Respiratory care
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The aim of this study was to assess the association between cognitive function and age, pulmonary function, comorbidity index, and the 6-min walk distance in subjects with COPD as well as to compare the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in terms of their ability to identify cognitive dysfunction in subjects with COPD. ⋯ MoCA may be a more reliable screening test than MMSE in detecting cognitive impairment in subjects with COPD. The addition of cognitive tests on assessment of subjects with COPD can provide further benefit.
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The present study explored the role of closing volume as a determinant of orthopnea in stable obese subjects. We hypothesized that: (1) increase in closing volume in supine position would be greater in orthopneic than in non-orthopneic subjects, and (2) the relationship of change in closing volume to change in dyspnea with position would be dependent on expiratory flow limitation in the sitting position. ⋯ In stable obese subjects, magnitude of orthopnea correlated with an increase in the slope of phase III in subjects without expiratory flow limitation. Expiratory flow limitation should be taken into account in obese patients.
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Mechanically assisted coughing with mechanical in-exsufflation (MI-E) is recommended for noninvasive management of respiratory secretions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To improve the effectiveness of the technique, a new device combining MI-E with high-frequency oscillations (HFO) has been developed. This work aimed to assess the effect of HFO on the cough peak flow generated by MI-E in medically stable subjects with ALS. ⋯ The addition of HFO to mechanically assisted coughing with MI-E does not have an effect on the cough peak flow of medically stable subjects with ALS.
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The impulse oscillometry system is a noninvasive method of evaluating respiratory mechanics that is being increasingly used in the pediatric population. To date, no reference equations have been developed for healthy Brazilian children and adolescents. The purpose of the study was to determine the reference equations for impulse oscillometry system parameters in healthy children and adolescents. ⋯ Reference equations were developed for males and females, and height was the most influential predictor variable for most impulse oscillometry system parameters in the population studied.