A Research Agenda to Improve Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Cardiovascular Disease. An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often at risk for or have comorbid cardiovascular disease and are likely to die of cardiovascular-related causes. OBJECTIVES: To prioritize a list of research topics related to diagnosis and management of patients with COPD and comorbid cardiovascular diseases (heart failure, atherosclerotic vascular disease and atrial fibrillation) by summarizing existing evidence and using consensus-based methods. METHODS: A literature search was performed. References were reviewed by committee co-chairs. An international, multidisciplinary committee, including a patient advocate, met virtually to review evidence and identify research topics. A modified Delphi approach was used to prioritize topics in real-time based on their potential for advancing the field. RESULTS: Gaps spanned the translational science spectrum from basic science to implementation: 1) disease mechanisms, 2) epidemiology, 3) subphenotyping, 4) diagnosis and management, 5) clinical trials, 6) care delivery, 7) medication access, adherence and side effects, 8) risk factor mitigation, 9) cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, and 10) health equity. Seventeen experts participated and quorum was achieved for all votes (>80%). Of 17 topics, ≥70% agreement was achieved for 12 topics after 2 rounds of voting. Range of summative Likert score was -15 to 25. Highest priority was "Conduct pragmatic clinical trials with patient-centered outcomes that collect both pulmonary and cardiac data elements." Health equity was identified as an important topic that should be embedded within all research. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a prioritized research agenda with the purpose of stimulating high-impact research that will hopefully improve outcomes among people with COPD and cardiovascular disease.

Genetically Predicted Body Mass Index and Mortality in COPD.

RATIONALE: BMI is associated with COPD mortality, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The effect of genetic variants aggregated into a polygenic score may elucidate causal mechanisms and predict risk. OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations of genetically predicted BMI with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in COPD. METHODS: We developed a polygenic score for BMI (PGSBMI) and tested for associations of the PGSBMI with all-cause, respiratory, and cardiovascular mortality in participants with COPD from the COPDGene, ECLIPSE, and Framingham Heart studies. We calculated the difference between measured BMI and PGS-predicted BMI (BMIdiff) and categorized participants into groups of discordantly low (BMIdiff < 20th percentile), concordant (BMIdiff between 20th - 80th percentile), and discordantly high (BMIdiff > 80th percentile) BMI. We applied Cox models, examined potential non-linear associations of the PGSBMI and BMIdiff with mortality, and summarized results with meta-analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We observed significant non-linear associations of measured BMI and BMIdiff, but not PGSBMI, with all-cause mortality. In meta-analyses, a one standard deviation increase in the PGSBMI was associated with an increased hazard for cardiovascular mortality (HR=1.29, 95% CI=1.12-1.49), but not with respiratory or all-cause mortality. Compared to participants with concordant measured and genetically predicted BMI, those with discordantly low BMI had higher mortality risk for all-cause (HR=1.57, CI=1.41-1.74) and respiratory death (HR=2.01, CI=1.61-2.51). CONCLUSIONS: In people with COPD, higher genetically predicted BMI is associated with higher cardiovascular mortality but not respiratory mortality. Individuals with discordantly low BMI have higher all-cause and respiratory mortality compared to those with concordant BMI.

Implications of Mean Pulmonary Arterial Wedge Pressure Trajectories in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Rationale: The mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (mPAWP) is the critical hemodynamic factor differentiating group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) from group 2 pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease. Despite the discrepancy between the mPAWP upper physiologic normal and current PAH definitions, the implications of the initial mPAWP for PAH clinical trajectory are poorly understood. Objectives: To model longitudinal mPAWP trajectories in PAH over 10 years and examine the clinical and hemodynamic factors associated with trajectory membership. Methods: Adult patients with PAH with two or more right heart catheterizations were identified from a multiinstitution healthcare system in eastern Massachusetts. mPAWP trajectories were constructed via group-based trajectory modeling. Feature selection was performed in least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between trajectory membership, baseline characteristics, and transplant-free survival. Measurements and Main Results: Among 301 patients with PAH, there were two distinct mPAWP trajectories, termed "mPAWP-high" (n = 71; 23.6%) and "mPAWP-low" (n = 230; 76.4%), based on the ultimate mPAWP value. Initial mPAWP clustered around median 12 mm Hg (interquartile range [IQR], 8-14 mm Hg) in the mPAWP-high and 9 mm Hg (IQR, 6-11 mm Hg) in the mPAWP-low trajectories (P < 0.001). After feature selection, initial mPAWP ⩾12 mm Hg predicted an mPAWP-high trajectory (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-6.1; P = 0.0006). An mPAWP-high trajectory was associated with shorter transplant-free survival (vs. mPAWP-low, median, 7.8 vs. 11.3 yr; log-rank P = 0.017; age-adjusted P = 0.217). Conclusions: Over 10 years, the mPAWP followed two distinct trajectories, with 25% evolving into group 2 pulmonary hypertension physiology. Using routine baseline data, longitudinal mPAWP trajectory could be predicted accurately, with initial mPAWP ⩾12 mm Hg as one of the strongest predictors.

COPD and multimorbidity: recognising and addressing a syndemic occurrence.

Most patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have at least one additional, clinically relevant chronic disease. Those with the most severe airflow obstruction will die from respiratory failure, but most patients with COPD die from non-respiratory disorders, particularly cardiovascular diseases and cancer. As many chronic diseases have shared risk factors (eg, ageing, smoking, pollution, inactivity, and poverty), we argue that a shift from the current paradigm in which COPD is considered as a single disease with comorbidities, to one in which COPD is considered as part of a multimorbid state-with co-occurring diseases potentially sharing pathobiological mechanisms-is needed to advance disease prevention, diagnosis, and management. The term syndemics is used to describe the co-occurrence of diseases with shared mechanisms and risk factors, a novel concept that we propose helps to explain the clustering of certain morbidities in patients diagnosed with COPD. A syndemics approach to understanding COPD could have important clinical implications, in which the complex disease presentations in these patients are addressed through proactive diagnosis, assessment of severity, and integrated management of the COPD multimorbid state, with a patient-centred rather than a single-disease approach.

From pre-COPD to COPD: a Simple, Low cost and easy to IMplement (SLIM) risk calculator.

BACKGROUND: The lifetime risk of developing clinical COPD among smokers ranges from 13% to 22%. Identifying at-risk individuals who will develop overt disease in a reasonable timeframe may allow for early intervention. We hypothesised that readily available clinical and physiological variables could help identify ever-smokers at higher risk of developing chronic airflow limitation (CAL). METHODS: Among 2273 Lovelace Smokers' Cohort (LSC) participants, we included 677 (mean age 54 years) with normal spirometry at baseline and a minimum of three spirometries, each 1 year apart. Repeated spirometric measurements were used to determine incident CAL. Using logistic regression, demographics, anthropometrics, smoking history, modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire, comorbidities and spirometry, we related variables obtained at baseline to incident CAL as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and lower limit of normal criteria. The predictive model derived from the LSC was validated in subjects from the COPDGene study. RESULTS: Over 6.3 years, the incidence of CAL was 26 cases per 1000 person-years. The strongest independent predictors were forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <0.75, having smoked ≥30 pack-years, body mass index (BMI) ≤25 kg·m2 and symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Having all four predictors increased the risk of developing CAL over 6 years to 85% (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC ROC) 0.84, 95% CI 0.81-0.89). The prediction model showed similar results when applied to subjects in the COPDGene study with a follow-up period of 10 years (AUC ROC 0.77, 95% CI 0.72-0.81). CONCLUSION: In middle-aged ever-smokers, a simple predictive model with FEV1/FVC, smoking history, BMI and chronic bronchitis helps identify subjects at high risk of developing CAL.

A multi-site randomized trial of a clinical decision support intervention to improve problem list completeness.

OBJECTIVE: To improve problem list documentation and care quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed algorithms to infer clinical problems a patient has that are not recorded on the coded problem list using structured data in the electronic health record (EHR) for 12 clinically significant heart, lung, and blood diseases. We also developed a clinical decision support (CDS) intervention which suggests adding missing problems to the problem list. We evaluated the intervention at 4 diverse healthcare systems using 3 different EHRs in a randomized trial using 3 predetermined outcome measures: alert acceptance, problem addition, and National Committee for Quality Assurance Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (NCQA HEDIS) clinical quality measures. RESULTS: There were 288 832 opportunities to add a problem in the intervention arm and the problem was added 63 777 times (acceptance rate 22.1%). The intervention arm had 4.6 times as many problems added as the control arm. There were no significant differences in any of the clinical quality measures. DISCUSSION: The CDS intervention was highly effective at improving problem list completeness. However, the improvement in problem list utilization was not associated with improvement in the quality measures. The lack of effect on quality measures suggests that problem list documentation is not directly associated with improvements in quality measured by National Committee for Quality Assurance Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (NCQA HEDIS) quality measures. However, improved problem list accuracy has other benefits, including clinical care, patient comprehension of health conditions, accurate CDS and population health, and for research. CONCLUSION: An EHR-embedded CDS intervention was effective at improving problem list completeness but was not associated with improvement in quality measures.

Comorbidities and mortality risk in adults younger than 50 years of age with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), usually diagnosed after the 6th decade, frequently suffer from comorbidities. Whether COPD patients 50 years or younger (Young COPD) have similar comorbidities with the same frequency and mortality impact as aged-matched controls or older COPD patients is unknown. METHODS: We compared comorbidity number, prevalence and type in 3 groups of individuals with ≥ 10 pack-years of smoking: A Young (≤ 50 years) COPD group (n = 160), an age-balanced control group without airflow obstruction (n = 125), and Old (> 50 years) COPD group (n = 1860). We also compared survival between the young COPD and control subjects. Using Cox proportional model, we determined the comorbidities associated with mortality risk and generated Comorbidomes for the "Young" and "Old" COPD groups. RESULTS: The severity distribution by GOLD spirometric stages and BODE quartiles were similar between Young and Old COPD groups. After adjusting for age, sex, and pack-years, the prevalence of subjects with at least one comorbidity was 31% for controls, 77% for the Young, and 86% for older COPD patients. Compared to controls, "Young" COPDs' had a nine-fold increased mortality risk (p < 0.0001). "Comorbidomes" differed between Young and Old COPD groups, with tuberculosis, substance use, and bipolar disorders being distinct comorbidities associated with increased mortality risk in the Young COPD group. CONCLUSIONS: Young COPD patients carry a higher comorbidity prevalence and mortality risk compared to non-obstructed control subjects. Young COPD differed from older COPD patients by the behavioral-related comorbidities that increase their risk of premature death.

Chest CT-assessed comorbidities and all-cause mortality risk in COPD patients in the BODE cohort.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The availability of chest computed tomography (CT) imaging can help diagnose comorbidities associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Their systematic identification and relationship with all-cause mortality have not been explored. Furthermore, whether their CT-detected prevalence differs from clinical diagnosis is unknown. METHODS: The prevalence of 10 CT-assessed comorbidities was retrospectively determined at baseline in 379 patients (71% men) with mild to severe COPD attending pulmonary clinics. Anthropometrics, smoking history, dyspnoea, lung function, exercise capacity, BODE (BMI, Obstruction, Dyspnoea and Exercise capacity) index and exacerbations rate were recorded. The prevalence of CT-determined comorbidities was compared with that recorded clinically. Over a median of 78 months of observation, the independent association with all-cause mortality was analysed. A 'CT-comorbidome' graphically expressed the strength of their association with mortality risk. RESULTS: Coronary artery calcification, emphysema and bronchiectasis were the most prevalent comorbidities (79.8%, 62.7% and 33.9%, respectively). All were underdiagnosed before CT. Coronary artery calcium (hazard ratio [HR] 2.09; 95% CI 1.03-4.26, p = 0.042), bronchiectasis (HR 2.12; 95% CI 1.05-4.26, p = 0.036) and low psoas muscle density (HR 2.61; 95% CI 1.23-5.57, p = 0.010) were independently associated with all-cause mortality and helped define the 'CT-comorbidome'. CONCLUSION: This study of COPD patients shows that systematic detection of 10 CT-diagnosed comorbidities, most of which were not detected clinically, provides information of potential use to patients and clinicians caring for them.

Psoas Muscle Density Evaluated by Chest CT and Long-Term Mortality in COPD Patients / Densidad del músculo psoas evaluada mediante TC de tórax de baja dosis y mortalidad a largo plazo de los pacientes con EPOC

Rationale: Poor muscle quality in COPD patients relates to exercise intolerance and mortality. Muscle quality can be estimated on computed tomography (CT) by estimating psoas density (PsD). We tested the hypothesis that PsD is lower in COPD patients than in controls and relates to all-cause mortality. Methods: At baseline, PsD was measured using axial low-dose chest CT images in 220 COPD patients, 80% men, who were 65±8 years old with mild to severe airflow limitation and in a control group of 58 subjects matched by age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA). COPD patients were prospectively followed for 76.5 (48–119) months. Anthropometrics, smoking history, BMI, dyspnoea, lung function, exercise capacity, BODE index and exacerbations history were recorded. Cox proportional risk analysis determined the factors more strongly associated with long-term mortality. Results: PsD was lower in COPD patients than in controls (40.5 vs 42.5, p=0.045). During the follow-up, 54 (24.5%) deaths occurred in the COPD group. PsD as well as age, sex, pack-year history, FEV1%, 6MWD, mMRC, BODE index, were independently associated with mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that age (HR 1.06; 95% CI 1.02–1.12, p=0.006) and CT-assessed PsD (HR 0.97; 95%CI 0.94–0.99, p=0.023) were the variables independently associated with all-cause mortality. (AU)

Justificación: La baja calidad muscular de los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) se relaciona con la intolerancia al ejercicio y la mortalidad. La calidad del músculo puede estimarse mediante tomografía computarizada (TC) evaluando la densidad del psoas (PsD). Consideramos la hipótesis de que la PsD es menor en los pacientes con EPOC que en los controles y que se relaciona con la mortalidad por todas las causas. Métodos: Al inicio se midió la PsD utilizando las imágenes de TC axial de tórax de baja dosis en 220 pacientes con EPOC, el 80% hombres, de 65 ± 8 años con limitación del flujo aéreo leve a grave y en un grupo control de 58 sujetos emparejados por edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal (IMC) y área de superficie corporal (ASC). Realizamos el seguimiento de los pacientes con EPOC de forma prospectiva durante 76,5 (48-119) meses. Se registraron los datos antropométricos, el historial de tabaquismo, el IMC, la disnea, la función pulmonar, la capacidad de ejercicio, el índice BODE y el historial de exacerbaciones. El análisis de riesgos proporcionales de Cox determinó los factores con mayor asociación con la mortalidad a largo plazo. Resultados: La PsD fue menor en los pacientes con EPOC que en los controles (40,5 vs. 42,5, p = 0,045). Durante el seguimiento, se dieron 54 (24,5%) fallecimientos en el grupo EPOC. Tanto la PsD como la edad, el sexo, el historial de paquetes por año, el FEV1%, la PC6M, la mMRC y el índice BODE se asociaron de forma independiente con la mortalidad.El análisis multivariante mostró que la edad (HR 1,06; IC 95% 1,02-1,12, p = 0,006) y la PsD evaluada mediante TC (HR 0,97; IC 95% 0,94-0,99, p = 0,023) fueron variables asociadas de manera independiente con la mortalidad por todas las causas. (AU)

Psoas Muscle Density Evaluated by Chest CT and Long-Term Mortality in COPD Patients.

RATIONALE: Poor muscle quality in COPD patients relates to exercise intolerance and mortality. Muscle quality can be estimated on computed tomography (CT) by estimating psoas density (PsD). We tested the hypothesis that PsD is lower in COPD patients than in controls and relates to all-cause mortality. METHODS: At baseline, PsD was measured using axial low-dose chest CT images in 220 COPD patients, 80% men, who were 65±8 years old with mild to severe airflow limitation and in a control group of 58 subjects matched by age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA). COPD patients were prospectively followed for 76.5 (48-119) months. Anthropometrics, smoking history, BMI, dyspnoea, lung function, exercise capacity, BODE index and exacerbations history were recorded. Cox proportional risk analysis determined the factors more strongly associated with long-term mortality. RESULTS: PsD was lower in COPD patients than in controls (40.5 vs 42.5, p=0.045). During the follow-up, 54 (24.5%) deaths occurred in the COPD group. PsD as well as age, sex, pack-year history, FEV1%, 6MWD, mMRC, BODE index, were independently associated with mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that age (HR 1.06; 95% CI 1.02-1.12, p=0.006) and CT-assessed PsD (HR 0.97; 95%CI 0.94-0.99, p=0.023) were the variables independently associated with all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In COPD patients with mild to severe airflow limitation, chest CT-assessed psoas muscle density was lower than in matched controls and independently associated with long-term mortality. Muscle quality using the easy to evaluate psoas muscle density from chest CT may provide clinicians with important prognostic information in COPD.

Natural Course of the Diffusing Capacity of the Lungs for Carbon Monoxide in COPD: Importance of Sex.

BACKGROUND: The value of the single-breath diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (Dlco) relates to outcomes for patients with COPD. However, little is known about the natural course of Dlco over time, intersubject variability, and factors that may influence Dlco progression. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the natural course of Dlco in patients with COPD over time, and which other factors, including sex differences, could influence this progression? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We phenotyped 602 smokers (women, 33%), of whom 506 (84%) had COPD and 96 (16%) had no airflow limitation. Lung function, including Dlco, was monitored annually over 5 years. A random coefficients model was used to evaluate Dlco changes over time. RESULTS: The mean (± SE) yearly decline in Dlco % in patients with COPD was 1.34% ± 0.015%/y. This was steeper compared with non-COPD control subjects (0.04% ± 0.032%/y; P = .004). Sixteen percent of the patients with COPD, vs 4.3% of the control subjects, had a statistically significant Dlco % slope annual decline (4.14%/y). At baseline, women with COPD had lower Dlco values (11.37% ± 2.27%; P < .001) in spite of a higher FEV1 % than men. Compared with men, women with COPD had a steeper Dlco annual decline of 0.89% ± 0.42%/y (P = .039). INTERPRETATION: Patients with COPD have an accelerated decline in Dlco compared with smokers without the disease. However, the decline is slow, and a testing interval of 3 to 4 years may be clinically informative. The lower and more rapid decline in Dlco values in women, compared with men, suggests a differential impact of sex in gas exchange function. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01122758; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Nocturnal Hypoxemia and CT Determined Pulmonary Artery Enlargement in Smokers.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery enlargement (PAE) detected using chest computed tomography (CT) is associated with poor outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unknown whether nocturnal hypoxemia occurring in smokers, with or without COPD, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) or their overlap, may be associated with PAE assessed by chest CT. METHODS: We analysed data from two prospective cohort studies that enrolled 284 smokers in lung cancer screening programs and completing baseline home sleep studies and chest CT scans. Main pulmonary artery diameter (PAD) and the ratio of the PAD to that of the aorta (PA:Ao ratio) were measured. PAE was defined as a PAD ≥ 29 mm in men and ≥27 mm in women or as a PA:Ao ratio > 0.9. We evaluated the association of PAE with baseline characteristics using multivariate logistic models. RESULTS: PAE prevalence was 27% as defined by PAD measurements and 11.6% by the PA:Ao ratio. A body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 (OR 2.01; 95%CI 1.06-3.78), lower % predicted of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (OR 1.03; 95%CI 1.02-1.05) and higher % of sleep time with O2 saturation < 90% (T90) (OR 1.02; 95%CI 1.00-1.03), were associated with PAE as determined by PAD. However, only T90 remained significantly associated with PAE as defined by the PA:Ao ratio (OR 1.02; 95%CI 1.01-1.03). In the subset group without OSA, only T90 remains associated with PAE, whether defined by PAD measurement (OR 1.02; 95%CI 1.01-1.03) or PA:Ao ratio (OR 1.04; 95%CI 1.01-1.07). CONCLUSIONS: In smokers with or without COPD, nocturnal hypoxemia was associated with PAE independently of OSA coexistence.

Pharmacotherapy Impacts on COPD Mortality / La farmacoterapia tiene impacto en la mortalidad de la EPOC

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Psoas Muscle Density Evaluated by Chest CT and Long-Term Mortality in COPD Patients.

RATIONALE: Poor muscle quality in COPD patients relates to exercise intolerance and mortality. Muscle quality can be estimated on computed tomography (CT) by estimating psoas density (PsD). We tested the hypothesis that PsD is lower in COPD patients than in controls and relates to all-cause mortality. METHODS: At baseline, PsD was measured using axial low-dose chest CT images in 220 COPD patients, 80% men, who were 65±8 years old with mild to severe airflow limitation and in a control group of 58 subjects matched by age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA). COPD patients were prospectively followed for 76.5 (48-119) months. Anthropometrics, smoking history, BMI, dyspnoea, lung function, exercise capacity, BODE index and exacerbations history were recorded. Cox proportional risk analysis determined the factors more strongly associated with long-term mortality. RESULTS: PsD was lower in COPD patients than in controls (40.5 vs 42.5, p=0.045). During the follow-up, 54 (24.5%) deaths occurred in the COPD group. PsD as well as age, sex, pack-year history, FEV1%, 6MWD, mMRC, BODE index, were independently associated with mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that age (HR 1.06; 95% CI 1.02-1.12, p=0.006) and CT-assessed PsD (HR 0.97; 95%CI 0.94-0.99, p=0.023) were the variables independently associated with all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In COPD patients with mild to severe airflow limitation, chest CT-assessed psoas muscle density was lower than in matched controls and independently associated with long-term mortality. Muscle quality using the easy to evaluate psoas muscle density from chest CT may provide clinicians with important prognostic information in COPD.

Somatotypes trajectories during adulthood and their association with COPD phenotypes.

RATIONALE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comprises distinct phenotypes, all characterised by airflow limitation. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesised that somatotype changes - as a surrogate of adiposity - from early adulthood follow different trajectories to reach distinct phenotypes. METHODS: Using the validated Stunkard's Pictogram, 356 COPD patients chose the somatotype that best reflects their current body build and those at ages 18, 30, 40 and 50 years. An unbiased group-based trajectory modelling was used to determine somatotype trajectories. We then compared the current COPD-related clinical and phenotypic characteristics of subjects belonging to each trajectory. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At 18 years of age, 88% of the participants described having a lean or medium somatotype (estimated body mass index (BMI) between 19 and 23 kg·m-2) while the other 12% a heavier somatotype (estimated BMI between 25 and 27 kg·m-2). From age 18 onwards, five distinct trajectories were observed. Four of them demonstrating a continuous increase in adiposity throughout adulthood with the exception of one, where the initial increase was followed by loss of adiposity after age 40. Patients with this trajectory were primarily females with low BMI and D LCO (diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide). A persistently lean trajectory was seen in 14% of the cohort. This group had significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), D LCO, more emphysema and a worse BODE (BMI, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea and exercise capacity) score thus resembling the multiple organ loss of tissue (MOLT) phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: COPD patients have distinct somatotype trajectories throughout adulthood. Those with the MOLT phenotype maintain a lean trajectory throughout life. Smoking subjects with this lean phenotype in early adulthood deserve particular attention as they seem to develop more severe COPD.

Methods for a Seamless Transition From Tracheostomy to Spontaneous Breathing in Patients With COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected health care delivery worldwide. A small yet significant number of patients with respiratory failure will require prolonged mechanical ventilation while recovering from the viral-induced injury. The majority of reports thus far have focused on the epidemiology, clinical factors, and acute care of these patients, with less attention given to the recovery phase and care of those patients requiring extended time on mechanical ventilation. In this paper, we review the procedures and methods to safely care for patients with COVID-19 who require tracheostomy, gastrostomy, weaning from mechanical ventilation, and final decannulation. The guiding principles consist of modifications in the methods of airway care to safely prevent iatrogenesis and to promote safety in patients severely affected by COVID-19, including mitigation of aerosol generation to minimize risk for health care workers.