BACKGROUND: Although the association of hyperuricemia with an increased risk of mortality has been demonstrated in the context of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the long-term outcomes of hyperuricemia have not been studied in the case of stable COPD.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed baseline data of 240 men with stable COPD enrolled in the Korea Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. We evaluated associations between serum uric acid levels and clinical parameters, risk factors for all-cause mortality, and acute exacerbation of COPD.RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 66.4 ± 7.7 years, and the median follow-up time was 5.9 years. We identified no significant difference in terms of lung function or laboratory findings between patients with hyperuricemia and those without. Serum uric acid level was negatively associated with systemic inflammation indicated by neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (r = −0.211, P = 0.001). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed hyperuricemia to not be associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in men with stable COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.580; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–1.370; P = 0.213). In the multivariate Cox regression model, hyperuricemia was not an independent predictor of acute exacerbation (HR, 1.383; 95% CI, 0.977–1.959; P = 0.068).CONCLUSION: Among men with stable COPD, hyperuricemia is not an independent predictor of all-cause mortality or future acute exacerbation of COPD. These results differ from those of previous studies on patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.
Cohort Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; Male ; Mortality ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Uric Acid

BACKGROUND: Although the association of hyperuricemia with an increased risk of mortality has been demonstrated in the context of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the long-term outcomes of hyperuricemia have not been studied in the case of stable COPD. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed baseline data of 240 men with stable COPD enrolled in the Korea Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. We evaluated associations between serum uric acid levels and clinical parameters, risk factors for all-cause mortality, and acute exacerbation of COPD. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 66.4 ± 7.7 years, and the median follow-up time was 5.9 years. We identified no significant difference in terms of lung function or laboratory findings between patients with hyperuricemia and those without. Serum uric acid level was negatively associated with systemic inflammation indicated by neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (r = −0.211, P = 0.001). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed hyperuricemia to not be associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in men with stable COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.580; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–1.370; P = 0.213). In the multivariate Cox regression model, hyperuricemia was not an independent predictor of acute exacerbation (HR, 1.383; 95% CI, 0.977–1.959; P = 0.068). CONCLUSION Among men with stable COPD, hyperuricemia is not an independent predictor of all-cause mortality or future acute exacerbation of COPD. These results differ from those of previous studies on patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Lung ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Spirometry ; Vital Capacity

BACKGROUND: The diffusing capacity of the lung is influenced by multiple factors such as age, sex, height, weight, ethnicity and smoking status. Although a prediction equation for the diffusing capacity of Korea was proposed in the mid-1980s, this equation is not used currently. The aim of this study was to develop a new prediction equation for the diffusing capacity for Koreans. METHODS: Using the data of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 140 nonsmokers with normal chest X-rays were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Using linear regression analysis, a new predicting equation for diffusing capacity was developed. For men, the following new equations were developed: carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco)=−10.4433−0.1434×age (year)+0.2482×heights (cm); DLco/alveolar volume (VA)=6.01507−0.02374×age (year)−0.00233×heights (cm). For women the prediction equations were described as followed: DLco=−12.8895−0.0532×age (year)+0.2145×heights (cm) and DLco/VA=7.69516−0.02219×age (year)−0.01377×heights (cm). All equations were internally validated by k-fold cross validation method. CONCLUSION: In this study, we developed new prediction equations for the diffusing capacity of the lungs of Koreans. A further study is needed to validate the new predicting equation for diffusing capacity.
Carbon Monoxide ; Diffusion ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Lung ; Male ; Methods ; Nutrition Surveys ; Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: The diffusing capacity of the lung is influenced by multiple factors such as age, sex, height, weight, ethnicity and smoking status. Although a prediction equation for the diffusing capacity of Korea was proposed in the mid-1980s, this equation is not used currently. The aim of this study was to develop a new prediction equation for the diffusing capacity for Koreans. METHODS: Using the data of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 140 nonsmokers with normal chest X-rays were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Using linear regression analysis, a new predicting equation for diffusing capacity was developed. For men, the following new equations were developed: carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco)=−10.4433−0.1434×age (year)+0.2482×heights (cm); DLco/alveolar volume (VA)=6.01507−0.02374×age (year)−0.00233×heights (cm). For women the prediction equations were described as followed: DLco=−12.8895−0.0532×age (year)+0.2145×heights (cm) and DLco/VA=7.69516−0.02219×age (year)−0.01377×heights (cm). All equations were internally validated by k-fold cross validation method. CONCLUSION In this study, we developed new prediction equations for the diffusing capacity of the lungs of Koreans. A further study is needed to validate the new predicting equation for diffusing capacity.

The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between acute exacerbation and Forced Expiratory Volume 1 second (FEV1) improvement after treatment with combined long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A total of 137 COPD patients were classified as responders or nonresponders according to FEV1 improvement after 3 months of LABA/ICS treatment in fourteen referral hospitals in Korea. Exacerbation occurrence in these two subgroups was compared over a period of 1 yr. Eighty of the 137 COPD patients (58.4%) were classified as responders and 57 (41.6%) as nonresponders. Acute exacerbations occurred in 25 patients (31.3%) in the responder group and in 26 patients (45.6%) in the nonresponder group (P=0.086). FEV1 improvement after LABA/ICS treatment was a significant prognostic factor for fewer acute exacerbations in a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for age, sex, FEV1, smoking history, 6 min walk distance, body mass index, exacerbation history in the previous year, and dyspnea scale.Three-month treatment response to LABA/ICS might be a prognostic factor for the occurrence of acute exacerbation in COPD patients.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/*therapeutic use ; Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists/*therapeutic use ; Bronchodilator Agents/*therapeutic use ; Budesonide/therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Fluticasone/therapeutic use ; Forced Expiratory Volume/drug effects/*physiology ; Formoterol Fumarate/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Recurrence ; Republic of Korea ; Salmeterol Xinafoate/therapeutic use ; Smoking ; Spirometry ; Treatment Outcome

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a substantially under-diagnosed disorder, and the diagnosis is usually delayed until the disease is advanced. However, the benefit of early diagnosis is not yet clear, and there are no guidelines in Korea for doing early diagnosis. This review highlights several issues regarding early diagnosis of COPD. On the basis of several lines of evidence, early diagnosis seems quite necessary and beneficial to patients. Early diagnosis can be approached by several methods, but it should be confirmed by quality-controlled spirometry. Compared with its potential benefit, the adverse effects of spirometry or pharmacotherapy appear relatively small. Although it is difficult to evaluate the benefit of early diagnosis by well-designed trials, several lines of evidence suggest that we should try to diagnose and manage patients with COPD at early stages of the disease.
Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Spirometry

Social welfare services for respiratory-disabled persons in Korea are offered based on the respiratory impairment grade, which is determined by 3 clinical parameters; dyspnea, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and arterial oxygen tension. This grading system has several limitations in the objective assessment of respiratory impairment. We reviewed several guidelines for the evaluation of respiratory impairment and relevant articles. Then, we discussed a new grading system with respiratory physicians. Both researchers and respiratory physicians agreed that pulmonary function tests are essential in assessing the severity of respiratory impairment, forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1 and single breath diffusing capacity (DLco) are the primarily recommended tests. In addition, we agreed that arterial blood gas analysis should be reserved for selected patients. In conclusion, we propose a new respiratory impairment grading system utilizing a combination FVC, FEV1 and DLco scores, with more social discussion included.
Blood Gas Analysis ; Disability Evaluation ; Dyspnea ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Korea ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory System ; Social Welfare ; Spirometry ; Vital Capacity

OBJECTIVE: To compare the morbidity and treatment outcomes of mid urethral sling procedures for older women and younger women, and to evaluate whether mid urethral sling procedures can be effectively used in older women. METHODS: This retrospective study included 381 patients who underwent mid urethral sling procedures, tension free vaginal tape (TVT) or transobturator tape (TOT) for urodynamic stress urinary incontinence from March 2000 to June 2006. The patients were divided into two age groups: younger women (30~69 years old) and older women (70~90 years old). Patients were followed up with clinic visits at 1, 3, 6, 12 months, and every year thereafter. RESULTS: 341 (89.7%) were in younger women, 40 (10.5%) in older women. The rates of intra and perioperative complications including hemoglobin difference, urinary retention, UTI, mesh erosion, wound infection were no significant differences between the groups. De novo urgency was more common in older women than younger women (15.9% vs. 30.0%: P<0.001). The subjective cure rate at 1 year follow up (82.2% vs. 91.3%: P>0.05) showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: Our data showed subjective cure rates without any significant increase in intraoperative complications in older women. Postoperative complications of de novo urgency were more common in the older women. Hospital stay and recovery period were short, making TVT and TOT a suitable procedure for all ages.
Ambulatory Care ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Suburethral Slings ; Urinary Incontinence ; Urinary Retention ; Urodynamics ; Wound Infection

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term treatment outcome and major complication rates of abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 57 Korean women who underwent ASC with mesh for symptomatic uterine or vault prolapse and attended follow-up visits for at least 5 years. Forty-seven women with urodynamic stress incontinence concomitantly received a modified Burch colposuspension. The long-term anatomical and functional outcomes and complication rates were assessed. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 66 months (range 60-108). Overall anatomical success rates (no recurrence of any prolapse > or = stage II according to the pelvic organ prolapse-quantification system) were 86.0%. Urinary urgency and voiding dysfunction were significantly improved after surgery, however, recurrent stress urinary incontinence developed in 44.7% (21/47) of cases and half of them developed within 1-3 months post-op. Bowel function (constipation and fecal incontinence) and sexual function (sexual activity and dyspareunia) did not significantly change after surgery. Major complication requiring reoperation or intensive care developed in 12 (21.0%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: ASC provides durable pelvic support, however, it may be ineffective for alleviating pelvic floor dysfunction except for urinary urgency and voiding dysfunction, and it contains major complication risk that cannot be overlooked.
Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures/adverse effects/*methods ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse/surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgical Mesh ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; Uterine Prolapse/surgery