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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.

Background. Slow heart rate recovery (HRR) after exercise is predictor of overall mortality in individuals with and without cardiovascular or respiratory disorders. No data on adults with asthma are available. Aim. To evaluate the prevalence of slow HRR in these individuals as compared with those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods. Retrospective analysis of baseline characteristics and physiological response to the six-minute walking distance test of stable individuals with asthma or COPD. Slow HRR was defined as HRpeak - HR at 1 minute after end exercise < 12 bpm.Results. Individuals with asthma walked significantly longer (median (IQR): 455 (385-512) vs 427 (345-485) meters; p= 0.005) with a lower prevalence of slow HRR (30.3% vs 49.0%, respectively: ppeak - baseline HR (∆HR), was predictor of slow HRR in both groups.Conclusion. More than 30% of adult individuals with asthma may show slow HRR. Only exercise ∆HR but no baseline characteristic seems predict the occurrence of slow HRR.

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: 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).

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.

We compared in COPD with CRF undergoing training, HFOT (AIRVO2® FisherP all used the same high-intensity exercise program (1 session/day for ≥ 20 sessions) with different oxygen device. BMI, spirometry and co morbidities have been collected. Baseline and after training exercise tolerance (Constant Work Rate Exercise Test, CWERT + 6-min walk test, 6MWT), respiratory (MIP/MEP) and biceps/quadriceps muscle strength, blood gases, Barthel Index and Barthel Dyspnoea Index, CAT and MRF-26 were measured. Patients’ satisfaction has been evaluated. 71 and 66 patients were analysed for HFOT and V-mask respectively being 15% and 24% the rate of drop-out. All variables improved after training in both groups with similar satisfaction. Comparing the two groups, only meters at 6MWT resulted statistically higher in HFOT group (p=0.029). HFOT group performed 153 seconds more than V-mask at CWERT, without statistical significance (p=0.057). Improvers (gain > 150 sec at CWERT) were 44% and 56% for V-mask and HFOT, respectively. FEV1% prd higher than 30% (OR 2.44, p=0.025) and higher baseline endurance time (OR 1.15, p=0.024) predicted improvers. Low BMI (OR 0.9298, p=0.038) predicted drop-outs. CWERT improvement was positively related to comorbidities (p=0.025) and CAT (p=0.031), while negatively to PaO2/FiO2 (p=0.04). We have confirmed the strong indication to training program in advanced COPD with CRF; HFOT used during training may further increase exercise tolerance.

Introduction: Patients with mixed granulocytic phenotype are included in published studies as eosinophilic or neutrophilic asthma. Aim: To evaluate whether the mixed granulocytic is more similar to eosinophilic or neutrophilic phenotype. Methods: Sputum was induced with hypertonic saline solution and inflammation was classified as neutrophilic (neutrophils ≥61%), eosinophilic (eosinophils ≥3%), mixed (neutrophilic+eosinophilic) or pauci (neutrophils Results: 108 asthmatic patients (57 females; moderate-severe: 77.8%) were recruited. Asthmatics with mixed granulocytic phenotype are older, had higher sputum cells and lower prevalence of nasal polyposis than eosinophilic subjects (P= 0.01, P= 0.0007, P= 0.01, respectively). They had higher blood eosinophils and lower GERD prevalence than neutrophilic patients (P= 0.007 and P= 0.003). Lung function variables and treatment with inhaled corticosteroids were not significantly different. Conclusion: Asthmatic patients with mixed granulocytic phenotype appear an intermediate phenotype, differing from the eosinophilic one mainly for the age and for the lower prevalence of comorbidities.

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.

Even though the majority of tuberculosis (TB) programmes consider their work completed when a patient is ‘successfully’ cured, patients often continue to suffer with post-treatment or surgical sequelae. This review focuses on describing the available evidence with regard to the diagnosis and management of post-treatment and surgical sequelae (pulmonary rehabilitation). We carried out a non-systematic literature review based on a PubMed search using specific key-words, including various combinations of ‘TB’, ‘MDR-TB’, ‘XDR-TB’, ‘surgery’, ‘functional evaluation’, ‘sequelae’ and ‘pulmonary rehabilitation’. References of the most important papers were retrieved to improve the search accuracy. We identified the main areas of interest to describe the topic as follows: 1) ‘Surgery’, described through observational studies and reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, IPD (individual data meta-analyses), and official guidelines (GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) or not GRADE-based); 2) Post-TB treatment functional evaluation; and 3) Pulmonary rehabilitation interventions. We also highlighted the priority areas for research for the three main areas of interest. The collection of high-quality standardized variables would allow advances in the understanding of the need for, and effectiveness of, pulmonary rehabilitation at both the individual and the programmatic level. The initial evidence supports the importance of the adequate functional evaluation of these patients, which is necessary to identify those who will benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation.

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

The sit-to-stand test (STST) is a feasible alternative for measuring peripheral muscle strength of the lower limbs. Our aim was to evaluate, in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 30-second STST (30-STST) after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Stable COPD inpatients undergoing 30-STST and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) before and after PR were included. Responsiveness to PR was determined by pre-to-post PR (∆) evaluation of 30-STST. The MCID was evaluated using an anchor-based method. 96 moderate-to-severe COPD patients were included. At baseline, 30-STST was significantly related to distance at 6MWT (6MWD) (r=0.65; p In a multivariate logistic regression model, baseline MRC (Odds ratio 2.27; p=0.003) and RV/TLC (OR 1.05; p=0.040) predict the risk to have a value >2 repetitions ∆30-STST. In COPD patients 30-STST is a sensitive tool to assess PR efficacy. A ∆30-STST of at least 2 repetitions represents the MCID, that may be predicted by dyspnea and lung hyperinflation.

Introduction: Airway eosinophilic inflammation can be found in asthmatic and COPD patients. Blood eosinophil count is deemed good surrogate marker of sputum eosinophilic inflammation; however, controversial data have been published both in asthmatic and COPD populations. Methods: Sputum was induced in stable patients with asthma or COPD with hypertonic saline solution. Blood eosinophils were measured. Frequency of comorbidities was recorded. Results: Sputum and blood eosinophils were correlated both in asthma and in COPD. Inhaled steroid treatment and history of previous exacerbations seem not to affect blood and sputum eosinophil correlation. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension, obesity and OSAS for the two groups; rhinitis and GERD for asthma, and cardiac diseases for COPD. In asthmatic patients with rhinitis and in COPD patients with atrial fibrillation or ischemic heart disease, correlations were not statistically significant. Asthmatic patients with history of GERD (n= 12) showed lower median (IQR) sputum eosinophils than those without (1.25% (0.1 - 3.35) VS. 5.8% (1.7-30.7), respectively; P= 0.01). Conclusion: Blood eosinophils correlated with sputum eosinophils in asthmatic and COPD patients. Among the most frequent reported comorbidities, cardiac diseases in COPD, and rhinitis and GERD in asthma can reduce this correlation. These preliminary data need to be confirmed by studies with larger sample size.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves symptoms and quality of life of patients with chronic respiratory diseases; however, its effectiveness in asthmatic patients is a matter of debate. Methods: It was carried out a retrospective assessment of a 3-week PR program in asthmatic patients. PR included endurance and strength training (12 sessions), breathing exercises when needed; educational activities (3 meetings with HCWs focused on their respiratory disease, smoking quitting, nutritional counseling, drugs, and asthma action plan); psychological support. 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), Borg Dyspnea and Fatigue (BD, BF), and Quality of life (EuroQoL) were recorded before and after the implementation of the PR program. Results: We studied 51 asthmatic patients followed-up in an Italian PR Department between March and October 2017. The median (IQR) age was 62 (49-72) yrs, 15 (29.4%) were male, 34 and 10 were never and former smoker, respectively, mean (SD) FEV1/FVC was 0.7 (0.1), mean (SD) FEV1 was 86 (27.6)%; the majority were Gina steps 2 and 3. PR improved 6MWD (P Conclusions: Multidisciplinary PR program was associated with improved exercise performance and quality of life in persistent asthmatic patients.

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.

To the Editor: Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) (defined as TB caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with in vitro resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin plus any fluoroquinolone and at least one of the second-line injectable drugs, amikacin, capreomycin or kanamycin) on top of being a growing public health concern, represents a nightmare for the clinician [1–4]. The crucial therapeutic issue is the difficulty of identifying at least four available “active” anti-TB drugs, to ensure treatment success as well as to prevent the emergence of additional drug resistance [1–4]. After more than 40 years without new anti-TB drugs appearing on the horizon, new chemical compounds ( i.e. bedaquiline, PA-824 and delamanid) seem promising for these difficult-to-treat cases of TB [4, 5]. While the necessary experimental studies will prove how to use them, more and more interest is currently focused on existing antibacterial drugs with new indications for drug-resistant TB, particularly linezolid, meropenem, clofazimine and cotrimoxazole [6–9]. Based on in vitro and pharmacological data, suggesting that linezolid (an oxazolidinone antibiotic) could be efficacious in treating mycobacterial infections, and on anedoctal evidence of its effectiveness in the smallest groups of patients, it was used off-label, despite its high price, to treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB cases in several countries. The little scientific supporting data on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of linezolid came from ad hoc randomised, controlled clinical trials, as well as from large observational studies [7]. The European Respiratory Journal recently published a systematic review and a meta-analysis of individual patients focused on the main published epidemiological observational studies (n=12), describing cohorts of TB patients (n=121) treated with linezolid-containing regimens in 11 countries [7 …

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