[Problems and opportunities to improve diagnosis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Russia: resolution of advisory board].

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease remain major problems of medicine, and still there is need to improve the level and quality of diagnosis of these diseases. Primary care physicians (general practitioners, therapists) should be involved widely and actively in this process. To simplify the diagnosis, special questionnaires have been developed, they can be used in a real clinical practice. Only this approach will bring statistical data closer to the true prevalence of these diseases and improve quality of their treatment.

[Analysis of the state-of-the-art of consulting medical care to patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis or its risk according to the data of a questionnaire survey (GLUCOST study)].

AIM: To analyze the state-of-the-art of consulting medical care to Russian patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GCOP) or its risk. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This GLUCOST study was organized and conducted by the Russian Association of Osteoporosis. A total of 1129 patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, who had been taking oral glucocorticosteroids (OGCSs) a long time (3 months or more), were examined. The patients filled out an anonymous questionnaire on their own. Whether the measures taken to diagnose, prevent, and treat GCOP complied with the main points of Russian clinical guidelines was assessed. RESULTS: 61.8% of the patients knew that the long-term treatment of GCOP might cause osteoporosis. 48.1% of the respondents confirmed the results of bone densitometry; 78.1% of the patients reported that they had been prescribed calcium and vitamin D supplements by their physician, but their regular intake was confirmed by only 43.4%; 25.4% of the patients had sustained one low-energy fracture or more. Treatment for GCOP was prescribed for 50.8% of the patients at high risk for fractures, but was actually received by 40.2%. Therapeutic and diagnostic measures were implemented in men less frequently than in women. When the patient was aware of GCOP, the probability that he/she would take calcium and vitamin D supplements rose 2.7-fold (95% Cl; 2.1 to 3.5; p = 0.001) and that he/she would follow treatment recommendations did 3.5-fold (95% Cl; 2.3 to 5.3; p = 0.001). Bone densitometry increased the prescription rate for antiosteoporotic medication and patient compliance. CONCLUSION: According to the data of Russia's large-scale GLUCOST survey, every four patients with chronic inflammatory disease who are on long-term OGCS therapy have one low-energy fracture or more. Due to inadequate counseling, the patients are little aware of their health and do not get the care required to prevent the disease. Less than 50% of patients who have GCOP and a high risk for fractures undergo examination and necessary treatment aimed at preventing fractures.

[Effect of pneumo 23 vaccine administration in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of intermediate severity].

AIM: To study dynamics ofclinico-immunological parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of intermediate severity after administration of Pbeumo 23 vaccine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with COPD of intermediate severity comparable to sex, age, duration of smoking and COPD history were divided on two groups: main group (I)--20 patients vaccinated with Pneumo 23 vaccine, and control group (II)--25 patients, which received only standard treatment. Complete blood count, sputum cytology, expiratory function as well as immunological parameters (levels of CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, CD25+, and IFN-gamma) were studied at baseline as well as 21 days, 3 months, and 6 months after vaccination. RESULTS: Stable remission of the disease (during 6 months) was noted in all patients in group I and in 20% of patients in group II. In group I, levels of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes did not change significantly, whereas number of activated T-lymphocytes (CD25+) significantly increased. There were substantial increase of IFN-gamma level and decrease of IgE level in serum in group I that could point to predominance of Thl-dependent immune response and activation of cellular immunity. There were no such changes in group II. CONCLUSION: Administration of Pneumo 23 resulted in decrease of intensity of local inflammation and prolonged remission of COPD that allowed to recommend inclusion of vaccination to standard protocols of treatment for such patients.

[Efficacy of vaccine therapy with ribomunil in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

AIM: To assess efficacy of vaccine therapy with ribomunil in prevention of exacerbations and prolongation of remission in patients with obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty three COPD patients were divided into two groups: 28 patients of the study group received ribomunil plus standard therapy; 25 controls received only standard treatment. The examination of the patients included blood count, sputum cytology, external respiration function test, immunological investigation (CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, CD25+ and CD95+; IL-4, IFN-gamma, complement). The examination was made before the treatment, 21 days, 3 and 6 months after its beginning. Ribomunil was given 3 tablets in the morning before meal for 4 days in a week for 3 weeks, 4 days each month for the following 5 months. RESULTS: As a result of ribomunil treatment lymphocyte subpopulation normalized, immune response shifted to Th-1 dependent immune response, external respiration flow indices improved, remission prolonged. CONCLUSION: Ribomunil is recommended for wide application in the practice of COPD treatment

[Role of biological defects in formation and development of bronchial asthma and potentialities of premorbid diagnosis]. / Rol' biologicheskikh defektov v formirovanii i razvitii bronkhial'noi atmy i vozmozhnosti premorbidnoi diagnostiki.

The paper considers bronchial asthma as a polygenic disease. It presents some data available in the literature on the role of genetic disorders in the development of atopic states and the authors' own findings of various biological defects detected in apparently healthy blood relatives of patients with bronchial asthma. It is concluded that premorbid diagnosis is of importance in high risk persons.

[Current views on the role of disorders of hormonal regulation in the development of altered sensitivity and reactivity of the bronchi]. / Sovremennye predstavleniia o roli narushenii gormonal'noi reguliatsii v razvitii izmenennykh chuvstvitel'nosti i reaktivnosti bronkhov.

Altered bronchial sensitivity and reactivity are the basis of different variations of bronchospasm. In addition to exogenous agents, endogenous regulation factors such as adrenal and ovarian hormones are believed to make an important contribution to their development. Asthmatics showed the lowest sensitivity and the highest hyperreactivity to acetylcholine as compared to patients with preasthmatic conditions or chronic bronchitis and healthy consanguins of asthmatic patients. Disturbances of glucocorticoid homeostasis, related to various (adrenal, extra-adrenal (transcortin) and cellular) mechanisms of corticosteroid insufficiency, occurred in the majority of asthmatics and asthmatic bronchitis patients. Identification of various mechanisms of glucocorticoid insufficiency opens up actual approaches to increasing the efficiency of an individual therapy.