Evaluation of mucociliary clearance profile in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Abstract

Introduction: Mucociliary clearance is the most important defense mechanism of the respiratory tract, which is ever exposed to several inflammatory stimulation and subject to infections if great part of potentially pathogenic agents are not effectively removed away. It is widely know the role of mucociliary clearance compromise in the pathophysiology of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease that leads to proper means of development of bacterial colonies and infections. Given the importance of mucociliary clearance compromise in those individuals, studies concerning these aspects become necessary. Objectives: Evaluate mucociliary clearance profile of patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease analyzing saccharine transit time. Material and methods: The sample will be composed by two groups, one control group (elder people, without diagnosed disease) of 40 individuals, and other group with 40 individuals with diagnosed disease, all they volunteer. To characterize mucociliary clearance, TTS will be used. Expected Results: Differences of TTS among individuals with and without disease and also among those with disease, but in different stages or severity of disease. Key-words: Mucociliary clearance, saccharine, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.