, denotando poca capacidad de implicación. Manejan de modo racional y desafectivizado el diagnóstico y pronóstico. Se aferran a la imagen de sí mismos en estado de salud, con poca capacidad adaptativa. Centran su padecimiento en el eje autonomía e independencia. Los conflictos principales giran entorno a la individuación - dependencia; sumisión - control y protección - autarquía. Se encontró un patrón relacional interpersonal con disfuncionalidades en los ejes: control y afiliación. En síntesis el estudio aportó a la comprensión integral del proceso salud - enfermedad y permitió ajustar las intervenciones del equipo asistencial.

Pacientes com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crónica (DPOC) têm uma limitação do fluxo de ar progressiva e com pouca reversibilidade. Apresentam sintomas com exacerbações e perdas não recuperáveis, com o aumento da dependência funcional. A finalidade da pesquisa foi compreender o funcionamento psicológico de pacientes com DPOC e as modalidades relacionais com seus cuidadores. Foi utilizada uma metodologia de estudo qualitativo, descritivo de casos clínicos de 14 pacientes em estágios avançados da DPOC (dependente de oxigénio), usuários da rede de cuidados primários (ASSE). Os materiais clínicos obtidos foram analizados segúm as formulações psicodinâmicas de casos clínicos (Varela, De Souza, Miller, Villalba, Oyenard, Zytner, & Bernardi, 2014) . "A experiência subjetiva da doença", "diagnóstico das relações interpessoais" e categorias "Diagnóstico conflito" foram analisados. Verificou-se que os pacientes utilizam um modelo explicativo dos factores externos orientado pela doença, o que implica pouca capacidade de envolvimento. Eles gerenciam diagnóstico e prognóstico de forma racional e desafectivizada, apegam-se à imagem de si mesmos na saúde, mostrando baixa capacidade de adaptação. Eles se concentram a sua condição no eixo autonomia e independência. Os principais conflitos giram em torno da individuação - dependência; submissao-controle e protecção-autarquia. Controle e filiação: identificou-se um padrão de relacionamento interpessoal com disfuncionalidade nestes eixos. Em suma, o estudo forneceu uma compreensão abrangente da saúde - doença e permitiu adequar as intervenções da equipe de saúde.

Patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a progressive and irreversible limitation of the air flow. They have permanent symptoms with worsening periods and irrecoverable losses in function, requiring increasing levels of assistance. The aim of this research was to comprehend the psychic funtioning in COPD patients and their relationship modalities with their caretakers. A qualitative descriptive methodology was implemented to study multiple cases with 14 patients in advanced phases of COPD (oxygen-dependants), belonging to the Primary Level of Care (ASSE). Pychodinamic formulation of clinical cases (Varela, De Souza, Miller, Villalba, Oyenard, Zytner, & Bernardi, 2014) was used for the analysis. The following categories were analized: "subjective experience of the disease", "interpersonal relationship diagnosis" and "conflict diagnosis". It was found that patients use an explanatory model of the disease oriented to external factors, showing a limited capacity of involvement. They demonstrate a rational and indifferent disposition regarding their diagnosis and medical prognosis. They hold their self image as it was in a healthy state, showing a lesser adaptive capacity. They focus their suffering in the autonomy and independence axis. Main confict devolps around ideas of individuality-dependence, submissioncontrol and protection-autarchy. An interpersonal relationship pattern with dysfunctionalities in control and afiliation axes was found. Althogether, the study contributed to the comprehensive understanding of the health-illness process and allowed the assistance team to adapt their interventions.

Acceptance of home support and integrated care among advanced COPD patients who live outside large medical centers.

BACKGROUND: Poor self-management constitutes a risk factor for COPD deterioration. Patients from rural areas located at a considerable distance from large medical centers frequently need home-support in advanced stages of the disease. Integrated care has been proposed as a comprehensive model for appropriate treatment, coordination and holistic support. The aim of the study was to assess whether home visits provided by trained assistants are needed and accepted by advanced COPD patients living in rural areas a to evaluate whether an individual short educational program can actually improve such patients' knowledge of COPD and inhaler use. METHODS: Thirty patients with severe or very severe but stable COPD participated in one-month home-assistance interventions twice a week. RESULTS: The total value ≥70 of SGRQ (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire) was recorded in 18 (60%) patients. At the beginning of the study, the patients' knowledge of COPD and inhalation techniques was highly unsatisfactory. Significant improvement in all items (p=0.00) was obtained after the intervention. The risk for poor self-management was high. All patients had at least one 'factor' that indicated the need for home-support. A total of 240 visits (100%) were completed. Patients expressed high acceptance for home-based support delivered by medical assistants twice a week for one month. No patients opposed this kind of care and most of them expressed interest in receiving it in the future. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a compelling need for home care and demonstrate full acceptance of this kind of support on the part of advanced COPD patients.

Geriatric rehabilitation for patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a naturalistic prospective cohort study on feasibility and course of health status.

In view of the worldwide aging population, disease-specific geriatric rehabilitation (GR) programs are needed. Therefore, we developed and implemented a postacute GR program for patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (the GR-COPD program). The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of the GR-COPD program and to present clinical data on patient characteristics and course of functional capacity and health status. This is a naturalistic prospective cohort study of patients with advanced COPD. A total of 61 patients entered the GR-COPD program and were eligible to participate in this study. All patients suffered from advanced COPD, and comorbidities were frequent. On admission, functional capacity and health status were severely limited but showed significant and clinically relevant improvement during the GR-COPD program. Patients with advanced COPD admitted to hospital for an acute exacerbation suffer from severely impaired functional capacity and poor health status. Development and implementation of a postacute GR program for these patients are feasible and likely to offer substantial improvements. Further research is essential and should focus on designing a controlled intervention trial to investigate the efficacy of the program.