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Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with various comorbidities, which influence the course of COPD and worsen prognosis., Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the comorbidities in a cohort of COPD patients in Poland during 12 months of observation., Material and Methods: A total of 444 COPD patients (median age: 66.1 years) in all stages of airflow limitation severity were enrolled. Medical histories and a questionnaire concerning comorbidities were analyzed at baseline and after 12 months (data of 267 patients available). Anthropometric data, pulmonary function, and body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE index) were assessed., Results: No comorbidities were reported in 9 patients (2.0%), 101 patients (22.7%) had 1-2 comorbidities, 243 (54.7%) had 3-5, and 91 (20.6%) had more than 5 comorbidities. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were the most frequent ones, followed by peptic ulcer, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and osteoporosis; 11 patients had a history of lung cancer. Cachexia was observed in 11 cases, overweight in 136 cases and obesity in 139 cases. The incidence of CVDs increased with time. The number of comorbidities correlated with the body mass index (BMI) and the number of hospitalizations for extra-pulmonary causes, but not with airflow limitation. The BODE index score increased with the number of comorbidities., Conclusions: In a cohort of Polish COPD patients, the most frequent comorbidities were CVDs. The number of comorbidities affected the BODE index, but not airflow limitation. The BODE index is better than forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in the rating of COPD patients' condition. The BMI correlated with the number of comorbidities as well as the number of hospitalizations for extra-pulmonary causes.

Unlabelled: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant clinical problem wich is dependent on many environmental factors., The Aim: of the study was to present a characteristic of examined group in the moment of including into the project., Materials and Methods: Based on data obtained from studies conducted in six medical universities in Poland we present the characteristics of 445 patients (M-69%), median age 66.2 years, suffering from COPD with median disease duration 7.7 years. The analysis included: age, education, risk factors, exacerbations and hospitalizations, comorbidities, severity of the disease, drug use and the results of selected tests and the quality of life of patients in relation with their place of residence., Results: Some differences were found among the participating centers. The youngest patients came from Wrocław and the oldest from Katowice. The largest number of patients with higher education were from Warsaw, while the lowest number was noted in Poznań; patients with primary education were most numerous in Lublin. Patients from Warsaw had the highest number of pack-years, smoking history was least relevant in patients from Wrocław. The highest values of spirometrical parameters were observed in Gdańsk, while the lowest--in Poznań. COPD treatment mainly comprised of long-acting beta2 agonists, followed by anticholinergic agents, more than 50% of patients were treated with inhaled glucocorticosteroids. The most common comorbidities were cardiovascular diseases., Conclusions: The study group showed characteristics similar to those of other cohorts of patients with COPD described in the literature, but we found some differences between patients from different centers which participated in the study., (© 2015 MEDPRESS.)

Oral inflammation is an important contributor to the etiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can impact patient's health status. Previous studies indicate that people with poor oral health are at higher risk for nosocomial pneumonia. Denture wearing is one promoting factor in the development of mucosal infections. Colonization of the denture plaque by Gram-negative bacteria, Candida spp., or other respiratory pathogens, occurring locally, may be aspirated to the lungs. The studies showed that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients treated with combinations of medicines with corticosteroids more frequently suffer from Candida-associated denture stomatitis. Treatment of oral candidiasis in patients with COPD constitutes a therapeutic problem. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the condition of oral mucosal membrane and denture hygiene habits. The guidelines for care and maintenance of dentures for COPD patients are presented in this paper. The majority of patients required improvement of their prosthetic and oral hygiene. Standard oral hygiene procedures in relation to dentures, conducted for prophylaxis of stomatitis complicated by mucosal infection among immunocompromised patients, are essential to maintain healthy oral tissues. The elimination of traumatic denture action in dental office, compliance with oral and denture hygiene, proper use and storage of prosthetic appliances in a dry environment outside the oral cavity can reduce susceptibility to infection. Proper attention to hygiene, including brushing and rinsing the mouth, may also help prevent denture stomatitis in these patients.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases often coexist with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and in some cases it is difficult to differentiate between cardiac and pulmonary cause of dyspnoea. It is well known that the serum concentration of NT-proBNP in patients with cardiovascular diseases, especially with congestive heart failure, is elevated. The aim of this study was to estimate the usefulness of NT-proBNP serum level measurement in patients with COPD complaining of chronic dyspnoea., Material and Methods: The study group consisted of 81 stable COPD patients in middle age, 65 ± 7 years, (57 of them with concomitant cardiovascular disease). Serum concentration of NT-proBNP was measured using VITROS laboratory test., Results: There were no statistical differences in serum NT-proBNP between patients stratified according to the GOLD staging system for COPD severity or BODE index and mMRC breathlessness scale. The concentration of NT-proBNP was statistically significantly higher in the patients with coexisting cardiovascular diseases (220.8 ± 258.1 vs. 95.4±56.1 pg/ml). The group of patients with NT-proBNP concentration 〉 125 pg/ml (n = 36) was statistically significantly older (67.5 ± 6 years old vs. 63.2 ± 7.1 years old; p = 0.009) and had statistically significantly lower PaO2 (67.4 ± 11.8 mm Hg vs. 73.0 ± 11.6 mm Hg; p = 0.04)., Conclusions: 1. In the group of stable COPD patients there were no differences between NT-proBNP serum concentration according to GOLD staging, BODE index, and mMRC breathlessness scale. 2. The NT-proBNP serum concentration was statistically significantly higher in the group of COPD patients with the concomitant cardiovascular disease. 3. In patients with chronic dyspnoea testing of serum NT-proBNP may be useful in the detection of patients with cardiovascular problems, who require more intensive therapy.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a fourth cause of death in USA and is expected to be the third cause of death by year 2020. It is believed that some diseases like cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, cachexia, anaemia are systemic consequences of COPD. Some data show that the co-morbidities are more frequent in severe COPD patients than in control groups and are associated with the serious health outcomes. It is debated whether extra pulmonary comorbidities or pulmonary complications are the main reason of death in COPD. The aim of the study was to analyze the mortality and comorbidity in COPD patients who died during hospitalization in the Department of Pneumonology and Allergology in WMU from 2004 to 2008., Material and Methods: We analyzed 266 records of patients who had diagnosis of COPD and died during hospitalization (179 [67%] M and 87 [33%] F). The mean age at death was 73 ± 8 years (M 73 ± 8 years, F 74 ± 9 years)., Results: The most frequent cause of death were: COPD exacerbation (n = 81 [30%], F = 32, M = 49), pneumonia (n = 67 [25%], F = 17, M = 50), lung cancer (n = 50 [19%], F = 18, M = 32), ischemic heart disease (n = 20 [7%], F = 5, M = 15), cardiovascular insufficiency (n = 14 [5%], F = 6, M = 8) and other (n = 34 [14%]). The lung cancer was more frequent cause of death in younger patients (p = 0.002), and pneumonia in older (p = 0.02). In COPD patients the following comorbidities were diagnosed: chronic heart failure (n = 169), hypertension (n = 103), ischaemic heart disease (n = 102), diabetes mellitus type 2 (n = 55), renal insufficiency (n = 43), hypertrophy of prostate (n = 36), arteriosclerosis obliterans (n = 28), osteoporosis (n = 19), anaemia (n = 14) and others., Conclusions: 1. The most frequent reasons of death were related to respiratory system: COPD exacerbation, pneumonia and lung cancer. 2. The most frequent diseases coexisting with COPD were cardiovascular disease, respiratory insufficiency and diabetes mellitus.