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Introduction: Exposure to altitude invariably involves some form of physical activity. There are limited data available to help predict the response to activity at altitude in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the response to acute altitude exposure at rest and during exercise in patients with COPD. Methods: Sea level measures of cardio-pulmonary function were compared to the resting and exercise hypoxemic response at the summit of the Mt. Hutt ski field (2086 m), New Zealand, in 18 patients with COPD. Results: Ascent from sea level to altitude caused significant hypoxemia at rest (PaO2: 75 ± 9 vs. 51 ± 6 mmHg), and during a walk test (41 ± 7 mmHg). At altitude, the walk test distance was reduced by 52%. Sea level PaO2 and SaO2 correlated with resting PaO2 (r = 0.69) and SaO2 (r = 0.79) at altitude. Diffusion capacity corrected for alveolar volume (KCO) correlated with resting SaO2 (r = 0.74) and exercise PaO2 (r = 0.75) at altitude. Aerobic capacity correlated with the walk test distance at altitude (r = 0.70). Spirometry, lung volumes, and ventilatory reserve did not correlate with the hypoxemic response to altitude. Discussion: Baseline arterial oxygen levels and KCO are key measures in predicting the hypoxemic response to acute altitude exposure in patients with COPD. The impairment in gas exchange associated with COPD is a significant mechanism causing altitude-related hypoxemia in this group [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation was found to be associated with a lowered incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants, especially in boys. 657 infants were enrolled in this multicenter, randomized controlled trial (322 assigned to a high-DHA diet, 335 to a standard diet) comparing the outcomes for preterm infants <33 weeks' gestation who consumed expressed breast milk from mothers taking either tuna oil (high-DHA diet) or soy oil (standard-DHA) capsules. Data collected included incidence of BPD and parental reporting of atopic conditions over the first 18 months of life. 93.5% of enrolled subjects completed the 18-month follow-up. There was a reduction in BPD in boys (relative risk [RR]: 0.67) and in all infants with a birth weight of <1250 g (RR: 0.75). While there was no effect on duration of respiratory support, admission length, or home oxygen requirement, there was a reduction in reported hay fever in all infants in the high-DHA group at either 12 or 18 months (RR: 0.41) and at either 12 or 18 months in boys (RR: 0.15). These results suggest that DHA supplementation may benefit respiratory health in preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the study "Dietary Fiber, Lung Function, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study," by H. Kan et al, which examines the association between high fiber intake and superior lung function.