American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of Bronchodilation, Exercise Training, and Behavior Modification on Symptoms and Physical Activity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Bronchodilation and exercise training (ExT) improve exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, behavior modification is required to impact daily physical activity (PA). ⋯ Tiotropium/olodaterol, with or without ExT, improved EET in patients with COPD taking part in an SMBM program. Combination bronchodilation, with or without ExT, did not provide additional increases in objective PA compared with SMBM alone but did reduce PA-related dyspnea and difficulty. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02085161).
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2018
Disparities in Mortality of Hispanic Patients with Cystic Fibrosis in the United States. A National and Regional Cohort Study.
Patients of Hispanic origin with cystic fibrosis (CF) are the largest growing minority, representing 8.5% of patients with CF in the United States. No national survival analysis of this group has ever been undertaken. ⋯ Patients with CF of Hispanic origin have a higher mortality rate than non-Hispanic patients with CF. This pattern was seen in the Midwest, Northeast, and West but not in the South.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2018
Recommendations for the Appropriate Structure, Communication, and Investigation of Tobacco Harm Reduction Claims. An Official American Thoracic Society Policy Statement.
The tobacco harm reduction literature is replete with vague language, far-reaching claims, and unwarranted certainty. The American Thoracic Society has increasingly recognized the need for a framework for reliably making such claims. Evidence-based standards improving the scientific value and transparency of harm reduction claims are expected to improve their trustworthiness, clarity, and consistency. ⋯ This statement clarifies important principles guiding valid direct and inferential harm reduction claims. Ideals for effective communication with the lay public and attention to unique ethical concerns are also delineated. The authors call for formal systems of grading harm reduction evidence and regulatory assurances of longitudinal surveillance systems to document the impact of harm reduction policies.