title: Different therapeutic responses in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subgroups.
abstract: METHODS
  Eleven referring hospitals in South Korea.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare therapeutic responses in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subgroups, classified by diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL(CO)) and lung volume.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 130 stable male COPD patients were classified into four subgroups according to baseline DL(CO) and residual volume/total lung capacity (RV/TLC) ratio. We compared therapeutic responses to short acting β(2)-agonist (SABA) and 3-month combined inhalation of long-acting β(2)-agonist (LABA) and corticosteroid among patients with these subgroups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 130 COPD patients, 41 (31.5%) had normal DL(CO) and RV/TLC, 28 (21.5%) low DL(CO) and normal RV/TLC, 31 (23.8%) normal DL(CO) and high RV/TLC, and 30 (23.1%) low DL(CO) and high RV/TLC. The normal DL(CO)/high RV/TLC subgroup showed a significantly larger flow response (changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 s) to salbutamol than the normal DL(CO)/RV/TLC subgroups, and a larger volume response (changes in forced vital capacity) than the two normal RV/TLC subgroups. The normal DL(CO)/high RV/TLC subgroup also showed significantly larger flow and volume response to 3-month combined inhalation of LABA and corticosteroid than the two normal RV/TLC subgroups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  COPD subgroups classified by DL(CO) and RV/TLC may have different pulmonary function responses to pharmacological treatment.
authors: Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Lee
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Huh
authors: E J
authors: EJ
authors: Chae
authors: J B
authors: JB
authors: Seo
authors: S W
authors: SW
authors: Ra
authors: J-H
authors: JH
authors: Lee
authors: E-K
authors: EK
authors: Kim
authors: Y K
authors: YK
authors: Lee
authors: T-H
authors: TH
authors: Kim
authors: W J
authors: WJ
authors: Kim
authors: J H
authors: JH
authors: Lee
authors: S-M
authors: SM
authors: Lee
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Lee
authors: S Y
authors: SY
authors: Lim
authors: T R
authors: TR
authors: Shin
authors: H I
authors: HI
authors: Yoon
authors: S S
authors: SS
authors: Sheen
authors: Y-M
authors: YM
authors: Oh
authors: S-D
authors: SD
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000368:Aged; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012115:Residual Volume; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014109:Total Lung Capacity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents