Four-year mortality and physical activity in Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is associated with the risk of mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, evidence is limited to the Japanese population. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PA on long-term mortality in Japanese patients with COPD. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in a cohort of Japanese patients with COPD and assessed mortality during a 4-year follow-up period. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the association between PA and mortality. RESULTS: Among 309 patients (294 men; median age, 76 years), 287 completed follow-ups while 45 died. The all-cause mortality rate was 27.5% in patients with low PA and 4.1% in those with high PA. Adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality were associated with high PA. CONCLUSIONS: Higher PA levels are associated with a better prognosis across different settings and patient characteristics, even in Japanese patients with COPD.

Physical activity and outcomes in Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: From the Ishinomaki COPD Network registry.

BACKGROUND: Low physical activity levels are associated with an increased risk of exacerbations and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, evidence is limited in a population with a low frequency of exacerbations, such as the Japanese population. This study investigated the effects of physical activity on outcomes in Japanese patients with COPD. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in a cohort of Japanese patients with COPD between April 2018 and July 2020. Characteristics, frequency of exacerbations, and mortality were assessed during the 1-year follow-up period. Logistic regression analysis evaluated the relationship between physical activity and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 309 patients (294 males; median age, 75 years) with stable COPD were included, and 307 completed follow-up. Patients with lower levels of physical activity were older, and showed increased airflow obstruction, limited exercise capacity, increased dyspnea, depressive state, poor health status, muscle weakness, and more information needs for the disease. Patients with high levels of physical activity had a lower risk of exacerbation, including hospital admission, compared to those with low levels of activity (odds ratio [OR], 0.46; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.97; and OR, 0.21; 95 % CI, 0.09-0.50, respectively). High physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality (OR, 0.07; 95 % CI, 0.01-0.55) and respiratory mortality (OR, 0.16; 95 % CI, 0.02-1.47). CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed that higher physical activity is associated with better clinical outcomes, even in a COPD population with a low frequency of exacerbations.

A case of metastatic endobronchial tumor from uterine leiomyosarcoma.

A 54-year-old woman presented with persistent productive cough, found to have an endobronchial tumor which obstructed the left upper lobe bronchus. Histopathological examination of a transbronchial biopsy of the endobronchial tumor suggested leiomyosarcoma. A positron emission tomography (PET)-CT revealed uterus tumor with moderate uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, suggesting uterine malignancies. From the results of histological findings of the resected uterus and the biopsied bronchial specimen, she was diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma and endobronchial metastasis. The systematic use of PET-CT could be useful for patients presenting with tumors that cause endobronchial metastasis of leiomyosarcomas.

Mite allergen avoidance decreases allergic symptoms in children in Ishinomaki city of Japan after natural disasters.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in children, evaluated the mite allergen levels in their bedding after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and assessed changes in allergic symptoms in children and their families after allergen avoidance practices. METHODS: We performed a survey for the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) comprising 1109 children, aged 7-8 years, living in Ishinomaki, Japan. We collected responses from 464 children, and in 2016, measured the level of Dermatophagoides group 1 (Der 1) in the bedding of 202 of these children. The intervention group of children attended at least one allergen avoidance seminar. The levels of Der 1 in their bedding were measured, along with changes in allergic symptoms, in 17 children in 2017 and 14 children in 2018. The nonintervention group comprised children who did not attend an allergen avoidance seminar at any time. RESULTS: Of the 464 children who participated in the ISAAC, 50 (10.8%) reported having asthma, 179 (38.8%) allergic rhinitis, and 126 (27.3%) atopic dermatitis. The average level of Der 1 measured in the bedding of the 202 children in 2016 was 295.8 ng/m2. The levels of Der 1 in the intervention group-but not in the nonintervention group-significantly decreased in 2017 and 2018. The symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in the children of intervention group and their families decreased after allergen avoidance practices. CONCLUSIONS: Allergen avoidance practices relieved allergic symptoms in school children after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Mite allergen avoidance decreases allergic symptoms in children in Ishinomaki city of Japan after natural disasters

Objective We investigated the prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in children, evaluated the mite allergen levels in their bedding after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and assessed changes in allergic symptoms in children and their families after allergen avoidance practices.Methods We performed a survey for the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) comprising 1109 children, aged 7–8 years, living in Ishinomaki, Japan. We collected responses from 464 children, and in 2016, measured the level of Dermatophagoides group 1 (Der 1) in the bedding of 202 of these children. The intervention group of children attended at least one allergen avoidance seminar. The levels of Der 1 in their bedding were measured, along with changes in allergic symptoms, in 17 children in 2017 and 14 children in 2018. The nonintervention group comprised children who did not attend an allergen avoidance seminar at any time.Results Of the 464 children who participated in the ISAAC, 50 (10.8%) reported having asthma, 179 (38.8%) allergic rhinitis, and 126 (27.3%) atopic dermatitis. The average level of Der 1 measured in the bedding of the 202 children in 2016 was 295.8 ng/m2. The levels of Der 1 in the intervention group—but not in the nonintervention group—significantly decreased in 2017 and 2018. The symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in the children of intervention group and their families decreased after allergen avoidance practices (AU)

Mite avoidance decreased mite-specific IgE levels and ameliorated asthma symptoms in subjects who lived in temporary housing after natural disasters

Background: We previously reported an increased prevalence of asthma among patients who had lived in temporary housing after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. We investigated the prognosis of asthma in former residents of temporary housing after allergen avoidance. Methods: Asthma was diagnosed in adults ≥ 15 years from 2014 to 2019 who had lived in temporary housing in Ishinomaki City for at least 1 year. The disease prognosis after the intervention of allergen avoidance in cases that were followed for more than 3 years during the 6-year study period was analyzed. We measured the Dermatophagoides farinae -specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in serum, and the amount of Dermatophagoides group 1 (Der 1) antigen on their futons or mattresses. We instructed residents in an allergen avoidance strategy that included 32 tasks, including using microfiber bedding covers. Results: Of the 202 examinees who were followed for at least 3 years during the 6-year study period, 72(35.6%) were asthmatic during at least one examination. Of these 72 asthmatics, 55(76.4%) developed the disease after the earthquake, and more than half of the cases that we diagnosed at the examination were mild intermittent asthma. After the allergen-avoidance intervention, both the Der 1 level on the futons or mattresses of residents who were diagnosed with asthma but who were nonasthmatic at the final screening and their serum Der f-specific IgE levels significantly decreased (P < 0.01) at the final examination. Conclusion: Antigen avoidance ameliorated mild asthma that was prevalent among residents of temporary housing after the earthquake (AU)

Association between Temporary Housing Habitation after the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Mite Allergen Sensitization and Asthma Development.

INTRODUCTION: We previously reported an increased prevalence of asthma in adults who lived in temporary housing after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. The goal of the current study was to investigate changes in asthma prevalence and mite-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) titers in temporary housing residents during 2014-2019. METHODS: By using the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, we diagnosed asthma in Ishinomaki city temporary housing residents aged 15 years or older. We then analyzed serum antigen-specific IgE levels to Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p), and Aspergillus fumigatus. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma exceeded 20% across all age-groups throughout the study period. The proportion of study participants with a "positive" antigen-specific IgE titer (i.e., ≥0.35 IUA/mL) was higher in asthmatics than in nonasthmatics for Der f and Der p but not for Aspergillus fumigatus. Among residents ≥50 years old who were diagnosed with asthma, the percentage with a Der f-specific IgE titer ≥0.10 IUA/mL was higher than the proportion with ≥0.35 IUA/mL. Among study participants, asthma onset occurred before the earthquake, during residence in shelters or temporary housing, and (starting in 2016) after moving out of temporary housing. The Der p-specific IgE level was positively correlated with the duration of temporary housing (p < 0.05, r = 0.41) and inversely correlated with the time elapsed since moving out of temporary housing (p < 0.05, r = -0.35). CONCLUSION: Mite allergen sensitization was found in both asthmatic and nonasthmatic temporary housing residents after the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami; asthma developed even after subjects moved out of temporary housing.

Exhaled nitric oxide: A biomarker for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is recognized as a biomarker of type 2 inflammation in asthma, which is related to airway eosinophilia. We conducted a prospective observational study in a cohort of Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to evaluate the relationship between FeNO and clinical features and patient outcomes over a 3-year period. Participants were categorized into two groups based on FeNO levels (high and low), and the clinical features and outcomes were compared between the groups. Patients with high FeNO levels showed features of asthma and eosinophilic inflammation compared to those with low levels. However, high FeNO levels were not associated with worse outcomes (exacerbations, hospital admissions, all-cause and disease-specific mortality) compared to low levels. These results provide evidence that baseline FeNO is related to eosinophilic inflammation; however, is not a predictor of future exacerbations or prognosis in patients with stable COPD.

Clinical characteristics of Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with comorbid interstitial lung abnormalities: A cross-sectional study.

Smoking-related interstitial lung abnormalities are different from specific forms of fibrosing lung disease which might be associated with poor prognoses. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with comorbid interstitial lung abnormalities and that with pulmonary fibrosis are considered different diseases; however, they could share a common spectrum. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and comorbid interstitial lung abnormalities. In this prospective observational study, we analyzed data from the Ishinomaki COPD Network Registry. We evaluated the clinical characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with and without comorbid interstitial lung abnormalities by comparing the annualized rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations per patient during the observational period. Among 463 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 30 (6.5%) developed new interstitial lung abnormalities during the observational period. After 1-to-3 propensity score matching, we found that the annualized rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations per patient during the observational period was 0.06 and 0.23 per year in the interstitial lung abnormality and control groups, respectively (P = 0.043). Our findings indicate slow progression of interstitial lung abnormality lesions in patients with pre-existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Further, interstitial lung abnormality development did not significantly influence on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation. We speculate that post-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease interstitial lung abnormalities might involve smoking-related interstitial fibrosis, which is different from specific forms of fibrosing lung disease associated with poor prognoses.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Asthma-COPD Overlap in Japanese Patients with COPD.

Purpose: Asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) has been reported as an association with a lower quality of life, frequent exacerbations, and higher mortality than those with COPD alone. However, clinical characteristics and outcomes of ACO remain controversial. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study analyzing data of patients with stable COPD enrolled from the Ishinomaki COPD Network Registry. Patients with features of asthma who had a history of respiratory symptoms that vary over time and intensity, together with documented variable expiratory airflow limitation, were identified, and then defined as having ACO. The characteristics, frequency of exacerbations, and mortality during the 3-year follow-up were compared between patients with ACO and patients with COPD alone. Results: Among 387 patients with COPD, 41 (10.6%) were identified as having ACO. Patients with ACO tended to be younger, have higher BMI, have a shorter smoking history, and use more respiratory medications, especially inhaled corticosteroids. Inflammatory biomarkers including fractional exhaled nitric oxide, blood eosinophil count, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, and presence of antigen-specific IgE were significantly higher in patients with ACO than in those with COPD alone. Lung function, mMRC score, CAT score, and comorbidity index were not different between the groups. The annual rate of all exacerbations and severe exacerbations required hospital admission were not different between ACO and COPD alone (0.20 vs 0.14, 0.12 vs 0.10, events per person, respectively). Mortality was significantly higher in patients with COPD alone compared with those with ACO during the study period (P=0.037). Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that ACO is not associated with poor clinical features nor outcomes in an outpatient COPD cohort receiving appropriate treatment.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in Japanese patients with COPD according to the 2017 GOLD classification: the Ishinomaki COPD Network Registry.

PURPOSE: The GOLD report provides a framework for classifying COPD in a way that reflects its clinical impact and allows treatment recommendations. The GOLD 2017 proposes a new classification whereby patients are grouped as A-D according to their symptoms and history of exacerbations. However, the clinical characteristics and outcomes in these patients are not well documented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective observational study, we analyzed data from the Ishinomaki COPD Network Registry. All patients with stable COPD were classified into the four groups defined by GOLD 2017. The patient demographics, clinical characteristics, number of exacerbations, and mortality rate during 1 year of follow-up were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Four hundred and one patients with stable COPD were identified. There were 240 patients (59.9%) in group A, 122 (30.4%) in group B, 16 (4.0%) in group C, and 23 (5.7%) in group D. Patients in groups B, C, and D had ORs of 2.95, 3.92, and 5.45, respectively, for risk of exacerbation relative to group A. Groups C and D experienced exacerbations more frequently, including exacerbations leading to hospital admission, than groups A and B (both P<0.001) during the 1-year follow-up period. Patients with a high risk of exacerbation (groups C and D) had a lower body mass index, showed more symptoms, used more respiratory medications, and had more severe airflow limitation than patients at low risk of exacerbation (groups A and B). Mortality was not different between the high-risk and low-risk groups. CONCLUSION: The results of our study provide evidence that the GOLD 2017 classification identifies patients with COPD at risk of exacerbations, including those requiring hospitalization, but has a poor ability to predict mortality.

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis due to Exposure to Eurotium herbariorum after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

BACKGROUND: Indoor mold levels typically increase after natural disasters, flooding, and water damage. Eurotium herbariorum is the sexual stage of Aspergillus glaucus. Case Presentation A 66-year-old, Japanese male, ex-smoker had been diagnosed with bronchial asthma when he was five years old; he achieved remission at the age of 13 years. He was displaced from his home during the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 and moved to temporary housing in Miyagi Prefecture in June 2011. He experienced the first episode of chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing in February 2012, when he again was diagnosed as having bronchial asthma. Mycofloral surveillance detected high counts of Eurotium in the air of his bedroom, kitchen, and living room, with a maximal fungal count of 163,200 colony-forming units per cubic meter (CFU/m3). Although Cladosporium and Penicillium typically predominate in the indoor air of residential dwellings, only low levels of these organisms were present in the patient's home. Morphologic identification confirmed the isolates as E. herbariorum. The patient had positive reactions to E. herbariorum in skin prick testing and the presence of antigen-specific precipitating antibodies to E. herbariorum. Computed tomography of the chest in August 2013 revealed central bronchiectasis and bronchial wall thickening. The patient experienced late reactions after provocation testing with E. herbariorum. CONCLUSION: This report presents the rare case of a patient who developed allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) due to exposure to E. herbariorum during temporary housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Oshikata C , Watanabe M , Saito A , Ishida M , Kobayashi S , Konuma R , Kamata Y , Terajima J , Cho J , Yanai M , Tsurikisawa N . Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis due to exposure to eurotium herbariorum after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(6):688-690.

Inflammatory biomarkers in asthma-COPD overlap syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The clinical phenotypes and underlying mechanisms of asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate a comparison of COPD patients with and without ACOS, focusing on inflammatory biomarkers, in an outpatient COPD cohort. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study analyzing prospectively collected data from the Ishinomaki COPD Network registry. All participants were diagnosed with COPD, confirmed by using spirometry, and were aged 40-90 years and former smokers. Patients with features of asthma including both variable respiratory symptoms and variable expiratory airflow limitation were identified and defined as having ACOS. Then, the inflammatory biomarkers such as fractional exhaled nitric oxide level, blood eosinophil count and percentage, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, and presence of antigen-specific IgE were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 257 patients with COPD were identified, including 37 (14.4%) with ACOS. Patients with ACOS tended to be younger, have a shorter smoking history, and use more respiratory medications, especially inhaled corticosteroids and theophylline. Mean fractional exhaled nitric oxide level was significantly higher in those with ACOS than in those without ACOS (38.5 parts per billion [ppb] vs 20.3 ppb, P<0.001). Blood eosinophil count and percentage were significantly increased in those with ACOS (295/mm3 vs 212/mm3, P=0.032; 4.7% vs 3.2%, P=0.003, respectively). Total IgE level was also significantly higher, and presence of antigen-specific IgE was observed more frequently in patients with ACOS. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers were relatively low, but combinations of these biomarkers showed high specificity for ACOS diagnosis. CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that these inflammatory biomarkers can be used to support the diagnosis of ACOS.

[CLINICAL EFFECTS OF INTRAVENOUSLY ADMINISTERED LEVOFLOXACIN IN PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY].

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate the clini- cal effects of levofloxacin (LVFX) administered intravenously to patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: We studied 65 patients hospitalized at The National Hospital Organization Tokyo National Hospital between January 2010 and December 2012. The patients did not have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and received anti-tuberculous drugs intravenously due to the inability to receive drugs orally. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were intravenously treated with isoniazid (INH), streptomycin (SM) and LVFX (HLS), and 38 patients were treated with INH and SM (HS). For both groups, mean age was very high (80.6±15.0 years, HLS group; 81.0± 12.1 years, HS group) and serum albumin levels were low (2.0 ± 0.62 mg/dl and 2.1 ± 0.42 mg/dl, respectively). Most patients were administered oxygen (81.5%, HLS; 78.9 %, HS). In radiological findings, most patients had bilateral (92.6%, HLS; 92.1%, HS) and widely spread (55.6%, HLS; 57.9%, HS) shadows. No significant differences were found between both groups in terms of the above data, except for sex. Almost 70% of all patients died; 51.9% of patients in the HLS group and 50.0% of those in the HS group died of tuberculosis, while 18.5% of patients in the HLS group and 18.4% of those in the HS group died of the other diseases. There were no significant differences in the causes of death and the survival rates of both groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis who were administered intravenous drugs were elderly and in poor general health. As such, mortality of these patients was very high. In this study, no clinical effects were found in the patients administered intravenous LVFX with INH and SM compared with patients treated with INH and SM.

Periodontitis-associated septic pulmonary embolism caused by Actinomyces species identified by anaerobic culture of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is a less common but important cause of septic pulmonary embolism (SPE). However, the pathogens causing periodontal disease-associated SPE (PD-SPE) have been poorly understood. Actinomyces species are resident microbiota in the oral cavity. Here we report a case of PD-SPE caused by Actinomyces species, which was identified by anaerobic culture of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL). CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old Asian man, complicated with severe chronic periodontitis, was admitted with chest pain and fever. Chest CT revealed multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules located subpleurally. We diagnosed the case as SPE associated with periodontitis. Although blood cultures were negative for the usual 5-day incubation, anaerobic culture of the BAL fluid sample yielded Actinomyces species. Antibacterial therapy alone did not ameliorate the symptoms; however, additional dental treatment, including tooth extraction, promptly did. The patient was discharged 23 days after admission. The 3-month follow-up revealed no recurrence of the symptoms and complete resolution of the lung lesions. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrated that Actinomyces species can cause PD-SPE. Additionally, clinicians should consider performing appropriate anaerobic culture of BAL fluid to identify the pathogen of SPE, and to ordering dental treatment, if necessary, in addition to antibiotics for the initial management of PD-SPE.