The use of two quality-of-life questionnaires in a single clinical trial with an economic component can be challenging due to the associated workload in terms of data collection and an increased risk ...of missing data. The aim of our study was to determine whether the questionnaire chosen to measure health status, the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), could be administered on its own without adding the EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) for economic evaluation in emphysema studies.
Data were prospectively collected during the REVOLENS trial assessing endobronchial coil treatment in severe emphysema. To quantify the association between the two questionnaires, correlations between the EQ-5D and the SGRQ were first tested and the concordance was then studied in order to know whether the two questionnaires were interchangeable. Finally, the Starkie et al algorithm predicting EQ-5D utility values from the SGRQ was used on REVOLENS's individual patient data. The Student's
-test, correlation and concordance between EQ-5D individual value (from the REVOLENS study) and predicted value (from the Starkie et al algorithm) were studied to test this algorithm.
Results showed a strong correlation but no concordance between the EQ-5D and the SGRQ, demonstrating that the two questionnaires are not interchangeable. Moreover, the algorithm predicting EQ-5D utilities from the SGRQ did not provide utility values comparable to those observed in the REVOLENS study. Indeed, our study demonstrated a strong correlation between predicted and individual EQ-5D values but no concordance.
The use of both the EQ-5D and the SGRQ in a clinical study with an economic component is justified. Based on our results, the SGRQ should not be used to obtain a utility score to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and conclude on the efficiency of an intervention in emphysema patients.
The French RAMSES study is an observational prospective multicentre real-life cohort including severe asthmatic subjects. The objective of the study was to compare the characteristics of patients, in ...terms of phenotype and asthma care trajectories, between those managed by tertiary referral centres (TRCs) or secondary care centres (SCCs).
Patients were prospectively recruited and enrolled for a 5-year follow-up. Patients' characteristics were analysed at inclusion and compared between TRCs and SCCs.
52 centres (24 TRCs and 28 SCCs) included 2046 patients: 1502 (73.4%) were included by a TRC and 544 (26.6%) by a SCC. Patients were mainly women (62%), 53±15 years old, 67% with Asthma Control Test <20; at inclusion, 14% received oral corticosteroids (OCS) and 66% biologics. Compared with the SCC group, the TRC group had more frequent comorbidities and lower blood eosinophil counts (262
340 mm
; p=0.0036). OCS and biologics use did not differ between groups, but patients in the TRC group benefited more frequently from an educational programme (26%
18%; p=0.0008) and received more frequently two or more sequential lines of biologics (33%
24%; p=0.0105). In-depth investigations were more frequently performed in the TRC group (allergy tests: 74%
62%; p<0.0001; exhaled nitric oxide fraction: 56%
21%; p<0.0001; induced sputum: 6%
3%; p=0.0390).
Phenotypes and care trajectories differed in the RAMSES cohort between SCCs and TRCs, probably related to different levels of asthma severity and differences in medical resources and practices among centres. This highlights the need for standardisation of severe asthma care.
We conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with serologically proven nephropathia epidemica (NE) living in Ardennes Department, France, during 2000-2014 to ...develop a bioclinical test predictive of severe disease. Among 205 patients, 45 (22.0%) had severe NE. We found the following factors predictive of severe NE: nephrotoxic drug exposure (p = 0.005, point value 10); visual disorders (p = 0.02, point value 8); microscopic or macroscopic hematuria (p = 0.04, point value 7); leukocyte count >10 × 10
cells/L (p = 0.01, point value 9); and thrombocytopenia <90 × 10
/L (p = 0.003, point value 11). When point values for each factor were summed, we found a score of <10 identified low-risk patients (3.3% had severe disease), and a score >20 identified high-risk patients (45.3% had severe disease). If validated in future studies, this test could be used to stratify patients by severity in research studies and in clinical practice.
Free iron in lung can cause the generation of reactive oxygen species, an important factor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. Iron accumulation has been implicated in ...oxidative stress in other diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, but little is known about iron accumulation in COPD. We sought to determine if iron content and the expression of iron transport and/or storage genes in lung differ between controls and COPD subjects, and whether changes in these correlate with airway obstruction. Explanted lung tissue was obtained from transplant donors, GOLD 2-3 COPD subjects, and GOLD 4 lung transplant recipients, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells were obtained from non-smokers, healthy smokers, and GOLD 1-3 COPD subjects. Iron-positive cells were quantified histologically, and the expression of iron uptake (transferrin and transferrin receptor), storage (ferritin) and export (ferroportin) genes was examined by real-time RT-PCR assay. Percentage of iron-positive cells and expression levels of iron metabolism genes were examined for correlations with airflow limitation indices (forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and the ratio between FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC)). The alveolar macrophage was identified as the predominant iron-positive cell type in lung tissues. Furthermore, the quantity of iron deposit and the percentage of iron positive macrophages were increased with COPD and emphysema severity. The mRNA expression of iron uptake and storage genes transferrin and ferritin were significantly increased in GOLD 4 COPD lungs compared to donors (6.9 and 3.22 fold increase, respectively). In BAL cells, the mRNA expression of transferrin, transferrin receptor and ferritin correlated with airway obstruction. These results support activation of an iron sequestration mechanism by alveolar macrophages in COPD, which we postulate is a protective mechanism against iron induced oxidative stress.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the chronic respiratory disease with the most important burden on public health in terms of morbidity, mortality and health costs. For patients, COPD ...is a major source of disability because of dyspnea, restriction in daily activities, exacerbation, risk of chronic respiratory failure and extra-respiratory systemic organ disorders. The previous French Language Respiratory Society (SPLF) guidelines on COPD exacerbations were published in 2003. Using the GRADE methodology, the present document reviews the current knowledge on COPD exacerbation through 4 specific outlines: (1) epidemiology, (2) clinical evaluation, (3) therapeutic management and (4) prevention. Specific aspects of outpatients and inpatients care are discussed, especially regarding assessment of exacerbation severity and pharmacological approach.
Vineyard workers (VW) are exposed to various respiratory allergens. The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of work related respiratory symptoms (WRS) in Champagne VW in France and to ...analyze the relationships between symptoms, occupational exposure and sensitization profile.
VW of Reims area were prospectively recruited between 2007 and 2010. Demographic and occupational characteristics were recorded. Respiratory symptoms were scored for each month of the past year. Results of respiratory functional tests and skin prick tests for common respiratory allergens, grape moulds and vine pollen were recorded.
307 subjects were included. The prevalence of WRS was 11%. Compared to subjects with symptoms unrelated to work, subjects with WRS were more frequently sensitized to gramineae (34% vs 18%, p = 0.05), described ocular itching (74% vs 37%, p < 0.001) and seasonal symptoms (88% vs 69%, p = 0.03) mainly during lifting and trellising (57% vs 17%, p < 0.001).
WRS are frequent in Champagne WV and are associated with a sensitization to gramineae and with activities performed close to vine in late spring.
Le maintien de l'intégrité de l'épithélium des voies aériennes est assuré par un mécanisme de réparation épithéliale pouvant être dérégulé dans la bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO). La ...BPCO, définie par une obstruction irréversible des débits aériens et émaillée d'épisodes d'exacerbation, présente différents phénotypes, pour lesquels l'évaluation de la sévérité tient compte de la fonction respiratoire et de données cliniques. L'objectif de cette thèse était d'étudier du point de vue phénotypique des patients BPCO lors des exacerbations virales et au cours du processus de réparation épithéliale. Nous avons étudié prospectivement 51 patients BPCO suivis mensuellement et lors des exacerbations. Virus et bactéries étaient recherchés dans l'expectoration induite par PCR et culture. Les résultats analysés en fonction des données cliniques et fonctionnelles respiratoires ont montré qu'une coinfection, présente dans 25% des exacerbations, n'était pas associée au phénotype des patients ni à la sévérité ou à la récidive de l'exacerbation. Nous avons ensuite étudié la réparation de cellules épithéliales bronchiques primaires dans un modèle de réparation de lésion. L'analyse des paramètres de fermeture de lésion (vitesse de fermeture, sécrétions, prolifération cellulaire) en fonction des données cliniques, fonctionnelles et histologiques a montré notamment que la vitesse de fermeture était associée à la sévérité de l'obstruction bronchique. Ces résultats suggèrent le rôle d'anomalies de réparation épithéliale dans la physiopathologie de la BPCO et soulignent la complexité du phénotypage des patients atteints de BPCO.
The integrity of airway epithelium is provided by a complex mechanism of epithelial repair that can be dysegulated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a heterogeneous condition defined by an irreversible obstructive airflow limitation with frequent acute episodes of exacerbations. COPD patients can present different phenotypes, for which severity evaluation must take into account the severity of lung function and clinical data. The aim of this thesis was to study the COPD patients in a phenotypic point of view during viral exacerbations and during the process of epithelial repair.We prospectively studied 51 COPD patients monitored monthly and during exacerbations. Induce sputum were analyzed for viruses and bacteria detection by PCR and culture. These results analyzed according to the clinical and functional respiratory data showed that co-infection was present in 25 % of exacerbations and was not associated with the phenotype of patients or the severity or recurrence of exacerbation.We then studied primary bronchial epithelial cells repair in a model of wound closure. Associations between wound closure parameters (speed of wound closure, secretions, cell proliferation) and clinical, histological and functional data were analyzed. We showed that the speed of wound closure was associated with the severity of bronchial obstruction. These results suggest the role of abnormal epithelial repair in the pathogenesis of COPD and highlight the complexity of phenotypic characterization of COPD patients.
Free iron in lung can cause the generation of reactive oxygen species, an important factor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. Iron accumulation has been implicated in ...oxidative stress in other diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, but little is known about iron accumulation in COPD. We sought to determine if iron content and the expression of iron transport and/or storage genes in lung differ between controls and COPD subjects, and whether changes in these correlate with airway obstruction. Explanted lung tissue was obtained from transplant donors, GOLD 2-3 COPD subjects, and GOLD 4 lung transplant recipients, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells were obtained from non-smokers, healthy smokers, and GOLD 1-3 COPD subjects. Iron-positive cells were quantified histologically, and the expression of iron uptake (transferrin and transferrin receptor), storage (ferritin) and export (ferroportin) genes was examined by real-time RT-PCR assay. Percentage of iron-positive cells and expression levels of iron metabolism genes were examined for correlations with airflow limitation indices (forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and the ratio between FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC)). The alveolar macrophage was identified as the predominant iron-positive cell type in lung tissues. Futhermore, the quantity of iron deposit and the percentage of iron positive macrophages were increased with COPD and emphysema severity. The mRNA expression of iron uptake and storage genes transferrin and ferritin were significantly increased in GOLD 4 COPD lungs compared to donors (6.9 and 3.22 fold increase, respectively). In BAL cells, the mRNA expression of transferrin, transferrin receptor and ferritin correlated with airway obstruction. These results support activation of an iron sequestration mechanism by alveolar macrophages in COPD, which we postulate is a protective mechanism against iron induced oxidative stress.
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