Chest
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effects of azithromycin in treatment resistant cough: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial.
Chronic cough is a common clinical problem worldwide. Although many patients have underlying precipitating conditions such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, or rhinitis, many remain symptomatic despite treating these conditions. New approaches are needed for the treatment of this group of patients. ⋯ Treatment with low-dose azithromycin for 8 weeks did not significantly improve LCQ score compared with placebo. The use of macrolides for treatment-resistant cough cannot be recommended from this study, but they may have a place in the treatment of chronic cough associated with asthma; this is worthy of further investigation.
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Review Meta Analysis
Stroke, Major Bleeding and Mortality Outcomes in Warfarin Users with Atrial Fibrillation and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.
The use of warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be problematic because of increased bleeding risk. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies that evaluated the use of warfarin in patients with AF and CKD to evaluate the risks of ischemic stroke/thromboembolism, major bleeding, and mortality. ⋯ Based on this meta-analysis, the use of warfarin for AF may have an unfavorable risk/benefit ratio in patients with end-stage CKD but not in those with non-end-stage CKD.
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In spite of significant strides in the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD), SCD crises are still responsible for high morbidity and early mortality. While most patients initially seek care in the acute setting for a seemingly uncomplicated pain episode (pain crisis or vaso-occlusive crisis), this initial event is the primary risk factor for potentially life-threatening complications. The pathophysiological basis of these illnesses is end-organ ischemia and infarction combined with the downstream effects of hemolysis that results from red blood cell sickling. ⋯ Blood transfusions remain the mainstay of therapy for all severe acute crises. Recommendations and indications for the safest and most efficient implementation of transfusion strategies in the critical care setting are therefore presented and discussed, together with their pitfalls and potential future therapeutic alternatives. In particular, the importance of extended phenotypic red blood cell matching cannot be overemphasized, due to the high prevalence of severe complications from red cell alloimmunization in SCD.
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Whether fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement alone or combined with sputum eosinophil and atopy is useful in predicting corticosteroid-responsive cough (CRC) and non-CRC (NCRC) is not clear. ⋯ In our cohort, a high level (≥ 31.5 ppb) of FeNO indicates more likelihood of CRC, but the sensitivity is insufficient to rule out a diagnosis of CRC. A combination of low-level FeNO, normal sputum eosinophil, and absence of atopy suggests a lower likelihood of CRC.
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Observational Study
Impact of Adenotonsillectomy On Insulin Resistance And Lipoprotein Profile In Nonobese And Obese Children.
OSA associates with insulin resistance (IR), hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia consistently in adults, but inconsistently in children. We set out to quantify the impact of OSA treatment upon obesity and metabolic outcomes and thus assess causality. ⋯ T&A improved IR and HDL, and residual OSA is predicted by baseline FPI and BMI z score, indicating a causal relationship; however, following T&A, residual metabolic dysfunction related to underlying adiposity rather than remaining sleep-disordered breathing. Finally, T&A cured OSA in < 25% of all children and only 10% of obese children; post-T&A polysomnography is indicated to assess which children still require treatment.