Central Airway Stabilization for Tracheobronchomalacia Improves Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Chest. 2011 Aug 25;
Authors: Ernst A, Odell DD, Michaud G, Majid A, Herth FF, Gangadharan SP
Abstract
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is characterized by excessive collapsibility of the central airways, typically during expiration. TBM may be present in as many as 50% of patients evaluated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The impact of central airway stabilization on symptom pattern and quality of life is poorly understood in this patient population. METHODS: Patients with documented COPD were identified from a cohort of 238 patients assessed for TBM at our complex airway referral center. Pulmonary function testing, exercise tolerance and health related quality of life (HRQOL) measures were assessed at baseline and 2-4 weeks following tracheal stent placement/operative tracheobronchoplasty (TBP). Severity of COPD was classified according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) staging system. RESULTS: 103 patients (48 female) with COPD and moderately severe to severe TBM were identified. Statistically and clinically significant improvements were seen in HRQOL measures including the transitional dyspnea index (stent p= 0.001, TBP p=0.008); the St. George's respiratory questionnaire (stent p=0.002, TBP p<0.0001); and the Karnofsky performance score (stent p=0.163, TBP p<0.0001). The improvement appeared greatest following TBP and was seen in all GOLD stages. Clinical improvement was also seen in measured FEV1 and exercise capacity as assessed by 6-minute walk test. CONCLUSIONS: Central airway stabilization may provide symptomatic benefit for patients with severe COPD and concomitant severe airway malacia. Operative airway stabilization appears to impart the greatest advantage. Long-term follow-up study is needed to fully ascertain the ultimate efficacy of both stenting and surgical airway stabilization in this patient group.
PMID: 21868463 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]