Respiratory medicine
-
Respiratory medicine · Dec 2015
Association of pulse wave velocity with total lung capacity: A cross-sectional analysis of the BOLD London study.
Low lung function, measured using spirometry, has been associated with mortality from cardiovascular disease, but whether this is explained by airflow obstruction or restriction is a question that remains unanswered. ⋯ The inverse association of pulse wave velocity, which is a marker of cardiovascular disease, with TLC suggests that the association of the former with low FVC is independent of airflow obstruction. The association between FEV1 with systolic blood pressure after adjustment for FVC suggests an association with airflow obstruction rather than with restricted spirometry.
-
Respiratory medicine · Dec 2015
The usefulness of KL-6 and SP-D for the diagnosis and management of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
It is believed that Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) and surfactant protein D (SP-D) are useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of various types of interstitial lung diseases, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). The clinical features of chronic HP are similar to those of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, especially idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). ⋯ Serum KL-6 and SP-D levels are useful for the diagnosis and management of chronic HP.
-
Respiratory medicine · Dec 2015
Differences in change in coping styles between good responders, moderate responders and non-responders to pulmonary rehabilitation.
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves exercise tolerance and health status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data on the effects of PR on coping styles are limited. Aim of the present study was to compare changes in coping styles between patients who had a good, moderate and no improvement in either exercise tolerance or health status after PR. ⋯ Good responders decreased their passive reaction pattern coping style in contrast to non-responders after PR. In general, PR did not change the coping among moderate and non-responders. Further research is warranted to determine whether including interventions targeting coping styles may modify coping behaviour of COPD patients, as well as improvement in exercise tolerance or health status after PR.
-
Respiratory medicine · Nov 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of a single 1200 Mg dose of Mucinex® on mucociliary and cough clearance during an acute respiratory tract infection.
Observational studies suggest that orally administered guaifenesin (GGE) may thin lower respiratory tract secretions but none have examined its effects on mucociliary and cough clearance (MCC/CC) during a respiratory tract infection (RTI). The current study was a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in non-smoking adults who suffered from an acute upper RTI. ⋯ There was no significant effect of a single dose of ER GGE on MCC/CC or on sputum biophysical properties compared to placebo in this population of adult patients with an acute RTI. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01114581.
-
Respiratory medicine · Nov 2015
Type 2 innate lymphoid cells: A novel biomarker of eosinophilic airway inflammation in patients with mild to moderate asthma.
Eosinophilic airway inflammation can predict the exacerbation of asthma, and we can improve the management of asthma by monitoring the eosinophilic airway inflammation. Although induced sputum and sputum eosinophil count is the gold standard test for diagnosing eosinophilic asthma, a more accessible and receptive method is needed for clinical practice. Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) have recently been proposed to play a crucial role in eosinophilic inflammation and have been identified in peripheral blood from patients with asthma. ⋯ ILC2 is a surrogate marker of airway eosinophilic inflammation in patients with mild to moderate asthma and has great potential advantages for selecting the asthmatic patients most likely to benefit from therapeutics targeting Th2 inflammation.