Our results showed that these patients with similar clinical findings had significantly different mediator profiles in their nasal secretions, implying clear differences in pathogenesis of their NP.

Background The burden of symptoms and risk of exacerbations are the main drivers of the overall assessment of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the adequate treatment approaches per current Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Physical activity has emerged as both functional outcome and non-pharmacological intervention in COPD patients, despite the lack of standardized measures or guidelines in clinical practice. This study aimed to explore in more depth the 24-h respiratory symptoms, the physical activity level (PAL) and the relationship between these two determinants in stable COPD patients. Methods This was a multinational, multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study conducted in ten European countries and Israel. Dedicated questionnaires for each part of the day (morning, daytime, night) were used to assess respiratory symptoms. PAL was evaluated with self- and interview-reported tools [EVS (exercise as vital sign) and YPAS (Yale Physical Activity Survey)], and physician’s judgement. Patients were stratified in ABCD groups by 2013 and 2017 GOLD editions using the questionnaires currently recommended: modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale and COPD Assessment Test. Results The study enrolled 2190 patients (mean age: 66.9 years; male: 70.0%; mean % predicted FEV1: 52.6; GOLD groups II-III: 84.5%; any COPD treatment: 98.9%). Most patients (> 90%) reported symptoms in any part of the 24-h day, irrespective of COPD severity. PAL evaluations showed discordant results between patients and physicians: 32.9% of patients considered themselves completely inactive, while physicians judged 11.9% patients as inactive. By YPAS, the overall study population spent an average of 21.0 h/week performing physical activity, and 68.4% of patients were identified as sedentary. In any GOLD ABCD group, the percentage of inactive patients was high. Our study found negative, weak correlations between respiratory symptoms and self-reported PAL ( p < 0.001). Conclusions Despite regular treatment, the majority of stable COPD patients with moderate to severe disease experienced daily variable symptoms. Physical activity level was low in this COPD cohort, and yet overestimated by physicians. With evidence indicating the negative consequences of inactivity, its adequate screening, a more active promotion and regular assessment of physical activity are urgently needed in COPD patients for better outcomes. Trial registration NCT03031769 , retrospectively registered, 23 Jan 2017. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12931-019-1053-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The aim of this study was to compare the cytokine levels in nasal fluid in subjects with nasal polyposis (NP) and co-morbid asthma and NP patients without asthma and to correlate these levels with clinical parameters of severity of disease. Forty NP patients (20 asthmatic and 20 nonasthmatic) were enrolled. Nasal secretion samples were collected from nasal cavities of all 40 subjects. The levels of Th1 cytokines IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-c, Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10, chemokine IL-8, and proinflammatory cytokines IL-1b, TNF-a and TNF-b were measured using flow cytometric method. Each of the 40 patients was staged clinically according to global nasal symptom score, endoscopic score, and Lund-Mackay computed tomography (CT) score. The concentrations of Th2 cytokines IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly higher (P \ 0.01, P \ 0.01, P \ 0.05) in patients with NP and asthma compared with NP patients without asthma.Positive correlations were observed between concentration of IL-2 in nasal secretions and global nasal symptom score, endoscopic score, and Lund-Mackay score only in NP patients without asthma. We also found positive correlation between CT score and the levels of IL-8, IL-4, and IL-1b in nonasthmatic patients. Finally, our results showed a positive correlation between IL-5 levels in nasal fluid and endoscopic score only in asthmatic patients. NP in asthmatic patients have different immunological patterns compared to those without asthma. We also concluded that concentrations of cytokines measured in nasal fluid were not sensitive enough to determine the severity of disease.

Cytokine Profiles in Nasal Fluid in Patients with Nasal Polyps: A Flow Cytometric StudyBiological markers in nasal fluid provide valuable information on nasal pathophysiology. The aims of this study were to compare the cytokine profiles of nasal fluid in subjects with nasal polyps (NP) and co-morbid asthma and NP patients without asthma and to determine the role of these cytokines in the development of NP. Thirty patients with NP (15 asthmatic and 15 non asthmatic) were included in this prospective study. Nasal secretion samples were collected from nasal cavities of all 30 subjects. The levels of eleven cytokines (TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ) were measured using flow cytometry. The concentrations of Th2 cytokines IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly higher in patients with NP and asthma compared with subjects with NP without asthma. We also found significantly higher levels of IFN-α, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in allergic patients with NP and asthma compared with those without asthma. In nonallergic patients with NP and asthma, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-5 and IL-6 were significantly higher than in nonallergic patients with NP without asthma. Our results show that the presence of Th2 cytokines, especially IL-5 and IL-6 in patients with NP and asthma is a more prominent feature than in those without asthma that relates to the increased eosinophilic inflammation. We have also found a significant influence of allergy on the cytokine profiles both in asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients.

Physical activity (PA) is an important functional outcome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Low levels of PA are associated with a higher risk of exacerbations, exacerbations-related hospitalizations and mortality in COPD patients. This study aimed to describe the PA level (PAL) in a large population of stable COPD patients in Europe. The results from 5 Central Eastern European (CEE) countries are presented.METHODS: This multinational, cross-sectional study (NCT03031769) was conducted in 11 countries. In total, 2162 COPD patients were enrolled; some 1422 patients were from CEE countries: Romania (RO) 406, Poland (PL) 356, Serbia (SB) 250, Bulgaria (BG) 210 and Slovakia (SK) 200. All patients had COPD with duration of $1 year and no exacerbation history or changes in maintenance treatment in the last 2 months before enrolment. At each study visit, dyspnea was assessed with modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale. PAL was assessed through patient self-reports during clinical interview and clinical judgment of physicians (no specific guidance provided). The EVS program (exercise vital sign) and Yale Physical Activity Survey (YAPS) were used for self-reports. Active/insufficiently active/inactive were defined as performing $150/149-1/0 minutes/week of moderate to vigorous exercise, respectively. RESULTS:The 5 cohorts of patients presented the following mean ages (years):