Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · May 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of aerobic exercise training on fatigue and physical activity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
To investigate the effectiveness of an exercise intervention for decreasing fatigue severity and increasing physical activity in individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A small, phase 2 randomized clinical trial of the effect of aerobic exercise training on fatigue severity and physical activity in patients with idiopathic or PAH associated with other conditions was conducted. ⋯ The 10-week aerobic exercise training intervention resulted in increased physical activity and decreased fatigue in individuals with PAH. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00678821.
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Respiratory medicine · May 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyRandomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of EPs 7630 in adults with COPD.
Preventing and managing exacerbations is one major component in COPD treatment. We investigated whether EPs 7630, a herbal drug preparation from the roots of Pelargonium sidoides, could prolong time to acute exacerbation in patients with COPD stage II/III. ⋯ The results demonstrate a statistically significant and clinically relevant superiority of add-on therapy with EPs 7630 over placebo and a good long-term tolerability in the treatment of moderate to severe COPD. EPs 7630 prolonged time to exacerbations and reduced exacerbation frequency and antibiotic use. Trial Registration No.: ISRCTN01681733.
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Respiratory medicine · May 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of fluticasone/salmeterol combination on dyspnea and respiratory mechanics in mild-to-moderate COPD.
The purpose of this exploratory physiological study was to evaluate the effects of inhaled fluticasone/salmeterol combination (FSC) on sensory and physiological responses to exercise in subjects with mild-to-moderate COPD. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, subjects underwent 6-week treatments with FSC or placebo (PLA). Detailed pulmonary function and constant-work rate cycle exercise tests were performed following each treatment period. ⋯ Compared with PLA, the work of breathing and the ratio of respiratory muscle effort to tidal volume improved with FSC during exercise (p < 0.05). In mild-to-moderate COPD, FSC was associated with significant improvements in airway function at rest and during exercise. Despite important mechanical improvements, there were no significant effects on dyspnea intensity and exercise endurance.
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Respiratory medicine · May 2013
ReviewPreventing COPD exacerbations with macrolides: a review and budget impact analysis.
Long-term treatment with macrolides has recently been shown to reduce COPD exacerbations in doses lower than bactericidal doses. This article aims to critically review the international literature relating to the long-term effectiveness and safety of macrolides and to estimate the budget impact of preventing exacerbations with azithromycin in Belgium. Controlled clinical studies focusing on the prevention of COPD exacerbations with long-term macrolide treatment were identified in PubMed, EMBASE, Controlled Trials Registry of the Cochrane Library, and Social Science and Citation Index. ⋯ The literature review suggests that long-term treatment of COPD patients with azithromycin, erythromycin or clarithromycin is effective and safe, and reduces exacerbations and related hospitalizations. However, uncertainty remains about the specific patient population that is most likely to benefit from long-term macrolide treatment, the optimal dose and duration of macrolide treatment, and the potential impact of long-term macrolide treatment on resistance. The budget impact analysis demonstrated that annual hospital savings of €950 million resulting from fewer exacerbations outweighed additional expenditure on azithromycin of €595 million, implying that the prevention of COPD exacerbations with azithromycin is a cost saving strategy in Belgium.
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Respiratory medicine · May 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialDose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect of inhaled mometasone furoate/formoterol in subjects with asthma.
A well-controlled study in patients with allergic asthma was warranted to assess dose-dependency between fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and sputum eosinophils to a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid plus a long-acting β2-agonist. We sought to characterize the dose-dependency of mometasone furoate/formoterol (MF/F) using FeNO and sputum eosinophil percentage as surrogates of airway inflammation in subjects with allergic asthma. ⋯ All 3 MF/F doses demonstrated pronounced, clinically meaningful, dose-dependent reductions in FeNO, with reduced sputum eosinophil levels for MF/F 200/10 μg and MF/F 400/10 μg. These findings suggest both inflammatory markers may be useful in assessing corticosteroid responsiveness in asthma patients, and perhaps identifying the same asthma subphenotype. Clinical Trials.gov: NCT00635882.