Chest
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Alendronate once weekly for the prevention and treatment of bone loss in Canadian adult cystic fibrosis patients (CFOS trial).
Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at risk for early bone loss, and demonstrate increased risks for vertebral fractures and kyphosis. A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to assess the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of therapy with oral alendronate (FOSAMAX; Merck; Whitehouse Station, NJ) in adults with CF and low bone mass. ⋯ Alendronate therapy was well tolerated and produced a significantly greater increase in BMD over 12 months compared with placebo.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Sitaxsentan for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension: a 1-year, prospective, open-label observation of outcome and survival.
Despite advances in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the mortality rate remains excessive. Long-term efficacy evaluations are needed to guide therapeutic management. The purpose of this study is to present 1-year observational data with two endothelin antagonists, sitaxsentan and bosentan, in a prospective, open-label study. ⋯ At 1 year, sitaxsentan therapy appears safe and efficacious for patients with PAH; reductions in mortality and the risk for clinical worsening events provide support for durability of efficacy.
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Multicenter Study
Distance and oxygen desaturation during the 6-min walk test as predictors of long-term mortality in patients with COPD.
The distance walked in the 6-min walk test (6MWT) predicts mortality in patients with severe COPD. Little is known about its prognostic value in patients with a wider range of COPD severity, living in different countries, and the potential additional impact of oxygen desaturation measured during the test. ⋯ The 6MWD helps predict mortality primarily in patients with severe COPD. Although the oxygen desaturation profile during the 6MWT improves the predictive ability of the 6MWD, it appears to be of less relevance than in other lung diseases and than the resting Pao2.