Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered an inflammatory pulmonary disorder with systemic inflammatory manifestations. The aim of this study was to assess the systemic levels of six inflammatory mediators in a large cohort of COPD patients and controls.409 COPD patients and 231 healthy subjects, aged 40-75 yrs, were included from the first phase of the Bergen COPD Cohort Study. All COPD patients were clinically diagnosed by a physician, and had a forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio less than 0.7 and a smoking history of .10 pack-yrs. The plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR)-1, osteoprotegrin, neutrophil activating peptide-2, CXCL16 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-4 were determined by ELISA.After adjustment for all known confounders, COPD patients had significantly lower levels of osteoprotegrin than subjects without COPD (p,0.05), and higher levels of CRP (p,0.01). Among COPD patients, CRP was elevated in patients with frequent exacerbations (p,0.05). sTNFR-1 and osteoprotegrin were both related to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage and frequency of exacerbations in the last 12 months (p,0.05). In addition, sTNFR-1 was significantly associated with important comorbidities such as hypertension and depression (p,0.05).The present study confirms that certain circulating inflammatory mediators are an important phenotypic feature of COPD.

Quantitative computed tomography assessment of the lung parenchyma and airways may be used to explain the presence of respiratory symptoms beyond the information offered by spirometry.

IntroductionCOPD patients may be at increased risk for vitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency, but risk factors for deficiency among COPD patients have not been extensively reported.MethodsSerum 25(OH)D levels were measured by liquid chromatography double mass spectrometry in subjects aged 40–76 years from Western Norway, including 433 COPD patients (GOLD stage II-IV) and 325 controls. Levels <20 ng/mL defined deficiency. Season, sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, GOLD stage, exacerbation frequency, arterial oxygen tension (PaO2), respiratory symptoms, depression (CES-D score≥16), comorbidities (Charlson score), treatment for osteoporosis, use of inhaled steroids, and total white blood count were examined for associations with 25(OH)D in both linear and logistic regression models.ResultsCOPD patients had an increased risk for vitamin D deficiency compared to controls after adjustment for seasonality, age, smoking and BMI. Variables associated with lower 25(OH)D levels in COPD patients were obesity ( = −6.63), current smoking ( = −4.02), GOLD stage III- IV ( = −4.71, = −5.64), and depression ( = −3.29). Summertime decreased the risk of vitamin D deficiency (OR = 0.22).ConclusionCOPD was associated with an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, and important disease characteristics were significantly related to 25(OH)D levels.

The purpose of this study was to establish incidence rates for a wide range of respiratory symptoms and asthma, and relate them to sex, age, and smoking habits.A cohort established in 1985 as a random sample from the population of Western Norway, aged 15-70 yrs, was followed-up in 1996-1997. Of the initial cohort of 3,786 subjects, a total of 2,819 replied to mailed questionnaires at both baseline and follow-up.The 11-yrs cumulative incidence of asthma was 4.0% in males and 3.5% in females. For respiratory symptoms, the cumulative incidences for both sexes varied between 2.0% (dyspnoea grade 4) and 25.8% (wheezing), being higher in females than males for most symptoms. For calculation of odds ratios (ORs) multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. The sex and smoking-adjusted incidences increased by age for all symptoms except wheezing and attacks of dyspnoea. Those starting to smoke within the follow-up had ORs of 1.9-2.2 for the cough symotoms compared to never-smokers, after adjusting for sex, age, and pack-yrs.To conclude, the 11-yrs incidence of dyspnoea increased with increasing pack-yrs, after adjusting for sex, age, and changes in smoking habits. This indicated that when analysing other risk factors, adjustment has to be made for the risks posed by smoking, sex and age.

In a general population sample, the burden of respiratory symptoms is more strongly associated with generic HRQoL than is lung function.

Few studies have examined the impact of socioeconomic status on the incidence of asthma and respiratory symptoms. Between 1985 and 1996/97, we conducted an 11-years community cohort study with 2819 subjects, aged 15-70 years at baseline, in Western Norway. We examined the cumulative incidence of asthma and respiratory symptoms by educational level (primary, secondary, and university), as well as estimating the odds ratios (ORs) of educational level on the incidences, after adjustment for sex, age, hay fever, smoking habits, pack years, and occupational exposure. For all respiratory symptoms, the incidences decreased with increasing educational level. The cumulative incidence of asthma was 5.3%, 4.1%, and 1.8%, respectively, for those with a primary educational level, secondary educational level, and university level. Subjects with a primary educational level had adjusted ORs (95% CI) from 1.4 (0.9, 2.3) for the incidence of chronic cough to 2.5 (1.6, 4.0) for the incidence of dyspnea grade 2, compared to those with a university level education. The adjusted OR (95% CI) for the incidence of asthma was 2.1 (1.01, 4.4) in subjects with a primary educational level, and 2.0 (1.04, 3.6) in subjects with a secondary educational level, compared to subjects with a university educational level. In conclusion, subjects with a lower educational level had a higher risk of developing asthma and respiratory symptoms, after adjustment for sex, age, hay fever, smoking, and occupational exposure.

The predictive ability of GOLD 2011 did not differ significantly from GOLD 2007 in terms of hospitalizations and mortality.

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