Chest
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Comparative Study
Prospective Characterisation of Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis (PBB) in Children.
Prior studies on protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) in children have been retrospective or based on small cohorts. As PBB shares common features with other pediatric conditions, further characterization is needed to improve diagnostic accuracy among clinicians. In this study, we aim to further delineate the clinical and laboratory features of PBB in a larger cohort, with a specific focus on concurrent viral detection. ⋯ Children with PBB are, typically, very young boys with prolonged wet cough and parent-reported wheeze who have attended childcare. Coupled with elevated NK-cell levels, the association between adenovirus and PBB suggests a likely role of viruses in PBB pathogenesis.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Comparison of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GerdQ) and Multi-channel Intraluminal Impedance-pH Monitoring in Identifying Patients with Chronic Cough Responsive to Anti-reflux Therapy.
Empirical therapy has been recommended as an initial clinical approach for treating gastroesophageal reflux-induced chronic cough (GERC). This study compared the predictive accuracy of the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GerdQ) with the accuracy of multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring (MII-pH) for GERC. ⋯ The GerdQ can be used for predicting acid GERC but not nonacid GERC and is inferior to MII-pH.
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Review Meta Analysis
Chest computed tomography screening for lung cancer in asbestos occupational exposure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Lung cancer is the most frequent malignant asbestos-related pathology and remains the most fatal cancer of industrialized countries. In heavy smokers, early detection of lung cancer with chest CT scan leads to a 20% mortality reduction. However, the use of CT scan screening for early detection of lung cancer in asbestos-exposed workers requires further investigation. This study aimed to determine whether CT scan screening in asbestos-exposed workers is effective in detecting asymptomatic lung cancer using a systematic review and meta-analysis. ⋯ CT scan screening in asbestos-exposed workers is effective in detecting asymptomatic lung cancer. Detection of lung cancer in asbestos-exposed workers using CT scanning is at least equal to the prevalence in heavy smokers (1%; 95% CI, 0.09%-1.1%) and also shared a similar proportion of stage I diagnoses. Screening asbestos-exposed workers could reduce mortality in proportions previously observed among heavy smokers and, thus, should not be neglected, particularly for individuals combining both exposures.
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Background: The incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) was developed > 20 years ago and has been used to assess peak exercise capacity in a variety of chronic diseases. The aim of this systematic review is to describe the measurement properties of the ISWT in a clinical population. Methods: Of 800 articles identified by electronic and hand searches, 35 were included. ⋯ Conclusions: The ISWT can be considered a valid and reliable test to assess maximal exercise capacity in individuals with chronic respiratory diseases. The ISWT has been shown to be responsive to pulmonary rehabilitation and bronchodilator use in individuals with COPD, cystic fibrosis,and asthma. Further studies examining responsiveness and the MCID of the ISWT in patients with conditions other than lung diseases are required for the interpretation of interventions in other populations.