Chest
-
The prevalence of lung conditions, such as COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, and lung infections, such as pneumonia, increases sharply with age. The physiologic, cellular, and immunologic changes that occur during aging contribute to the development of lung disease. ⋯ Individuals with good lung function live longer, healthier lives, although the mechanisms by which this scenario occurs are not understood. The present article reviews changes in the aging lung that facilitate development of disease and the evidence supporting the idea that robust lung function reduces the risk of developing chronic inflammatory conditions that occur with age.
-
The most important determinant of long-term survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the right ventricular (RV) adaptation to the increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Our aim was to explore RV contractile reserve during stress echocardiography in early-stage IPF. ⋯ RV myocardial dysfunction is already present at rest in early-stage IPF and worsens during exertion as detected by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. The RV altered contractile reserve appears to be related to reduced exercise tolerability and impaired pulmonary hemodynamic.
-
Comparative Study
Screening Heroin Smokers attending Community Drug Services for COPD.
Heroin smoking is associated with deprivation, early onset severe emphysema, premature morbidity and mortality, and high use of health care, but individuals engage poorly with traditional health services. ⋯ Most heroin smokers had COPD or ACO, most commonly mild to moderate disease. In high-risk areas, screening this population provides an opportunity to reduce symptoms and risk. Anchoring respiratory health screening to drug center appointments delivers high completion and satisfaction and is an appropriate model for screening other hard-to-reach populations.
-
VTE has emerged as a major public health problem. However, data on VTE burden in China are seldom reported. ⋯ The hospitalization rates of VTE increased steadily, and the mortality declined. This study provides important information on the disease burden of VTE in China.
-
A 58-year-old postmenopausal woman presented to her primary care physician with lower back pain. She denied respiratory symptoms. ⋯ She denied a history of smoking, alcohol use, or recreational drug use. A review of systems was otherwise negative.