[New clinical guidelines for COPD - a paradigm shift: A review].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is now one of the most common noncommunicable diseases and the main causes of morbidity, disability and mortality in the world. In recent years, new approaches to epidemiology, diagnosis, classification (categorization), evaluation of phenotypes, as well as characterization and assessment of the severity of сhronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations have emerged. Modern approaches to starting and subsequent drug therapy have changed significantly. This is largely due to the results of recently conducted major clinical trials, demonstrated high efficacy of triple fixed combinations, including inhaled glucocorticosteroids, long-acting beta-agonists and long-acting anticholinergic drugs. The use of non-medication methods (smoking cessation, physical activity and respiratory rehabilitation) and modern approaches to the treatment of respiratory failure and antibiotic therapy remain important. In terms of their significance, all these updates have a significant impact on real clinical practice and can be considered as a novel paradigm of the approaches to the diagnosis and management of this disease.

[The concept of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease clinical control as a decision - making tool in real clinical practice for optimizing of basic pharmacotherapy].

The main goals of COPD therapy are to achieve clinical stability with minimal clinical manifestations and low risk of relapse. The proposed COPD control concept by analogy with asthma has not been quite well characterized yet. COPD control is defined as "the long - term maintenance of a clinical situation with a low impact of symptoms on the patient's life and absence of exacerbations." The situation of clinical control in COPD is considered desirable and potentially achievable for most patients with COPD. Pharmacotherapeutic options for COPD are constantly expanding. The control concept may be useful when the decision on treatment of COPD is made for dynamic adjustment of the therapy volume.

Multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis of idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

The article provides a modern classification of interstitial lung diseases. The focus is on the poorly studied and difficult to diagnose idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, isolated in a separate nosological form and included in the classification only in 2002. The paper presents the features of the clinical, radiological, histological picture of idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia in comparison with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The presented materials are based on the results of the largest study conducted by the working group of the American Thoracic Society, which shows the importance of the interaction of specialists in the diagnosis of idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. A comprehensive assessment of the examination of patients conducted in collaboration with the clinician and radiologist, after their cooperative discussion, in many cases can help to avoid lung biopsy, and the study of morphological material is more often necessary only in difficult diagnostic situations.

[A personalized approach to the pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / Personalizirovannyi podkhod k legochnoi reabilitatsii bol'nykh khronicheskoi obstruktivnoi bolezn'yu legkikh.

AIM: To elaborate and introduce personalized pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs adapted in terms of the types of disease response in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 85 patients with COPD of more than 2 years' duration (the shortest time frame that was valid to assess the type of disease response) were examined. All the patients underwent adequate physical, instrumental, laboratory, and psychiatric examinations, during which the type of COPD response was determined. Before a rehabilitation cycle, after its termination, and 1, 3, and 6 months later, each patient underwent evaluation of the symptoms of COPD, the frequency of its exacerbations, the level of basic knowledge about COPD according to the author's questionnaire, assessment of the quality of life and the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and functional tests. RESULTS: The final sample included 30 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to voluntarily participate in the PR programs. According to the type of a response to the underlying disease, the patients were divided into 2 polar groups: A) those who were anxious about their illness (excessive apprehension, fears that were associated with the perception of lung disease and that led to distress) and depression (despondency, an agonizing understanding of a possible poor outcome and consequences of the impact of COPD on their lives) and B) those who had a newly diagnosed type of COPD response - hyponosognosia (underestimation of disease severity, perception of the symptoms of COPD as age-related changes, and preservation of the old way of life to the detriment of their health). Effective personalized PR programs were elaborated and applied to both groups. CONCLUSION: Group measures focused on learning how to cope with the disease and its symptoms and on the ability to distinguish its manifestations from the signs of psychological distress and to combat them are effective in patients who are anxious about the disease and depressed (Group A). Individual inpatient activities aimed at the formation and maintenance of motivation, the formation of an image of the disease and its manifestations, and early specialized care for smoking cessation are indicated for patients with hyponosognosia (Group B).

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease concurrent with hypertension: Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of prolonged-release indapamide]. / Khronicheskaya obstruktivnaya bolezn' legkikh v sochetanii s arterial'noi gipertoniei: otsenka lechebnogo effekta indapamida prolongirovannogo deistviya.

AIM: To provide a rationale for the clinical efficacy and safety of prolonged-release indapamide used in the combination therapy of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease concurrent (COPD) concurrent with hypertension. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients (50 men and 15 women) with Stages I-IV COPD and grades 1-3 elevated blood pressure (BP) in whom prior antihypertensive therapy had proved insufficiently effective were examined. RESULTS: Prolonged-release indapamide demonstrated a high efficacy in achieving and maintaining goal BP, in normalizing its daily profile, and in reducing increased variability and the rate of morning rise in BP, without negatively affecting the clinical manifestations of COPD, pulmonary ventilatory function, and serum potassium levels. The drug was shown to have additional pleiotropic effects in lowering the activity of inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, intercellular adhesion molecules-1) and the level of endothelial dysfunction markers (endothelin-1, sP-selectin). Another commonly clinically used diuretic hydrochlorothiazide was chosen as a compared drug. CONCLUSION: The high antihypertensive efficacy and additional pleiotropic properties of prolonged-release indapamide that exerts no negative effect on the clinical manifestations of COPD, bronchial patency, and serum potassium levels demonstrate that it is expedient to incorporate prolonged-release indapamide into the combination therapy of patients with COPD concurrent with hypertension.

[Efficacy of one combined inhaled drug in the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma depending on the disease duration].

AIM: To assess an effect of long-term administration of one combined inhaled drug containing glucocorticosteroids (GCS) and long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) on patient compliance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The trial included 47 patients (14 males and 33 females, mean age 48.8 +/- 13.2 years) with bronchial asthma (BA) of different severity and duration (from 1 month to 42 years). The patients were divided into two groups by BA duration: 20 patients with newly diagnosed BA and 27 patients with a long history of BA. Cooperation was judged by the questionnaire Index of Cooperation in Bronchial Asthma. Control of BA for the last 4 weeks was determined according to Asthma Control Test. RESULTS: Patients with BA of new onset have low mean rating of compliance. One combined inhaled drug improved compliance in both groups but the improvement was less in patients with new-onset BA. The ACT-test showed that the above inhaled improve control of BA. CONCLUSION: Therapy with one combined inhaled drug containing GCS and LABA is highly effective in patients with BA of different severity. This promotes higher compliance and, finally, produces better effect.

[Administration of cardioselective beta-adrenoblockers in patients with arterial hypertension and/or ischemic heart disease associated with bronchoobstructive syndrome].

AIM: To assess efficacy and safety of selective beta-adrenoblockers (BAB) metoprolol succinate and nebivolol in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and/or IHD associated with bronchoobstructive syndrome (BOS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients suffering from AH and/or IHD associated with BOS in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or bronchial asthma (BA) of any severity in remission received BAB. Safety of BAB was evaluated by dynamics of respiratory symptoms and bronchial patency. An antihypertensive effect of BAB was assessed by the data of 24-h monitoring of BP, an antianginal one--by dynamics of clinical symptoms, amount of nitrates taken and exercise tolerance (6-min walk). The results of Holter ECG monitoring and an antiarrhythmic effect of BAB were also studied. RESULTS; Metoprolol succinate and nebivolol did not deteriorate bronchial patency (baseline FEV1--81.08 +/- 22.57%, at the end of the study--84.58 +/- 23.72% and 71.12 +/- 19.95, 73.19 +/- 21.70, respectively) in COPD and/or BA. Both drugs showed high antihypertensive efficacy as monotherapy and in combined therapy. Anginal attacks severity and frequency reduced significantly. The need in nitrosorbide fell noticeably, exercise tolerance increased significantly. Metoprolol succinate and nebivolol have a good anti-arrythmic effect. CONCLUSION: Metoprolol succinate and nebivolol are safe in patients with bronchoobstructive syndrome and AH and/or IHD in the presence of cardiovascular indications; these drugs can be used in patients with severe COPD and BA as well as their exacerbations unrelated to administration of beta-adrenoblocker.

[Effective control of a severe exacerbation of bronchial asthma]. / Effektivnyi kontrol tiazhelogo obostreniia bronkhial'noi astmy.

AIM: To evaluate effectiveness and safety of nebulizer therapy (NT) with broncholytics and pulmicort suspension (PS) in patients with a severe exacerbation of bronchial asthma (BA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 75 patients with a severe BA exacerbation received broncholytic NT with consideration of comorbid pathology and age. Nebulized PS was used as an alternative to systemic glucocorticosteroids (SGCS). NT efficacy was assessed by changes in clinical symptoms, in the peak expiration velocity (PEV) and spirometry parameters. Safety was controlled by 24-h ECG monitoring, pulsoximetry. PS was examined for effect on adrenal cortex, calcium metabolism, oral infection with Candida. Side effects were registered. RESULTS: Clinical improvement was recorded in all the patients. NT reduced the number of additional inhalations of short-acting beta2-agonists 4-5 times, on the average. In the end of NT there was a 4.66% increase in SaO2 vs the initial value (p = 0.04). PEV and FEV1 increased. Plasm levels of hydrocortisone and its urine excretion did not lower vs initial values. CONCLUSION: The results of the study point to efficacy and safety of combined NT with broncholytics and PS in a severe exacerbation of BA.

[Effect of high doses of broncholytics on the state of cardiovascular system during treatment of sever exacerbation of bronchial asthma]. / Vliianie bol'shikh doz bronkholiticheskikh preparatov na sostoianie serdechno-sosudistoi sistemy pri lechenii tiazhelogo obostreniia bronkhial'noi astmy.

UNLABELLED: The use of broncholytic drugs through nebulizer is a standard treatment for acute episodes of bronchial asthma. However doses of these drugs administered by nebulizer can be much higher than those applied when metered dose inhaler is used. These doses have a potential of cardiotoxic effects. MATERIAL: Patients (n=75) with severe exacerbation of bronchial asthma. METHODS: All patients received broncholytic drugs through nebulizer. Doses were adjusted according to age and concomitant pathology among which prevailed ischemic heart disease (21.3%) and hypertension (53.3%). Nebulized beclomethasone was an alternative to systemic corticosteroids. Safety of therapy was controlled with electrocardiography, 24-hour electrocardiography, measurements of serum potassium level, registration of subjective signs (palpitation, tremor) and objective data (heart rate, blood pressure). RESULTS: Clinical improvement occurred in all patients. By the end of nebulizer therapy arterial blood O(2) saturation increased 4.66% from initial level (p=0.04). Peak expiratory rate and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec also rose (p <0.05). Termination of nebulizer therapy was associated with decrease of number of both supraventricular and ventricular premature beats. Moderate widening of of QT interval above 460 ms was registered in 4 patients, 3 of whom had ischemic heart disease. There were no significant changes of serum potassium levels. CONCLUSION: Broncholytic drugs administered by nebulizer in therapeutic doses selected with consideration of age and concomitant diseases did not produce cardiotoxic effects.

[Hyperventilation syndrome in bronchial asthma, essential hypertension and organic neurosis. Clinical picture and external respiration function]. / Giperventiliatsionnyi sindrom pri bronkhial'noi astme, gipertonicheskoi bolezni i organnom nevroze. Klinicheskaia kartina i funktsiia vneshnego dykhaniia.

The external respiration function was studied in 100 patients with hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) divided into 3 groups: 40 patients with HVS and bronchial asthma (group 1) consisting of 15 males and 25 females (age median--45 years, 25 percentile--37 years, 75 percentile--53 years); 39 patients with HVS and essential hypertension (group 2) consisting of 8 males and 31 females (age median 49, 25 percentile--40 years, 75 percentile--57 years); 21 patients with HVS without concurrent somatic diseases of group 3 (7 males, 14 females, age median 45 years, 25 percentile--28 years, 75 percentile--45 years). It is shown that different disorders of pulmonary ventilation correspond to different clinical manifestations of HVS. Thus, in bronchial obstruction (group 1) HVS manifests with "weak respiration", in restrictive pulmonary disorders (group 2) HVS manifests as "heavy respiration", in high parameters of bronchial permeability (group 3)--"shallow respiration".

[Anti-leukotriene therapy of patients with allergic rhinosinusitis and bronchial asthma]. / Antileikotrienovaia terapiia bol'nykh allergicheskim rinosinusitom i bronchial'noi astmoi.

The authors review current knowledge on pathogenesis of allergic rhinosinusitis and bronchial asthma and their relations, show the role of leukotriens in development of respiratory allergy, characterize antileukotrienic medicines. Eleven patients with allergic rhinosinusitis and bronchial asthma received monotherapy with zafirlucast (acolapt) which is a blocker of leukotrienic receptors. Eight patients benefited from the treatment. The positive effect consisted in improvement of nasal respiration, reduction of rhinorrhea, edema of nasal mucosa, size of polyps.

A health-related quality-of-life comparison of formoterol (Oxis) Turbuhaler plus budesonide (Pulmicort) Turbuhaler with budesonide Turbuhaler alone and noncorticosteroid treatment in asthma: a randomized clinical study in Russia.

BACKGROUND: In Russia, current therapy for the long-term management of asthma is mainly nonsteroidal. This situation provides the opportunity to evaluate new asthma treatments in a patient cohort with little previous exposure to inhaled corticosteroids. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of formoterol (Oxis) Turbuhaler plus budesonide (Pulmicort) Turbuhaler with budesonide Turbuhaler alone, on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with mild to moderate asthma. METHODS: A double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, 12-week study compared formoterol Turbuhaler plus budesonide Turbuhaler and budesonide Turbuhaler alone with an open control group of the investigator's choice of noncorticosteroid therapy. Patients completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). RESULTS: The improvement in HRQL scores for patients treated with noncorticosteroids was significantly less (p < 0.05) than those treated with formoterol plus budesonide and budesonide alone in all domains of the SF-36 and AQLQ with one marginal exception (budesonide versus investigator's choice, SF-36, Mental Component Scale, p = 0.053). Improvements in HRQL scores of formoterol plus budesonide, compared with budesonide alone, although generally higher, were not significantly different. Formoterol plus budesonide was more effective in improving lung function and reducing both symptoms and the need for relief terbutaline inhalation. CONCLUSION: Formoterol Turbuhaler plus budesonide Turbuhaler and budesonide Turbuhaler alone significantly improved the HRQL of patients with mild to moderate asthma compared with noncorticosteroid treatment.