Thorax
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The α(1)-antitrypsin 11478G→A polymorphism may be associated with attenuated acute α(1)-antitrypsin responses. It was hypothesised that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and this mutation have accelerated lung function decline. ⋯ The 11478G→A α(1)-antitrypsin polymorphism is not associated with increased risk of developing COPD, nor accelerated lung function decline. Serum α(1)-antitrypsin may not be upregulated early at COPD exacerbation. In patients with the 11478G→A polymorphism there was no relationship between the serum α(1)-antitrypsin and serum IL-6 concentrations.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
UK Lung Screen (UKLS) nodule management protocol: modelling of a single screen randomised controlled trial of low-dose CT screening for lung cancer.
The UK Lung Screen (UKLS) is a randomised controlled trial of the use of low-dose multidetector CT for lung cancer screening. It completed the Health Technology Appraisal (HTA)-funded feasibility stage in October 2009 and the pilot UKLS will be initiated in early 2011. The pilot will randomise 4000 subjects to either low-dose CT screening or no screening. ⋯ The UKLS employs the 'Wald Single Screen Design', which was modelled in the UKLS feasibility study. This paper describes the modelling of nodule management in UKLS by using volumetric analysis with a single initial screen design and follow-up period of 10 years. This modelling has resulted in the development and adoption of the UKLS care pathway, which will be implemented in the planned CT screening trial in the UK.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Combined use of positron emission tomography and volume doubling time in lung cancer screening with low-dose CT scanning.
In lung cancer screening the ability to distinguish malignant from benign nodules is a key issue. This study evaluates the ability of positron emission tomography (PET) and volume doubling time (VDT) to discriminate between benign and malignant nodules. ⋯ PET and VDT predict lung cancer independently of each other. The use of both PET and VDT in combination is recommended when screening for lung cancer with low-dose CT.