International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2014
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyExperience of fatigue, and its relationship to physical capacity and disease severity in men and women with COPD.
Several differences have been reported in the clinical characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) between men and women. Differences have been found in the association between respiratory symptoms and lung function, and in the factors associated with dyspnea. This raises the question of whether there are differences between the sexes in the relationship between fatigue, the second most prevalent symptom, and the variables of physical capacity and disease severity. ⋯ Exercise capacity and disease severity were associated with fatigue in both men and women. In women, leg fatigue was strongly associated with fatigue, which warrants further investigation.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2014
Comparative StudyPulmonary function impairment in patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema with and without airflow obstruction.
The syndrome of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is a recently described entity associating upper-lobe emphysema and lower-lobe fibrosis. We sought to evaluate differences in pulmonary function between CPFE patients with and without airflow obstruction. ⋯ The mechanisms underlying impairment of physiological function may differ among CPFE OB(+) patients, CPFE OB(-) patients, and COPD patients. CPFE is a heterogeneous disease, and may have distinct phenotypes physiologically and radiologically.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2014
Factors associated with a prolonged length of stay after acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).
Early identification of patients with a prolonged stay due to acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may reduce risk of adverse event and treatment costs. This study aimed to identify predictors of prolonged stay after acute exacerbation of COPD based on variables on admission; the study also looked to establish a prediction model for length of stay (LOS). ⋯ Admission between Thursday and Saturday, heart failure, diabetes, stroke, high arterial PCO2, and low serum albumin level were associated with a prolonged LOS. These findings may help physicians to identify patients that will need a prolonged LOS in the early stages of admission. However, the predictive model exhibited suboptimal performance and hence is not ready for clinical use.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2014
Review Meta AnalysisEffects of Tai Chi on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise that has been widely practiced in the People's Republic of China for many centuries. This exercise has also been applied as a training modality in pulmonary rehabilitation programs for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of Tai Chi on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in COPD patients. ⋯ Preliminary evidence suggests that Tai Chi has beneficial effects on exercise capacity and HRQoL in COPD patients. This exercise can be recommended as an effective alternative training modality in pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Further studies are required to support the preliminary evidence and to observe the long-term effects of Tai Chi.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2014
Review Meta AnalysisOverview of the prevalence, impact, and management of depression and anxiety in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
More than one third of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience comorbid symptoms of depression and anxiety. This review aims to provide an overview of the burden of depression and anxiety in those with COPD and to outline the contemporary advances and challenges in the management of depression and anxiety in COPD. Symptoms of depression and anxiety in COPD lead to worse health outcomes, including impaired health-related quality of life and increased mortality risk. ⋯ Mindfulness-based treatments are an alternative option for the management of depression and anxiety in people with long-term conditions, but their efficacy is unproven in COPD. Beyond pulmonary rehabilitation, the evidence about optimal approaches for managing depression and anxiety in COPD remains unclear and largely speculative. Future research to evaluate the effectiveness of novel and integrated care approaches for the management of depression and anxiety in COPD is warranted.