Variables clínicas y funcionales asociadas al riesgo de muerte en el seguimiento a largo plazo en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Clinical and functional variables associated to long-term mortality in COPD patients

Background: Identifying risk factors for long-term mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could improve their clinical management. Aim: To examine the clinical variables associated to long-term mortality in a cohort of COPD patients. Patients and Methods: A clinical and respiratory functional assessment, chest computed tomography and clinical follow up for five years was carried out in 202 COPD patients aged 66 ± 9 years (59% males), active or former smokers of 10 or more pack-years. Results: Thirty four percent of patients were active smokers, consuming 46 ± 23 packs/year, 86% had comorbidities, especially chronic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Forty-six patients died in the five years follow-up (5-year mortality was therefore 22.8%). In the univariate analysis, the main risk factors associated to long-term mortality were an older age, male sex, dyspnea severity, severe exacerbation risk, chronic respiratory failure, magnitude of lung emphysema, airflow obstruction and lung hyperinflation, reduction of thigh muscle cross-sectional area and physical activity limitation. In the multivariate analysis, the three independent risk factors for long-term mortality were dyspnea severity, chronic hypoxemia and exercise limitation measured with the six minutes' walk test. Conclusions: Systematic clinical assessment allowed to identify the main risk factors associated with long-term mortality in patients with COPD, which could be used in planning preventive and management programs aimed at the high-risk population.

Proteína C Reactiva en la EPOC y su relación con la gravedad de la enfermedad, las exacerbaciones y las comorbilidades / C-Reactive protein levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have elevated serum levels of ultrasensitive C reactive protein (CRPus). This raise may be related directly to COPD and its associated systemic inflammation or secondary to other factors such as smoking status, disease severity, acute exacerbations, or associated complications. Aim: To evaluate the potential causes of raised levels of CRPus in stable COPD patients. Patients and Methods: Cohorts of 133 mild-to-very severe COPD patients (41 current smokers), 31 never-smokers, and 33 current smoker controls were compared. Clinical assessments included body mass index (BMI), fat (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) measurement by DEXA, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), arterial oxygen tension (PaO2), six-minute walking test (SMWT), emphysema (EMPH) and right thigh muscle cross-sectional area (TMCSA), both quantified by high resolution computed tomography. Results: Serum CRPus levels were significantly higher in COPD patients than in controls (7 ± 4.2 and 3.7 ± 2.7 mg/L respectively; p < 0.0001). Being smoker did not influence CRPus levels. These levels were significantly correlated with FM (r = 0.30), BMI (r = 0.21), FEV1 (r = -0.21), number of acute exacerbations of the disease in the last year (r = 0.28), and PaO2 (r = -0.27). Using multivariate analysis FM, PaO2, and number of acute exacerbations of the disease in the last year had the strongest association with CRPus levels. Conclusions: CRPus is elevated in COPD patients, independent of smoking status. It is weakly associated with fat mass, arterial oxygen tension and frequency of exacerbations.

Reducción de la actividad física en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Reduction of physical activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) decrease their physical activity. However, it is unknown at which stage of the disease the reduction occurs and whether dyspnea is a limiting factor. Aim: To compare physical activity between patients with COPD and controls of similar age and to assess its association with disease severity. Material and Methods: We studied 112 patients with mild to very severe COPD and 55 controls. Lung function, six-minutes walking test (SMWT), and physical activity through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were measured. Results: Compared to controls, physical activity was significantly reduced in COPD patients (1823 ± 2598 vs. 2920 ± 3040 METs min/week; p = 0.001). Patients were more frequently sedentary (38 vs. 11%), while controls were more often very active (31 vs. 19%) or moderately active (58 vs. 43%). Physical activity was reduced from Global Initiative for Obstructive Chronic Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 2 and from Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea grade 1. Weak relationships were observed between lung function, SMWT and physical activity. Conclusions: Physical activity decreases early in the course of the disease and when dyspnea is still mild, among patients with COPD. (Rev Med Chile 2011; 139:1562-1572).

Manejo de la neumonía comunitaria del adulto mayor en el ámbito ambulatorio / Ambulatory management of community acquired pneumonia in the elderly

Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is the first cause of death by respiratory disease in Chile and the first specific cause of death in people over 80 years of age. The geriatric population has a greater risk of suffering pneumonia, its complications and consequently dying. This is not only related to chronological age but also to certain factors related to ageing such as the presence of comorbidity, malnutrition, and cognitive impairment. An atypical presentation that delays the diagnosis and treatment also increases the risk of complications. CAP in the elderly is caused by the same pathogens that cause it in younger patients. S pneumoniae is the main pathogen followed by viral infections particularly in winter. An important strategy to reduce CAP related health costs, is the identification of patients who are at low risk of complications and who therefore could be managed at home. Optimum management of CAP in the elderly includes early diagnosis and the definition of clinical severity, early antibiotic treatment at the right dose and for an adequate length of time and a correct decision whether the patient should be managed in hospital or at home.