COPD
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of low molecular weight heparin in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving ventilatory support.
Severe and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a high mortality. Since COPD is an airway inflammatory disease, and heparin has shown anti-inflammatory effects in previous studies, we evaluated the clinical effect of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH; nadroparin) in COPD patients admitted into the hospital due to acute exacerbations. ⋯ The addition of LMWH to standard therapy benefits COPD patients with acute exacerbation.
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Abnormalities of autonomic function have been reported in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The effect of the exercise training in heart rate recovery (HRR) has not been established in patients with COPD. ⋯ These results suggest that training enhances HRR in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. HRR is an easy tool to evaluate ANS such that it may be a useful clinical marker of parasympathetic nervous system response in patients with COPD.
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The CAT is a short, simple eight-item questionnaire for assessing and monitoring COPD. It is not known how reliable the CAT scores are for COPD patients who are frequently exacerbated. The effectiveness of the CAT for assessing COPD severity and exacerbation rates was evaluated. ⋯ We observed a good relation between the CAT, FEV 1, and disease severity in patients with COPD. We found that the baseline CAT scores are elevated in frequent exacerbators.
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To evaluate the clinical and economic burden of COPD patients to Medicaid. ⋯ COPD imposes a substantial economic and clinical burden on the Medicaid program; this burden differs by dual eligibility status and race.