Engaging stakeholders to level up COPD care in LMICs: lessons learned from the "Breathe Well" programme in Brazil, China, Georgia, and North Macedonia.

BACKGROUND: Effective stakeholder engagement in health research is increasingly being recognised and promoted as an important pathway to closing the gap between knowledge production and its use in health systems. However, little is known about its process and impacts, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. This opinion piece draws on the stakeholder engagement experiences from a global health research programme on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) led by clinician researchers in Brazil, China, Georgia and North Macedonia, and presents the process, outcomes and lessons learned. MAIN BODY: Each country team was supported with an overarching engagement protocol and mentored to develop a tailored plan. Patient involvement in research was previously limited in all countries, requiring intensive efforts through personal communication, meetings, advisory groups and social media. Accredited training programmes were effective incentives for participation from healthcare providers; and aligning research findings with competing policy priorities enabled interest and dialogue with decision-makers. The COVID-19 pandemic severely limited possibilities for planned engagement, although remote methods were used where possible. Planned and persistent engagement contributed to shared knowledge and commitment to change, including raised patient and public awareness about COPD, improved skills and practice of healthcare providers, increased interest and support from clinical leaders, and dialogue for integrating COPD services into national policy and practice. CONCLUSION: Stakeholder engagement enabled relevant local actors to produce and utilise knowledge for small wins such as improving day-to-day practice and for long-term goals of equitable access to COPD care. For it to be successful and sustained, stakeholder engagement needs to be valued and integrated throughout the research and knowledge generation process, complete with dedicated resources, contextualised and flexible planning, and commitment.

European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society technical statement: standardisation of the measurement of lung volumes, 2023 update.

This document updates the 2005 European Respiratory Society (ERS) and American Thoracic Society (ATS) technical standard for the measurement of lung volumes. The 2005 document integrated the recommendations of an ATS/ERS task force with those from an earlier National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop that led to the publication of background papers between 1995 and 1999 and a consensus workshop report with more in-depth descriptions and discussion. Advancements in hardware and software, new research and emerging approaches have necessitated an update to the 2005 technical standard to guide laboratory directors, physiologists, operators, pulmonologists and manufacturers. Key updates include standardisation of linked spirometry, new equipment quality control and validation recommendations, generalisation of the multiple breath washout concept beyond nitrogen, a new acceptability and grading system with addition of example tracings, and a brief review of imaging and other new techniques to measure lung volumes. Future directions and key research questions are also noted.

Randomised controlled trial testing effectiveness of feedback about lung age or exhaled CO combined with very brief advice for smoking cessation compared to very brief advice alone in North Macedonia: findings from the Breathe Well group.

INTRODUCTION: In 2019, smoking prevalence in North Macedonia was one of the world's highest at around 46% in adults. However, access to smoking cessation treatment is limited and no co-ordinated smoking cessation programmes are provided in primary care. METHODS: We conducted a three parallel-armed randomised controlled trial (n = 1368) to investigate effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of lung age (LA) or exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) feedback combined with very brief advice (VBA) to prompt smoking cessation compared with VBA alone, delivered by GPs in primary care in North Macedonia. All participants who decided to attempt to quit smoking were advised about accessing smoking cessation medications and were also offered behavioural support as part of the "ACT" component of VBA. Participants were aged ≥ 35 years, smoked ≥ 10 cigarettes per day, were recruited from 31 GP practices regardless of motivation to quit and were randomised (1:1:1) using a sequence generated before the start of recruitment. The primary outcome was biochemically validated 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 4 weeks (wks). Participants and GPs were not blinded to allocation after randomisation, however outcome assessors were blind to treatment allocation. RESULTS: There was no evidence of a difference in biochemically confirmed quitting between intervention and control at 4wks (VBA + LA RR 0.90 (97.5%CI: 0.35, 2.27); VBA + CO RR 1.04 (97.5%CI: 0.44, 2.44)), however the absolute number of quitters was small (VBA + LA 1.6%, VBA + CO 1.8%, VBA 1.8%). A similar lack of effect was observed at 12 and 26wks, apart from in the VBA + LA arm where the point estimate was significant but the confidence intervals were very wide. In both treatment arms, a larger proportion reported a reduction in cigarettes smoked per day at 4wks (VBA + LA 1.30 (1.10, 1.54); VBA + CO 1.23 (1.03, 1.49)) compared with VBA. The point estimates indicated a similar direction of effect at 12wks and 26wks, but differences were not statistically significant. Quantitative process measures indicated high fidelity to the intervention delivery protocols, but low uptake of behavioural and pharmacological support. VBA was the dominant intervention in the health economic analyses. CONCLUSION: Overall, there was no evidence that adding LA or CO to VBA increased quit rates. However, a small effect cannot be ruled out as the proportion quitting was low and therefore estimates were imprecise. There was some evidence that participants in the intervention arms were more likely to reduce the amount smoked, at least in the short term. More research is needed to find effective ways to support quitting in settings like North Macedonia where a strong smoking culture persists. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at http://www.isrctn.com (ISRCTN54228638) on the 07/09/2018.

Medium-Term Outcomes in Severely to Critically Ill Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection.

BACKGROUND: The medium- and long-term effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection on survivors are unknown. In the current study, we assessed the medium-term effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on survivors of severe disease. METHODS: This is a retrospective, case series of 200 patients hospitalized across 3 large Birmingham hospitals with severe-to-critical COVID-19 infection 4-7 months from disease onset. Patients underwent comprehensive clinical, laboratory, imaging, lung function tests (LFTs), and quality of life and cognitive assessments. RESULTS: At 4-7 months after disease onset, 63.2% of patients reported persistent breathlessness; 53.5%, significant fatigue; 37.5%, reduced mobility; and 36.8% pain. Serum markers of inflammation and organ injuries that persisted at hospital discharge had normalized on follow-up, indicating no sustained immune response causing chronic maladaptive inflammation. Chest radiographs showed complete resolution in 82.8%, and significant improvement or no change in 17.2%. LFTs revealed gas transfer abnormalities in 80.0% and abnormal spirometric values in 37.6% of patients. Compared with patients who did not experience breathlessness, those who did had significantly higher incidences of comorbid conditions and residual chest radiographic and LFT abnormalities (P < .01 to all). For all parameters assessed and persisting symptoms there were no significant differences between patients in hospital wards and those in intensive treatment units. All patients reported a significantly reduced quality of life in all domains of the EQ-5D-5L quality-of-life measures. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of severely ill patients with COVID-19 still experience symptoms of breathlessness, fatigue, pain, reduced mobility, depression and reduced quality of life 4-7 months after disease onset. Symptomatic patients tend to have more residual chest radiographic and LFT abnormalities.

COVID-19-related changes in outpatient CPAP setup pathways for OSA are linked with decreased 30-day CPAP usage.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) setup pathways. We evaluated patients commenced on CPAP in 2019 (prepandemic) and 2020 (post-first UK wave). Face-to-face (F2F) setup numbers, with CPAP turned on, decreased from 613 patients (98.9%) in 2019, to 6 (1.1%) in 2020. In 2020, setups were F2F without CPAP turned on (403 (71.1%)), or remote (158 (27.9%)). Prepandemic median CPAP usage at first follow-up was 5.4 (2.7-6.9) hours/night and fell by 0.9 hours/night (95% CI 0.5 to 1.2, p<0.0001) in 2020. We found clinically relevant reductions in CPAP usage with pathway changes post-COVID-19.

ERS/ATS technical standard on interpretive strategies for routine lung function tests.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate interpretation of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) involves the classification of observed values as within/outside the normal range based on a reference population of healthy individuals, integrating knowledge of physiological determinants of test results into functional classifications and integrating patterns with other clinical data to estimate prognosis. In 2005, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) jointly adopted technical standards for the interpretation of PFTs. We aimed to update the 2005 recommendations and incorporate evidence from recent literature to establish new standards for PFT interpretation. METHODS: This technical standards document was developed by an international joint Task Force, appointed by the ERS/ATS with multidisciplinary expertise in conducting and interpreting PFTs and developing international standards. A comprehensive literature review was conducted and published evidence was reviewed. RESULTS: Recommendations for the choice of reference equations and limits of normal of the healthy population to identify individuals with unusually low or high results are discussed. Interpretation strategies for bronchodilator responsiveness testing, limits of natural changes over time and severity are also updated. Interpretation of measurements made by spirometry, lung volumes and gas transfer are described as they relate to underlying pathophysiology with updated classification protocols of common impairments. CONCLUSIONS: Interpretation of PFTs must be complemented with clinical expertise and consideration of the inherent biological variability of the test and the uncertainty of the test result to ensure appropriate interpretation of an individual's lung function measurements.

Effect of obstructive sleep apnoea on retinal microvascular function: a randomised controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Retinal microvascular endothelial dysfunction is thought to be of importance in the development of ocular vascular diseases. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) causes macrovascular endothelial dysfunction, but the effect of OSA on retinal microvascular endothelial function is not known. We aimed to determine the effect of OSA on retinal microvascular function. METHODS: We conducted a multi-centre, double-blind, randomised, parallel, controlled trial in patients with known moderate-to-severe OSA, established on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Participants were randomised to 14 nights of either continued CPAP or sham CPAP to generate a return of OSA. Retinal vascular responses to flickering light were measured using dynamic vessel analysis both at baseline and after 14 nights of intervention. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to follow-up in the area under the curve of the arteriolar response to flickering light, sham CPAP versus continued CPAP. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were randomised to sham CPAP, and 18 patients were randomised to continued CPAP. There was no significant effect of CPAP withdrawal and return of OSA on retinal responses, with a change in the area under the curve of the arteriole response to flickering light of + 3.8 arbitrary units (95% CI - 10.6 to + 18.2, p = 0.59), sham CPAP versus continued CPAP. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP withdrawal and a return of OSA had no significant effect on retinal microvascular responses. This contrasts with the effect of CPAP withdrawal on macrovascular endothelial function and suggests that OSA has different effects on macrovascular and microvascular endothelial function. ISRCTN 78082983, 23/10/2014, Prospectively registered.

The benefits of a home non-invasive ventilation retrieval service: Improved effectiveness and environmental sustainability in challenging times.

In the last 6 months, home non-invasive ventilation (NIV) services have faced several unanticipated challenges to their effectiveness and delivery as the result of a 'perfect storm' of the COVID-19 pandemic demands. We developed and delivered an innovative follow-up service, to support home NIV delivery, and improve cost-effectiveness and sustainability during COVID-19. Between Feb-2019 and Nov-2020, 92 post-acute patients were issued with home NIV; 25 (27%) out of the 92 patients had unused NIV machines successfully retrieved. The median (IQR) days of home NIV usage were 207 (98) for patients who had their machines returned. All the unused NIV machines retrieved were within the 5-year working life guaranteed by the manufacturer and were all redeployed after appropriate reconditioning and infection control measures. Without the home-visiting and recycling pilot, we would have relied on patients and families to return the unused machines. Given the expected disruption to NIV machine supply for at least the foreseeable 12-18 months, we feel it is important to get this important message out to other home NIV services urgently. Wider implementation of this novel approach could increase the availability of this vital resource and help meet the current demand on home NIV services.

Reduction in T LCO and survival in a clinical population.

BACKGROUND: How best to express the level of transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide (T LCO) has not been properly explored. METHODS: We used the most recent clinical data from 13 829 patients (54% male; 10% non-European ancestry; median age 60.5 years, range 20-97 years; median survival 3.5 years, range 0-20 years) to determine how best to express T LCO function in terms of its relationship to survival. RESULTS: The proportion of subjects of non-European ancestry with Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) T LCO z-scores above predicted was reduced, but was significantly increased between -1.5 and -3.5, suggesting the need for ethnicity-appropriate equations. Applying GLI forced vital capacity (FVC) ethnicity methodology to GLI T LCO z-scores removed this ethnic bias and was used for all subsequent analysis. T LCO z-scores using the GLI equations were compared with Miller's USA equations with median T LCO z-scores being -1.43 and -1.50 for GLI and Miller equations, respectively (interquartile range -2.8 to -0.3 and -2.4 to -0.7, respectively). GLI T LCO z-scores gave the best Cox regression model for predicting survival. A previously proposed six-tier grading system for level of lung function did not show much separation in survival risk in the less-severe grades. A new four-tier grading based on z-scores of -1.645, -3 and -5 showed better separation of risk with hazard ratio for all-cause mortality of 2.0, 3.4 and 6.6 with increasing severity. CONCLUSION: Applying GLI FVC ethnicity methodology to GLI T LCO predictions to remove ethnic bias together with a new four-tier z-score grading best relates T LCO function to survival.

Official ERS technical standard: Global Lung Function Initiative reference values for static lung volumes in individuals of European ancestry.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of lung volumes across the life course is critical to the diagnosis and management of lung disease. The aim of the study was to use the Global Lung Function Initiative methodology to develop all-age multi-ethnic reference equations for lung volume indices determined using body plethysmography and gas dilution techniques. METHODS: Static lung volume data from body plethysmography and gas dilution techniques from individual, healthy participants were collated. Reference equations were derived using the LMS (lambda-mu-sigma) method and the generalised additive models of location shape and scale programme in R. The impact of measurement technique, equipment type and being overweight or obese on the derived lung volume reference ranges was assessed. RESULTS: Data from 17 centres were submitted and reference equations were derived from 7190 observations from participants of European ancestry between the ages of 5 and 80 years. Data from non-European ancestry populations were insufficient to develop multi-ethnic equations. Measurements of functional residual capacity (FRC) collected using plethysmography and dilution techniques showed physiologically insignificant differences and were combined. Sex-specific reference equations including height and age were developed for total lung capacity (TLC), FRC, residual volume (RV), inspiratory capacity, vital capacity, expiratory reserve volume and RV/TLC. The derived equations were similar to previously published equations for FRC and TLC, with closer agreement during childhood and adolescence than in adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: Global Lung Function Initiative reference equations for lung volumes provide a generalisable standard for reporting and interpretation of lung volumes measurements in individuals of European ancestry.

Lung function and breathing patterns in hospitalised COVID-19 survivors: a review of post-COVID-19 Clinics.

INTRODUCTION: There is relatively little published on the effects of COVID-19 on respiratory physiology, particularly breathing patterns. We sought to determine if there were lasting detrimental effect following hospital discharge and if these related to the severity of COVID-19. METHODS: We reviewed lung function and breathing patterns in COVID-19 survivors > 3 months after discharge, comparing patients who had been admitted to the intensive therapy unit (ITU) (n = 47) to those who just received ward treatments (n = 45). Lung function included spirometry and gas transfer and breathing patterns were measured with structured light plethysmography. Continuous data were compared with an independent t-test or Mann Whitney-U test (depending on distribution) and nominal data were compared using a Fisher's exact test (for 2 categories in 2 groups) or a chi-squared test (for > 2 categories in 2 groups). A p-value of < 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant. RESULTS: We found evidence of pulmonary restriction (reduced vital capacity and/or alveolar volume) in 65.4% of all patients. 36.1% of all patients has a reduced transfer factor (TLCO) but the majority of these (78.1%) had a preserved/increased transfer coefficient (KCO), suggesting an extrapulmonary cause. There were no major differences between ITU and ward lung function, although KCO alone was higher in the ITU patients (p = 0.03). This could be explained partly by obesity, respiratory muscle fatigue, localised microvascular changes, or haemosiderosis from lung damage. Abnormal breathing patterns were observed in 18.8% of subjects, although no consistent pattern of breathing pattern abnormalities was evident. CONCLUSIONS: An "extrapulmonary restrictive" like pattern appears to be a common phenomenon in previously admitted COVID-19 survivors. Whilst the cause of this is not clear, the effects seem to be similar on patients whether or not they received mechanical ventilation or had ward based respiratory support/supplemental oxygen.

Health-Related Quality of Life of People Living with COPD in a Semiurban Area of Western Nepal: A Community-Based Study.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Nepal. It is a progressive lung disease and has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) reflects the health- and disease-related facets of quality of life. Limited studies have assessed the impact of COPD on HRQOL and associated factors in Nepal. This study is based on a cross-sectional household survey data from a semiurban area of Western Nepal. A validated Nepali version of St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was used to measure the HRQOL. COPD was defined together with post-bronchodilator airflow obstruction and the presence of respiratory symptoms. Post-bronchodilator airflow obstruction was defined as Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st second (FEV1) to Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) ratio < 0.70. COPD was diagnosed in 122 participants, and their median (IQR) total score of HRQOL was 40 (26 - 69); the score of symptoms, activity, and impact area were 53 (37 - 74), 57 (36 - 86), and 26 (13 - 62), respectively. The overall HRQOL was significantly different in terms of age, occupational status, physical activity, and comorbidities. Disease severity and the presence of respiratory symptoms had a significant difference in HRQOL (p = 0.0001). Appropriate measures to improve conditions and addressing the associated factors like respiratory symptoms and enhancing physical activity are necessary and important.

Standardization of Spirometry 2019 Update. An Official American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society Technical Statement.

Background: Spirometry is the most common pulmonary function test. It is widely used in the assessment of lung function to provide objective information used in the diagnosis of lung diseases and monitoring lung health. In 2005, the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society jointly adopted technical standards for conducting spirometry. Improvements in instrumentation and computational capabilities, together with new research studies and enhanced quality assurance approaches, have led to the need to update the 2005 technical standards for spirometry to take full advantage of current technical capabilities.Methods: This spirometry technical standards document was developed by an international joint task force, appointed by the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society, with expertise in conducting and analyzing pulmonary function tests, laboratory quality assurance, and developing international standards. A comprehensive review of published evidence was performed. A patient survey was developed to capture patients' experiences.Results: Revisions to the 2005 technical standards for spirometry were made, including the addition of factors that were not previously considered. Evidence to support the revisions was cited when applicable. The experience and expertise of task force members were used to develop recommended best practices.Conclusions: Standards and consensus recommendations are presented for manufacturers, clinicians, operators, and researchers with the aims of increasing the accuracy, precision, and quality of spirometric measurements and improving the patient experience. A comprehensive guide to aid in the implementation of these standards was developed as an online supplement.

Model-based evaluation of the long-term cost-effectiveness of systematic case-finding for COPD in primary care.

INTRODUCTION: 'One-off' systematic case-finding for COPD using a respiratory screening questionnaire is more effective and cost-effective than routine care at identifying new cases. However, it is not known whether early diagnosis and treatment is beneficial in the longer term. We estimated the long-term cost-effectiveness of a regular case-finding programme in primary care. METHODS: A Markov decision analytic model was developed to compare the cost-effectiveness of a 3-yearly systematic case-finding programme targeted to ever smokers aged ≥50 years with the current routine diagnostic process in UK primary care. Patient-level data on case-finding pathways was obtained from a large randomised controlled trial. Information on the natural history of COPD and treatment effects was obtained from a linked COPD cohort, UK primary care database and published literature. The discounted lifetime cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained was calculated from a health service perspective. RESULTS: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of systematic case-finding versus current care was £16 596 per additional QALY gained, with a 78% probability of cost-effectiveness at a £20 000 per QALY willingness-to-pay threshold. The base case result was robust to multiple one-way sensitivity analyses. The main drivers were response rate to the initial screening questionnaire and attendance rate for the confirmatory spirometry test. DISCUSSION: Regular systematic case-finding for COPD using a screening questionnaire in primary care is likely to be cost-effective in the long-term despite uncertainties in treatment effectiveness. Further knowledge of the natural history of case-found patients and the effectiveness of their management will improve confidence to implement such an approach.

Official ERS technical standards: Global Lung Function Initiative reference values for the carbon monoxide transfer factor for Caucasians.

There are numerous reference equations available for the single-breath transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide (T LCO); however, it is not always clear which reference set should be used in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to develop the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) all-age reference values for T LCOData from 19 centres in 14 countries were collected to define T LCO reference values. Similar to the GLI spirometry project, reference values were derived using the LMS (lambda, mu, sigma) method and the GAMLSS (generalised additive models for location, scale and shape) programme in R.12 660 T LCO measurements from asymptomatic, lifetime nonsmokers were submitted; 85% of the submitted data were from Caucasians. All data were uncorrected for haemoglobin concentration. Following adjustments for elevation above sea level, gas concentration and assumptions used for calculating the anatomic dead space volume, there was a high degree of overlap between the datasets. Reference values for Caucasians aged 5-85 years were derived for T LCO, transfer coefficient of the lung for carbon monoxide and alveolar volume.This is the largest collection of normative T LCO data, and the first global reference values available for T LCO.

Executive Summary: 2017 ERS/ATS standards for single-breath carbon monoxide uptake in the lung.

This document summarises an update to the European Respiratory Society (ERS)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) technical standards for single-breath carbon monoxide uptake in the lung that was last updated in 2005. The full standards are also available online as https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.00016-2016 The major changes in these technical standards relate to DLCO measurement with systems using rapidly responding gas analysers for carbon monoxide and the tracer gas, which are now the most common type of DLCO instrumentation being manufactured. Technical improvements and the increased capability afforded by these new systems permit enhanced measurement of DLCO and the opportunity to include other optional measures of lung function.

2017 ERS/ATS standards for single-breath carbon monoxide uptake in the lung.

This document provides an update to the European Respiratory Society (ERS)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) technical standards for single-breath carbon monoxide uptake in the lung that was last updated in 2005. Although both DLCO (diffusing capacity) and TLCO (transfer factor) are valid terms to describe the uptake of carbon monoxide in the lung, the term DLCO is used in this document. A joint taskforce appointed by the ERS and ATS reviewed the recent literature on the measurement of DLCO and surveyed the current technical capabilities of instrumentation being manufactured around the world. The recommendations in this document represent the consensus of the taskforce members in regard to the evidence available for various aspects of DLCO measurement. Furthermore, it reflects the expert opinion of the taskforce members on areas in which peer-reviewed evidence was either not available or was incomplete. The major changes in these technical standards relate to DLCO measurement with systems using rapidly responding gas analysers for carbon monoxide and the tracer gas, which are now the most common type of DLCO instrumentation being manufactured. Technical improvements and the increased capability afforded by these new systems permit enhanced measurement of DLCO and the opportunity to include other optional measures of lung function.