Chest
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The promise of artificial intelligence has generated enthusiasm among patients, health care professionals, and technology developers who seek to leverage its potential to enhance the diagnosis and management of an increasing number of chronic and acute conditions. Point-of-care testing increases access to care because it enables care outside of traditional medical settings. Collaboration among developers, clinicians, and end users is an effective best practice for solving clinical problems. A common set of clearly defined terms that are easily understood by research teams is a valuable tool that fosters these collaborations.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A one-year weight management programme for difficult-to-treat asthma with obesity: a randomised controlled study.
Obesity-associated asthma results in increased morbidity and mortality. We report 1-year asthma outcomes with a weight management regimen, the Counterweight-Plus Programme (CWP), compared with usual care (UC) in a single-center, randomized controlled trial in patients with difficult-to-treat asthma and obesity. ⋯ In this study, the use of a dietitian-supported weight management program resulted in sustained weight loss and is a potential treatment for obesity in asthma. The CWP resulted in a higher proportion achieving MCID improvements in AQLQ compared with UC. Within-group differences in AQLQ and exacerbation frequency suggest potential with the CWP. These encouraging signals justify a larger sample study to further assess asthma-related outcomes.
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Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic systemic granulomatosis whose evolution is self-limiting in most cases. However, it can progress to organ damage that menaces the vital or functional prognosis of patients. Sarcoidosis itself, but also its comorbidities, can pose a threat to the patient, require rapid initiation of treatment, and justify emergency hospitalization. ⋯ Our findings indicate that the overall mortality of patients with sarcoidosis hospitalized in emergency was high. The presence of comorbidities and the severity of respiratory failure, as reflected by oxygen requirement, are important prognostic determinants.