Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) is defined as an acute and clinically significant respiratory deterioration characterized by evidence of new, widespread alveolar abnormality. In the past, AE-IPF was considered to be idiopathic, which was hard to be prevented and its prognosis was hard to be obviously improved; the latest researches have shown that AE-IPF can be triggered by known causes, including pulmonary infection, aspiration, etc. This review summarizes the etiology or risk factors, treatment and prevention of AE-IPF according to the latest researches.
Objective To improve the awareness of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( AEIPF) and discuss its clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and outcome. Methods The clinical data of patients with AEIPF from June 2006 to June 2011 in 11 hospitals in Jiangsu were collected and analyzed. Resluts There were 18 males and 3 females in the AEIPF patients with mean age of ( 67.4 ± 8.1) years. The duration from IPF diagnosis was ( 7.4 ±8.2) months. The duration of acute symptom before admission was ( 7.0 ±5.3) days. The distribution pattern of new groud-glass opacity was peripheral in 3 patients,multifocal in 5 patients, and diffuse in13 patients. All patients were treated with corticosteroid pulse therapy. Nine patients survived and 12 patients died. The mortality rate was 57.1% . Conclusions AEIPF progresses quickly and the mortality rate is very high. Corticosteroid pulse therapy is the mainstay of therapy in AEIPF patients.
Objective To investigate the prevalence and predisposing factors of gastroesophageal reflux（GER）in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（COPD）and its impacts on the frequency of COPD exacerbations.Methods 50 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD were enrolled in the study.All patients filled a modified version of clinically validated standardized Mayo Clinic GER questionnaire.Pulmonary function tests（PFT），body mass index（BMI），serum albumin，and medications were recorded.The patients were divided in to GER group（13 patients with GER symptoms longer than one year and diagnosed GER by gastroscope） and non-GER group（37 patients without GER symptoms）.Results There were no significant differences in the BMI，serum albumin，use of inhaled steroids and theophylline between the two groups.Forced expiratory volume in one second as a percentage of the predicted value（FEV1%pred）（37% vs 38.3%，P=0.608.），residual volume % predicted（123.4 % vs 137.8%，P=0.222），and residual volume to total lung capacity（139.4% vs 141.5%，P=0.798） were not significantly different between the two groups.The number of COPD exacerbations per year was significantly higher in patients with GER compared to patients without GER（4.5 vs 1.3，P=0.006）.Conclusions The severity of airflow obstruction and the hyperinflation is unlikely to contribute to the development of GER.Patients with GER experience significantly more exacerbations per year when compared to patients without GER，suggesting more highlight warrant in treatment of GER in COPD patients.
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of Aspergillus in the severe refractory exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsThe clinical data of two COPD patients suffering from refractory acute exacerbations were analyzed and the relevant literature were reviewed.ResultsTwo patients were male, aging 72 and 64 years respectively. Both of them had a history of frequent acute exacerbations with severe COPD recently. Meanwhile, they received intravenous use of antibiotics repeatedly, one of them took oral corticosteroids to control wheezing, but failed. Their serum Aspergillus-specific IgG antibody was weakly positive. Besides traditional treatment, they received additional antifungal therapy, and the symptoms alleviated. There was no acute exacerbation in the half a year follow-up period after appropriate therapy.ConclusionsAspergillus colonization, sensitization, infection should be considered in patients with severe COPD. When Aspergillus-associated evidence are acquired, antifungal therapy will be unexpected helpful.
Objective To investigate the cardiovascular events (CVE) and survival status of patients with bronchiectasis (BE) during follow-up after acute exacerbation. Methods Prospective cohort study was used. Clinical data of 134 BE patients with acute exacerbation who were hospitalized from July 2016 to September 2020 were collected. The patients were followed up after discharge by phone or respiratory clinic every 3 months until November 2022. CVE or death was the endpoint event. Result During the follow-up period, 41 patients developed CVE, while 93 patients did not. Fifty-one patients died during the follow-up period, with a mortality rate of 38.06%. Among them, 41 cases of CVE resulted in 21 deaths, with a mortality rate of 51.22%; 30 cases died in 93 non-CVE patients, with a mortality rate of 32.26%. Logistic regression results showed significant influencing factors for CVE in BE patients were age, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and moderate to severe illness. The significant influencing factors for the death of BE patients were age, COPD, moderate and severe illness, and CVE events. The significant influencing factors for the death of CVE patients were age and receiving CVE treatment. The area under ROC curve (AUC) and 95%CI was 0.858 (0.729 - 0.970) for the warning model for CVE in BE patients. The AUC (95%CI) was 0.867 (0.800 - 0.927) for the warning model for death in BE patients. The AUC (95%CI) was 0.811 (0.640 - 0.976) for the warning model for death of CVE patients. Conclusions Population factors and comorbidities are risk factors for CVE in BE patients after acute exacerbation. The appearance of CVE worsens the long-term prognosis of BE patients. The corresponding warning models have high warning effectiveness with AUC>0.8.
ObjectiveTo investigate the existence of persistent systemic inflammation (PSI) among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in local areas, and identify the risk factors of PSI.MethodsA total of 150 patients with stable COPD and 70 non-smoking healthy individuals were enrolled in our study. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-18 and activin A in serum were detected. Pulmonary function was tested, and basic information of the candidates was acquired at the same time. All of the patients were followed-up at 6 months, 12 months and 24 months for two years. The value at the 95th percentile of the concentration of inflammation markers of non-smoking healthy samples was defined as the threshold value, also known as normal ceiling limit value. Existence of PSI was defined as the condition that two or more kinds of inflammation markers exceed the threshold at each follow-up visit. The COPD patients were categorized into three classes, in which there were respectively none, one and two or more kinds of inflammation markers with over-threshold values. Based on a 2-year followup, patients with two or more kinds of inflammation markers exceeding threshold values were classified as PSI subgroup, and patients without inflammation markers exceeding threshold values as never inflamed subgroup.ResultsThere were 22 patients (14.7%) had persistent systemic inflammation, whereas 60 patients (40.0%) did not show evidence of systemic inflammation. Single factor analysis of two subgroups showed that the patients in PSI subgroup had higher body mass index (BMI), higher smoking index, higher prior frequency of time to exacerbation, higher proportion of patients at high risk for recurrent acute exacerbation during 2-year followup, higher SGRQ total score, lower FEV1%pred and lower FEV1/FVC ratio significantly (all P<0.05). Higher BMI and higher risk of recurrent acute exacerbation were independent risk factors leading to PSI, of which the higher risk of recurrent acute exacerbation had a more important effect on PSI.ConclusionsSome COPD patients have PSI in this region, which may constitute a novel COPD phenotype (called systemic inflammatory phenotype). Higher BMI and higher risk of recurrent acute exacerbation are independent risk factors leading to PSI. Individualized treatment to prevent acute exacerbation and appropriate weight control may be a better intervention for these patients.
Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between peripheral blood eosinophil (EOS) count and smoking history, some inflammatory indicators, lung function, efficacy of ICS, risk of respiratory failure and chronic pulmonary heart disease, risk of acute exacerbation within 1 year, readmission rate and mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Methods Retrospective analysis of the baseline clinical data of 816 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from January 1,2019 to December 31,2021. The patients were divided into EOS ≥ 200 cells / μL (High Eosinophi, HE) group and EOS<200 cells / μL (low Eosinophi, LE) group according to whether the peripheral blood EOS was greater than 200 cells / μL at admission. Peripheral venous blood data (including blood eosinophil count, white blood cell count, lymphocyte percentage, neutrophil percentage), blood gas analysis value, lung function index and medication regimen of all patients were collected, and the efficacy of ICS was recorded. The patients were followed up for 1 year to observe the acute exacerbation and readmission rate, and the mortality rate was followed up for 1 year and 2 years. Results Neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in HE group were positively correlated with EOS value (P<0.05), and smoking was more likely to increase EOS value. HE group was more sensitive to ICS. The risk of acute exacerbation in HEA group was higher than that in LE group. ICS could reduce the rate of acute exacerbation in HE group. EOS value in LE group was inversely proportional to FEV1 / FVC and MMEF values (P<0.05). The risk of chronic pulmonary heart disease in LE group was higher than that in HE group. The 2-year mortality rate in HE group was higher than that in LE group. Conclusions Peripheral blood EOS count is correlated with some inflammatory indicators, acute exacerbation risk, and lung function. ICS can improve the clinical symptoms and prognosis of patients with higher EOS count.
ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of different nebulization methods in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) requiring non-invasive ventilators (NIV). MethodsOne hundred and two patients with AECOPD were selected according to the standard, and randomly divided into a control group, a trial group I, and a trial group II according to the random number table. The patients in the control group received NIV intermittent oxygen-driven nebulization; the patients in the trial group I received NIV simultaneous oxygen-driven nebulization; and the patients in the trial group II received NIV simultaneous air-driven nebulization. The dynamic fluctuations of transcutaneous partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PtCO2), arterial blood gas indexes (PaCO2, PaO2, pH), vital signs and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) fluctuations were compared. ResultsPtCO2 at 15min of nebulization in the trial group II were lower than the other groups (P<0.05). PtCO2 at 15min of nebulization was higher than the other time points in the control group (P<0.05); there was no statistical difference of PtCO2 at different time points in the trial group I (P>0.05); PtCO2 gradually decreased with time in the trial group II (P<0.05). The difference before and after nebulization of PtCO2 (dPtCO2) was larger in trial group II than the other groups (P<0.05). PtCO2 at 0min and 5min after the end of nebulization in trial group II were lower than the other groups (P<0.05); there were no statistical differences of PtCO2 at 10min and 15min after the end of nebulization among three groups (P>0.05). There were statistical differences of the PtCO2 at each time point in the control group except for the PtCO2 at 10 min and 15min after the end of nebulization, all of which decreased with time; PtCO2 at each time points of nebulization decreased with time in the trial group I (P<0.05). PtCO2 only at 5min after the end of nebulization was lower than that at 0min after the end of nebulization in trial group II (P< 0.05), there were no statistical differences in other times (P>0.05). PaCO2, pH at the 4th day of treatment was lower than the pre-treatment in the control group (P<0.01); there were statistical differences of PaCO2 between the pre-treatment and the rest time points in the trial group I and group II (P<0.05). The number of abnormal fluctuations in vital signs and SpO2 during nebulization in three groups was not statistically different (P>0.05). ConclusionsThree groups can achieve good therapeutic effects. NIV intermittent oxygen-driven nebulization can make PtCO2 rise during nebulization; NIV simultaneous oxygen-driven nebulization can make PtCO2 remain stable during nebulization; NIV simultaneous air-driven nebulization can make PtCO2 fall during nebulization.
ObjectiveTo explorer the risk factors for acute exacerbation in patients with bronchiectasis within one year.MethodsFour hundred and twenty-two patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis hospitalized were enrolled in The East Region of the People’s hospital of Sichuan between October 2014 and October 2016. The patients’ clinical data were collected, and follow-up began at the time of discharged. The study endpoint was the first acute exacerbation, all patients were followed-up for one year after discharged. The patients were classified into two groups by the occurrence of acute exacerbation or no occurrence. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors for acute exacerbation with bronchiectasis.ResultsThe age, sick time, body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5 kg/m2, smoking index, expectoration, hemoptysis, dyspnea, moist sounds, wheezing sounds, types of imaging, CT scores, lung lesion site, sputum culture, whether infected Pseudomonas aeruginosa, level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), level of serum PCT, serum albumin, arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure, types of respiratory failure, combined with chronic cor pulmonale differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05), while gender, history of Infection, smoking, cough, chest pain, fever, clubbed-finger, white blood cell counts, neutrophil counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum globulins, arterial oxygen partial pressure did not significantly differ (P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis found that infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, BMI<18.5 kg/m2, high level of serum CRP, high level of arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2), high CT score with bronchiectasis, combination with chronic cor pulmonale were risk factors for acute exacerbation in patients with bronchiectasis (P<0.05).ConclusionsInfection with pseudomonas aeruginosa, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2, high serum CRP level, high arterial blood PaCO2 level, high CT score with bronchiectasis and combination of chronic cor pulmonale are risk factors for acute aggravation within 1 year for patients with bronchiectasis. Doctors can identify these risk factors and intervene early, so as to reduce the acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the physiologic effects of different pressure assist (PA) on ventilatory status,oxygenation and work of breathing (WOB) when a new generation of proportional assist ventilation (PAV) is applied in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). MethodsA prospective,crossover randomized physiologic study was performed.80%PA,60%PA and 40%PA was sequentially randomized to be applied with the duration of 30 minutes,and pressure support ventilation (PSV) with the duration of 30 minutes was applied before each PA.Ventilatory status, oxygenation,dyspnea indexes in PSV and different PA were compared,and WOB of patients and ventilator were compared in different PA. ResultsTwenty-eight patients were recruited into the study.With the decrease of PA,peak inspiratory pressure (PIP),mean airway pressure (Pm),and tidal volume (VT) decreased gradually (P>0.05),respiratory rate (RR) increased gradually (P<0.05),while minute volume (MV),heart rate (HR),systolic blood pressure (SBP),mean arterial pressure (MAP),pH,arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2),and arterial oxygen tension/inspired oxygen fraction (PaO2/FiO2) did not change significantly (P>0.05).Compared with PSV mode,PIP increased significantly in 80%PA (P<0.05),decreased significantly in 60%PA and 40%PA (P<0.05).Pm did not change significantly in 80%PA (P>0.05),decreased significantly in 60%PA and 40%PA (P<0.05).VT increased significantly in 80%PA (P<0.05),decreased significantly in 60%PA and 40%PA (P<0.05).RR did not change significantly in 80%PA (P>0.05),increased significantly in 60%PA and 40%PA (P<0.05).MV did not change significantly in 80%PA (P>0.05),decreased significantly in 60%PA and 40%PA (P<0.05).With the decrease of PA,Borg score and scale for accessory muscle use increased gradually (P<0.05).Compared with PSV mode,Borg score and scale for accessory muscle use did not change significantly in 80%PA (P>0.05),increased significantly in 60%PA and 40%PA (P<0.05).WOB of patients in 40%PA was significantly higher than that in 60%PA (P=0.000) and that in 80%PA (P=0.000),while which in 60%PA was significantly higher than that in 80%PA (P=0.000).On the contrary,WOB of ventilator in 40%PA was significantly lower than that in 60%PA (P=0.004) and that in 80%PA (P=0.000),while which in 60%PA was significantly lower than that in 80%PA (P=0.000). ConclusionThe new generation of PAV can safely and effectively provide respiratory support to patients with AECOPD.Respiratory pattern,levels of dyspnea and accessory muscle use in 80%PA are similar with those in PSV.With the decrease of PA,levels of spontaneous breathing and WOB increase and dyspnea worsens.PAV can promote spontaneous breathing and prevent respiratory muscle disuse atrophy even more, but easily lead to respiratory muscle fatigue with inappropriate use.