Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of the asthma control test: a reliable determinant of disease stability and a predictor of future exacerbations.
This study assessed the asthma control test (ACT) cut-off values for asthma control according to the Global Initiative for Asthma guideline in adults and the effectiveness of ACT scores in predicting exacerbations and serial changes in ACT scores over time in relation to treatment decisions. ⋯ Single measurement of ACT is useful for assessing asthma control, prediction of exacerbation and changes in treatment decisions.
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Comparative Study
Comparing peak and submaximal cardiorespiratory responses during field walking tests with incremental cycle ergometry in COPD.
Field and laboratory-based tests are used to measure exercise capacity in people with COPD. A comparison of the cardiorespiratory responses to field tests, referenced to a laboratory test, is needed to appreciate the relative physiological demands. We sought to compare peak and submaximal cardiorespiratory responses to the 6-min walk test, incremental shuttle walk test and endurance shuttle walk test with a ramp cycle ergometer test (CET) in patients with COPD. ⋯ In patients with moderate COPD, field walking tests elicited a similar peak rate of oxygen uptake and heart rate as a CET, demonstrating that both self- and externally paced walking tests progress to high intensities.
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The solid-phase immunoassay, semi-quantitative procalcitonin (PCT) test (B R A H M S PCT-Q) can be used to rapidly categorize PCT levels into four grades. However, the usefulness of this kit for determining the prognosis of adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is unclear. ⋯ The semi-quantitative PCT test and the A-DROP scale were found to be useful for predicting mortality in adult patients with CAP.
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Comparative Study
Clinical efficacy of macrolide antibiotics against genetically determined macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in paediatric patients.
Since 2000, the prevalence of macrolide-resistant (MR) Mycoplasma pneumoniae has increased among paediatric patients in Japan. To determine the efficacy of macrolides against MR M. pneumoniae pneumonia, microbiological and clinical efficacies were compared during the antibiotic treatment. ⋯ The microbiological and clinical efficacies of macrolides for treating patients with MR M. pneumoniae pneumonia were low. These results show that macrolides are clearly less effective in patients with MR M. pneumoniae pneumonia.