The European respiratory journal : official journal of the European Society for Clinical Respiratory Physiology
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Several studies describe indoor pollutant exposure in homes and to a lesser extent in schools. Population studies that include both environments are sparse. This study aims to assess endotoxin levels in primary schools and homes of children. ⋯ After mutual adjustment for home and school endotoxin, school endotoxin was positively associated with nonatopic asthma (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.97-1.27), while no associations with endotoxin were found at home. The high endotoxin levels in schools compared with homes indicate that exposure at school can contribute considerably to environmental endotoxin exposure of children and teachers. Our results also suggest that endotoxin in schools may be associated with nonatopic asthmatic symptoms in pupils, although the results require reproduction because of the modest sample size.
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In cancer patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF), early adequate therapy is associated with better outcomes. We investigated the performance of the DIRECT approach, which uses criteria available at the bedside at admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), to identify causes of ARF in cancer patients. This cohort study included cancer patients with ARF of determined aetiology. ⋯ Mechanical ventilation (both invasive and noninvasive) was needed in 328 (77%) patients, treatment for shock in 217 (51%) patients and dialysis in 82 (19%) patients. 142 (34%) patients died in the ICU. Correspondence plots showed that bacterial pneumonia was associated with neutropenia, solid tumour, multiple myeloma, <3 days since symptom onset, shock, unilateral crackles and unilateral radiographic pattern. Opportunistic infections were associated with steroids, lymphoproliferative disorders and haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, whereas noninfectious disorders were associated with acute leukaemia The selected criteria are strongly associated with causes of ARF in cancer patients and could be used to develop an algorithm for selecting first-line diagnostic investigations and empirical treatments.
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Letter Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effect of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol plus tiotropium versus tiotropium on walking endurance in COPD.
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Guidelines recommend defining chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by airflow obstruction and other factors, but no studies have evaluated the ability of existing multicomponent indices to predict mortality up to 10 years. We conducted a patient-based pooled analysis. Survival analysis and C statistics were used to determine the best COPD index/indices according to several construct variables and by varying time-points. ⋯ No index predicts short-term survival of COPD well. All BODE modifications scored better than ADO after age adjustment. The ADO and BODE indices are overall the most valid multicomponent indices to predict time to death in all COPD patients.
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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is primarily characterised by bronchiectasis and trapped air on chest computed tomography (CT). The revised Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire respiratory symptoms scale (CFQ-R RSS) measures health-related quality of life. To validate bronchiectasis, trapped air and CFQ-R RSS as outcome measures, we investigated correlations and predictive values for pulmonary exacerbations. ⋯ Bronchiectasis, trapped air and CFQ-R RSS were associated with pulmonary exacerbations. The CFQ-R RSS was an independent predictor. This study further validated bronchiectasis, trapped air and CFQ-R RSS as outcome measures in CF.