American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jan 2021
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyBronchial Thermoplasty Induced Airway Smooth Muscle Reduction and Clinical Response in Severe Asthma: The TASMA Randomized Trial.
Rationale: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a bronchoscopic treatment for severe asthma targeting airway smooth muscle (ASM). Observational studies have shown ASM mass reduction after BT, but appropriate control groups are lacking. Furthermore, as treatment response is variable, identifying optimal candidates for BT treatment is important. ⋯ Treatment response in the total group (n = 35) was positively associated with serum IgE and eosinophils but not with baseline ASM mass. Conclusions: ASM mass significantly decreases after BT when compared with a randomized non-BT-treated control group. Treatment response was associated with serum IgE and eosinophil levels but not with ASM mass.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jan 2021
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyProcalcitonin to Reduce Long-Term Infection-associated Adverse Events in Sepsis: A Randomized Trial.
Rationale: Although early antimicrobial discontinuation guided by procalcitonin (PCT) has shown decreased antibiotic consumption in lower respiratory tract infections, the outcomes in long-term sepsis sequelae remain unclear. Objectives: To investigate if PCT guidance may reduce the incidence of long-term infection-associated adverse events in sepsis. Methods: In this multicenter trial, 266 patients with sepsis (by Sepsis-3 definitions) with lower respiratory tract infections, acute pyelonephritis, or primary bloodstream infection were randomized (1:1) to receive either PCT-guided discontinuation of antimicrobials or standard of care. ⋯ The cost of hospitalization was also reduced in the PCT arm. Conclusions: In sepsis, PCT guidance was effective in reducing infection-associated adverse events, 28-day mortality, and cost of hospitalization. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03333304).
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jan 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of Weight Loss on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity: 10-year Results of the Sleep AHEAD Study.
Rationale: Weight loss is recommended to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Objectives: To determine whether the initial benefit of intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) for weight loss on OSA severity is maintained at 10 years. Methods: Ten-year follow-up polysomnograms of 134 of 264 adults in Sleep AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) with overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and OSA were randomized to ILI for weight loss or diabetes support and education (DSE). ⋯ Conclusions: Participants with OSA and type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving ILI for weight loss had reduced OSA severity at 10 years. No difference in OSA severity was present between ILI and DSE groups at 10 years. Improvement in OSA severity over the 10-year period with ILI was related to change in body weight, baseline AHI, and intervention independent of weight change.