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Background & objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible airflow limitation and systemic inflammation which is also associated with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary complications. COPD Diagnostic Questionnaire (CDQ) is a valid questionnaire that is used to identify patients with COPD. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the severity of airflow limitation and the CDQ score in COPD patients.
Methods: In this study, 100 patients with COPD and smoking history were included. The diagnosis of COPD was established based on American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines: cough and expulsion of phlegm, chronic dyspnea, obstructive spirometric pattern (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <70%). Disease severity was classified according to GOLD criteria. After obtaining consent, demographic data, history of smoking, the exacerbation rate in the past year, arterial oxygen saturation (Spo2) and spirometer variables were recorded. Then, CDQ and Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea score were completed. Also, the associations of the CDQ score with FEV1% predicted and clinical parameters of patients were tested.
Results: All studied patients were male. There was a significant relationship between CDQ score with FEV1% (p<0.001), GOLD stage (p<0.01), Spo2 (p<0.01), exacerbation rate (p<0.01) and severity of dyspnea according to MMRC dyspnea scale (p<0.01).
Conclusion: The CDQ can be used to determine airflow limitation, severity of dyspnea and exacerbation rate in COPD patients. Therefore, it is recommended that this questionnaire can be used in primary health centers for identifying and referring of COPD patients.
 

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Background & objectives: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is accompanied by systemic inflammations and is characterized by irreversible airflow limitations. Leptin is a cytokine with pre-inflammatory effect. However, there have been no studies on the effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the serum leptin concentration in COPD patients. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the effect of CLA on the serum leptin level, lung function and quality of life in COPD patients.
Methods: This interventional study was conducted on 90 COPD patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (supplement and placebo) with 45 patients per group. After obtaining written consent from the patients and recording their demographic characteristics, the spirometry was performed and COPD assessment test (CAT) score was calculated. Moreover, a fasting blood sample was collected from each of them in order to analyze their serum leptin concentration. After that, the patients in the supplement group were administered with 3.2 g/day of CLA for 6 weeks. The patients in another group received placebo. After the intervention, spirometry, CAT score calculation and blood sampling were repeated for all of the patients and the obtained results were analyzed.
Results: after the intervention, a significant decrease both in the serum leptin level and in CAT score as a quality life marker  was observed in the supplement group (p<0.05). Moreover, the FEV1 levels as a lung function test, increased significantly in the supplement group after the intervention (p<0.05). Although, the difference between the two groups was not significant.
Conclusion: The use of CLA supplement can improve COPD patients’ quality of life through decreasing the serum level of leptin in their blood.
 

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Background & objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common diseases in the elderly. Elderly people with this disease have many problems, as sleep disorders, that can cause many complications such as falls, depression, memory disorders, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and dementia. The aim of this study was to determine the severity of insomnia in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study that was performed on 170 elderly people with COPD referred to Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital in Tehran. The research instruments were short form of cognitive test and demographic characteristics, insomnia severity questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software (V.16), using Pearson and Spearman correlation test, one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, logistic regression analysis and Tukey post hoc analysis.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of insomnia in the elderly were found to be 14.4±5.6 which indicated moderate insomnia. Factors such as gender, marital status, patient's occupation, history of sleep disorders, and history of hypnotic drugs use and duration of COPD were the variables that were significantly associated with patients' insomnia. (p<0.001)
Conclusion: Insomnia disorder in the elderly will have adverse consequences. Hence the control of effective factors in these patients can improve their health and quality of life.