• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2012

Background: Measurement of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in a follow-up examination for a chronic airway disease is useful because it has the advantages of being a simple measurement and can be repeated during examination. The aim of this study was to examine the annual decrease of PEFR in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and to confirm the factors which influence this decrease. Methods: From May, 2003 to September, 2010, the annual decrease of PEFR was obtained from asthma and COPD patients attending an outpatient pulmonary clinic. PEFR was measured using a Mini-Wright peak flow meter (Clement Clarke International Ltd. UK), and we conducted an analysis of factors that influence the change of PEFR and its average values. Results: The results showed an annual decrease of $1.70{\pm}12.86$ L/min the asthmatic patients and an annual decrease of $10.3{\pm}7.32$ L/min in the COPD patients. Age and $FEV_1$ were the predictive factors influencing change in asthma, and $FEV_1$ and smoking were the predictive factors influencing change in COPD. Conclusion: We confirmed the annual decreasing PEFR in patients with chronic airway disease and identified factors that work in conjunction with $FEV_1$ to influence the change.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.343-352
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• 2001

Background : Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterized by progressive pulmonary hypertension leading to right heart dysfunction, which plays a Important role in clinical evaluation but remains difficult and challenging to quantify. The noninvasive doppler echocardiographic value referred to as the Tei index has been suggested as a simple, reproducible and reliable parameter of the right ventricular function. The purpose of this was to assess the right ventricular function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using the Tei index and to evaluate its relationship with the pulmonary functional status. Methods : The study population comprised of 26 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 10 normal control subjects. The Tei index was obtained by dividing the sum of the isovolumetric contraction and the relaxation times by the ejection time using a pulsed-wave doppler. It was compared with the other available Doppler echocardiographic parameters of systolic or diastolic function and with the pulmonary function of the patients. Results : The Tei indices of the patients with COPD were significantly higher than those of normal subjects($0.45{\pm}0.17$ vs. $0.27{\pm}0.03$, p<0.01). The isovolumetric contraction time/ejection time($0.32{\pm}0.08$ vs. $0.25{\pm}0.05$, p<0.05), the isovolumetric relaxation time/ejection time($0.29{\pm}0.16$ vs. $0.15{\pm}0.08$, p<0.05)and the preejection period/ejection time ($0.46{\pm}0.10$ vs. $0.38{\pm}0.06$, p<0.05) were prolonged and the ejection time ($255.2{\pm}32.6$ vs. $314.2{\pm}16.5$ msec, p<0.05) was significantly shortened in patients with COPD compared to normal subjects. The tei indices were inversely correlated with the $FEV_1$ (r=-0.46, p<0.05) and were prolonged significantly in patients with a severe obstructive ventilatory dysfunction(less than 35% of predicted $FEV_1$) compared to those with a mild and moderate ventilatory dysfunction. The tei indices showed an inverse correlation to with the ejection time (r=-0.469), the isovolumetric contraction time/ejection time(r=0.453), the isovolumetric relaxation time/ejection time(r=0.896) and the preejection period/ejection time(r=0.480). Conclusion : The tei index appeared to be a useful noninvasive means of evaluating the right ventricular function. It revealed a significant correlation with the pulmonary function in patients with COPD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.293-301
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• 2020

Hypersecretion of pulmonary mucus is a major pathophysiological feature in allergic and inflammatory respiratory diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Overproduction and/or oversecretion of mucus cause the airway obstruction and the colonization of pathogenic microbes. Developing a novel pharmacological agent to regulate the production and/or secretion of pulmonary mucus can be a useful strategy for the effective management of pathologic hypersecretion of mucus observed in COPD and asthma. Thus, in the present review, we tried to give an overview of the conventional pharmacotherapy for mucus-hypersecretory diseases and recent research results on searching for the novel candidate agents for controlling of pulmonary mucus hypersecretion, aiming to shed light on the potential efficacious pharmacotherapy of mucus-hypersecretory diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.624-630
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• 2016

Objective: This study was designed to analyze the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who attended a Korean medicine hospital and treatment effects through retrospective chart reviews.Methods: The medical records of 192 outpatients who had been diagnosed with COPD and visited the Allergy, Immune, and Respiratory System Department of Kyung Hee Korean Medicine Hospital from 1 February 2006 to 1 February, 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.Results: The study group consisted of 112 and 80 females. The median age of the patients was 59.80±15.46 y. Fifty of the patients had been diagnosed with chronic upper respiratory diseases, such as chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, or sinusitis. The chief complaints were cough (n=136), sputum (n=124), and dyspnea (n=82). Other frequent symptoms were fatigue (n=11), hyperhidrosis (n=8), and a bad taste in the mouth (n=7). All the patients were prescribed Korean herbal medicine. In the study, 61 (31.77%) patients were treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, or herbal steam therapy. Symptoms improved in 126 (65.63%) patients 141±272.82 d after the first treatment.Conclusions: Some of the COPD patients had chronic upper respiratory disease. The chief complains were cough, sputum, and dyspnea. Oher frequent symptoms related to body malfunction and pain. The symptoms improved in 126 (65.63%) patients 141.00±272.82 d post-treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2020

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is regarded as a potential biomarker for identifying eosinophilic inflammation. We aimed to evaluate the clinical implication of FeNO and its influence on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) prescription rate in Korean chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods: FeNO level and its association with clinical features were analyzed. Changes in the prescription rate of ICS before and after FeNO measurement were identified. Results: A total of 160 COPD patients were divided into increased (≥25 parts per billion [ppb], n=74) and normal (<25 ppb, n=86) FeNO groups according to the recommendations from the American Thoracic Society. Compared with the normal FeNO group, the adjusted odds ratio for having history of asthma without wheezing and with wheezing in the increased FeNO group were 2.96 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40-6.29) and 4.24 (95% CI, 1.37-13.08), respectively. Only 21 out of 74 patients (28.4%) with increased FeNO prescribed ICS-containing inhaler and 18 of 86 patients (20.9%) with normal FeNO were given ICS-containing inhaler. Previous exacerbation, asthma, and wheezing were the major factors to maintain ICS at normal FeNO level and not to initiate ICS at increased FeNO level. Conclusion: Increased FeNO was associated with the history of asthma irrespective of wheezing. However, FeNO seemed to play a subsidiary role in the use of ICS-containing inhalers in real-world clinics, which was determined with prior exacerbation and clinical features suggesting Th2 inflammation.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.410-422
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between knowledge related to disease(KRD), illness attitude, and quality of life(QOL) in relation to the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD). According to the study result, there were significant differences with regard to KRD in accordance with subjects' education, monthly income, mMRC(modified Medical Research Council) Dyspnea Scale, inhaled bronchodilator and antibiotic treatment. In addition, there were significant differences with respect to illness attitude according to monthly income and mMRC. In case of the QOL, there were significant differences in accordance with age, marital status, monthly income, inpatient status, history of hospital admission, oxygen use, comorbidity, mMRC, and inhaled steroid. It has shown that there was a significant correlation between KRD and QOL(r=-.438, p<.001), illness attitude and QOL(r=.279, p=.001). Thus, it is important to grasp monthly income and mMRC, which are correlated with the three elements in common. As per assessment about COPD patients in the clinical situation, it is necessary to develop a multi-disciplinary approach, health coaching program for improving KRD and having a positive attitude based on the low-income group with taking interest in the circumstances of mMRC as well as objective test results.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2010

Background: Data comparing the clinical characteristics and outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP-COPD) and acute exacerbation (AECOPD) are very limited. Methods: Eighty episodes of hospitalization in 65 CAP-COPD patients, and 111 episodes of hospitalization in 82 AE-COPD patients were included in this study. The baseline characteristics, clinical presentations, potential bacterial pathogens and clinical outcomes in these patients were retrospectively reviewed and compared. Results: No significant differences were found between the two groups in parameters related to COPD and co-morbidities, except a higher rate of male among CAP-COPD patients. Clinical presentations by symptoms and laboratory findings on admission were significantly more severe in CAP-COPD patients, who showed higher rates of fever and crepitation, but less wheezing than AE-COPD patients. S. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosae were the most common bacterial pathogens in both groups. With no difference in the overall hospital mortality between both groups, the mean length of hospital stay was significantly longer in the CAP-COPD patients than in AE-COPD patients (15.3 vs. 9.8 days, respectively, p<0.01). Additional analysis on CAP-COPD patients showed that systemic steroid use did not influence the length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference in bacterial pathogens and overall hospital mortality between the two groups, CAP-COPD patients had more severe clinical symptoms and laboratory findings at presentation, and longer hospital stay than AE-COPD patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.641-649
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• 2011

This study was purposed to evaluate the effects of root of Liriope spicata (RLS) on LPS-induced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) model. The extract of RLS was treated to A549 cells and LPS-induced COPD mice model. Then, various parameters such as cell-based cyto-protective activity and histopathological finding were analyzed. RLS showed a protective effect on LPS-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells. This effect was correlated with analysis for caspase 3 levels, protein level of cyclin B1, Cdc2, and phospho-Erk1/2, and gene expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in A549 cells. RLS treatment also revealed the protective effect on LPS-induced lung injury in COPD mice model. This effect was evidenced via histopathological finding including immunofluence stains against caspase 3, and protein level of cyclin B1, Cdc2, and Erk1/2 in lung tissue. These data suggest that RLS has a pharmaceutical properties on lung injury. This study would provide an scientific evidence for the efficacy of RLS for clinical application to patients with COPD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2008

Background: Due to the irreversible nature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the treatment aim in patients with COPD is not to cure but to reduce the symptoms, increase lung function, and improve the quality of life. It has been suggested that depression is a common emotional disturbance in patients with COPD who are faced with a major physical impairment and embarrassing symptoms. This study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: A total of 59 patients with a registered diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were selected. Depression was assessed using the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. The quality of life was assessed using the Korean version of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of depression was 17.0%. In the correlation model, the interaction of the $FEV_1%$ over predicted value and SGRQ score(symptom, activity, impact, overall score) was statistically significant. The interaction of the $FEV_1%$ over predicted value and depression scale(CES-D) was also statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between the SGRQ scores(symptom, activity, impact, overall score) and the depression scale. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is relatively high. The pulmonary function and the living standards were found to be significant risk factors for depression.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.9.1-9.10
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• 2018

Although the positive effects of recombinant fibroblast growth factor-2 (rFGF-2) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been implicated in previous studies, knowledge of its role in COPD remains limited. The mechanism of FGF2 in a COPD mouse model and the therapeutic potential of rFGF-2 were investigated in COPD. The mechanism and protective effects of rFGF-2 were evaluated in cigarette smoke-exposed or elastase-induced COPD animal models. Inflammation was assessed in alveolar cells and lung tissues from mice. FGF-2 was decreased in the lungs of cigarette smoke-exposed mice. Intranasal use of rFGF-2 significantly reduced macrophage-dominant inflammation and alveolar destruction in the lungs. In the elastase-induced emphysema model, rFGF-2 improved regeneration of the lungs. In humans, plasma FGF-2 was decreased significantly in COPD compared with normal subjects (10 subjects, P = 0.037). The safety and efficacy of inhaled rFGF-2 use was examined in COPD patients, along with changes in respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function. A 2-week treatment with inhaled rFGF-2 in COPD (n = 6) resulted in significantly improved respiratory symptoms compared with baseline levels (P < 0.05); however, the results were not significant compared with the placebo. The pulmonary function test results of COPD improved numerically compared with those in the placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant. No serious adverse events occurred during treatment with inhaled rFGF-2. The loss of FGF-2 production is an important mechanism in the development of COPD. Inhaling rFGF-2 may be a new therapeutic option for patients with COPD because rFGF-2 decreases inflammation in lungs exposed to cigarette smoke.