Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Feb 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEfficacy and safety of fluticasone/formoterol combination therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma.
The inhaled corticosteroid, fluticasone propionate, and the long-acting β(2)-adrenergic agonist, formoterol fumarate, are both highly effective treatments for bronchial asthma. This study (NCT00393952/EudraCT number: 2006-005989-39) compared the efficacy and safety of fluticasone/formoterol combination therapy (flutiform(®); 250/10 μg) administered twice daily (b.i.d.) via a single aerosol inhaler, with the individual components (fluticasone 250 μg b.i.d.; formoterol 10 μg b.i.d.), in adult and adolescent patients with moderate-to-severe asthma. ⋯ Fluticasone/formoterol combination therapy will provide clinicians with an efficacious alternative treatment option for patients with moderate-to-severe asthma.
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Respiratory medicine · Feb 2013
Multicenter StudyImpact of comorbidities on COPD-specific health-related quality of life.
Comorbidities are frequent in subjects with COPD, but their contribution to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impairment is not clearly established. ⋯ These data suggest that in the presence of dyspnea and exacerbation, depression is the most important contributor to HRQoL impairment measured by SGRQ in COPD subjects, whereas other comorbidities and FEV(1) have only limited impact.
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Respiratory medicine · Feb 2013
Multicenter StudyDaytime PaO2 in OSAS, COPD and the combination of the two (overlap syndrome).
OSAS and COPD are often associated with day-time hypoxemia. Overlap Syndrome (OS), the association between both diseases, increases the risk of day-time hypoxemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms which could justify the low oxygen level and the effect of CPAP. ⋯ Our data suggest that day-time hypoxemia in OSA patients is largely determined by the increase of body weight and severity of nocturnal hypoxia. However, CPAP therapy has been shown to improve daytime PaO(2) values both in OSAS and in OS.
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Respiratory medicine · Jan 2013
Multicenter StudyChest physiotherapy effectiveness to reduce hospitalization and mechanical ventilation length of stay, pulmonary infection rate and mortality in ICU patients.
Although physiotherapy is an integral part of the multiprofessional team in most ICUs there is only limited evidence concerning the effectiveness of its procedures. The objectives of this study were to verify if physiotherapy care provided within 24 h/day for hospitalized patients in the ICU reduce the length of stay, mechanical ventilation support, pulmonary infection and mortality compared to a physiotherapy care provided within 6 h/day. ⋯ The presence of a physiotherapist in the intensive care unit contributes decisively to the early recovery of the patient, reducing mechanical ventilation support need, number of hospitalization days, incidence of respiratory infection and risk of mortality.
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Respiratory medicine · Dec 2012
Multicenter StudyThe burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Middle East and North Africa: results of the BREATHE study.
COPD is a progressive pulmonary disease which may have a profound impact on general health status and quality of life. This article presents data on the burden of COPD obtained from the BREATHE study in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan. This study was a large general population survey of COPD conducted in eleven countries of the region using a standardised methodology. ⋯ Psychological distress was reported by between 42.3% and 53.2% of subjects, depending on the item. In conclusion, the burden of COPD is important, and covers central aspects of daily life. For this reason, physicians should take time to discuss it with their patients, and ensure that the management strategy proposed addresses all their needs.