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COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Signs of chronic inflammation in the blood linked to faster deterioration of lung function
By Brenda Goodman
HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, June 11 (HealthDay News) -- People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who have signs of chronic inflammation in their blood are more likely to have flare-ups of the lung disease than those who do not, a large new study shows.
In addition to the slow, steady deterioration in lung function caused by COPD, patients can have sudden, distressing flare-ups. These so-called "exacerbations" are periods of worsening breathing problems that are typically triggered by infections or air pollution.
Patients who experience frequent flare-ups decline more quickly than those who do not; they also tend to have worse quality of life and poorer survival rates than those whose conditions are more stable, according to background information in the study.
Preventing flare-ups is a major goal of COPD treatment, but these episodes can be difficult to predict.
In a study of more than 61,000 people in Denmark, researchers found that COPD patients who had increased levels of certain proteins and cells in their blood were at greater risk for frequent flare-ups.
These particular proteins and cells -- C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and leukocytes -- increase in response to infections, tissue damage and inflammation.
People with higher levels of all three of these "markers" were more likely to experience frequent flare-ups than those with normal levels. That was true regardless of the stage or severity of their COPD.
But the risk was especially pronounced for patients in the study with the worst breathing problems. Among patients who had the highest grade of COPD symptoms, 24 percent with no elevated markers had frequent flare-ups compared to 62 percent of those who had high levels of all three markers.
Patients with frequent exacerbations had two or more flare-ups each year they were followed for the study.
The study is published in the June 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
According to Dr. Elizabeth Regan, who is studying the genetics of COPD at National Jewish Health in Denver, the researchers "give compelling evidence that those are useful tests." Regan was not involved with the study.
"These are tests that are readily available. The practicing physician kind of has them at their fingertips. They're not unusual, they're not high-risk," said Regan. "If I were seeing patients, I'd be strongly attracted to doing it."
The price of each test varies, but in general, they're inexpensive, ranging between $10 and $40. Insurance often covers the cost. The only trouble with doing the tests now, Regan said, is that doctors still don't know exactly how to use the information.
"While these tests look like they're strong predictors, we don't have the next piece of this clearly in place," she noted.
The study wasn't able to prove that inflammation causes COPD exacerbations, or that lowering inflammation with medications could head off future flare-ups, Regan explained.
Other studies currently underway are testing whether antibiotics or newer medications can prevent such attacks, she noted.
Until more is known, the researchers say there is still one good reason for COPD patients to get the blood tests.
"Many patients with COPD aren't very adherent to their inhalation medication. Patients don't like to be sick, so they think 'it's doing well now, so let me stop,'" said study author Dr. Borge Nordestgaard, a clinical professor in the department of diagnostic sciences at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
"But if you're one of these patients with high biomarkers, then you should be even better at taking your daily inhalation medication," he said. "That's the best advice at present."
http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/news/20130611/blood-tests-may-predict-copd-flare-ups
For now, lets keep taking our inhaled medications, eat well and exercise, stay away from people who are sick, and wash our hands often, and stay well as we can:)
Easy breathing to each of you and have a nice day,
Love Always,
Holly
By Brenda Goodman
HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, June 11 (HealthDay News) -- People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who have signs of chronic inflammation in their blood are more likely to have flare-ups of the lung disease than those who do not, a large new study shows.
In addition to the slow, steady deterioration in lung function caused by COPD, patients can have sudden, distressing flare-ups. These so-called "exacerbations" are periods of worsening breathing problems that are typically triggered by infections or air pollution.
Patients who experience frequent flare-ups decline more quickly than those who do not; they also tend to have worse quality of life and poorer survival rates than those whose conditions are more stable, according to background information in the study.
Preventing flare-ups is a major goal of COPD treatment, but these episodes can be difficult to predict.
In a study of more than 61,000 people in Denmark, researchers found that COPD patients who had increased levels of certain proteins and cells in their blood were at greater risk for frequent flare-ups.
These particular proteins and cells -- C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and leukocytes -- increase in response to infections, tissue damage and inflammation.
People with higher levels of all three of these "markers" were more likely to experience frequent flare-ups than those with normal levels. That was true regardless of the stage or severity of their COPD.
But the risk was especially pronounced for patients in the study with the worst breathing problems. Among patients who had the highest grade of COPD symptoms, 24 percent with no elevated markers had frequent flare-ups compared to 62 percent of those who had high levels of all three markers.
Patients with frequent exacerbations had two or more flare-ups each year they were followed for the study.
The study is published in the June 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
According to Dr. Elizabeth Regan, who is studying the genetics of COPD at National Jewish Health in Denver, the researchers "give compelling evidence that those are useful tests." Regan was not involved with the study.
"These are tests that are readily available. The practicing physician kind of has them at their fingertips. They're not unusual, they're not high-risk," said Regan. "If I were seeing patients, I'd be strongly attracted to doing it."
The price of each test varies, but in general, they're inexpensive, ranging between $10 and $40. Insurance often covers the cost. The only trouble with doing the tests now, Regan said, is that doctors still don't know exactly how to use the information.
"While these tests look like they're strong predictors, we don't have the next piece of this clearly in place," she noted.
The study wasn't able to prove that inflammation causes COPD exacerbations, or that lowering inflammation with medications could head off future flare-ups, Regan explained.
Other studies currently underway are testing whether antibiotics or newer medications can prevent such attacks, she noted.
Until more is known, the researchers say there is still one good reason for COPD patients to get the blood tests.
"Many patients with COPD aren't very adherent to their inhalation medication. Patients don't like to be sick, so they think 'it's doing well now, so let me stop,'" said study author Dr. Borge Nordestgaard, a clinical professor in the department of diagnostic sciences at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
"But if you're one of these patients with high biomarkers, then you should be even better at taking your daily inhalation medication," he said. "That's the best advice at present."
http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/news/20130611/blood-tests-may-predict-copd-flare-ups
For now, lets keep taking our inhaled medications, eat well and exercise, stay away from people who are sick, and wash our hands often, and stay well as we can:)
Easy breathing to each of you and have a nice day,
Love Always,
Holly
Hugs
This would partner perfectly with the test that some surgeons are using to define the best medications to use on a particular patient.
They swab the cheek, a lab looks at the enzymes, mostly found in the liver, that break down or activate medications and the doctor can then decide which meds will work best for the patient..
For patients having surgical procedures, the test and the resulting information can reduce the chance of drug related complications for certain types of surgery.
These are one time tests that are good for the life of the patient.
Wouldn't it be a blessing if the COPD researchers could look at our
enzymes and tell which of the many meds we try, which is the best choice of all.
Remember when they once did swabs of your throat to see if you actually had strep infection before prescribing an antibiotic ?
Sorry to go on but I found this article to be good reading. Thanks for putting it in the forum.
Anna
Danny
I also try to avoid or limit the medications that weaken our immune systems (corticosteroids).
Although I have been diagnosed with severe COPD, I haven't had to take an antibiotic in over 8 years.
Just saying.
Gary
It seems to be lots of research going on but someday there will be a "ah-ha" moment and where will be a way to either prevent or reverse the damage to our lungs.