Chest
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Determinants of ICU care in the last month of life for Taiwanese cancer decedents, 2001 to 2006.
Use of the hospital ICU is rising rapidly for end-of-life care. The purpose of this population-based study was to determine the prevalence of ICU care in the last month of life of patients with cancer and the associations between ICU care and patient demographics, disease characteristics, physician specialty, hospital characteristics, and availability of health-care resources at the hospital and regional levels in Taiwan. ⋯ Slightly more than one-tenth of Taiwanese patients with cancer received ICU care in their last month of life. ICU use was strongly influenced by receiving care in hospitals and regions with abundant health-care resources. Resources should be devoted to ensure that ICU care at the end of life best meets patients' individual needs and interests.
-
Comparative Study
Expression of the T helper 17-associated cytokines IL-17A and IL-17F in asthma and COPD.
Asthma and COPD are characterized by airway dysfunction and inflammation. Neutrophilic airway inflammation is a common feature of COPD and is recognized in asthma, particularly in severe disease. The T helper (Th) 17 cytokines IL-17A and IL-17F have been implicated in the development of neutrophilic airway inflammation, but their expression in asthma and COPD is uncertain. ⋯ Our findings support a potential role for the Th17 cytokines IL-17A and IL-17F in asthma and COPD, but do not demonstrate a relationship with neutrophilic inflammation.