Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Feb 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialMuscle training with repetitive magnetic stimulation of the quadriceps in severe COPD patients.
Previous studies have used electrical neuromuscular stimulation as a physical training method in patients with severe COPD. We introduce the use of the more tolerable magnetic stimulation for the same purpose, investigating the effectiveness of an eight-week protocol. ⋯ In COPD patients who are limited due to dyspnoea, magnetic neuromuscular stimulation of the quadriceps constitutes a feasible training method for the lower limbs, with positive effects on the muscle function, effort capacity and perception areas.
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Conventional methods to establish pleural infection are time-consuming and sometimes inadequate. Biomarkers may aid in making rapid diagnosis of infection. In an observational study we evaluated and compared the diagnostic value of pleural fluid levels of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1), C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in intensive care patients with pleural effusions. ⋯ sTREM-1 is superior to C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in detecting infection.
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Respiratory medicine · Feb 2010
Inhaled corticosteroids and risk of pneumonia in newly diagnosed COPD.
The use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in COPD may be associated with an increased risk of pneumonia. Little is known of this risk in newly diagnosed COPD patients. The objective of this study was to determine if the use of ICS among newly diagnosed COPD patients is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia hospitalizations. ⋯ The use of ICS among patients with newly diagnosed COPD is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for pneumonia.