Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · May 2009
Severe exacerbations and BODE index: two independent risk factors for death in male COPD patients.
1) To determine whether severe exacerbation of COPD is a BODE index independent risk factor for death; 2) whether the combined application of exacerbations and BODE (e-BODE index), offers greater predictive capacity than BODE alone or can simplify the model, by replacing the exercise capacity (BODEx index). ⋯ Severe exacerbations of COPD imply an increased mortality risk that is independent of baseline severity of the disease as measured by the BODE index. The combined application of both parameters (e-BODE index) didn't improve the predictive capacity, but on replacing exacerbation with exercise capacity the multidimensional grading system is simplified without loss of predictive capacity.
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The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a widely used measurement of functional exercise capacity in chronic lung disease. While exercise intolerance has been identified in patients with bronchiectasis, the clinical determinants of the 6MWT in this population have not been examined. The aim of this study was to 1) establish the relationship between the 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD), disease severity and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and 2) identify predictors of exercise tolerance in adults with bronchiectasis. ⋯ Measures of HRQOL demonstrated a stronger association with the 6MWD compared to physiological measures of disease severity in patients with predominantly mild to moderate bronchiectasis.
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Respiratory medicine · May 2009
Inhaled colistin as monotherapy for multidrug-resistant gram (-) nosocomial pneumonia: a case series.
Reports of patients with polymyxin-only susceptible gram-negative nosocomial pneumonia treated with inhaled, but without concurrent intravenous, colistin are rare. ⋯ The experience from this case series and other relevant recent reports suggest that treatment of pneumonia due to polymyxin-only susceptible gram-negative bacilli with inhaled colistin (without concurrent systemic administration) deserves further careful investigation.
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Respiratory medicine · May 2009
Biomass smoke induced bronchial anthracofibrosis: presenting features and clinical course.
The presenting features and clinical course of biomass smoke induced bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF) are not well known. ⋯ These findings suggest that biomass smoke induced BAF usually appears clinically as a form of obstructive airways disease. Since various pulmonary diseases, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, and malignancy, can be associated with BAF, thorough clinical evaluation and close follow-up of these patients are required.
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Respiratory medicine · May 2009
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyCapsaicin cough sensitivity in smokers with and without airflow obstruction.
Cough is a frequent symptom of cigarette smokers that often precedes the development of airflow obstruction. We determined whether chronic cigarette smoking is associated with an increase in capsaicin cough response in the absence of cough. ⋯ We conclude that chronic cigarette smoking increases capsaicin cough reflex and that this remains so with the development of COPD.