Archives of family medicine
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The comorbidity of severe asthma and depression is frequent and complicates the patient's comprehensive medical management. Asthma and depression are thought to interact to worsen both conditions, especially at the severe end of the spectrum of disease. This article reviews the current thinking regarding the synergistic effect of the two disorders, highlighting the importance of considering both disorders in the comprehensive management of severe asthma. Outpatient management and treatment issues addressed include the use of screening/case-finding tools, medication management, physician counseling, and referral.
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To assess the common factors and the pattern of deaths related to the use of physical restraints. ⋯ Our report of 63 cases is an underrepresentation of the true number of restraint deaths. Our finding that the vast majority of restraint deaths occurred while restraints were correctly applied implies an inherent danger in the use of physical restraints. The safety of restraining patients and the efficacy of physical restraint needs to be examined and alternate means of assuring the safety of patients need to be developed.