Annals of the American Thoracic Society
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Characteristics and Prevalence of Asthma/Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap in the United States.
The asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap syndrome (ACOS) occurs in patients with fixed airway obstruction that defines COPD and with symptoms more typical of asthma. ACOS prevalence and the comorbidities associated with this syndrome have been inadequately characterized. ⋯ The patients with a dual diagnosis of asthma and COPD are younger and with more disparities than those diagnosed with COPD alone. ACOS has a higher burden of self-reported comorbidity, disability, and hospitalization or ED visitation than COPD alone.
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The ICU Mobility Scale (IMS) is a measure of mobility milestones in critically ill patients. ⋯ Our findings support the validity and responsiveness of the IMS as a measure of mobility in the ICU.
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Comparative Study
Microalbuminuria in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome.
Microalbuminuria is said to reflect systemic vascular damage and endothelial dysfunction and is an established indicator of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap syndrome have worse survival than those with OSA or COPD alone. ⋯ OSA-COPD overlap syndrome was more prevalent than OSA alone in patients with microalbuminuria, but the difference might be mediated by conventional risk factors rather than the addition of COPD itself.
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The mass gathering of people is a potential source for developing, propagating, and disseminating infectious diseases on a global scale. Of the illnesses associated with mass gatherings, respiratory tract infections are the most common, the most easily transmitted, and the most likely to be spread widely beyond the site of the meeting by attendees returning home. Many factors contribute to the spread of these infections during mass gatherings, including crowding, the health of the attendees, and the type and location of meetings. ⋯ Although the Hajj is without equal, other mass gatherings can generate similar hazards. The geographic colocalization of the Zika virus epidemic and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil is a current example of great concern. The potential of international mass gatherings for local and global calamity calls for greater global attention and research.
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Despite therapeutic advances, pulmonary arterial hypertension remains a disease without a cure. Focusing on symptoms, such as dyspnea, is an important part of assessing response to therapy. ⋯ Using distributional and anchor-based methods, we estimate the minimum important difference for Borg dyspnea scale in pulmonary arterial hypertension is approximately 0.9 units. Using distributional methods only, we estimate the minimum important difference for the Borg fatigue scale is around 1 unit. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical utility of these scores in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.