IntroductionA low body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased mortality and low health-related quality of life in patients with COPD. The Asia-Pacific classification of BMI has a lower cutoff for overweight and obese categories compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. The present study assessed patients with COPD among different BMI categories according to two BMI classification systems: WHO and Asia-Pacific.Patients and methodsPatients with COPD aged 40 years or older from the Korean COPD Subtype Study cohort were selected for evaluation. We enrolled 1,462 patients. Medical history including age, sex, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C), the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, and post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were evaluated. Patients were categorized into different BMI groups according to the two BMI classification systems.ResultFEV1 and the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) percentage revealed an inverse “U”-shaped pattern as the BMI groups changed from underweight to obese when WHO cutoffs were applied. When Asia-Pacific cutoffs were applied, FEV1 and DLCO (%) exhibited a linearly ascending relationship as the BMI increased, and the percentage of patients in the overweight and obese groups linearly decreased with increasing severity of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria. From the underweight to the overweight groups, SGRQ-C and mMRC had a decreasing relationship in both the WHO and Asia-Pacific classifications. The prevalence of comorbidities in the different BMI groups showed similar trends in both BMI classifications systems.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated that patients with COPD who have a high BMI have better pulmonary function and health-related quality of life and reduced dyspnea symptoms. Furthermore, the Asia-Pacific BMI classification more appropriately reflects the correlation of obesity and disease manifestation in Asian COPD patients than the WHO classification.

Background-Individuals with asthma have been reported to be at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease. These findings need to be confirmed in a different population-based study setting.

Background and objective: Because the mortality and social burden associated with COPD is increasing, repeated surveys of the prevalence of COPD have been used to assess risk factors, detect potential patients, and establish early diagnoses and management protocols. We report the prevalence of spirometrically detected COPD in Korea in 2008, using data from the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. Methods: Using nationwide stratified random sampling, based on the Korean Statistical Office census, 6840 subjects aged Ն19 years underwent spirometry, which was performed by four trained technicians, during 2008. The place of residence, levels of education and income and smoking status, as well as other results from a COPD survey questionnaire were also assessed.

In patients with overlap syndrome, both medical utilization and cost were higher than in COPD patients without asthma.

BackgroundGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common causes of chronic cough and a potential risk factor for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of GERD in patients with COPD and association between GERD and COPD exacerbation.MethodsData were collected from the National Health Insurance Database of Korea. The subjects were 40 years old and older, who had COPD as primary or secondary diagnosis codes and utilized health care resource to receive prescriptions of COPD medication at least twice in 2009. Univariate logistic regression was performed to understand the relationship between COPD and GERD, and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with adjustment for several confounding factors.ResultsThe prevalence of GERD in COPD patients was 28% (39,987/141,057). Old age, female gender, medical aid insurance type, hospitalization, and emergency room (ER) visit were associated with GERD. Most of COPD medications except inhaled muscarinic antagonists were associated with GERD. The logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of GERD was associated with increased risk of hospitalization (OR 1.54, CI 1.50 to 1.58, p<0.001) and frequent ER visits (OR 1.55, CI 1.48 to 1.62, p<0.001).ConclusionsThe prevalence of GERD in patients with COPD was high. Old age, female gender, medical aid insurance type, and many COPD medications except inhaled muscarinic antagonists were associated with GERD. The presence of GERD was associated with COPD exacerbation.

Decreased lung function with exacerbation, and progressive decline of FEV(1) were observed in patients with TB-destroyed lung.

The present study provides new insight into health care use and the economic burden of COPD in Korea. Changing patterns of COPD-related medication use could help inform COPD management policies.

PurposeThe Asia-Pacific Burden of Respiratory Diseases (APBORD) study is a cross-sectional, observational one which has used a standard protocol to examine the disease and economic burden of allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and rhinosinusitis across the Asia-Pacific region. Here, we report on symptoms, healthcare resource use, work impairment, and associated costs in Korea.MethodsConsecutive participants aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of asthma, AR, COPD, or rhinosinusitis were enrolled. Participants and their treating physician completed a survey detailing respiratory symptoms, healthcare resource use, and work productivity and activity impairment. Costs included direct medical cost and indirect cost associated with lost work productivity.ResultsThe study enrolled 999 patients. Patients were often diagnosed with multiple respiratory disorders (42.8%), with asthma/AR and AR/rhinosinusitis the most frequently diagnosed combinations. Cough or coughing up phlegm was the primary reason for the medical visit in patients with a primary diagnosis of asthma and COPD, whereas nasal symptoms (watery runny nose, blocked nose, and congestion) were the main reasons in those with AR and rhinosinusitis. The mean annual cost for patients with a respiratory disease was US$8,853 (SD 11,245) per patient. Lost productivity due to presenteeism was the biggest contributor to costs.ConclusionsRespiratory disease has a significant impact on disease burden in Korea. Treatment strategies for preventing lost work productivity could greatly reduce the economic burden of respiratory disease.