Respiratory investigation
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Respiratory investigation · Sep 2014
COPD assessment tests scores are associated with exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Japanese patients.
Guidelines recommend chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment tests (CATs) for evaluation of symptoms and management risks. To investigate whether CAT can predict moderate or severe exacerbations in Japanese COPD patients, a single-blinded prospective study was performed. ⋯ Our present results indicate that COPD Japanese patients showing high CAT scores have a poor prognosis, and that the CAT score is able to predict exacerbation in Japanese COPD.
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Respiratory investigation · Sep 2014
Burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the elderly population.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease and an important health care problem in older adults. The impact of age and specific geriatric issues on COPD in elderly patients has not been well established. ⋯ Age and specific geriatric conditions have a great negative impact on COPD in elderly patients. Geriatric conditions should be addressed in the management of elderly COPD patients.
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Respiratory investigation · Sep 2014
Case ReportsImplementation of bronchoalveolar lavage using a high-flow nasal cannula in five cases of acute respiratory failure.
In recent clinical practice, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy has been used to improve oxygenation in adults with acute respiratory failure (ARF). However, bronchoscopy using HFNC in ARF has not yet been reported. ⋯ Only 1 patient needed non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for 16 h after bronchoscopy. The HFNC may be a useful tool for ARF patients who require bronchoscopy.
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Respiratory investigation · Jul 2014
Comparative StudyFeatures of usual interstitial pneumonia in patients with primary Sjögren׳s syndrome compared with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
The different characteristics of usual interstitial pneumonia in patients with primary Sjögren׳s syndrome (UIP/pSS) compared with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP/IPF) are not fully understood. This study aimed to compare characteristics, prognosis, and treatment responses in these patients. ⋯ This study identified distinct clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics of UIP/pSS compared with UIP/IPF. Immunosuppressive treatment could be a therapeutic option for UIP/pSS.
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Respiratory investigation · Jul 2014
Comparative StudyReference values for spirometry, including vital capacity, in Japanese adults calculated with the LMS method and compared with previous values.
Reference values for lung function tests should be periodically updated because of birth cohort effects and improved technology. This study updates the spirometric reference values, including vital capacity (VC), for Japanese adults and compares the new reference values with previous Japanese reference values. ⋯ The new reference values faithfully reflect spirometric indices and provide an age-specific LLN for the 17-95-year age range, enabling improved diagnostic accuracy. Compared with previous prediction equations, they more accurately reflect the transition in pulmonary function during young adulthood. In elderly subjects, the FVC reference values are not interchangeable with the VC values.