• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.228-232
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• 2018

Background: Chronic bronchitis (CB) is an important phenotype in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this study is to evaluate different pattern of COPD assessment test (CAT) score between CB and non-CB patients. Methods: Patients were recruited from 45 centers in Korea, as part of the Korean COPD Subgroup Study cohort. CB was defined when sputum continued for at least 3 months. Results: Total 958 patients with COPD were eligible for analysis. Among enrolled patients, 328 (34.2%) were compatible with CB. The CAT score was significantly higher in patients with CB than non-CB, and each component of CAT score showed a similar result. CB was significantly associated with CAT score when adjusted with age, sex, modified Medical Research Council, and post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Each component of CAT score between patients with CB and non-CB showed different pattern according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease grade. Conclusion: CAT score is significantly higher in patients with CB than non-CB. Each component of CAT score was significantly different between two groups.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2016

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) encompasses several clinical syndromes, most notably emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Most of the current treatments fail to attenuate severity and progression of the disease, thereby requiring better mechanistic understandings of pathogenesis to develop disease-modifying therapeutics. A number of theories on COPD pathogenesis have been promulgated wherein an increase in protease burden from chronic inflammation, exaggerated production of reactive oxygen species and the resulting oxidant injury, or superfluous cell death responses caused by enhanced cellular injury/damage were proposed as the culprit. These hypotheses are not mutually exclusive and together likely represent the multifaceted biological processes involved in COPD pathogenesis. Recent studies demonstrate that mitochondria are involved in innate immune signaling that plays important roles in cigarette smoke-induced inflammasome activation, pulmonary inflammation and tissue remodeling responses. These responses are reviewed herein and synthesized into a view of COPD pathogenesis whereby mitochondria play a central role.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.175-184
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• 2020

Quantitative sputum cytometry facilitates in assessing the nature of bronchitis associated with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is not assessed in most clinical trials that evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to prevent or to treat exacerbations. While up to a quarter of exacerbations may be associated with raised eosinophil numbers, the vast majority of exacerbations are associated with neutrophilic bronchitis that may indicate airway infections. While eosinophilia may be a predictor of response to corticosteroids (oral and inhaled), the limited efficacy of anti-interleukin 5 therapies would suggest that eosinophils may not directly contribute to those exacerbations. However, they may contribute to airspace enlargement in patients with COPD through various mechanisms involving the interleukin 13 and matrix metalloprotease pathways. The absence of eosinophils may facilitate in limiting the unnecessary use of corticosteroids. The presence of neutrophiia could prompt an investigation for the specific pathogens in the airway. Additionally, sputum measurements may also provide insight into the mechanisms of susceptibility to airway infections. Iron within sputum macrophages, identified by hemosiderin staining (and by more direct quantification) may impair macrophage functions while the low levels of immunoglobulins in sputum may also contribute to airway infections. The assessment of sputum at the time of exacerbations thus would facilitate in customizing treatment and treat current exacerbations and reduce future risk of exacerbations.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2005

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic progressive disease, characterized by irreversible airflow limitation, with a partially reversible component. The pathological abnormalities of COPD are associated with lung inflammation, imbalances of proteinase and antiproteinase, and oxidative stress, which are induced by noxious particles and gases in susceptible individuals. The physiological changes of COPD are mucus hypersecretion, ciliary dysfunction, airflow limitation, pulmonary hyperinflation, gas exchange abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale and systemic effects. The airflow limitation principally results from an increase in the resistance of the small conducting airways and a decrease in pulmonary elastic recoil due to emphysematous lung destruction. This article provides a general overview of the pathophysiology of COPD.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 2003

This study investigated the degree of self-care practice to maintain the stable respiratory function and the required respiratory nursing needs upon the elderly with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. The research subjects were 115 elderly people over 60 years old, who were diagnosed to have chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (the mixed type, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, emphysema) and were hospitalized in 3 university hospitals in Busan or treated as outpatient, and the data was collected over the period between June 1, 2002 and September 30, 2002. In order to measure the respiratory self-care practice degree and nursing needs of the subjects, the instrument on the self-care practice and the instrument on nursing needs were developed by the researcher. The research results are as follows: 1. The mean of respiratory self-care practice degree by the subjects was 2.41 out of 4 for each clause, and the degree of practicing general management was the highest(2.70), and nutrition control(2.66), respiratory exercise(2.65), expectoration of sputum (2.63), oxygen therapy(2.60), environment control(2.50), and medication control(2.36) succeeded. 2. The degree of self-care practice had a significant difference depending on age(F=2.82, P=0.02), frequency of hospitalization(F=3.11, P=0.01), and diagnosed disease(F=15.66, P=0.00). 3. The subjects nursing needs of respiratory system were 3.07 on the average out of 4.00, and 'I want to know how to prevent the infection of respiratory system such as cold scored the highest 3.83, while the clauses like 'want to know how to face the respiratory disorder properly'(3.77) and 'want the specific explanation of the symptoms of my disease'(3.66) also had scored high points. 4. The nursing needs of the respiratory system had a significant difference depending on diagnosed disease such as mixed type of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma (F=6.70, P=0.00). The research showed that the subjects degree of self-care practice of respiratory system was low on the whole, while the nursing needs for managing respiratory organ were relatively high. Therefore, specific education concerning the nursing of the disease and self-care upon the elderly having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is necessary.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.4
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• pp.313-319
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• 2022

Environmental exposure to air pollution is known to have adverse effects on various organs. Air pollution has greater effects on the pulmonary system as the lungs are directly exposed to contaminants in the air. Here, we review the associations of air pollution with the development, morbidity, and mortality of pulmonary diseases. Short-and long-term exposure to air pollution have been shown to increase mortality risk even at concentrations below the current national guidelines. Ambient air pollution has been shown to be associated with lung cancer. Particularly long-term exposure to particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 ㎛ (PM_2.5) has been reported to be associated with lung cancer even at low concentrations. In addition, exposure to air pollution has been shown to increase the incidence risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been correlated with exacerbation and mortality of COPD. Air pollution has also been linked to exacerbation, mortality, and development of asthma. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) has been demonstrated to be related to increased mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, air pollution increases the incidence of infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and tuberculosis. Furthermore, emerging evidence supports a link between air pollution and coronavirus disease 2019 transmission, susceptibility, severity and mortality. In conclusion, the stringency of air quality guidelines should be increased and further therapeutic trials are required in patients at high risk of adverse health effects of air pollution.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.93-105
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• 1993

The major purpose of this study was to determine the effects of air pollution on respiratory diseases. From the analysis of $SO_2$, $NO_2$ and TSP levels measured at two air pollution monitoring stations(K & E area) of Seoul during Jan. 1988-Dec. 1990, pollution level of K area was higher than E area. Insurance out-patient records for the medical fee reimbusement submitted to the National Federation of Medical Insurance from Jan. to Dec. 1990 were used in order to assess the occurrence of respiratory disease. The results were as follows ; 1. The annual mean levels of $SO_2$, $NO_2$ and TSP in K area were 0.08lppm, O.03lppm and 173.4${\mu}g/m^3$, whereas those of E area were 0.044ppm, 0.02lppm and 146.0 ${\mu}g/m^3$ respectively. The mean levels of above three air pollutants between two areas showed difference about 1.2 times-1.8 times by air pollutant. 2. The monthly out-patient incidence rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, chronic bronchitis and asthma in K area were higher when compared with those of E area. The monthly out-patient incidence rates of above three chronic respiratory disease of two areas studied showed statistically significant difference about 1.3 times, 2.7 times, 1.4 times respectively. No difference were, however, shown in acute respiratory infections. 3. Highest incidence rates of out-patients could be observed among the group of children less than 10 years old, while adult out-patient incidence rates increased as age increased. 4. The relation between air pollution and chronic respiratory disease was obvious especially, the strongly significant correlation was observed between $NO_2$ and chronic bronchitis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.3
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• pp.205-220
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• 2022

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of comorbidities associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their relation with relevant outcomes. A systematic review based on the PRISMA methodology was performed from January 2020 until July 2021. The MEDLINE, Lilacs, and Scielo databases were searched to identify studies related to COPD and its comorbidities. Observational studies on the prevalence of comorbidities in COPD patients and costs with health estimates, reduced quality of life, and mortality were included. Studies that were restricted to one or more COPD pain assessments and only specific comorbidities such as osteoporosis, bronchitis, and asthma were excluded. The initial search identified 1,409 studies and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 studies were finally selected for analysis (comprising data from 447,459 COPD subjects). The most frequent COPD comorbidities were: hypertension (range, 17%-64.7%), coronary artery disease (19.9%-47.8%), diabetes (10.2%-45%), osteoarthritis (18%-43.8%), psychiatric conditions (12.1%-33%), and asthma (14.7%-32.5%). Several comorbidities had an impact on the frequency and severity of COPD exacerbations, quality of life, and mortality risk, in particular malignancies, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias. Comorbidities, especially cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, are frequent in COPD patients, and some of them are associated with higher mortality.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.199-209
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• 2003

Background : Unexplained weight loss, which commonly occurs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), is important because weight loss is an independent risk factor of mortality and morbidity in these patients. Leptin is known to play an important role in regulating body weight. In addition, the tumor necrosis factor($TNF-{\alpha}$) might also play a potential role in the weight loss experienced in chronic wasting disease. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of plasma leptin and the circulating $TNF-{\alpha}$ system to the difference in the body compositions in patients with COPD. Methods : Spirometry, body composition analysis and the plasma concentrations of leptin, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and a soluble TNF receptor (STNF-R55, -R75) were measured in 31 patients with chronic bronchitis and 10 patients with emphysema. The COPD subtype was classified by the transfer coefficient of carbon monoxide, DLco/VA. Results : The circulating levels of leptin were significantly lower in those patients with emphysema($108.5{\pm}39.37pg/ml$) than those with chronic bronchitis($180.9{\pm}57.7pg/ml$). The circulating levels of sTNF-R55 were significantly higher in the emphysema patients($920.4{\pm}116.4pg/ml$) than in those with chronic bronchitis($803.2{\pm}80.8pg/ml$). There was no relationship between the circulating leptin levels and the activated TNF system in patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. However, the circulating leptin levels correlated well with the BMI and fat mass in both patient groups. Conclusion : These results suggest that the weight loss noted in emphysema patients may be associated with the activation of the $TNF-{\alpha}$ system rather than the plasma leptin level.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.91-104
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• 2017

Acute bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) are essentially lung inflammatory disorders. Various plant extracts and their constituents showed therapeutic effects on several animal models of lung inflammation. These include coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, iridoids, monoterpenes, diterpenes and triterpenoids. Some of them exerted inhibitory action mainly by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and nuclear transcription $factor-{\kappa}B$ activation. Especially, many flavonoid derivatives distinctly showed effectiveness on lung inflammation. In this review, the experimental data for plant extracts and their constituents showing therapeutic effectiveness on animal models of lung inflammation are summarized.