Respiratory care
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Gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) is an enzyme present in the cell membranes, which is used as a new biomarker in prediction of inflammation, myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiac death. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum levels of gamma-GT and cardiovascular disease in subjects with COPD and the correlation between serum gamma-GT level and degree of the limitation of air flow in COPD. ⋯ Our results demonstrate that serum levels of gamma-GT may be helpful in grading the severity of COPD as the marker of oxidative stress, and there is a strong correlation between high serum levels of gamma-GT and cardiovascular events in subjects with COPD.
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Observational Study
Mortality-Reducing Effect of Rehabilitation for COPD: Observational Propensity-Matched Cohort Study Using a Nationwide Database.
In the course of therapy of patients with COPD, non-pharmacologic treatment, such as rehabilitation, plays an important role. Although some studies have provided concrete evidence of the effectiveness of rehabilitation in improving functional outcomes in subjects with COPD, evidence of its mortality-reducing effect has been insufficient. In the present study, we examined whether rehabilitation had positive effects on in-hospital mortality of subjects with COPD. ⋯ This large nationwide cohort study showed that rehabilitation indeed contributed to a reduction of in-hospital mortality. These findings underscore the importance of adopting rehabilitation as part of the treatment of COPD.
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Advanced air-flow limitation in patients with COPD leads to a reduction in vital capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and exercise capacity. However, its impact on chest and abdominal wall mobility is unknown. This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of patients with COPD with reduced chest and abdominal wall mobility and to investigate the effect of reduced chest and abdominal wall mobility on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and exercise capacity. ⋯ The majority of subjects with COPD had reduced chest and abdominal wall mobility, which was independently associated with FVC. Even though abdominal wall mobility was relatively preserved compared with chest wall mobility, it was also independently associated with 6MWD.
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Editorial Comment
Endotracheal Tube Cleaning With a Novel Mechanism for Secretion Removal.