Susceptibility to exacerbation in COPD

Dyspnoea perception and susceptibility to exacerbation in COPD.

COPD is a heterogeneous condition. This concept has evolved from classic descriptions of pink puffers and blue bloaters to a more complex understanding of disease phenotypes. Phenotypes are relevant because they may predict an important clinical outcome or a specific underlying disease mechanism (endotype), either or both of which might suggest benefit from a particular intervention—‘personalis...

Increased circulating endothelial microparticles in COPD patients: a potential biomarker for COPD exacerbation susceptibility.

RATIONALE The influence of COPD exacerbation on the endothelium is not completely understood. Circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are membrane vesicles in circulating blood that are shed by activated or apoptotic endothelial cells. OBJECTIVE To compare EMP numbers in stable COPD patients with those during and after exacerbation. METHODS We examined the EMP numbers in 80 stable COP...

COPD exacerbation: Lost in translation

The introduction and acceptance of a standard definition for exacerbations of COPD can be helpful in prompt diagnosis and management of these events. The latest GOLD executive committee recognised this necessity and it has now included a definition of exacerbation in the guidelines for COPD which is an important step forward in the management of the disease. This definition is pragmatic and com...

Chlamydia pneumoniae and COPD exacerbation.

Determining prognosis in acute exacerbation of COPD

BACKGROUND Acute exacerbations are the leading causes of hospitalization and mortality in patients with COPD. Prognostic tools for patients with chronic COPD exist, but there are scarce data regarding acute exacerbations. We aimed to identify the prognostic factors of death and readmission after exacerbation of COPD. METHODS This was a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Intern...