Dietary patterns and risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and clinical outcomes in diagnosed patients: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Limited research exists on the association between dietary patterns (DP) and COPD risk or health-related outcomes. We reviewed existing literature to identify DP as a potential factor influencing COPD development and associated health outcomes in diagnosed individuals. METHODS: We followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for this scoping review, conducting searches on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science to identify studies meeting our inclusion criteria (P, population - adults from the general population with or without COPD diagnosis; C, concept - DP; C, context - any setting). Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, confirmed eligibility through full-text examination, extracted data using Redcap®, and assessed bias risk with the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: We analyzed 24 studies with sample sizes ranging from 121 to 421,426 individuals aged 20 to 75. Eighty-three percent investigated the role of DP in the COPD etiology, while 16.7 % examined health-related COPD outcomes. Food frequency questionnaires predominated (75 %) in exploring 23 distinct DP. Sixty-seven percent employed a priori-defined DP, focusing on the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI), while 33.3 % utilized a posteriori-defined DP, mainly represented by the Prudent and Traditional DP. Sixty percent of the studies reported significant associations between DP and COPD risk/odds. However, studies examining DP and COPD patient outcomes produced varied results. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies focused on assessing COPD risk using a priori-defined DP, particularly emphasizing the Med Diet and HEI. Overall, the studies found that healthy DPs are associated with reduced risk of COPD and improved outcomes in diagnosed patients.

Factors related to mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Colombian population / Factores relacionados con la mortalidad en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en población colombiana

Introduction. Data in low- and middle-income countries on mortality and its related risk factors in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are limited. Objective. To identify the incidence of death and its relationship with variables in a Colombian population during 12 months of follow-up. Materials and methods. We carried out a retrospective study in subjects diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a third-level hospital in Colombia. Odds ratios were calculated using multivariable logistic regression analysis with the outcome variable "mortality at 12 months". Results. We included 524 patients, 18.1% (95 / 524) died. The average age was 69.7 (SD = 8.92), and 59.2% (310 / 524) were women. The variables associated with mortality were age (OR = 6.54; 95% CI = 3.65-11.36; p < 0.001), years of exposure to wood smoke (OR = 4.59; 95% CI = 1.64-2.82; p = 0.002), chronic heart failure (OR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.13-2.91; p = 0.014), cerebrovascular disease (OR = 3.35; 95% CI = 1.04-10.75; p = 0.032), and chronic kidney disease (OR = 6.96; 95% CI = 1.15-41.67; p=0.015). When adjusting the variables in the multivariate analysis, only an association was found for sex (OR = 1.55; 95% CI = 0.95-2.54; p = 0.008) and age (OR = 5.94; 95% CI = 3.3-10.69; p < 0.001). Conclusion. Age, years of exposure to wood smoke, chronic heart failure, and cerebrovascular and chronic kidney disease were the clinical variables associated with a fatal outcome. However, age and sex were the only variables related to mortality when adjusted for confounding factors.

Introducción. En los países de medianos y bajos ingresos, los datos sobre la mortalidad y los factores de riesgo en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica son limitados. Objetivo. Identificar la incidencia de muerte y sus variables relacionadas en una población colombiana durante 12 meses de seguimiento. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio retrospectivo de sujetos con diagnóstico de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en una clínica de tercer nivel en Colombia. Los cocientes de probabilidades se calcularon mediante un análisis de regresión logística multivariable con la variable de resultado "mortalidad a los 12 meses". Resultados. Ingresaron 524 pacientes, de los cuales el 18,1 % (95 / 524) murió. La edad promedio fue de 69,7 (DE = 8,92) y el 59,2 % (310 / 524) eran mujeres. Las variables asociadas con la mortalidad fueron la edad (OR = 6,54; IC95%: 3,65-11,36; p < 0,001), años de exposición al humo de leña (OR = 4,59; IC95%: 1,64-12,82; p = 0,002), insuficiencia cardiaca crónica (OR = 1,81; IC95%: 1,13-2,91; p = 0,014), enfermedad cerebrovascular (OR = 3,35; IC95%: 1,04-10,75; p = 0,032) y enfermedad renal crónica (OR=6,96; IC 95%:1,15-41,67; p = 0,015). Al ajustar las variables en el análisis multivariado únicamente se mostró asociación entre el sexo (OR = 1,55; IC95%: 0,95-2,54; p = 0,008) y la edad (OR = 5,94; IC95%: 3,3-10,69; p < 0,001). Conclusión. La edad, los años de exposición al humo de leña, la insuficiencia cardiaca crónica, la enfermedad cerebrovascular y la renal crónica fueron variables clínicas asociadas a un desenlace fatal. Sin embargo, la edad y el sexo fueron las únicas relacionadas con la mortalidad al ajustarlas por factores de confusión.

Mapping the Common Barriers to Optimal COPD Care in High and Middle-Income Countries: Qualitative Perspectives from Clinicians.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) poses a significant global health burden despite being largely preventable and treatable. Despite the availability of guidelines, COPD care remains suboptimal in many settings, including high-income countries (HICs) and upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), with varied approaches to diagnosis and management. This study aimed to identify common and unique barriers to COPD care across six countries (Australia, Spain, Taiwan, Argentina, Mexico, and Russia) to inform global policy initiatives for improved care. Methods: COPD care pathways were mapped for each country and supplemented with epidemiological, health-economic, and clinical data from a targeted literature review. Semi-structured interviews with 17 respiratory care clinicians were used to further validate the pathways and identify key barriers. Thematic content analysis was used to generate the themes. Results: Six themes were common in most HICs and UMICs: "Challenges in COPD diagnosis", "Strengthening the role of primary care", "Fragmented healthcare systems and coordination challenges", "Inadequate management of COPD exacerbations", "Limited access to specialized care" and, "Impact of underfinanced and overloaded healthcare systems". One theme, "Insurance coverage and reimbursement challenges", was more relevant for UMICs. HICs and UMICs differ in patient and healthcare provider awareness, primary care involvement, spirometry access, and availability of specialized care. Both face issues with healthcare fragmentation, guideline adherence, and COPD exacerbation management. In addition, UMICs also grapple with resource limitations and healthcare infrastructure challenges. Conclusion: Many challenges to COPD care are the same in both HICs and UMICs, underscoring the pervasive nature of these issues. While country-specific issues require customized solutions, there are untapped possibilities for implementing global respiratory strategies that support countries to manage COPD effectively. In addition to healthcare system-level initiatives, there is a crucial need for political prioritization of COPD to allocate the essential resources it requires.

Association between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Hearing Loss with Impaired Speech Recognition: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have identified a greater risk of sensory neural hearing loss in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared to healthy individuals, but it is unclear whether they are at increased risk of hearing loss with impaired speech recognition. The aim of this study was to assess whether COPD is associated with hearing loss that affects speech recognition. METHODS: This is a case-control study. We screened individuals from health facilities in the municipality of Jundiai. We enrolled a test group of individuals with COPD and an age-matched control group composed of individuals with asthma. The selected individuals attended an appointment with a chest physician, responded to questionnaires, and underwent tonal and speech audiometry. Adjusted binary logistic regression analysis evaluated whether COPD was associated with reduced speech recognition. RESULTS: We enrolled 36 individuals with COPD and 72 with asthma. Individuals with COPD were more likely to have a reduced speech recognition compared to asthmatic individuals (reduced recognition of three-syllable words: adjusted OR 3.72, 95 CI [1.38-10.02]) (reduced recognition of monosyllable words: adjusted OR 4.74, 95 CI [1.52-14.76]). CONCLUSION: We conclude that individuals with COPD from primary and secondary healthcare facilities have at least 38% greater risk of hearing loss with reduced speech recognition compared to an age-matched control group of individuals with asthma recruited from the same facilities. We recommend that longitudinal studies evaluate whether regular screening could contribute to the prevention or early treatment of hearing loss in individuals with moderate-severe COPD.

Comparison of the Diagnostic Performance of Five Clinical Questionnaires for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains one of the most prevalent pathologies in the world and is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, partially due to underdiagnosis. The use of clinical questionnaires to identify high-risk individuals to take them to further diagnostic procedures has emerged as a strategy to address this problem. Objective: To compare the performance of the COULD IT BE COPD, CDQ, COPD-PS, LFQ, and PUMA questionnaires for COPD diagnosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on subjects who underwent spirometry in the third-level center. Data were collected between January 2015 and March 2020. Bivariate analysis was performed between the study variables and the presence of COPD. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC-ROC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+), and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) for each questionnaire were calculated. The AUC-ROCs were compared with the DeLong test, considering a p value <0.05 statistically significant. Results: 681 subjects met the inclusion criteria and were taken to the final analysis. The prevalence of COPD was 27.5% (187/681). The mean age of the subjects was 65.9 years (SD ± 11.79); 46.3% (315/681) were female, and 83.6% (569/681) reported respiratory symptoms. Statistically significant relationship was found for COPD diagnosis with male sex, older age, respiratory symptoms, and exposure to wood smoke (p value <0.05). The AUC-ROCs of the questionnaires were between 0.581 and 0.681. The COULD IT BE COPD questionnaire had a lower discriminatory capacity AUC-ROC of 0.581, concerning the other scores (DeLong test, p = 0.0002). Conclusion: The CDQ, COPD-PS, LFQ, PUMA, and COULD IT BE COPD questionnaires have acceptable performance for the diagnosis of COPD together with low sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, its use must be complemented with other diagnostic tests or techniques such as pulmonary function tests.

Female sexual dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Sexual life of women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be affected by breathing difficulties, a decrease in functional status, depressive mood and fatigue. Objetive: To evaluate the sexual dysfunction in female COPD patients and the possible explanatory mechanisms or correlations between these conditions. Methods: The study included 70 female patients with COPD aged between 36-65 and 70 age-matched controls. All the subjects completed questionnaires for the Female Sexual Functional Index (FSFI), BECK depression inventory and, spirometry. Results: Statistically significant sexual dysfunction was noted in COPD patients compared to the non-COPD group (p<0.001). BECK depression inventory scores of the COPD patients were also significantly lower (p<0.001). no correlation between FSFI and BECK depression scores in 'patients' characteristics (r=-0.055, p=0.651). No significant difference was found in age, forced expiratory volume (FEV)1%, and exacerbation history of the previous year according to severity of depression (p>0.005). In linear regression analysis determining depression, no statistically significant factor was found among age, number of comorbidities, and FEV1/ forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted (p>0.05). In multivariable analysis, only fatigue during intercourse was found to be a statistically significant factor in predicting sexual dysfunction among factors like age, presence of comorbidities, duration of the disease, smoking status, FEV1%, m MRCpoints, 6-minutes walk test, BECK depression scores (p=0.008). Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is reported in many COPD females and seems to be related not to spirometric measures or exercise capacity but to fatigue. Depression is also a common comorbidity, of which both disorders are often neglected.

Antecedentes: La vida sexual en mujeres con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) es afectada por dificultades respiratorias, disminución del estado funcional, estado de ánimo depresivo y fatiga. Objetive: Evaluar la disfunción sexual en mujeres con EPOC y posibles mecanismos explicativos de esas dos condiciones. Métodos: Participaron 70 pacientes mujeres con EPOC, rango edad 36-65 años y 70 controles emparejados por edad. Todos los sujetos respondieron un cuestionario para el índice funcional sexual femenino e inventario de depresión de BECK, mas una espirometría. Resultados: Se observó disfunción sexual significativa en las pacientes con EPOC comparado con el grupo sin EPOC. Las puntuaciones del inventario de depresión BECK fueron significativamente inferiores a las del grupo control. No hubo correlación entre las puntuaciones del FSFI y la depresión BECK con las características de las "mujeres" (r=-0.055). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en edad, FEV1% y antecedentes de exacerbación del año anterior según la gravedad de la depresión. En la regresión lineal para determinar la depresión, no hubo ningún factor estadísticamente significativo entre edad, número de comorbilidades y FEV1/FVC% predicho. En el multivariado, sólo la fatiga durante el coito resultó ser un factor significativo para predecir la disfunción sexual entre factores como edad, presencia de comorbilidades, duración de la enfermedad, hábito tabáquico, FEV1%, m MRCpoints, prueba de la marcha de 6 minutos y puntuaciones de depresión de BECK. Conclusiones: La disfunción sexual parece no estar relacionada con las medidas espirométricas o la capacidad de ejercicio, pero si con la fatiga. La depresión es una comorbilidad frecuente, de la que a menudo se descuidan ambos trastornos.

Knowledge of Vaccination Against Influenza and Pneumococcus in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in an Integrated Care Program.

Purpose: To compare the level of knowledge in vaccination against influenza and pneumococcus of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are managed in an Integrated Care Program (ICP) with those who receive usual care (UC). Methods: A telephone survey of patients diagnosed with COPD registered in public care networks or private institutions was done. A descriptive and comparative analysis of the characteristics of the ICP and UC groups was carried out. The relationship between belonging to an ICP and the level of knowledge about vaccination was evaluated using Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and multivariate logistic and ordinal regression models. Results: Of 674 study participants, 27.2% were from the ICP group. ICP patients were older, more frequently men, from a higher socioeconomic stratum and a higher educational level (p<0.05). 75.5% of the patients in the ICP group had a high level of vaccination knowledge compared to 42.7% in the UC group (p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, adjusting for sociodemographic variables, years of COPD diagnosis, and comorbidities, belonging to the ICP was associated with a higher probability of answering questions about vaccination correctly and having a high level of knowledge (OR 3.397, IC 95% 2.058-5.608, p<0.001). Conclusion: Patients with COPD managed in an ICP have a higher level of knowledge in vaccination against influenza and pneumococcus, compared to patients in usual care.

Patterns and Trends in the Use of Medications for COPD Control in a Cohort of 9476 Colombian Patients, 2017-2019.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects approximately 174 million people worldwide. The objective was to determine the trends of COPD medication use in a group of Colombian patients. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study on prescription patterns of bronchodilators and other medications used in COPD from a population database with follow-up at 12 and 24 months. Patients older than 18 years of age of any sex with a COPD diagnostic code between 2017 and 2019 were included. Sociodemographic variables, medications, treatment schedules for COPD, comorbidities, comedications, and the specialty of the prescriber were considered. Results: Data from 9476 people with COPD was evaluated. The mean age was 75.9 ± 10.7 years, 50.1% were male, and 86.8% were prescribed by a general practitioner. A total of 57.9% had comorbidities, most often hypertension (44.4%). At the baseline measurement, on average, they received 1.6 medications/patient, mainly short-acting antimuscarinics (3784; 39.9%), followed by short-acting ß-agonists (2997, 31.6%) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) (2239, 23.6%); more than half (5083, 53.6%) received a long-acting bronchodilator. Prescription of triple therapy (antimuscarinic, ß-agonist, and ICS) went from 645 (6.8%) at baseline to 1388 (20.6%) at the 12-month mark. Conclusion: This group of patients with COPD treated in Colombia frequently received short-acting bronchodilators and ICS, but a growing proportion are undergoing controlled therapy with long-acting bronchodilators, a situation that can improve the indicators of morbidity, exacerbations, and hospitalization.

Trajectories of Spirometric Patterns, Obstructive and PRISm, in a Population-Based Cohort in Latin America.

Background: Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) has been associated with adverse outcomes and increased transition to other spirometric categories over time. We aimed to examine its prevalence, trajectories over time, and outcomes in a population-based sample from Latin America. Methods: Data were obtained from two population-based surveys of adults from three cities in Latin America (PLATINO study), conducted on the same individuals 5-9 years after their baseline examination. We estimated the frequency of PRISm defined by FEV1/FVC≥0.70 with FEV1 <80%, describing their clinical characteristics, longitudinal transition trajectories over time, factors associated with the transition. Results: At baseline, 2942 participants completed post-bronchodilator spirometry, and 2026 at both evaluations. The prevalence of normal spirometry was 78%, GOLD-stage 1 10.6%, GOLD 2-4 6.5%, and PRISm was: 5.0% (95% CI 4.2-5.8). PRISm was associated with less schooling, more reports of physician-diagnosis of COPD, wheezing, dyspnea, missing days at work, having ≥2 exacerbations in the previous year but without accelerated lung function decline. Mortality risk was significantly higher in PRISm (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.2-3.3) and COPD GOLD 1-4 categories (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.3-2.4) compared with normal spirometry. PRISm at baseline most frequently transitioned to another category at follow-up (46.5%); 26.7% to normal spirometry and 19.8% to COPD. The best predictors of transition to COPD were closeness of FEV1/FVC to 0.70, older age, current smoking, and a longer FET in the second assessment. Conclusion: PRISm, is a heterogeneous and unstable condition prone to adverse outcomes that require adequate follow-up.

Unmet Diagnostic and Therapeutic Opportunities for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent and burdensome condition in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Challenges to better care include more effective diagnosis and access to affordable interventions. There are no previous reports describing therapeutic needs of populations with COPD in LMICs who were identified through screening. Objectives: To describe unmet therapeutic need in screening-detected COPD in LMIC settings. Methods: We compared interventions recommended by the international Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease COPD strategy document, with that received in 1,000 people with COPD identified by population screening at three LMIC sites in Nepal, Peru, and Uganda. We calculated costs using data on the availability and affordability of medicines. Measurement and Main Results: The greatest unmet need for nonpharmacological interventions was for education and vaccinations (applicable to all), pulmonary rehabilitation (49%), smoking cessation (30%), and advice on biomass smoke exposure (26%). Ninety-five percent of the cases were previously undiagnosed, and few were receiving therapy (4.5% had short-acting ß-agonists). Only three of 47 people (6%) with a previous COPD diagnosis had access to drugs consistent with recommendations. None of those with more severe COPD were accessing appropriate maintenance inhalers. Even when available, maintenance treatments were unaffordable, with 30 days of treatment costing more than a low-skilled worker's daily average wage. Conclusions: We found a significant missed opportunity to reduce the burden of COPD in LMIC settings, with most cases undiagnosed. Although there is unmet need in developing novel therapies, in LMICs where the burden is greatest, better diagnosis combined with access to affordable interventions could translate to immediate benefit.

Prevalence of genetic mutations in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (aatd) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is an underrecognized genetic disorder associated mainly with pulmonary emphysema and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). All individuals with COPD regardless of age or ethnicity should be tested for AATD, but in Colombia its prevalence in unknown. MAIN OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of the genetic mutations, present in AATD in adult patients with COPD in Colombia, using a genotyping test on cells from the oral mucosa. METHODS: This was a multicentre, observational, cross-sectional study which included adult patients attending seven COPD care centres in Colombia. Demographic data, medical history, including history of exposure to smoking and biomass smoke, most recent spirometry, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment received, serum AAT levels, and mutations detected by the genotyping test were recorded for all the recruited patients. For the comparison of variables between the groups with and without mutation, we used the X2 test for the qualitative variables and the Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test according to their distribution. MAIN FINDINGS: We collected a sample of 1,107 patients, the median age was 73.8 years (87.6-79.9). Mutations were documented in 144 patients (13.01%), the majority had the M/S mutation (78.50%), followed by M/Z (9.72%). One patient had a ZZ mutation and two patients had null alleles. In total, 23 patients had mutations associated with serum AAT deficiency (levels below 60 mg/dl). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic mutations were documented in 13.01% of patients with COPD in Colombia and 2.07% were AATD-related, showing that there is a significant number of underdiagnosed patients.

Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) se define como un estado patológico caracterizado por una limitación crónica poco reversible al flujo de aire y con frecuencia progresiva. Está asociada a una reacción inflamatoria de las vías aéreas y del parénquima pulmonar...(AU)

Treatments used by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in Brazil: National Survey of Health, 2013.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of treatments used for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Brazilian adult population. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study with data from the 2013 Brazilian National Survey of Health, including individuals aged 40 years or older, with a self-reported medical diagnosis of COPD, chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, who were asked about treatments used for disease management. RESULTS: A total of 60,202 adults were interviewed, of which 636 were 40 years of age or older and had reported a medical diagnosis of COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. Less than half (49.4%) of the diagnosed population reported using some type of treatment, with differences regarding the macro-region of the country (South 53.8% - Northeast 41.2%, p = 0.007). Pharmacological treatment was the most reported, and emphysema patients had the highest proportion of those undergoing more than one type of treatment. Among the individuals who reported having only chronic bronchitis, 55.1% (95%CI: 48.7-61.4) used medication, 4.7% (95%CI: 2.6-8.3) underwent physical therapy, and 6.0% (95%CI: 3.6-9.9) oxygen therapy. On the other hand, among the emphysema patients, 44.1% (95%CI: 36.8-51.7) underwent drug treatment, 8.8% (95%CI: 5.4-14.2) physical therapy, and 10.0% (95%CI: 6.3-15.6) oxygen therapy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of treatments for COPD management was below ideal in 2013. The pharmacological treatment was the main type of treatment, followed by oxygen therapy and physical therapy.

Prevalence, attitude, knowledge, and risk perception towards COVID-19 in COPD patients associated to biomass exposure.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients due to biomass exposure (BE-COPD) could be more affected than COPD due to tobacco smoke (TE-COPD) by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 in BE-COPD and TE-COPD and if housing conditions, poor attitude, knowledge, and risk perception towards COVID-19, particularly in BE-COPD women, could represent a risk factor for contagion.An 11% prevalence of COVID-19 was found with no significant difference between COPD groups. The BE-COPD group showed poorer socioeconomic status. No significant differences were found to be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection regarding housing conditions, poor knowledge, attitude, and risk perception towards COVID-19. Living in urban areas and perceiving risk in COVID-19 were significantly associated with increased adherence to sanitary measures and concern of contagion. Around 40% of all patients showed poor risk perception and adherence to sanitary measures towards COVID-19.

Is obstructive sleep apnea associated with increased arterial stiffness in patients with COPD?

PURPOSE: To evaluate arterial stiffness, a predictor of vascular damage was assessed by means of pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), namely overlap syndrome (OS). METHODS: Consecutive stable patients with COPD were evaluated for OSA by means of overnight polysomnography in the laboratory. A clinical assessment was performed according to a strict protocol, including two COPD questionnaires: the COPD assessment test and the modified Medical Research Council scale. COPD severity was graded according to the guidelines of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Arterial stiffness was assessed by means of PWV, using a standard technique. RESULTS: Of 102 patients with COPD, 51 had associated OSA. The OS group had more men than the COPD group (73% vs. 47%, respectively; p < 0.01). Both groups had similar ages (66.2 ± 9.2 years vs. 69.6 ± 10.7, p = 0.09) and airflow limitation (p = 0.37). Hypertension was found in 22% of COPD patients, as opposed to 17% patients in the OS group (p = 0.29). High PWV values were present in 42% of the patients. Patients with COPD and OS had the same PWV values (9.8 vs. 10.5 m/s, p = 0.34). There were no differences in central blood pressure, peripheral blood pressure, and augmentation index between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: High PWV values were frequently observed in patients with COPD. However, there was no difference in PWV between patients with OS and those with COPD alone.

Interrelación persona-entorno en la Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica / Person-Environment Interrelation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introducción: La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica es la enfermedad respiratoria de mayor prevalencia e impacto socioeconómico y es una de las primeras causas de muerte en el mundo. En la medida que el problema de salud avanza, ocurre un deterioro de la persona, tanto físico como emocional, con un desequilibrio de su entorno. Las características de este problema de salud y su implicación en los seres humanos muestran la necesidad de sistematizar desde la perspectiva de Enfermería la relación persona-entorno. Objetivo: Sistematizar la interacción persona-entorno en la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. Métodos: Revisión sistemática de documentos publicados desde 2005 al 2020 con una clara metodología y referencial teórico, durante los meses octubre a noviembre del 2020. Se elaboró la pregunta a través de la estrategia PICO. Se utilizaron las palabras clave identificadas en DeCS y operadores booleanos: "persona" AND "entorno" AND "enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica" y en inglés, las identificadas por MeHS: "person" AND "environment" AND "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease". La búsqueda fue realizada en las bases de datos Index, Pubmed, Redalyc, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Dialnet, GOLD Website. Se utilizó el diagrama de flujo (PRISMA) para contribuir a la formulación de la estrategia de búsqueda. Se utilizaron los métodos de análisis documental, síntesis y sistematización para organizar e interpretar las bibliografías revisadas. Conclusiones: La sistematización realizada y el análisis de las relaciones entre persona y entorno permite considerar la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica como un problema de salud multidimensional, donde una buena interrelación puede mejorar el estado de salud(AU)

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is the respiratory disease with the highest prevalence and socioeconomic impact, it is one of the leading causes of death in the world. As the health problem progresses, a physical and emotional deterioration of the person occurs, with an imbalance in their environment. The characteristics of this health problem and its implication in human beings show the need to systematize the person-environment relationship from the Nursing perspective. Objective: to systematize the person-environment interaction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Methods: systematic review of documents published from 2005 to 2020 with a clear methodology and theoretical framework, during the months of October to November 2020. The question was formulated through the PICO strategy. The keywords identified in DeCS and Boolean operators were used: "persona" ["person"] AND "entorno" ["environment"] AND "enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica" ["chronic obstructive pulmonary disease"] and in English, those identified by MeHS: "person" AND "environment" AND "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease". The search was carried out in the Index, Pubmed, Redalyc, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Dialnet, GOLD Website databases. The flow diagram (PRISMA) was used to contribute to the formulation of the search strategy. The methods of documentary analysis, synthesis and systematization were used to organize and interpret the bibliographies reviewed. Conclusions: The systematization carried out and the analysis of the relationships between the person and their environment allow us to consider Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as a multidimensional health problem, where a good interrelation can improve the state of health(AU)

Accuracy and economic evaluation of screening tests for undiagnosed COPD among hypertensive individuals in Brazil.

In Brazil, prevalence of diagnosed COPD among adults aged 40 years and over is 16% although over 70% of cases remain undiagnosed. Hypertension is common and well-recorded in primary care, and frequently co-exists with COPD because of common causes such as tobacco smoking, therefore we conducted a cross-sectional screening test accuracy study in nine Basic Health Units in Brazil, among hypertensive patients aged ≥40 years to identify the optimum screening test/combinations to detect undiagnosed COPD. We compared six index tests (four screening questionnaires, microspirometer and peak flow) against the reference test defined as those below the lower limit of normal (LLN-GLI) on quality diagnostic spirometry, with confirmed COPD at clinical review. Of 1162 participants, 6.8% (n = 79) had clinically confirmed COPD. Peak flow had a higher specificity but lower sensitivity than microspirometry (sensitivity 44.3% [95% CI 33.1, 55.9], specificity 95.5% [95% CI 94.1, 96.6]). SBQ performed well compared to the other questionnaires (sensitivity 75.9% [95% CI 65.0, 84.9], specificity 59.2% [95% CI 56.2, 62.1]). A strategy requiring both SBQ and peak flow to be positive yielded sensitivity of 39.2% (95% CI 28.4, 50.9) and specificity of 97.0% (95% CI 95.7, 97.9). The use of simple screening tests was feasible within the Brazilian primary care setting. The combination of SBQ and peak flow appeared most efficient, when considering performance of the test, cost and ease of use (costing £1690 (5554 R$) with 26.7 cases detected per 1,000 patients). However, the choice of screening tests depends on the clinical setting and availability of resources.ISRCTN registration number: 11377960.

Chronic respiratory diseases and respiratory symptoms after a mining dam rupture: Brumadinho Health Project.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory symptoms, in Brumadinho, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, after a dam rupture. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, including a representative sample of adults (aged 18 years and over) in the municipality. Associations were assessed between dependent variables (medical diagnosis of asthma and COPD; symptoms of wheezing, dry cough, and nose irritation) and exploratory variables (sex, age group, smoking habit, having worked at Vale S.A. company before the dam rupture, time and area of residence in relation to the dam rupture). Logistic regression models with odds ratio (OR) calculation and 95% confidence interval were used. RESULTS: We identified a prevalence of 7.2% of asthma; 3.5% of COPD; 8.8% of wheezing; 23.6% of dry cough; and 31.8% of nose irritation. We observed a greater chance of asthma among women and residents in the affected and mining regions, while a greater chance of COPD was observed in smokers and in those with longer time of residence in the municipality. Among the symptoms, we verified a higher chance of nose irritation among women, while a higher chance of wheezing and dry cough were found among smokers (current and former). Residents of regions affected by the mud reported a greater chance of presenting all the analyzed symptoms. Conversely, level of education was negatively associated with wheezing and dry cough. CONCLUSION: We found respiratory changes and identified the groups most vulnerable to developing them, which could contribute to directing actions to reduce the population's respiratory problems.