Browsing by Author "Papakonstantinou, Eleni (7003948513)"

Hyaluronic acid (HA) and its degradation products play an important role in lung pathophysiology and airway remodelling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We investigated if HA and its degrading enzyme hyaluronidase (HYAL)-1 are associated with COPD severity and outcome. Serum HA was assessed in a discovery cohort of 80 COPD patients at stable state and exacerbations. HA, HYAL-1 and HYAL-1 enzymatic activity were evaluated at stable state, exacerbations and 4 weeks after exacerbations in 638 COPD patients from the PROMISE validation cohort. In the discovery cohort, serum HA was higher at exacerbations compared with the stable state (p=0.015). In the validation cohort, HA was higher at moderate and severe exacerbations than at baseline (p<0.001), and remained higher after 4 weeks (p<0.001). HA was strongly predictive for overall survival since it was associated with time to death (p<0.001) independently of adjusted Charlson score, annual exacerbation rate and BODE (body mass, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea, exercise capacity) index. Serum HYAL-1 was increased at moderate (p=0.004) and severe (p=0.003) exacerbations, but decreased after 4 weeks (p<0.001). HYAL-1 enzymatic activity at stable state was inversely correlated with FEV1 % pred (p=0.034) and survival time (p=0.017). Serum HA is associated with COPD severity and predicts overall survival. Degradation of HA is associated with airflow limitation and impairment of lung function. Copyright ©ERS 2019

Background and objective: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms are associated with a higher risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation. We hypothesize that treatment with proton pump inhibitors reduces the risk of exacerbation in patients with stable COPD. Methods: A total of 638 patients with stable COPD for ≥6 weeks, ≥10 pack-years of smoking and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease II–IV seeking care in tertiary hospitals in eight European countries in the Predicting Outcome using Systemic Markers in Severe Exacerbations-COPD cohort was prospectively evaluated by us. Comorbidities including associated medical treatment were assessed at baseline, at exacerbation and at biannual visits. Median observation time was 24 months. The primary study outcomes were exacerbation and/or death. Results: A total of 85 (13.3%) of COPD patients were on anti-GERD therapy. These patients had higher annual and higher severe exacerbation rates (P = 0.009 and P = 0.002), decreased quality of life (SF-36: activity score P = 0.004, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire: physical functioning P = 0.013 and social functioning P = 0.007), higher body mass airflow obstruction, dyspnea and exercise capacity index (P = 0.033) and Modified Medical Research Council scores (P = 0.002), shorter 6-min walking distance (P = 0.0004) and a higher adjusted Charlson score (P < 0.0001). Anti-GERD therapy was associated with a shorter time to severe exacerbation (HR 2.05 95% CI 1.37–3.08). Using three multivariable Cox-regression models, this association was independent of the following: (i) adjusted Charlson score and FEV1% predicted (HR 1.91 95% CI 1.26–2.90); (ii) adjusted Charlson score, body mass, airflow obstruction, dyspnea and exercise capacity index and Modified Medical Research Council (HR 1.62 95% CI 1.04–2.54); and (iii) adjusted Charlson score, FEV1% predicted and nine classes of medication for comorbidities (HR 1.63 95% CI 1.04–2.53). Conclusion: These findings suggest that patients with stable COPD receiving acid-suppressive therapy with proton pump inhibitors remain at high risk of frequent and severe exacerbations. © 2016 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology