Relationship between disease severity and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Few studies have evaluated the relationship between Airways Questionnaire 20 (AQ20), a measure of the quality of life, scores and physiological outcomes or with systemic markers of disease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), body mass index, fat-free mass index, 6-min walk test (6MWT) results, dyspnea sensation and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) with the quality of life of COPD patients. Ninety-nine patients with COPD (mean age: 64.2 ± 9.2 years; mean FEV1: 60.4 ± 25.2% of predicted) were evaluated using spirometry, body composition measurement and the 6MWT. The baseline dyspnea index (BDI) and the Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) scale were used to quantify dyspnea. Quality of life was assessed using the AQ20 and the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). The Charlson index was used to determine comorbidity. The body mass index/airflow obstruction/dyspnea/exercise capacity (BODE) index was also calculated. AQ20 and SGRQ scores correlated significantly with FEV1, SpO2, 6MWT, MMRC and BDI values as did with BODE index. In the multivariate analyses, MMRC or BDI were identified as predictors of AQ20 and SGRQ scores (P < 0.001 in all cases). Thus, the relationship between AQ20 and disease severity is similar to that described for SGRQ. Therefore, the AQ20, a simple and brief instrument, can be very useful to evaluate the general impact of disease when the time allotted for measurement of the quality of life is limited.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Anthropometric midarm measurements can detect systemic fat-free mass depletion in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Our objective was to determine whether anthropometric measurements of the midarm (MA) could identify subjects with whole body fat-free mass (FFM) depletion. Fifty-five patients (31% females; age: 64.6 ± 9.3 years) with mild/very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 18 smokers without COPD (39% females; age: 49.0 ± 7.3 years) and 23 never smoked controls (57% females; age: 48.2 ± 9.6 years) were evaluated. Spirometry, muscle strength and MA circumference were measured. MA muscle area was estimated by anthropometry and MA cross-sectional area by computerized tomography (CT) scan. Bioelectrical impedance was used as the reference method for FFM. MA circumference and MA muscle area correlated with FFM and biceps and triceps strength. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that MA circumference and MA muscle area cut-off points presented sensitivity and specificity >82% to discriminate FFM-depleted subjects. CT scan measurements did not provide improved sensitivity or specificity. For all groups, there was no significant statistical difference between MA muscle area [35.2 (29.3-45.0) cm²] and MA cross-sectional area values [36.4 (28.5-43.3) cm²] and the linear correlation coefficient between tests was r = 0.77 (P < 0.001). However, Bland-Altman plots revealed wide 95% limits of agreement (-14.7 to 15.0 cm²) between anthropometric and CT scan measurements. Anthropometric MA measurements may provide useful information for identifying subjects with whole body FFM depletion. This is a low-cost technique and can be used in a wider patient population to identify those likely to benefit from a complete body composition evaluation.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Gender differences in predictors of health status in patients with COPD Preditores do estado de saúde em pacientes com DPOC de acordo com o gênero

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the health status (HS) of COPD patients and to identify the main predictors of HS in these patients according to gender. METHODS: The study included 90 COPD patients (60 males and 30 females; mean age = 64 &plusmn; 9 years) with a wide range of airway obstruction disorders (mean FEV1 = 56 &plusmn; 19% of predicted). The men were individually matched to the women by % of predicted FEV1 (ratio: 2:1). The patients were assessed regarding body composition; six-minute walk distance; perception of dyspnea using the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale; Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); Charlson comorbidity index; and the multidimensional Body mass index, airway Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise capacity (BODE) index. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of HS by gender. RESULTS: Impairment of HS was greater among the women than among the men for SGRQ total score and for all SGRQ domains (total: 51 &plusmn; 18% vs. 38 &plusmn; 19%; p = 0.002; symptoms: 61 &plusmn; 22% vs. 42 &plusmn; 21%; p < 0.001; activity: 62 &plusmn; 18% vs. 49 &plusmn; 21%; p = 0.004; and impact: 41 &plusmn; 19% vs. 27 &plusmn; 18%; p = 0.001). The multiple linear regression showed that age and perception of dyspnea correlated with SGRQ total score for both genders (males, r² = 0.42; females, r² = 0.70; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed an association between gender and HS in COPD patients. Age and dyspnea are determinants of HS in both genders.<br>OBJETIVO: Avaliar o estado de saúde (ES) de pacientes com DPOC e identificar os principais preditores do ES nesses pacientes de acordo com o gênero. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 90 pacientes com DPOC (60 homens e 30 mulheres); idade média = 64 &plusmn; 9 anos) com ampla faixa de distúrbios obstrutivos (VEF1 = 56 &plusmn; 19% do predito). Os homens foram pareados individualmente às mulheres em função de VEF1 % do predito (razão 2:1). Os pacientes foram avaliados em relação à sua composição corporal, distância percorrida no teste de caminhada de seis minutos; percepção da dispneia através da Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale; Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); índice de comorbidade de Charlson; e índice Body mass index, airway Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise capacity (BODE) multidimensional. A análise de regressão linear múltipla foi feita para identificar os preditores do ES por gênero. RESULTADOS: O comprometimento do ES foi maior nas mulheres que nos homens no escore total do SGRQ e em todos os domínios (total: 51 &plusmn; 18% vs. 38 &plusmn; 19%; p = 0,002; sintomas: 61 &plusmn; 22% vs. 42 &plusmn; 21%; p < 0,001; atividade: 62 &plusmn; 18% vs. 49 &plusmn; 21%; p = 0,004; e impacto: 41 &plusmn; 19% vs. 27 &plusmn; 18%; p = 0,001). A regressão linear múltipla mostrou que a idade e a percepção da dispneia se associaram com o escore total do SGRQ em ambos os gêneros (homens, r² = 0,42; mulheres, r² = 0,70; p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados mostraram uma associação entre o gênero e o ES em pacientes com DPOC. A idade e a percepção da dispneia são determinantes do ES em ambos os gêneros

CitEST libraries

In order to obtain a better understanding of what is citrus, 33 cDNA libraries were constructed from different citrus species and genera. Total RNA was extracted from fruits, leaves, flowers, bark, seeds and roots, and subjected or not to different biotic and abiotic stresses (pathogens and drought) and at several developmental stages. To identify putative promoter sequences, as well as molecular markers that could be useful for breeding programs, one shotgun library was prepared from sweet orange (Citrus sinensis var. Olimpia). In addition, EST libraries were also constructed for a citrus pathogen, the oomycete Phythophthora parasitica in either virulent or avirulent form. A total of 286,559 cDNA clones from citrus were sequenced from their 5’ end, generating 242,790 valid reads of citrus. A total of 9,504 sequences were produced in the shotgun library and the valid reads were assembled using CAP3. In this procedure, we obtained 1,131 contigs and 4,083 singletons. A total of 19,200 cDNA clones from P. parasitica were sequenced, resulting in 16,400 valid reads. The number of ESTs generated in this project is, to our knowledge, the largest citrus sequence database in the world