Thorax
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Impaired development in utero is suggested to increase the risk of poor respiratory health in adulthood, although a consensus has not been reached. A possible explanation for discrepancies between previous studies is inconsistent controlling for potential confounding factors, particularly childhood infections. Also, little is known regarding the relative importance of factors operating at different stages of the lifecourse. We have used detailed longitudinal data from the Newcastle Thousand Families cohort to assess the impact of birth weight, and various other factors acting throughout the lifecourse, on predicting forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)). ⋯ Adult lung function is influenced by numerous factors during an individual's lifetime, acting both directly and indirectly throughout the lifecourse. As expected, sex, height and smoking were the most important predictors of FEV(1), but birth weight, breast feeding and childhood LRTIs also contributed significantly.
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Comparative Study
Long-term decline in lung function, utilisation of care and quality of life in modified GOLD stage 1 COPD.
Little is known about the long-term outcomes of individuals with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). ⋯ In population-based studies, respiratory symptoms are of major importance for predicting long-term clinical outcomes in subjects with COPD with mild obstruction. Population studies based on spirometry only may misestimate the prevalence of clinically relevant COPD.
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The incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT) is used to assess exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is employed as an outcome measure for pulmonary rehabilitation. This study was designed to establish the minimum clinically important difference for the ISWT. ⋯ Two levels of improvement were identified. The minimum clinically important improvement for the ISWT is 47.5 m. In addition, patients were able to distinguish an additional benefit at 78.7 m.