Chest
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To compare baseline preoperative and 6-month postoperative functional health status and quality of life in patients undergoing lung cancer resection. ⋯ Preoperative functional health status in patients who undergo lung cancer surgery is significantly impaired. A significant number of patients die during the 6 months after surgery. Pain and impairment of functional health status persists for 6 months after lung cancer resection. DLCO, not FEV(1), predicts postoperative quality of life. Preoperative chemoradiation, extent of resection, postoperative complications, or adjuvant therapy do not adversely affect functional health status or quality of life 6 months after surgery. Future studies should focus on risk prediction, technical improvements, and postoperative intervention to improve the functional outcomes and quality of life after lung cancer surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A 6-month, placebo-controlled study comparing lung function and health status changes in COPD patients treated with tiotropium or salmeterol.
Tiotropium, a once-daily anticholinergic, and salmeterol represent two inhaled, long-acting bronchodilators from different pharmacologic classes. A trial was designed to examine the efficacy and safety of both compounds with multiple outcome measures, including lung function, dyspnea, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with COPD. ⋯ Tiotropium once daily produces superior bronchodilation, improvements in dyspnea, and proportion of patients achieving meaningful changes in HRQoL compared to twice-daily salmeterol in patients with COPD.
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Thalidomide therapy has been shown to modify granulomatous diseases, such as tuberculosis and leprosy. Lupus pernio is a skin manifestation of sarcoidosis that does not remit spontaneously, and was used as a marker of efficacy of thalidomide for sarcoidosis. ⋯ Thalidomide was an effective form of treatment for chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis. The drug was well tolerated and may be a useful alternative to systemic corticosteroids.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The short-term effect of a rollator on functional exercise capacity among individuals with severe COPD.
This study was conducted to examine the short-term effects of using a rollator on functional exercise capacity among individuals with COPD and to characterize which individuals benefit most from its use. ⋯ Use of a rollator was effective in improving functional exercise capacity by reducing dyspnea and rest duration among stable individuals with severe COPD. Individuals who walked < 300 m and individuals who required a rest during an unaided 6MWT benefited the most from using a rollator in terms of reduced dyspnea, reduced rest time, and improved distance walked.
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Review Meta Analysis
Continuous vs intermittent beta-agonists in the treatment of acute adult asthma: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Since the late 1980s, there has been considerable clinical and academic interest in the use of continuous aerosolized bronchodilators for the treatment of patients with acute asthma. These studies have suggested that this therapy is safe, is at least as effective as intermittent nebulization, and may be superior to intermittent nebulization in patients with the most severely impaired pulmonary function. ⋯ Overall, this review supports the equivalence of continuous and intermittent albuterol nebulization in the treatment of acute adult asthma.