Abstract
Although COPD exacerbations are an accepted endpoint in clinical trials, episodes of exacerbation remain a poorly understood phenomenon.
Aims: We aim to increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of COPD exacerbations using HRCT-based FRI and to explore the relationship with PROs.
Methods: 50 COPD patients were studied during an episode of acute exacerbation. FRI endpoints, PFT parameters and PRO measures were obtained during the episode and 6-8 weeks after recovery.
Results: We observed that changes in FRI based airway resistance (iRaw) measured at FRC were significantly correlated with changes in SGRQ Total (R=0.37, p=0.016), SGRQ Activity (R=0.49, p=0.001, figure 1), SGRQ Symptoms (R=0.4, p=0.009), CAT (R=0.32, p=0.042) and mMRC (R=0.39, p=0.012). Changes in FRI based specific airway volume (siVaw) measured at FRC was significantly correlated with the changes in SGRQ Total (R=0.36, p=0.019), SGRQ Activity (R=0.48, p=0.001), SGRQ Symptoms (R=0.45, p=0.002), CAT (R=0.39, p=0.011) and mMRC (R=0.37, p=0.014). In this cohort changes in FEV1 correlated significantly with changes in SGRQ Activity (R=0.32, p=0.037) and in CAT (R=0.37, p=0.01) and mMRC (R=0.32, p=0.035).
Conclusions: Changes in FRI based airway volume and resistances correlate better with PRO than conventional endpoints such as FEV1.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015
