Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
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This retrospective national surveillance study investigated the burden of and risk factors for nosocomial exposure of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in intensive care units. ⋯ Nosocomial tuberculosis exposure is not uncommon in intensive care units. Performing rapid molecular diagnostic tests in those suspected of tuberculosis is recommended to reduce the risk of nosocomial exposure.
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Inhaled medications have been widely applied to patients with airflow limiting non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis. However, the association between the use of inhalers and the development of haemoptysis has rarely been explored. The objective of this study was to assess the association between the risk of haemoptysis and the use of inhalers in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis. ⋯ The use of SABA and inhaled anticholinergics in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis increased the risk of haemoptysis. The risk-benefit ratio of inhaled bronchodilators should be considered in the haemoptysis-susceptible population.
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Studies have shown that patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) and with initial eosinophilia have a milder disease than those with an initial normal peripheral eosinophil count (PEC). We investigated the effect of a rapid corticosteroid tapering strategy in AEP patients with initial eosinophilia. ⋯ Rapid corticosteroid tapering may be an acceptable treatment strategy for managing AEP patients with initial eosinophilia.
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During continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, some patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) require an oronasal mask (ONM) to prevent excessive mouth leakage. Factors contributing to sleep-related mouth opening under CPAP treatment remain known. We compared mouth opening during sleep in patients treated with CPAP by nasal mask (NM) versus ONM. ⋯ After several months of CPAP treatment, some patients using ONM persist in keeping their mouths open at night. Nasal obstruction and male gender contribute to this phenomenon.
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Review Meta Analysis
Is COPD associated with increased mortality and morbidity in hospitalized pneumonia? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This review aimed to investigate whether chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). EMBASE, PubMed and Web of Science were searched for cohort studies and case-control studies investigating the impact of COPD on CAP. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and need for mechanical ventilation. ⋯ COPD was not associated with longer hospital stay (MD, 0.11; 95% CI: -0.42 to 0.64; P = 0.68; I(2) = 21%), more frequent ICU admission (RR, 0.97; 95% CI: 0.70-1.35; P = 0.87; I(2) = 65%), and more need for mechanical ventilation (RR 0.91, 95% CI: 0.71-1.16; P = 0.44; I(2) = 4%). The current available evidence indicates that COPD may not be associated with increased mortality and morbidity in patients hospitalized with CAP. This conclusion should be re-evaluated by prospective population-based cohort studies.