Aging of the lungs in asymptomatic lifelong nonsmokers: findings on HRCT.

PURPOSE: To report lung parenchymal findings on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in a population of asymptomatic, never-smoker urban dwellers aged 65 years and older. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional approval, asymptomatic older patients from the Geriatrics Outpatient Clinic aged 65 years and older (older group) and healthy volunteers aged 30-50 years (younger group) were invited to participate in the study. Asymptomatic, never-smoker subjects considered free of relevant disease after spirometry and echocardiography underwent chest HRCT. Three researchers reviewed every scan, noting the absence/presence and distribution of pre-specified parenchymal findings. Statistical comparisons between groups were performed using appropriate tests with the aid of software. RESULTS: Forty-seven older and 24 younger subjects were included in this analysis. A higher proportion of women and a longer history of urban dwelling were present in the older group. Parenchymal findings were more prevalent in the older group (78.7 vs. 25% in the younger group; p < 0.001). Parenchymal bands (59.6 vs. 25%; p = 0.007), ground-glass opacities (25.5 vs. 0%; p = 0.006), and septal lines (21.3 vs. 0%; p = 0.013) were more prevalent in the elderly. When only subjects aged 75 years and older were considered as the older group, micronodules, reticular opacities, cysts, and bronchiectases (19.1 vs. 0 % for all comparisons; p = 0.04) were also more frequently found among the elderly. CONCLUSION: Parenchymal bands, ground-glass opacities, septal lines, bronchiectasis, micronodules, reticular opacities, and lung cysts were more prevalent among the elderly.

The effects of exercise training in a weight loss lifestyle intervention on asthma control, quality of life and psychosocial symptoms in adult obese asthmatics: protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Asthma and obesity are public health problems with increasing prevalence worldwide. Clinical and epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that obese asthmatics have worse clinical control and health related quality of life (HRQL) despite an optimized medical treatment. Bariatric surgery is successful to weight-loss and improves asthma control; however, the benefits of nonsurgical interventions remain unknown. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a randomized controlled trial with 2-arms parallel. Fifty-five moderate or severe asthmatics with grade II obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2)) under optimized medication will be randomly assigned into either weight-loss program + sham (WL + S group) or weight-loss program + exercise (WL + E group). The weight loss program will be the same for both groups including nutrition and psychological therapies (every 15 days, total of 6 sessions, 60 min each). Exercise program will include aerobic and resistance muscle training while sham treatment will include a breathing and stretching program (both programs twice a week, 3 months, 60 min each session). The primary outcome variable will be asthma clinical control. Secondary outcomes include HRQL, levels of depression and anxiety, lung function, daily life physical activity, body composition, maximal aerobic capacity, strength muscle and sleep disorders. Potential mechanism (changes in lung mechanical and airway/systemic inflammation) will also be examined to explain the benefits in both groups. DISCUSSION: This study will bring a significant contribution to the literature evaluating the effects of exercise conditioning in a weight loss intervention in obese asthmatics as well as will evaluate possible involved mechanisms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02188940.

Post-COVID-19 respiratory sequelae two years after hospitalization: an ambidirectional study.

Background: COVID-19 lung sequelae can impact the course of patient lives. We investigated the evolution of pulmonary abnormalities in post-COVID-19 patients 18-24 months after hospital discharge. Methods: A cohort of COVID-19 patients admitted to the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP in São Paulo, Brazil, between March and August of 2020, were followed-up 6-12 months after hospital discharge. A subset of patients with pulmonary involvement and chest computed tomography (CT) scans were eligible to participate in this second follow-up (18-24 months). Data was analyzed in an ambidirectional manner, including retrospective data from the hospitalization, and from the first follow-up (6-12 months after discharge), and compared with the prospective data collected in this new follow-up. Findings: From 348 patients eligible, 237 (68%) participated in this follow-up. Among participants, 139 (58%) patients presented ground-glass opacities and reticulations, and 80 (33%) presented fibrotic-like lesions (traction bronchiectasis and architectural distortion). Five (2%) patients improved compared to the 6-12-month assessment, but 20 (25%) of 80 presented worsening of lung abnormalities. For those with relevant assessments on both occasions, comparing the CT findings between this follow-up with the previous assessment, there was an increase in patients with architectural distortion (43 [21%] of 204 vs 57 [28%] of 204, p = 0.0093), as well as in traction bronchiectasis (55 [27%] of 204 vs 69 [34%] of 204, p = 0.0043). Patients presented a persistent functional impairment with demonstrated restrictive pattern in both follow-ups (87 [42%] of 207 vs 91 [44%] of 207, p = 0.76), as well as for the reduced diffusion capacity (88 [42%] of 208 vs 87 [42%] of 208, p = 1.0). Length of hospitalization (OR 1.04 [1.01-1.07], p = 0.0040), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 3.11 [1.3-7.5] p = 0.011), patient's age (OR 1.03 [1.01-1.06] p = 0.0074 were consistent predictors for development of fibrotic-like lung lesions in post-COVID-19 patients. Interpretation: Post-COVID-19 lung sequelae can persist and progress after hospital discharge, suggesting airways involvement and formation of new fibrotic-like lesions, mainly in patients who were in intensive care unit (ICU). Funding: São Paulo Research Foundation (22/01769-5) and Instituto Todos pela Saúde (C1721).

Long-term respiratory follow-up of ICU hospitalized COVID-19 patients: Prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) survivors exhibit multisystemic alterations after hospitalization. Little is known about long-term imaging and pulmonary function of hospitalized patients intensive care unit (ICU) who survive COVID-19. We aimed to investigate long-term consequences of COVID-19 on the respiratory system of patients discharged from hospital ICU and identify risk factors associated with chest computed tomography (CT) lesion severity. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary hospital ICU in Brazil (March-August/2020), and followed-up six-twelve months after hospital admission. Initial assessment included: modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, SpO2 evaluation, forced vital capacity, and chest X-Ray. Patients with alterations in at least one of these examinations were eligible for CT and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) approximately 16 months after hospital admission. Primary outcome: CT lesion severity (fibrotic-like or non-fibrotic-like). Baseline clinical variables were used to build a machine learning model (ML) to predict the severity of CT lesion. RESULTS: In total, 326 patients (72%) were eligible for CT and PFTs. COVID-19 CT lesions were identified in 81.8% of patients, and half of them showed mild restrictive lung impairment and impaired lung diffusion capacity. Patients with COVID-19 CT findings were stratified into two categories of lesion severity: non-fibrotic-like (50.8%-ground-glass opacities/reticulations) and fibrotic-like (49.2%-traction bronchiectasis/architectural distortion). No association between CT feature severity and altered lung diffusion or functional restrictive/obstructive patterns was found. The ML detected that male sex, ICU and invasive mechanic ventilation (IMV) period, tracheostomy and vasoactive drug need during hospitalization were predictors of CT lesion severity(sensitivity,0.78±0.02;specificity,0.79±0.01;F1-score,0.78±0.02;positive predictive rate,0.78±0.02; accuracy,0.78±0.02; and area under the curve,0.83±0.01). CONCLUSION: ICU hospitalization due to COVID-19 led to respiratory system alterations six-twelve months after hospital admission. Male sex and critical disease acute phase, characterized by a longer ICU and IMV period, and need for tracheostomy and vasoactive drugs, were risk factors for severe CT lesions six-twelve months after hospital admission.

Chronic lung lesions in COVID-19 survivors: predictive clinical model.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to propose a simple, accessible and low-cost predictive clinical model to detect lung lesions due to COVID-19 infection. DESIGN: This prospective cohort study included COVID-19 survivors hospitalised between 30 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 followed-up 6 months after hospital discharge. The pulmonary function was assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale, oximetry (SpO2), spirometry (forced vital capacity (FVC)) and chest X-ray (CXR) during an in-person consultation. Patients with abnormalities in at least one of these parameters underwent chest CT. mMRC scale, SpO2, FVC and CXR findings were used to build a machine learning model for lung lesion detection on CT. SETTING: A tertiary hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 749 eligible RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infected patients aged ≥18 years. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: A predictive clinical model for lung lesion detection on chest CT. RESULTS: There were 470 patients (63%) that had at least one sign of pulmonary involvement and were eligible for CT. Almost half of them (48%) had significant pulmonary abnormalities, including ground-glass opacities, parenchymal bands, reticulation, traction bronchiectasis and architectural distortion. The machine learning model, including the results of 257 patients with complete data on mMRC, SpO2, FVC, CXR and CT, accurately detected pulmonary lesions by the joint data of CXR, mMRC scale, SpO2 and FVC (sensitivity, 0.85±0.08; specificity, 0.70±0.06; F1-score, 0.79±0.06 and area under the curve, 0.80±0.07). CONCLUSION: A predictive clinical model based on CXR, mMRC, oximetry and spirometry data can accurately screen patients with lung lesions after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given that these examinations are highly accessible and low cost, this protocol can be automated and implemented in different countries for early detection of COVID-19 sequelae.

Preoperative evaluation for lung resection in patients with bronchiectasis: should we rely on standard lung function evaluation?

OBJECTIVES: The scant data about non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, including tuberculosis sequelae and impairment of lung function, can bias the preoperative physiological assessment. Our goal was to evaluate the changes in lung function and exercise capacity following pulmonary resection in these patients; we also looked for outcome predictors. METHODS: We performed a non-randomized prospective study evaluating lung function changes in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis treated with pulmonary resection. Patients performed lung function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise tests preoperatively and 3 and 9 months after the operation. Demographic data, comorbidities, surgical data and complications were collected. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were evaluated for lung function. After resection, the patients had slightly lower values for spirometry: forced expiratory volume in 1 s preoperatively: 2.21 l ± 0.8; at 3 months: 1.9 l ± 0.8 and at 9 months: 2.0 l ± 0.8, but the relationship between the forced expiratory volume in 1 s and the forced vital capacity remained. The gas diffusion measured by diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide did not change: preoperative value: 23.2 ml/min/mmHg ± 7.4; at 3 months: 21.5 ml/min/mmHg ± 5.6; and at 9 months: 21.7 ml/min/mmHg ± 8.2. The performance of general exercise did not change; peak oxygen consumption preoperatively was 20.9 ml/kg/min ± 7.4; at 3 months: 19.3 ml/kg/min ± 6.4; and at 9 months: 20.2 ml/kg/min ± 8.0. Forty-six patients were included for analysis of complications. We had 13 complications with 2 deaths. To test the capacity of the predicted postoperative (PPO) values to forecast complications, we performed several multivariate and univariate analyses; none of them was a significant predictor of complications. When we analysed other variables, only bronchoalveolar lavage with positive culture was significant for postoperative complications (P = 0.0023). Patients who had a pneumonectomy had a longer stay in the intensive care unit (P = 0.0348). CONCLUSIONS: The calculated PPO forced expiratory volume in 1 s had an excellent correlation with the measurements at 3 and 9 months; but the calculated PPO capacity for carbon monoxide and the PPO peak oxygen consumption slightly underestimated the 3- and 9-month values. However, none of them was a predictor for complications. Better tools to predict postoperative complications for patients with bronchiectasis who are candidates for lung resection are needed. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01268475.

Characterization of the severity of dyspnea in patients with bronchiectasis: correlation with clinical, functional, and tomographic aspects.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize a population of patients with bronchiectasis, correlating clinical, radiological, and functional aspects with the severity of dyspnea. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving adult patients with HRCT-confirmed bronchiectasis, categorized according to the severity of dyspnea (as being mildly or severely symptomatic, on the basis of the modified Medical Research Council scale). We correlated the severity of dyspnea with clinical parameters, functional parameters (spirometry values, lung volumes, and DLCO), and CT parameters. RESULTS: We evaluated 114 patients, 47 (41%) of whom were men. The median age (interquartile range) was 42 years (30-55 years). The most common form was idiopathic bronchiectasis. Of the 114 patients, 20 (17.5%) were colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 59 (51.8%) were under continuous treatment with macrolides. When we applied the Exacerbation in the previous year, FEV1, Age, Colonization, Extension, and Dyspnea score, the severity of dyspnea was categorized as moderate in 54 patients (47.4%), whereas it was categorized as mild in 50 (43.9%) when we applied the Bronchiectasis Severity Index. The most common lung function pattern was one of obstruction, seen in 95 patients (83.3%), and air trapping was seen in 77 patients (68.7%). The prevalence of an obstructive pattern on spirometry was higher among the patients with dyspnea that was more severe, and most functional parameters showed reasonable accuracy in discriminating between levels of dyspnea severity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with bronchiectasis and dyspnea that was more severe had greater functional impairment. The measurement of lung volumes complemented the spirometry data. Because bronchiectasis is a complex, heterogeneous condition, a single variable does not seem to be sufficient to provide an overall characterization of the clinical condition.

Effects of elastic tape on thoracoabdominal mechanics, dyspnea, exercise capacity, and physical activity level in nonobese male subjects with COPD.

Subjects with severe and very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present thoracoabdominal asynchrony (TAA) that reduces ventilatory efficiency and exercise capacity. However, no therapeutic intervention has focused on reducing TAA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of elastic tape (ET) on thoracoabdominal mechanics, dyspnea symptoms, exercise capacity, and physical activity level in nonobese male subjects with severe-to-very severe COPD. This crossover, randomized trial included nonobese males with severe to very severe COPD. ET was placed on the chest wall and abdomen to reduce TAA. Subjects were evaluated at three hospital visits, each 7 days apart. At visit 1, thoracoabdominal kinematic and pulmonary ventilation were evaluated by optoelectronic plethysmography and electrical impedance tomography, respectively, both at rest and during isoload exercise testing. At visit 2, a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET; 10 W/min) was performed until exhaustion. Between the visits, subjects used a physical activity monitor (PAM) (at least 5 days of measurement; 10 h/day). At visit 3, all the tests were repeated in the opposite order of the previous randomization. During the isoload exercise, subjects with ET presented lower tidal and minute volumes (P = 0.01) and reduced TAA (P = 0.02) and dyspnea (P = 0.04). During the CPET, subjects with ET presented an increase in peak oxygen consumption (V̇o2peak; L/min and mL·kg-1·min-1; P = 0.01), test duration (P = 0.009), and maximal load (P = 0.03). Moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which was evaluated by the PAM, was also increased in subjects with ET (P = 0.01). ET reduced TAA and dyspnea and increased exercise capacity and the duration of MVPA in nonobese male subjects with severe-to-very severe COPDNEW & NOTEWORTHY Elastic tape can be used as a new and low-cost intervention to reduce thoracoabdominal asynchrony and sedentary behavior as well as improve exercise capacity and physical activity level in nonobese male subjects with severe-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Mechanisms of Exercise Limitation and Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension in Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) determines reduced exercise capacity. The speculated mechanisms of exercise impairment in PLCH are ventilatory and cardiocirculatory limitations, including pulmonary hypertension (PH). RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the mechanisms of exercise limitation, the exercise capacity, and the prevalence of dynamic hyperinflation (DH) and PH in PLCH? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, patients with PLCH underwent an incremental treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test with an evaluation of DH, pulmonary function tests, and transthoracic echocardiography. Those patients with lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (Dlco) < 40% predicted and/or transthoracic echocardiogram with tricuspid regurgitation velocity > 2.5 m/s and/or with indirect PH signs underwent right heart catheterization. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were included (68% women; mean age, 47 ± 11 years). Ventilatory and cardiocirculatory limitations, impairment suggestive of PH, and impaired gas exchange occurred in 88%, 67%, 29%, and 88% of patients, respectively. The limitation was multifactorial in 71%, exercise capacity was reduced in 71%, and DH occurred in 68% of patients. FEV1 and Dlco were 64 ± 22% predicted and 56 ± 21% predicted. Reduction in Dlco, an obstructive pattern, and air trapping occurred in 80%, 77%, and 37% of patients. FEV1 and Dlco were good predictors of exercise capacity. The prevalence of PH was 41%, predominantly with a precapillary pattern, and mean pulmonary artery pressure correlated best with FEV1 and tricuspid regurgitation velocity. INTERPRETATION: PH is frequent and exercise impairment is common and multifactorial in PLCH. The most prevalent mechanisms are ventilatory, cardiocirculatory, and suggestive of PH limitations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT02665546; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Effects of weight loss on dynamic hyperinflation in obese women asthmatics.

Obese adults with asthma are more likely to develop dynamic hyperinflation (DH) and expiratory flow limitation (EFL) than nonobese asthmatics, and weight-loss seems to improve the breathing mechanics during exercise. However, studies evaluating the effect of weight loss on DH in obese adults with asthma have not been performed. We sought to evaluate the effect of a weight loss program on DH in obese adults with asthma. Forty-two asthma patients were enrolled in a weight loss program (diet, psychological support, and exercise) and were subsequently divided into two groups according to the percentage of weight loss: a ≥5% group ( n = 19) and a <5% group ( n = 23). Before and after the intervention, DH and EFL (constant load exercise), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), asthma control, quadriceps muscle strength and endurance, body composition, and lung function were assessed. Both groups exhibited a decrease of ≥10% in inspiratory capacity (DH) before intervention, and only the ≥5% group showed clinical improvement in DH compared with the <5% group postintervention (-9.1 ± 14.5% vs. -12.5 ± 13.5%, respectively). In addition, the ≥5% group displayed a significant delay in the onset of both DH and EFL and a clinically significant improvement in HRQoL and asthma control. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between reduced waist circumference and increased inspiratory capacity ( r = -0.45, P = 0.05) in the ≥5% group. In conclusion, a weight-loss of ≥5% of the body weight improves DH, which is associated with waist circumference in obese adults with asthma. In addition, the group with greater weight-loss showed a delayed onset of DH and EFL during exercise and improved asthma clinical control and HRQoL. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to evaluate dynamic hyperinflation (DH) after a weight loss program in obese patients with asthma. Our results demonstrate that moderate weight loss can improve DH in obese patients with asthma that is associated with a decrease in abdominal fat. Moreover, a minimum of 5% in weight loss delays the onset of DH and expiratory flow limitation besides inducing a clinical improvement in asthma quality of life and clinical control.

Air trapping: The major factor limiting diaphragm mobility in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with COPD can have impaired diaphragm mechanics. A new method of assessing the mobility of the diaphragm, using ultrasound, has recently been validated. This study evaluated the relationship between pulmonary function and diaphragm mobility, as well as that between respiratory muscle strength and diaphragm mobility, in COPD patients. METHODS: COPD patients with pulmonary hyperinflation (n = 54) and healthy subjects (n = 20) were studied. Patients were tested for pulmonary function, maximal respiratory pressures and diaphragm mobility using ultrasound to measure the craniocaudal displacement of the left branch of the portal vein. RESULTS: COPD patients had less diaphragm mobility than did healthy individuals (36.5 +/- 10.9 mm vs 46.3 +/- 9.5 mm, P = 0.001). In COPD patients, diaphragm mobility correlated strongly with pulmonary function parameters that quantify air trapping (RV: r = -0.60, P < 0.001; RV/TLC: r = -0.76, P < 0.001), moderately with airway obstruction (FEV(1): r = 0.55, P < 0.001; airway resistance: r = -0.32, P = 0.02) and weakly with pulmonary hyperinflation (TLC: r = -0.28, P = 0.04). No relationship was observed between diaphragm mobility and respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure: r = -0.11, P = 0.43; maximal expiratory pressure: r = 0.03, P = 0.80). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the reduction in diaphragm mobility in COPD patients is mainly due to air trapping and is not influenced by respiratory muscle strength or pulmonary hyperinflation.

Spirometry in patients screened for coronary artery disease: is it useful?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of spirometric abnormalities in patients screened for coronary artery disease (CAD) and the risk factors for lung function impairment. METHODS: Patients referred for cardiac CT underwent spirometry and were subsequently divided into two groups, namely normal lung function and abnormal lung function. The prevalence of spirometric abnormalities was calculated for the following subgroups of patients: smokers, patients with metabolic syndrome, elderly patients, and patients with obstructive coronary lesions. All groups and subgroups were compared in terms of the coronary artery calcium score and the Duke CAD severity index. RESULTS: A total of 205 patients completed the study. Of those, 147 (72%) had normal lung function and 58 (28%) had abnormal lung function. The median coronary artery calcium score was 1 for the patients with normal lung function and 36 for those with abnormal lung function (p = 0.01). The mean Duke CAD severity index was 15 for the former and 27 for the latter (p < 0.01). Being a smoker was associated with the highest OR for abnormal lung function, followed by being over 65 years of age and having obstructive coronary lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of spirometric abnormalities appears to be high in patients undergoing cardiac CT for CAD screening. Smokers, elderly individuals, and patients with CAD are at an increased risk of lung function abnormalities and therefore should undergo spirometry. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01734629 [http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/]).

Impact of thoracic radiotherapy on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of thoracic radiotherapy on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Breast cancer patients in whom thoracic radiotherapy was indicated after surgical treatment and chemotherapy were submitted to HRCT, respiratory evaluation, and exercise capacity evaluation before radiotherapy and at three months after treatment completion. Respiratory muscle strength testing, measurement of chest wall mobility, and complete pulmonary function testing were performed for respiratory evaluation; cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to evaluate exercise capacity. The total radiotherapy dose was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction) to the breast or chest wall, including supraclavicular lymph nodes (SCLN) or not. Dose-volume histograms were calculated for each patient with special attention to the ipsilateral lung volume receiving 25 Gy (V25), in absolute and relative values, and mean lung dose. RESULTS: The study comprised 37 patients. After radiotherapy, significant decreases were observed in respiratory muscle strength, chest wall mobility, exercise capacity, and pulmonary function test results (p < 0.05). DLCO was unchanged. HRCT showed changes related to radiotherapy in 87% of the patients, which was more evident in the patients submitted to SCLN irradiation. V25% significantly correlated with radiation pneumonitis. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample of patients with breast cancer, thoracic radiotherapy seemed to have caused significant losses in respiratory and exercise capacity, probably due to chest wall restriction; SCLN irradiation represented an additional risk factor for the development of radiation pneumonitis.

Exercise Improves Physical Activity and Comorbidities in Obese Adults with Asthma.

INTRODUCTION: Obese adults with asthma have an increased number of comorbidities and reduced daily life physical activity (DLPA), which may worsen asthma symptoms. Exercise is recommended to improve asthma outcomes; however, the benefits of exercise for psychosocial comorbidities and physical activity levels in obese adults with asthma have been poorly investigated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effects of exercise on DLPA, asthma symptoms, and psychosocial comorbidities in obese adults with asthma. METHODS: Fifty-five grade II obese adults with asthma were randomly assigned to either a weight loss program + exercise program (WL + E group, n = 28) or a weight loss program + sham (WL + S group, n = 27). The WL + E group incorporated aerobic and resistance muscle training into the weight loss program (nutrition and psychological therapies), whereas the WL + S group performed breathing and stretching exercises. DLPA, asthma symptoms, sleep quality, and anxiety and depression symptoms were quantified before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 3 months, the WL + E group presented a significant increase in daily step counts (3068 ± 2325 vs 729 ± 1118 steps per day) and the number of asthma symptom-free days (14.5 ± 9.6 vs 8.6 ± 11.4 d·month) compared with the WL + S group. The proportion of participants with improvements in depression symptoms (76.4% vs 16.6%) and a lower risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (56.5% vs 16.3%) was greater in the WL + E group than that in the WL + S group (P < 0.05). Significant improvements in sleep efficiency (6.6% ± 5.1% vs 1.3% ± 4.7%) and latency (-3.7 ± 5.9 vs 0.2 ± 5.6 min) were also observed in the WL + E group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results strongly suggest that exercise training plus a weight loss program improves DLPA, sleep efficiency, and depression and asthma symptoms in obese adults with asthma.

Functional implications of BAL in the presence of restrictive or obstructive lung disease.

Most of the complications associated to bronchoscopy are related to changes of the respiratory function during or after its performance. Prevention of complications should be achieved by understanding the effects of bronchoscopic procedures and their relation to the pulmonary function deterioration. Previous studies regarding the functional impairment caused by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were mostly limited by the presence of interferent factors such as sedative drugs. Furthermore, it is not clear whether or not patients with different ventilatory disturbances present the same functional response to bronchoscopy and BAL. The aim of this study was to determine the additional effects of BAL over the respiratory function deterioration related to bronchoscopy in patients with different respiratory function profiles (normal, restrictive and obstructive). Forty patients submitted to bronchoscopy without premedication were divided into four groups: group I-normal pulmonary function submitted to basic bronchoscopy; group II-bronchoscopy in combination with BAL, subdivided according to pulmonary function: group IIa (normal function), group IIb (restrictive ventilatory disturbances) and group IIc (obstructive ventilatory disturbances). Spirometry was made before and after the bronchoscopic procedure. Baseline hemoglobin saturation was compared to the lowest level during the procedure. Functional worsening caused by the procedure was observed with a decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV(1)) and Hemoglobin saturation in all groups. Comparison between groups showed no significant difference regarding the changes in FVC (P=0.8324), FEV(1) (P=0.6952) and hemoglobin saturation (P=0.5044). We conclude that standardized BAL, like the one used in our study, does not result in an increased risk for ventilatory impairment compared to bronchoscopy itself, independently of the presence of previous respiratory disease.

Air stacking: effects on pulmonary function in patients with spinal muscular atrophy and in patients with congenital muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory complications are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with neuromuscular disease (NMD). The objectives of this study were to determine the effects that routine daily home air-stacking maneuvers have on pulmonary function in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and in patients with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD), as well as to identify associations between spinal deformities and the effects of the maneuvers. METHODS: Eighteen NMD patients (ten with CMD and eight with SMA) were submitted to routine daily air-stacking maneuvers at home with manual resuscitators for four to six months, undergoing pulmonary function tests before and after that period. The pulmonary function tests included measurements of FVC; PEF; maximum insufflation capacity (MIC); and assisted and unassisted peak cough flow (APCF and UPCF, respectively) with insufflations. RESULTS: After the use of home air-stacking maneuvers, there were improvements in the APCF and UPCF. In the patients without scoliosis, there was also a significant increase in FVC. When comparing patients with and without scoliosis, the increases in APCF and UPCF were more pronounced in those without scoliosis. CONCLUSIONS: Routine daily air-stacking maneuvers with a manual resuscitator appear to increase UPCF and APCF in patients with NMD, especially in those without scoliosis.

Lung resection improves the quality of life of patients with symptomatic bronchiectasis.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is a significant cause of morbidity. Surgical resection is a treatment option, but its main outcomes regarding quality of life (QOL) and physiologic consequences have not been addressed previously, to our knowledge. We aimed to evaluate the effect of surgical procedures on QOL, exercise capacity, and lung function in patients with bronchiectasis in whom medical treatment was unsuccessful. METHODS: Patients with noncystic fibrosis in whom medical treatment was unsuccessful and who were candidates for lung resection were enrolled in a prospective study. The main measurements before lung resection and 9 months afterward were QOL according to the Short Form 36 Health Survey and World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaires, lung function test results, and the results of maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycle ergometer. RESULTS: Of 61 patients who were evaluated, 53 (50.9% male, age 41.3 ± 12.9 years) underwent surgical resection (83% lobectomies), and 44 completed the 9-month follow-up. At baseline, they had low QOL scores, mild obstruction, and diminished exercise capacity. After resection, 2 patients died and adverse events occurred in 24.5%. QOL scores improved remarkably at the 9-month measurements, achieving values considered normal for the general population in most dimensions. Functionally, resection caused mild reduction of lung volume; nevertheless, exercise capacity was not decreased. In fact, 52% of the patients improved their exercise performance. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that low QOL before resection was an important predictor of QOL improvement after resection (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Lung resection promotes a significant improvement in the QOL of patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis without compromising their exercise capacity.

Skeletal muscle abnormalities in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive disease that is characterized by dyspnea and exercise intolerance. Impairment in skeletal muscle has recently been described in PAH, although the degree to which this impairment is solely determined by the hemodynamic profile remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to verify the association of structural and functional skeletal muscle characteristics with maximum exercise in PAH. METHODS: The exercise capacity, body composition, CT area of limb muscle, quality of life, quadriceps biopsy and hemodynamics of 16 PAH patients were compared with those of 10 controls. RESULTS: PAH patients had a significantly poorer quality of life, reduced percentage of lean body mass, reduced respiratory muscle strength, reduced resistance and strength of quadriceps and increased functional limitation at 6MWT and CPET. VO2 max was correlated with muscular variables and cardiac output. Bivariate linear regression models showed that the association between muscular structural and functional variables remained significant even after correcting for cardiac output. CONCLUSION: Our study showed the coexistence of ventilatory and quadriceps weakness in face of exercise intolerance in the same group of PAH patients. More interestingly, it is the first time that the independent association between muscular pattern and maximum exercise capacity is evidenced in PAH, independently of cardiac index highlighting the importance of considering rehabilitation in the treatment strategy for PAH.