Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
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The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a Post Acute Respiratory Outreach Service (PAROS) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), on hospital utilization. ⋯ The PAROS program did not lead to a reduction in hospital utilization. This study supports previous findings that respiratory outreach services delivered immediately post discharge increase hospital utilization.
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Alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a recognized susceptible factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Western countries, but its importance in Korea is unclear. To date, no definitive case of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency has been reported in Korea. This study aimed to clarify whether alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency exists and to determine the distribution of alpha1-antitrypsin alleles in the Korean population. ⋯ Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency is unlikely to be an important cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Korean population.