Claudia Jaramillo

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease related to wood smoke

Purpose Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) related to wood smoke exposure is characterized by important inflammation of the central and peripheral airways without significant emphysema. The objective of this study is to describe the bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) level in women with COPD related to wood smoke exposure and to compare it with the BHR in women with COPD related to tobacco smoking. Materials and methods Two groups of women with stable COPD were studied: (1) wood smoke exposed (WS-COPD); and (2) tobacco smoke exposed (TS-COPD). A methacholine challenge test (MCT) was performed in all patients according to American Thoracic Society criteria. BHR levels were compared using the methacholine concentration, which caused a 20% fall in the FEV1 (PC20). Results Thirty-one patients, 19 with WS-COPD and 12 with TS-COPD, were included. There were no significant differences between the groups in baseline FVC, FEV1, IC, FEF25–75, and FEF25–75/FVC. All 31 patients had a positive MCT (PC20 < 16 mg/mL) and the fall in the FEV1 and IC was similar in both groups. The severity of BHR was significantly higher in the WS-COPD patients (PC20: 0.39 mg/mL) than in the TS-COPD patients (PC20: 1.24 mg/mL) (P = 0.028). The presence of cough, phlegm, and dyspnea during the test were similar in both groups. Conclusion We found moderate to severe BHR in women with WS-COPD, which was more severe than in the TS-COPD women with similar age and airflow obstruction. This paper suggests that the structural and inflammatory changes induced by the chronic exposure to wood smoke, described in other studies, can explain the differences with TS-COPD patients. Future studies may clarify our understanding of the impact of BHR on COPD physiopathology, phenotypes, and treatment strategies.

Prevalence, risk factors and underdiagnosis of asthma and wheezing in adults 40 years and older: A population-based study

Abstract Objective: There are differences in the prevalence and risk factors of asthma around the world. The epidemiological situation of adults 40 years and older is not well established. Our aim was to determine the prevalence, underdiagnosis and risk factors of asthma and wheezing in adults in Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study including 5539 subjects from 40 to 93 years selected by a probabilistic sampling technique in five cities was conducted. Measurements: respiratory symptoms and risk factors questionnaire and spirometry. Definitions: (a) Wheezing: Affirmative answer to the question “have you ever had two or more attacks of “wheezes” causing you to feel short of breath?” (b) Asthma: Wheezing definition and FEV1/FVC post-bronchodilator ≥ 70%. (c) Underdiagnosis: Asthma definition without a physician-diagnosis. Logistic regression was used for exploring risk factors. Results: Prevalence of asthma was 9.0% (95% CI: 8.3-9.8) and wheezing 11.9% (95% CI: 11.0-12.8). Asthma underdiagnosis was 69.9% and increased to 79.0% in subjects 64 years or older. The risk factors related to asthma and/or wheezing were: living in Bogota or Medellin, female gender, first degree relative with asthma, respiratory disease before 16 years of age, obesity, no education, indoor wood smoke exposure and occupational exposure to dust particles, gases or fumes. Conclusion: We described the epidemiologic situation of asthma in adults 40 years and older in Colombia. In addition to some recognized risk factors, our data supports the association of indoor wood smoke and occupational exposures with asthma and wheezing. Underdiagnosis of asthma in adults was high, particularly in older subjects.

Exercise Endurance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients at an Altitude of 2640 meters Breathing Air and Oxygen (FIO2 28% and 35%): A Randomized Crossover Trial

Abstract Background: At Bogotas altitude (2640 m), the lower barometric pressure (560 mmHg) causes severe hypoxemia in COPD patients, limiting their exercise capacity. The aim was to compare the effects of breathing oxygen on exercise tolerance. Methods: In a blind, crossover clinical study, 29 COPD patients (FEV1 42.9 ± 11.9%) breathed room air (RA) or oxygen (FIO2 28% and 35%) during three treadmill exercise tests at 70% of their maximal capacity in a randomized order. Endurance time (ET), inspiratory capacity (IC), arterial blood gases and lactate were compared. Results: At the end of the exercise breathing RA, the ET was 9.7 ± 4.2 min, the PaO2 46.5 ± 8.2 mmHg, the lactate increased and the IC decreased. The oxygen significantly increased the ET (p < 0.001), without differences between 28% (16.4 ± 6.8 min) and 35% (17.6 ± 7.0 min) (p = 0.22). Breathing oxygen, there was an increase in the PaO2 and SaO2, higher with FIO2 35%, and a decrease in the lactate level. At “isotime” (ET at RA), with oxygen, the SpO2, the oxygen pulse and the IC were higher and the heart rate lower than breathing RA (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Oxygen administration for COPD patients in Bogotá significantly increased ET by decreased respiratory load, improved cardiovascular performance and oxygen transport. The higher increases of the PaO2 and SaO2 with 35% FIO2 did not represent a significant advantage in the ET. This finding has important logistic and economic implications for oxygen use in rehabilitation programs of COPD patients at the altitude of Bogotá and similar altitudes.

Chronic bronchitis: High prevalence in never smokers and underdiagnosis— A population-based study in Colombia

The objective of the article was to establish the prevalence, underdiagnosis, and risk factors of chronic bronchitis (CB) in a general population in five Colombian cities. Cross-sectional study using a probabilistic sampling technique in five Colombian cities was adopted. The CB definition was “cough and expectoration for three or more months per year for at least two consecutive years.” Underdiagnosis was considered in subjects with clinical definition without previous medical diagnosis. Univariate χ 2 or Student’s t-test and logistic regression analysis were used. The study included 5539 subjects. The prevalence was 5.5%, the underdiagnosis 50.3%, and 33.7% of the cases were in nonsmokers (53.6% in women vs. 16.9% in men, p < 0.001). The adjusted risk factors were living in Bogota, current smoking, male, age ≥ 64 years, low education, indoor wood smoke exposure, and occupational exposure to vapors, gases, dust, and fumes. CB is a common disease among adults in Colombia. The underdiagnosis was high and there were a large proportion of cases in nonsmokers, particularly in women. Our findings support the association of CB with indoor wood smoke and occupational exposures.