The clinical respiratory journal
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To estimate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence in Uppsala and the impact of risk factors on disease prevalence using the standardised methods of the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study initiative. ⋯ COPD prevalence in Uppsala was similar to other BOLD centres in high-income countries. Apart from known COPD risk factors (age, smoking, lower educational level), a history of tuberculosis may be associated with COPD even in high-income countries. COPD remains under-diagnosed, as only 29% of subjects with COPD had a previously diagnosed lung disorder.
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Risk stratification remains controversial in patients with normotensive pulmonary embolism (PE). The debate has recently focused right ventricular dysfunction detected by echocardiography or spiral computed tomography (CT) and cardiac biomarkers. ⋯ The PaO(2)/PaCO(2) measurement is a highly useful and practical measurement to predict prognosis in patients with acute PE. Moreover, it appears to be a more accurate predictor than RV/LV ratio and cTn-T levels in patients with normotensive PE.