Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Sep 2005
Multicenter StudyEtiology of community acquired pneumonia among adult patients requiring hospitalization in Taiwan.
There has not been a comprehensive multi-center study investigating the microbial profile of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Taiwan. ⋯ S. pneumoniae was the most common etiology agent in adult patients hospitalized due to CAP in Taiwan and the spectrum of other major pathogens was similar to studies conducted elsewhere in the world. Empiric treatment recommendations developed in other parts of the world may be appropriately adapted for local use after taking into account local resistance profiles. Our data also support the recommendation that urine antigen test be added as an adjunct to adult CAP etiology diagnosis protocol.
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Respiratory medicine · Sep 2005
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyComparison of BALF concentrations of ENA-78 and IP10 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.
Epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide 78 (ENA-78) and interferon gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP10) belong to the CXC chemokine family and are considered to be important factors in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and IPF are the two largest subsets of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIP). In patients with NSIP, the prognosis is generally good compared with IPF. Therefore, the pathogenesis of NSIP seems to be different from that of IPF, but this remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contribution of ENA-78 and IP10 in the two diseases. ⋯ Our results show distinct profiles of CXC chemokines in IPF and NSIP, and suggest that these chemokines play an important role in inflammatory cell recruitment into the lung in patients with IIP.
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Respiratory medicine · Aug 2005
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialVariables associated with recovery from acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
To identify risk factors for late recovery and failure after ambulatory treatment of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (CB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ There are readily identifiable risk factors for ambulatory treatment failure of exacerbations of CB and COPD. In addition, long-term oxygen therapy and short-acting beta-2 agonists are associated with late recovery, and the use of moxifloxacin compared with co-amoxiclav and clarithromycin is associated with faster recovery of symptoms.
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Respiratory medicine · Aug 2005
Multicenter StudyCharacteristics of a population of COPD patients identified from a population-based study. Focus on previous diagnosis and never smokers.
To identify factors associated with diagnosis and health-related quality of life (HRQL) impairment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients from a population-based epidemiological study. ⋯ Diagnosis of COPD in the community is more likely in patients with worse lung function and HRQL, and wheezing is the symptom most strongly associated with a diagnosis of COPD. Women older than 55, with previous respiratory diseases, without respiratory symptoms and mild airflow obstruction constitute the majority of individuals with COPD who have never smoked. Chronic respiratory symptoms are strongly associated with impairment in HRQL.
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Respiratory medicine · Jul 2005
Multicenter StudyCosts of the COPD. Differences between intensive care unit and respiratory intermediate care unit.
To assess whether respiratory intermediate care units (RICUs) are cost effective alternatives to intensive care units (ICUs) for patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Our study suggests that some COPD patients, less severe and with pure respiratory failure, could be successfully and less costly treated in RICUs.