American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Apr 2016
An American Thoracic Society Official Research Statement: Future Directions in Lung Fibrosis Research.
Pulmonary fibrosis encompasses a group of lung-scarring disorders that occur owing to known or unknown insults and accounts for significant morbidity and mortality. Despite intense investigation spanning decades, much remains to be learned about the natural history, pathophysiology, and biologic mechanisms of disease. ⋯ Despite recent advances in the treatment of some forms of lung fibrosis, many gaps in knowledge about natural history, pathophysiology, and treatment remain. Investment in the research priorities enumerated above will help address these shortcomings and enhance patient care worldwide.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Apr 2016
Phenotype of Spirometric Impairment in an Aging Population.
The Global Lung Initiative (GLI) provides age-appropriate criteria for establishing spirometric impairment, including mild, moderate, and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and restrictive pattern, but its association with respiratory-related phenotypes has not been evaluated. ⋯ GLI-defined spirometric impairment establishes clinically meaningful respiratory disease, as validated by graded associations with respiratory-related phenotypes.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Apr 2016
Observational StudyChanges in Bone Mineral Density in the Year After Critical Illness.
Critical illness may be associated with increased bone turnover and loss of bone mineral density (BMD). Prospective evidence describing long-term changes in BMD after critical illness is needed to further define this relationship. ⋯ Critically ill individuals experience a significantly greater decrease in BMD in the year after admission compared with population-based control subjects. Their bone turnover biomarker pattern is consistent with an increased rate of bone loss.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Apr 2016
Bronchoscopic Lung Cryobiopsy Increases Diagnostic Confidence in the Multidisciplinary Diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Surgical lung biopsy is often required for a confident multidisciplinary diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Alternative, less-invasive biopsy methods, such as bronchoscopic lung cryobiopsy (BLC), are highly desirable. ⋯ BLC is a new biopsy method that has a meaningful impact on diagnostic confidence in the multidisciplinary diagnosis of interstitial lung disease and may prove useful in the diagnosis of IPF. This study provides a robust rationale for future studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of BLC compared with SLB.