Respiratory investigation
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Respiratory investigation · Jan 2015
Prevalence of asthma with airflow limitation, COPD, and COPD with variable airflow limitation in older subjects in a general Japanese population: the Hisayama Study.
Elucidating the prevalence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is important for designing a public health strategy. Recent studies have discriminated a phenotype of COPD with variable airflow limitation (COPD-VAL) associated with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome. Its prevalence remains uncertain. The age and occupational distributions in the town of Hisayama and in Japan are nearly identical. Each disease's prevalence was estimated for the town's residents. ⋯ The prevalence of asthma with airflow limitation, COPD, and COPD-VAL were estimated in a population of residents (≥ 40 years) in Hisayama.
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Respiratory investigation · Jan 2015
Efficacy and long-term clinical outcome of bronchial occlusion with endobronchial Watanabe spigots for persistent air leaks.
We reviewed our clinical experience and examined the efficacy and long-term outcome of bronchial occlusion with endobronchial Watanabe spigots (EWSs). ⋯ We showed that bronchial occlusion with EWSs was effective in stopping or reducing air leaks and that 86% of our patients finally achieved complete resolution, some when the occlusion was combined with chemical pleurodesis. The rate of complications was acceptable, even after long-term placement.