COPD
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There is little evidence that the guideline-recommended oxygen saturation of 92% is the best cut-off point for detecting hypoxemia in COPD exacerbations. ⋯ Our results support current recommendations for ordering blood gasometry based on pulse oximetry oxygen saturation cut-offs for hypoxemia. We also provide easy to use formulae to calculate pO2 from oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry.
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There is a paucity of population-based data on COPD prevalence and its determinants in Bangladesh. ⋯ COPD is a highly prevalent and grossly underdiagnosed public health problem in Bangladeshi adults aged 40 years or older. Illiteracy, smoking and biomass fuel burning are modifiable determinants of COPD.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Effects of Whole Body Vibration in Patients With COPD.
Whole body vibration training (WBVT) improves muscle force in healthy subjects. Resistance training (RT) is an important component of a pulmonary program. ⋯ WBVT after 15 min aerobic training enhances 6MWD, Wmax and QoL in COPD patients; however only 30% of patients reached the MCID for 6MWD.
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The aims of this study were to test the reproducibility of the 6-minute stepper test (6MST), and evaluate its accuracy in detecting improved functional capacity after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thirty-five COPD outpatients performed two 6MSTs in the same session, before (6MST1 and 6MST2) and after (6MST3 and 6MST4) PR. The performance, perceived exertion, heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation were measured during each 6MST. ⋯ The perceived exertions were lower after PR (P < 0.02). The systematic improvement of performance (8-10%) during the second 6MST of the each session may be explained from the warming of hydraulic jacks of the stepper and/or learning effect. On the other hand, the 6MST seems sufficiently sensitive to detect functional capacity improvements after PR in patients with COPD.
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Little is known about trends in prescriptions for benzodiazepines among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our objective was to examine trends of office/outpatient department visits with a mention of a benzodiazepine made by patients aged ≥40 years with COPD in the United States. We used data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 1999-2010. ⋯ The unadjusted percentage of all office/outpatient department visits by patients with COPD with a mention of a benzodiazepine increased from 4.6% during 1999-2002 to 10.2% during 2007-2010 (P trend < 0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, and race, the adjusted prevalence ratio for 2007-2010 compared with 1999-2002 was 2.26 (95% confidence interval: 1.60-3.17). Since 1999, the number and percentage of office/outpatient department visits with a mention of a benzodiazepine by patients with COPD and all patients may have increased in the United States.