The European respiratory journal : official journal of the European Society for Clinical Respiratory Physiology
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Measurement of lung function is an important component of clinical management in cystic fibrosis (CF), but has been difficult in young children. The present study aimed to characterise the utility of the forced oscillation technique for measurement of lung function in preschool-aged children with CF in a routine clinical setting. Lung function was assessed in 56 young children (aged 2-7 yrs) with CF. ⋯ Children with current symptoms showed significantly decreased X(rs) and increased R(rs,6) compared with asymptomatic children. Measurement of lung function using the forced oscillation technique is feasible in young children with cystic fibrosis in a clinical setting. The technique has the potential to improve knowledge concerning early cystic fibrosis lung disease.
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The benefit of systemic steroids as adjunctive treatment in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of corticosteroid treatment on mortality in patients with severe CAP. A retrospective, observational study of a cohort of patients hospitalised with severe CAP, classes IV and V of the Prognostic Severity Index score, was carried out. ⋯ Systemic steroids were independently associated with a decreased mortality (odds ratio 0.287; 95% confidence interval 0.113-0.732), while severity of CAP (2.923; 1.262-6.770) was the only independent factor associated with increased mortality. Mortality decreased in the patients with severe CAP who received simultaneous administration of systemic steroids along with antibiotic treatment. Severity of community-acquired pneumonia remains the most important risk factor associated with increased mortality.