Scientists have developed a new drug RPL554 that could treat obstructive airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD in two ways at once, according to new research published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. RPL554 has the potential to both reverse the narrowing of the airways bronchodilation and reduce inflammation quicker and withContinue reading “New class of drug shows promise for treating asthma and COPD”
Category Archives: Research
COPD and Safety of Tiotropium: Disproving a Negative?
Video of Andy Shorr, from George Washington University in Washington, DC, with the Pulmonary and Critical Care literature update. I want to highlight an article[1] that was in the October 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. This is the TIOSPIR study, a large randomized controlled trial looking at tiotropium, our prototype ofContinue reading “COPD and Safety of Tiotropium: Disproving a Negative?”
Scientists discover odour receptors in lungs
Scientists have found that our lungs have odour receptors, suggesting that nose is not the only organ in the body to have a sense of smell. Unlike the receptors in the nose, which are located in the membranes of nerve cells, the ones in the lungs are in the membranes of neuroendocrine cells, researchers said.Continue reading “Scientists discover odour receptors in lungs”
COPD mortality and prevalence: the associations with smoking and poverty
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality and prevalence: the associations with smoking and poverty—a BOLD analysis Peter Burney et al, for the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease BOLD Study Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is a commonly reported cause of death and associated with smoking. However, COPD mortality is high in poor countries withContinue reading “COPD mortality and prevalence: the associations with smoking and poverty”
Cycle test reliable for dyspnea evaluation in obese COPD patients
Eur Respir J 2013; Advance online publication Dyspnea in obese individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD can be evaluated reliably by cycle ergometry as well as a treadmill test, researchers have found. Although physiologic responses differed significantly according to the type of exercise that was chosen, dyspnea intensity, ventilation, and operating lung volumes wereContinue reading “Cycle test reliable for dyspnea evaluation in obese COPD patients”
Occupational exposure to vapors, gases, dusts and fumes and mortality in relation to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among Swedish construction workers – a longitudinal cohort study
Original Research | November 21, 2013 Kjell Torén, MD, PhD, FCCP; Bengt Järvholm, MD, PhD InformationChest. 2013. doi:10.1378/chest.13-1429 Abstract Objectives: The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether occupational exposure to vapors, gases, dusts and fumes increases the mortality risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, especially among never-smokers. Methods: The study population wasContinue reading “Occupational exposure to vapors, gases, dusts and fumes and mortality in relation to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among Swedish construction workers – a longitudinal cohort study”
Grant will fund development of spirometry toolkit
Spirometry, or a lung function test, is the best way to diagnose and determine the severity of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, yet the test is underused by many primary care practitioners. A spirometry toolkit being developed by Dr. Nick Hanania, associate professor of medicine in the section of pulmonary, critical care andContinue reading “Grant will fund development of spirometry toolkit”
Monitoring pulmonary rehabilitation and long-term oxygen therapy for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
released: 20 Nov 2013 author: AIHW, Marks G, Reddel H, Guevara-Rattray E, Poulos L, Ampon R Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is a major cause of death and disability in Australia. While pulmonary rehabilitation and long term oxygen therapy are recommended treatments for COPD, there is currently no national information about the supply and useContinue reading “Monitoring pulmonary rehabilitation and long-term oxygen therapy for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease”
ICS overuse warning in COPD
PLoS One 2013; 8: e75221 Researchers from the UK caution that inhaled corticosteroids ICS are being overused in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, in light of a lack of solid evidence for their efficacy, limited guideline support, and growing concerns over their association with pneumonia. Patrick White Kings College London and colleagues analyzedContinue reading “ICS overuse warning in COPD”
COPD linked to mild cognitive impairment risk
Mayo Clin Proc 2013; 88: 1222–1230 Research shows that elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD are nearly twice as likely as those without to have mild cognitive impairment MCI. Balwinder Singh Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA and colleagues studied 1927 individuals aged 70 to 89 years .After assessment with the Clinical Dementia Rating,Continue reading “COPD linked to mild cognitive impairment risk”
Don't Forget To Breathe 