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BACKGROUND: The 6‐min walking test (6MWT) is responsive to physiological changes and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with asthma. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) has not been established yet.OBJECTIVE: To determine the MCID of 6MWT in patients with asthma.METHODS: Using the perceived change in walking ability and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) score as anchors, receiver operating characteristic curves and quantile regression, we evaluated 6MWT before and after PR in these patients. The St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), the COPD assessment test (CAT) and other outcome measures were also assessed.RESULTS: Of 142 patients with asthma, 37 were enrolled. After PR, 6MWT increased from 453.4 m ± 88.8 to 493.0 m ± 97.2 (P = 0.0001); other outcome measures also increased. There was a slight correlation between baseline 6MWT and SGRQ, CAT and mMRC. No significant correlations were found between post‐PR changes in 6MWT and in other outcome measures. Comparing different methods of assessment, the MCID ranged from 26 m to 27 m.CONCLUSION: The most conservative estimate of the MCID of 6MWT after PR was 26 m in patients with asthma. This estimate may be useful in clinical interpretation of data, particularly in response to intervention studies.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: There are few studies evaluating (1) exercise capacity as assessed by the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) test in large populations with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); and (2) correlations with patients’ comorbidities. METHODS: This study presents a cluster analysis performed on the data of 1,228 patients. Severity of exercise limitation was defined on the basis of 6MWD. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent showed exercise limitation (29.2% and 31.9% mild and severe exercise limitation, respectively). About 60% and 40% of patients were included in cluster 1 (CL1) and 2 (CL2), respectively. CL1 included younger patients with high prevalence of apneas, desaturations, and hypertension with better exercise tolerance. CL2 included older patients, all with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), high prevalence of chronic respiratory failure (CRF), fewer apneas but severe mean desaturation, daytime hypoxemia, more severe exercise limitation, and exercise-induced desaturations. Only CRF and COPD significantly (P < .001) correlated with 6MWD < 85% of predicted value. 6MWD correlated positively with apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, nocturnal pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), resting arterial oxygen tension, mean SpO(2) on exercise, and negatively with age, body mass index, time spent during night with SpO(2) < 90%, mean nocturnal desaturation, arterial carbon dioxide tension, and number of comorbidities. Patients without severe comorbidities had higher exercise capacity than those with severe comorbidities, (P < .001). Exercise limitation was significantly worse in OSA severity class I when compared to other classes (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: A large number of patients with OSA experience exercise limitation. Older age, comorbidities such as COPD and CRF, OSA severity class I, severe mean nocturnal desaturation, and daytime hypoxemia are associated with worse exercise tolerance. CITATION: Vitacca M, Paneroni M, Braghiroli A, et al. Exercise capacity and comorbidities in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(4):531–538.

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease, usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation with a history of respiratory symptoms that vary over time and in intensity, together with variable expiratory airflow limitation. The goal of asthma treatment is to reach symptoms control, reduction in future risk and improvement in quality of life (QoL). Guideline-based pharmacologic therapies and the effect of inhaled steroids and bronchodilators have been widely studied over the past decades. We provide an overview of the available evidence on pulmonary rehabilitation as a nonpharmacologic therapy in asthmatic patients.Recently, some studies have highlighted the promising role of nonpharmacologic therapies in asthma, such as pulmonary rehabilitation demonstrating that a pulmonary rehabilitation programme consisting of exercise training, breathing retraining, educational and psychological support, improve exercise capacity, asthma control and QoL and reduce dyspnea, anxiety, depression and bronchial inflammation at any step of the disease.Pulmonary rehabilitation shows positive results on exercise tolerance, respiratory symptoms and QoL in asthmatic patients at any steps of the diseases. However, additional information is required to better characterize rehabilitation programmes in order to improve clinical care in asthma.

Background: Patients with asthma usually present airway inflammation classified as eosinophilic, neutrophilic, mixed granulocytic, and paucigranulocytic pattern according to sputum inflammatory cells. Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze clinical and biological characteristics of patients with asthma and mixed granulocytic pattern in comparison with the other groups. Methods: Induced sputum was used to assess airway inflammation; lung function was evaluated as well as blood leukocytes and disease control. History of comorbidities was collected. Results: We retrospectively analyzed 231 subjects with asthma; patients with mixed granulocytic pattern were more frequently male compared with paucigranulocytic subjects, older than eosinophilic and paucigranulocytic patients with increased number and vitality of sputum cells compared to eosinophilic and paucigranulocytic patients and higher cumulative illness rating score, related to increased age. Smoking history, age of disease onset, and ICS treatment were not associated with higher mixed granulocytic pattern occurrence. Subjects with neutrophilic inflammation (mixed granulocytic and neutrophilic patterns considered altogether) were more frequently obese. In subjects under 67 years of age (median of the enrolled subjects), arterial hypertension was the only comorbidity more frequent in mixed granulocytic than in the other groups. 137/231 subjects were re-valuated during follow-up. Lung function of patients with mixed granulocytic, neutrophilic, and paucigranulocytic patterns improved less than that of eosinophilic patients. Conclusion: Aging and presence of comorbidities, in particular obesity and hypertension, are characteristics of patients with asthma and mixed granulocytic pattern. They could respond less well to treatment than eosinophilic patients.

The Lombardy region has been one of the areas most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic since the first months of 2020, providing real-life experiences in the acute phase. It is unclear how the respiratory rehabilitation network responded to this emergency. The aims of this retrospective study were: i) to analyze clinical, functional, and disability data at admission; ii) describe assessment tools and rehabilitative programs; iii) evaluate improvement after rehabilitation. The study was conducted on data collected from ten pulmonary rehabilitation centers in Lombardy, between the period of March 1st 2020 to March 1st 2021, in patients with respiratory failure recovering from COVID-19 both at admission and discharge. The study included demographics, comorbidities, nutritional status, risk of falls, disability status (Barthel index; Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); 6 minutes walking test (6MWT), symptoms (dyspnoea with Barthel Dyspnoea and MRC Dyspnoea Scale), length of stay, discharge destination, need for mechanical ventilation, respiratory function, assessment/outcomes indices, and prescribed rehabilitative programs. 413 patients were analyzed. Length of stay in acute and rehabilitative units was less than 30 days. Fifty % of patients used non-invasive ventilation during their stay. Functional status was mildly compromised for forced volumes and oxygenation, while severely compromised for diffusion capacity. Independency was low while physical performance status very low. At discharge, 318 (77%) patients were sent home, 83 (20.1%) were transferred to an acute unit and 12 (2.9%) passed away. Barthel Index and 6MWT were the most used, while MRC score was the least used outcome parameter. The 5 main rehabilitative activities were walking (90.8 %), transfer from bed to armchair (77.5%), limb mobilization in bed (76%), balance (71.2%), and cycle-ergometer or treadmill (43.1%). A huge difference was found in admission, discharge, and delta change among different rehabilitative centers. When available, all outcomes showed a significant improvement. With the limitation of a retrospective study with a clear amount of missing data, COVID-19 subjects admitted to rehabilitative centers presented a reduced physical performance, symptoms of dyspnoea, and severe disability. The 6MWT and Barthel index were the most used measurement.

BACKGROUND: The sit-to-stand (STS) test is a feasible tool for measuring peripheral muscle strength of the lower limbs. There is evidence of increasing use of STS tests in patients with COPD. We sought to evaluate in subjects with COPD the minimum clinically important difference in 30-s STS test after pulmonary rehabilitation. METHODS: Stable COPD subjects undergoing a 30-s STS test and a 6-min walk test (6MWT) before and after pulmonary rehabilitation were included. Responsiveness to pulmonary rehabilitation was determined by the change in 30-s STS test results (Δ 30-s STS) before and after pulmonary rehabilitation. The minimum clinically important difference was evaluated using an anchor-based method. RESULTS: 96 subjects with moderate-to-severe COPD were included. At baseline, 30-s STS test results were significantly related to distance covered in a 6MWT (6MWD) (r = 0.65, P CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that in stable subjects with moderate-to-severe COPD, the 30-s STS test was a sensitive tool to assess the efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation. A Δ 30-s STS of ≥ 2 repetitions represented the minimum clinically important difference, which may be predicted by the baseline ability in the 30-s STS test and lung function in terms of diffusing lung capacity (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT03627624).

To assess the predictive factors at 12 month and 10 year adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).Retrospective data analysis of patients starting CPAP between 2006 and 2009. After 12 months (T1) from start and during a 10 year follow up the following data were recorded: Body Mass Index (BMI), Time of night use, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score.Out of 315 patients, 147 fulfilled inclusion criteria and were evaluated. According to CPAP nighttime use during the first year, patients were divided into two groups: those using the device less4.5 h (Poor Adherence (PA): 61 patients), and those using ≥4.5 h: (Good Adherence (GA): 86 patients). Patients of PA group were significantly younger, had greater BMI and required more unscheduled visits during the first year. After 12 months, there were 11 (7.5%) dropouts, all in PA group. Patients using the nasal mask showed a greater prevalence among GA as compared to those using the oro-nasal mask (76.5% vs 57.8% respectively, p = 0.04). After 10 years 83 out of 147 (56.4%) patients were still under CPAP, 51 (59.3% of GA) and 32 (52.4% of PA group) respectively. Dropouts were significantly more frequent during the first 5 years (p = 0.04).Ten years after prescription the majority of patients with OSA undergoing periodical controls, still perform CPAP independent of their adherence to therapy after one year of use. Use of nasal mask may be associate to better adherence.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) report reduced physical activity (PA). There are only few tools available to assess PA and sedentary behavior in these patients, and none of them aims to differentiate between sedentary and active patterns. The aim of the study was to evaluate an easy tool to profile daily activity time in a cohort of patients with COPD, compared to healthy subjects; the study was set at the Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri (ICS), IRCCS of Tradate and Lumezzane, Italy, and at the Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale Novaggio, Switzerland (Italian Speaking). The populations were inpatients with COPD, healthy subjects. The items of the Maugeri Daily Activity (MaDA) profile were chosen based on literature, interviews with patients and health professionals. Time spent during sleep (ST), when awake (AT), active (ACT) or in sedentary behavior (SET) were recorded. Lung function tests, arterial blood gases, the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), the six-minute walking distance test (6MWD), the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and the body-mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index were also assessed in patients. Sixty patients with COPD and 60 healthy controls filled in the questionnaire. As compared to controls, patients showed longer AT and SET. Active time of patients was significantly correlated with mMRC, CAT, Bode Index and 6MWD, but not with demographics, anthropometrics or stages of disease. Using this tool, we found that patients with COPD spent longer time awake and in sedentary behavior. The MaDA may be useful to evaluate PA in patients with COPD.

BACKGROUND: The 5-repetition sit-to-stand test (5STS) is valid and responsive in subjects with COPD, but there is a lack of information in subjects with asthma. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the 5STS as an outcome measure of pulmonary rehabilitation in subjects with asthma as compared to subjects with COPD. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of subjects with asthma or COPD who underwent pulmonary rehabilitation. Both before and after in-patient pulmonary rehabilitation, subjects underwent the 5STS and the 6-min walk test; dyspnea was assessed with the Medical Research Council scale and the Barthel Index for dyspnea, and the burden of symptoms was assessed with the COPD Assessment Test. RESULTS: Of 475 patients admitted during the study period, 103 subjects with asthma and 108 with COPD were included. After pulmonary rehabilitation, the 5STS improved significantly in both populations (by a median value of –1.7 s [interquartile range –4.2 to –0.5] and –1.1 s [interquartile range –3.4 to 0.0] in subjects with asthma and COPD, respectively; P < .001 for both, P = .17 between groups) independent of body mass index, as did other outcome measures. The baseline 5STS correlated slightly but significantly with age, the 6-min walk test, and the Barthel Index for dyspnea in both populations, whereas it correlated significantly with the Medical Research Council scale only in subjects with asthma and correlated with COPD Assessment Test only in subjects with COPD. No significant correlations between changes in the 5STS and in other assessed outcome measures before and after pulmonary rehabilitation were observed in subjects with asthma, whereas changes in the 5STS correlated slightly but significantly only with changes in 6-min walk test in subjects with COPD. CONCLUSIONS: The 5STS was a reliable outcome measure of pulmonary rehabilitation in subjects with asthma. It must be specifically assessed and may be included in the tools for assessment of effects of pulmonary rehabilitation also in these patients.

Objective The study aimed to evaluate whether high-flow oxygen therapy (HFOT) during training was more effective than oxygen in improving exercise capacity in hypoxemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 171 patients with COPD and chronic hypoxemia were consecutively recruited in 8 rehabilitation hospitals in a randomized controlled trial. Cycle-ergometer exercise training was used in 20 supervised sessions at iso inspiratory oxygen fraction in both groups. Pre- and post-training endurance time (Tlim), 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), respiratory and limb muscle strength, arterial blood gases, Barthel Index, Barthel Dyspnea Index, COPD Assessment Test, Maugeri Respiratory Failure questionnaire, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Results Due to 15.4% and 24.1% dropout rates, 71 and 66 patients were analyzed in HFOT and Venturi mask (V-mask) groups, respectively. Exercise capacity significantly improved after training in both groups with similar patient satisfaction. Between-group difference in post-training improvement in 6MWD (mean: 17.14 m; 95% CI = 0.87 to 33.43 m) but not in Tlim (mean: 141.85 seconds; 95% CI = −18.72 to 302.42 seconds) was significantly higher in HFOT. The minimal clinically important difference of Tlim was reached by 47% of patients in the V-mask group and 56% of patients in the HFOT group, whereas the minimal clinically important difference of 6MWD was reached by 51% of patients in the V-mask group and 69% of patients in the HFOT group, respectively. Conclusion In patients with hypoxemic COPD, exercise training is effective in improving exercise capacity. Impact Statement The addition of HFOT during exercise training is not more effective than oxygen through V-mask in improving endurance time, the primary outcome, whereas it is more effective in improving walking distance.

Background: Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is a multimodal treatment that is still poorly investigated in severe asthma where respiratory symptoms remain “uncontrolled” despite intensive pha...

Pulmonary rehabilitation is effective also in patients recovering from acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). We aimed to evaluate whether levels of dyspnoea affect the outcome of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients recovering from AECOPD requiring different levels of care.Retrospective data analysis of 1057 patients recovering from AECOPD requiring either hospital (Hospital group: 291) or home management (Home group: 766), undergone post AECOPD in-patient pulmonary rehabilitation. The 6-min walking distance (6MWD) test was the primary outcome, stratified by the Barthel index Dyspnoea (Bid). Data of modified Medical Research Council scale, Short Physical Performance Battery, COPD Assessment Test were also analysed, when available.In overall population 6MWD improved significantly from 278 (129) to 335 (139) meters (p 0.001). As compared to Home, 6MWD improved more in Hospital group [by 81.9 (79.6) vs 48.9 (94.4) meters respectively, p 0.001] also when stratified by Bid levels (all: p 0.01). In Hospital group, 6MWD improved significantly more in patients with Bid level 3 than levels 4 and 5 (p 0.05). Hospital group showed a greater proportion of patients reaching the Minimal Clinically Important Difference for 6MWD (75.9 vs 56.7% in Hospital and Home group respectively p 0.001). All other available outcome measures significantly (p 0.01) improved independent of the Bid levels. There was no significant correlation between baseline severity of airflow obstruction and effect of the program.In-patient pulmonary rehabilitation results in clinically meaningful improvement in patients recovering from AECOPD, independent of severity of dyspnoea. However, the levels of dyspnoea severity and the care required by AECOPD influenced the magnitude of success.

Summary Background Whether blood eosinophil counts and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) are associated with important outcomes in mild asthma is unclear. In this prespecified subgroup analysis of a previously published open-label clinical trial, we aimed to assess associations between blood eosinophil counts and FeNO with outcomes and response to asthma treatment. Methods In the previously reported 52-week, open-label, randomised controlled trial, people with mild asthma receiving only β agonist reliever inhalers were enrolled at one of 16 clinical trials units in New Zealand, the UK, Italy, or Australia. Eligible participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1, stratified by country), to receive inhalers to take as-needed salbutamol (two inhalations of 100 μg in a pressurised metered dose inhaler), maintenance budesonide (200 μg twice per day by inhaler) plus as-needed salbutamol (two inhalations of 100 μg), or as-needed budesonide–formoterol (one inhalation of 200 μg budesonide and 6μg formoterol by inhaler). The primary outcome was the annual rates of asthma exacerbations per patient, and in this prespecified subgroup analysis, we assessed whether annual exacerbation rates in each treatment group were significantly different depending on levels of blood eosinophil count, FeNO, or a composite score of both. Analyses were done for patients with available biomarker measurements The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12615000999538. Findings 675 participants were enrolled between March 17, 2016, and Aug 29, 2017, of whom 656 had results for blood eosinophil analysis and 668 had results for FeNO. Of the patients who received as-needed salbutamol, the proportion of patients having a severe exacerbation increased progressively with increasing blood eosinophil count (two [4%] of 49 participants with Interpretation In patients with mild asthma, the effects of as-needed budesonide–formoterol on exacerbations are independent of biomarker profile, whereas the benefits of maintenance inhaled budesonide are greater in patients with high blood eosinophil counts than in patients with low counts. Funding AstraZeneca, Health Research Council of New Zealand.

Introduction Airway eosinophilic inflammation is a characteristic of asthmatic patients and of a sub group of COPD subjects. Blood eosinophils are deemed as a good surrogate marker of sputum eosinophilic inflammation; however, controversial data have been published particularly in COPD. The aim of our study was to compare blood and sputum eosinophils in COPD and asthmatic patients in “real life”. Methods Sputum was induced in stable patients with COPD or asthma with hypertonic saline solution and blood eosinophils were evaluated. Frequency of comorbidities was recorded. Correlations were performed stratifying patients by disease and comorbidities. Results 146 patients, 57 with COPD and 89 with asthma were evaluated. Blood and sputum eosinophils expressed as percentages were correlated in COPD (rho = 0.40; p = 0.004), but the entity of correlation was lower compared with asthmatic subjects (rho = 0.71; p

BACKGROUND: Asthma is defined by airway inflammation associated with various respiratory symptoms, and pharmacologic treatment is based on inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Physical activity, educational training, nutritional support, and psychological counseling are considered part of non-pharmacologic treatment; however, studies so far have investigated the effect of single non-pharmacologic treatment. There are few studies that demonstrate the effect of comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation, but no clear data are available regarding factors that can predict who could benefit the most. Our study aimed to assess the effect of a comprehensive 3-week pulmonary rehabilitation program on exercise tolerance and to identify baseline subject characteristics that may predict a better response to treatment. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. A team planned a pulmonary rehabilitation program: educational support; endurance training; and optional components, such as respiratory exercises and airway clearance techniques. The following data were collected before and after pulmonary rehabilitation: subject characteristics, smoking history, asthma severity, respiratory function and 6-min walk test (6MWT). RESULTS: We collected data on 515 subjects (202 males 39.2%), age, mean ± SD 63.9 ± 10.4 y), with 413 (80.2%) having moderate-to-severe disease; and 455 (88.4%) with stable respiratory symptoms 455 (88.35%). At baseline, the percentage of predicted 6MWT in all subjects categorized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) steps was in the normal range, except for the subjects at step 5, for which it was significantly lower (P = .01). All subjects showed a significant improvement in exercise tolerance and oxygen saturation, together with a decrease in baseline dyspnea, muscle fatigue, and heart rate after pulmonary rehabilitation. Improvement of 6MWT was statistically significant, irrespective of the GINA categorization. The variables related to the improvement in 6MWT were age (P CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with asthma at any GINA step seemed to benefit from a pulmonary rehabilitation program; analysis of our data highlighted that pulmonary rehabilitation was more beneficial in younger subjects with a smoking history and worse baseline exercise tolerance.

The majority of patients completing anti-tuberculosis treatment have sequelae and benefit from pulmonary rehabilitationhttp://ow.ly/WyOH30nFQLV

Michele Vitacca,1 Mara Paneroni,1 Paola Baiardi,2 Vito De Carolis,3 Elisabetta Zampogna,4 Stefano Belli,5 Mauro Carone,3 Antonio Spanevello,4,6 Bruno Balbi,5 Giorgio Bertolotti7 1Respiratory Rehabilitation Division, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Institute of Lumezzane, Brescia, 2Scientific Direction, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Institute of Pavia, Pavia, 3Respiratory Division, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Institute of Cassano delle Murge, Bari, 4Respiratory Division, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Institute of Tradate, Varese, 5Respiratory Division, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Institute of Veruno, Novara, 6Respiratory Diseases Unit, University of Insubria, Varese, 7Psychology Unit, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Institute of Tradate, Varese, Italy Background: As Barthel Index (BI) quantifies motor impairment but not breathlessness, the use of only this index could underestimate disability in chronic respiratory disease (CRD). To our knowledge, no study evaluates both motor and respiratory disability in CRD during activities of daily living (ADLs) simultaneously and with a unique tool. The objective of this study was to propose for patients with CRD an additional tool for dyspnea assessment during ADLs based on BI items named Barthel Index dyspnea.Methods: Comprehensibility, reliability, internal consistency, validity, responsiveness, and ability to differentiate between disease groups were assessed on 219 subjects through an observational study performed in an in-hospital rehabilitation setting.Results: Good comprehensibility, high reliability (interrater intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.93 [95% confidence interval 0.892–0.964] and test–retest intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.99 [95% confidence interval 0.983–0.994]), good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.89), strong concurrent validity with 6 minute walking distance (Pearson r=–0.538, P

Linezolid is used off-label to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in absence of systematic evidence. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on efficacy, safety and tolerability of linezolid-containing regimes based on individual data analysis.12 studies (11 countries from three continents) reporting complete information on safety, tolerability, efficacy of linezolid-containing regimes in treating MDR-TB cases were identified based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Meta-analysis was performed using the individual data of 121 patients with a definite treatment outcome (cure, completion, death or failure).Most MDR-TB cases achieved sputum smear (86 (92.5%) out of 93) and culture (100 (93.5%) out of 107) conversion after treatment with individualised regimens containing linezolid (median (inter-quartile range) times for smear and culture conversions were 43.5 (21-90) and 61 (29-119) days, respectively) and 99 (81.8%) out of 121 patients were successfully treated. No significant differences were detected in the subgroup efficacy analysis (daily linezolid dosage 600 mg). Adverse events were observed in 63 (58.9%) out of 107 patients, of which 54 (68.4%) out of 79 were major adverse events that included anaemia (38.1%), peripheral neuropathy (47.1%), gastro-intestinal disorders (16.7%), optic neuritis (13.2%) and thrombocytopenia (11.8%). The proportion of adverse events was significantly higher when the linezolid daily dosage exceeded 600 mg.The study results suggest an excellent efficacy but also the necessity of caution in the prescription of linezolid.

Background: International guidelines recommend the inclusion of patients with bronchiectasis in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) to improve exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). At present, the effect of PR in these patients has been poorly investigated. Objective: The aim of our retrospective analysis was to evaluate the effects and predictors of success for a PR program in patients with bronchiectasis not related to cystic fibrosis (non-CF bronchiectasis). Methods: One hundred and thirty-five non-CF bronchiectasis inpatients, allocated to a 3-week PR program, were retrospectively evaluated. Exercise capacity (6-min walk distance, 6MWD), dyspnea (Baseline/Transition Dyspnea Index, BDI/TDI), and HRQoL [EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS)] were assessed before and after PR. The relationship between baseline parameters and changes in outcome measures after PR was assessed. Both univariate and multiple logistic analyses were performed to evaluate the presence of independent predictors of the efficacy of PR. Results: One hundred and eight patients [49 males, mean age 71 years, mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 76% predicted] were included. After PR, there was a significant improvement in 6MWD, TDI, and EQ-VAS score (p < 0.001). Changes in 6MWD and EQ-VAS score correlated with baseline FEV1, FEV1/vital capacity (VC), residual volume, transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide, and the number of exacerbations in the previous year. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that male gender, baseline FEV1/VC 2 exacerbations in the previous year were independent predictors of PR efficacy in terms of an improvement in 6MWD. Conclusions: Our study supports the inclusion of patients with bronchiectasis in PR programs. Clinical and functional baseline findings partially predict the response to PR in terms of exercise tolerance. Further prospective, randomized, controlled trials are needed.

Andrea Zanini,1 Francesca Cherubino,1 Elisabetta Zampogna,1 Stefania Croce,2 Patrizia Pignatti,2 Antonio Spanevello3 1Division of Pneumology, IRCCS Rehabilitation Institute of Tradate, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation (IRCCS), Tradate, Italy; 2Allergy and Immunology Unit, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation (IRCCS), Pavia, Italy; 3Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy Background: Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), sputum eosinophilia, and bronchial reversibility are often thought to be a hallmark of asthma, yet it has been shown to occur in COPD as well.Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between BHR, lung function, and airway inflammation in COPD patients.Methods: Thirty-one, steroid-free patients with stable, mild and moderate COPD were studied. The following tests were carried out: baseline lung function, reversibility, provocative dose of methacholine causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second, a COPD symptom score, and sputum induction.Results: Twenty-nine patients completed the procedures. About 41.4% had BHR, 31.0% had increased sputum eosinophils, and 37.9% had bronchial reversibility. Some of the patients had only one of these characteristics while others had two or the three of them. Patients with BHR had higher sputum eosinophils than patients without BHR (P=0.046) and those with sputum eosinophils ≥3% had more exacerbations in the previous year and a higher COPD symptom score than patients with sputum eosinophils

The effect of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on the EuroQol Group's 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) in COPD has been poorly investigated. In addition, conflicting results were reported about the visual analog scale component of EQ-5D (EQ-VAS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the responsiveness of EQ-VAS to PR and its relationship with clinical and functional parameters in subjects with COPD, as well as to define the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) estimate for the EQ-VAS after PR.A total of 468 in-patients with stable moderate-to-severe COPD, allocated to a 3-wk PR program, were retrospectively evaluated. EQ-VAS was assessed before and after PR, and its relationship with baseline pulmonary function, changes in 6-min walk test, and baseline, and transitional dyspnea index (BDI/TDI) after PR were evaluated. Using an anchor-based approach and receiver operating characteristic curves, the EQ-VAS change cutoff that identified subjects achieving the known MCID for TDI after PR was identified.Four hundred and thirty-nine subjects (94%, mean FEV1 55.3% predicted) completed pre- and post-PR EQ-VAS scores. After PR, EQ-VAS increased from 58 ± 17 to 72 ± 15 (ΔEQ-VAS 14 ± 12, P.001). ΔEQ-VAS was negatively related to baseline FEV1 (r = -0.32, P.001) and positively to TDI (r = 0.50, P.001) and 6-min walk distance (r = 0.46, P.001) changes. Receiver operating characteristic curves identified an EQ-VAS change cutoff of 8 as the best discriminating value to identify the MCID for TDI (0.78 sensitivity and 0.81 specificity; area under curve: 0.845, P.001).Our study shows that, in in-patients with stable moderate-to-severe COPD, EQ-VAS is a valid and reliable tool to assess the responsiveness to PR, with an estimated MCID of 8 points. The EQ-VAS can be a practical alternative to more time-consuming measures of health-related quality of life.

Introduction. Conflicting results have been so far reported about baseline lung function, as predicting factor of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) efficacy. Aim. To ascertain whether or not baseline lung function could predict a benefit in terms of a significant change in 6-min walk test (6MWT) after PR. Methods. Seventy-five stable moderate-to-severe COPD inpatients with comorbidities (complex COPD), allocated to a three-week PR program, were retrospectively evaluated. Pulmonary function, 6MWT, dyspnea (BDI/TDI), and quality of life (EQ-VAS) were assessed before and after PR program. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the change in 6MWT (responders 30 m and nonresponders 30 m). Logistic regression analysis was used. Results. After PR, 6MWT performance all outcome measures significantly improved (). Compared to nonresponders (), the responders () had lower values in baseline lung function (). Logistic regression analysis showed that FEV1 50% pred and TL, CO 50% pred were independent predictors of PR efficacy. Conclusions. Our study shows that in stable moderate-to-severe complex COPD inpatients, baseline lung function may predict the response to PR in terms of 6MWT. We also found that complex COPD patients with poor lung function get more benefit from PR.

Andrea Zanini,1,2 Marina Aiello,3 Francesca Cherubino,1 Elisabetta Zampogna,1 Andrea Azzola,4 Alfredo Chetta,3 Antonio Spanevello1,5 1Division of Pneumology, IRCCS Rehabilitation Institute of Tradate, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Tradate, Italy; 2Division of Internal and Respiratory Medicine, Malcantonese Hospital, Giuseppe Rossi Foundation, Castelrotto, Switzerland; 3Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Padiglione Rasori, Parma, Italy; 4Division of Pneumology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ospedale Civico, Lugano, Switzerland; 5Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy Background: Individuals with COPD may present reduced peripheral muscle strength, leading to impaired mobility. Comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) should include strength training, in particular to lower limbs. Furthermore, simple tools for the assessment of peripheral muscle performance are required.Objectives: To assess the peripheral muscle performance of COPD patients by the sit-to-stand test (STST), as compared to the one-repetition maximum (1-RM), considered as the gold standard for assessing muscle strength in non-laboratory situations, and to evaluate the responsiveness of STST to a PR program.Methods: Sixty moderate-to-severe COPD inpatients were randomly included into either the specific strength training group or into the usual PR program group. Patients were assessed on a 30-second STST and 1-minute STST, 1-RM, and 6-minute walking test (6MWT), before and after PR. Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate the agreement between 1-RM and STST. Results: The two groups were not different at baseline. In all patients, 1-RM was significantly related to the 30-second STST (r=0.48, P