Journal
CHEST
Volume 135, Issue 4, Pages 975-982Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1378/chest.08-2062
Keywords
airway mucus; chronic bronchitis; COPD; COPD exacerbations
Categories
Funding
- Boehringer Ingelheim France and Pfizer
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Background: Epidemiologic studies indicate that chronic cough and sputum production are associated with increased mortality and disease progression in COPD subjects. Our objective was to identify features associated with chronic cough and sputum production in COPD subjects. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of data were obtained in a multicenter (17 university hospitals in France) cohort of COPD patients. The cohort comprised 433 COPD subjects (65 +/- 11 years; FEV1 50 +/- 20% predicted). Subjects with (n = 321) and without (n = 112) chronic cough and sputum production were compared. Results: No significant difference was observed between groups for age, FEV1 body mass index, and comorbidities. Subjects with chronic cough and sputum production had increased total mean numbers of exacerbations per patient per year (2.20 +/- 2.20 vs 0.97 +/- 1.19, respectively; p < 0.0001), moderate exacerbations (1.80 +/- 2.07 vs 0.66 +/- 0.85, respectively; p < 0.0001), and severe exacerbations requiring hospitalizations. (0.43 +/- 0.95 vs 0.22 +/- 0.56, respectively; p < 0.02). The total number of exacerbations per patient per year was the only variable independently associated with chronic cough and sputum production. Frequent exacerbations (two or more per patient per year) occurred in 55% vs 22% of subjects, respectively, with and without chronic cough and sputum production (p < 0.0001). Chronic cough and sputum production and decreased FEV1 were independently associated with an increased risk of frequent exacerbations and frequent hospitalizations. Conclusions: Chronic cough and sputum production are associated with frequent COPD exacerbations, including severe exacerbations requiring hospitalizations.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available