A 12‐month follow‐up study on the preventive effect of oral lansoprazole on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Summary The objective of this study was to evaluate the preventive effects of oral administration of lansoprazole on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ). Patients with COPD in groups C and D in the stable phase were stratified into a group with neither gastroesophageal reflux nor lansoprazole therapy (group A) and a group subjected to oral lansoprazole therapy (group B 1 ) and a group not subjected to oral lansoprazole therapy (group B 2 ). The frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease ( FSSG ) questionnaire, COPD assessment test (CAT) questionnaire, pulmonary function test and the 6‐minute walk test were applied; in addition, arterial blood gas, white blood cell ( WBC ), hs‐ CRP , liver function and the levels of IL ‐1β, IL ‐6, IL ‐8, TNF ‐α and GM ‐ CSF in sputum were monitored during follow‐up. In the 12‐month follow‐up period, the frequency of exacerbation in group B 2 was statistically higher than that in groups A and B 1 ( P  <   0.05). After a 3‐month follow‐up, the score of groups A and B 1 in the FSSG questionnaire was significantly lower than that of group B 2 ( P  <   0.05). After the 1‐year follow‐up, the CAT score, FEV 1 , 6‐min walk test, the total number of WBC , hs‐ CRP , alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, pH of the arterial blood, PaO 2 , Pa CO 2 and the levels of IL ‐1β, IL ‐6, IL ‐8, TNF ‐α and GM ‐ CSF in the sputum were statistically different in group B 2 compared with groups A and B 1 ( P  < 0.05). Oral lansoprazole therapy decreased the frequency of acute exacerbation of COPD by alleviating gastroesophageal reflux and lowering the levels of IL ‐1β, IL ‐6, IL ‐8, TNF ‐α and GM ‐ CSF in the sputum.