Respiratory care
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Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy and safety of conventional transbronchial needle aspiration in sarcoidosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Flexible bronchoscopic procedures are currently the most often employed technique for demonstrating granulomatous inflammation in sarcoidosis. Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) has been used for over 3 decades; however, it remains an underutilized technique, primarily due to the wide variations in the reported success rates and unconfirmed safety concerns. Herein we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to estimate the diagnostic yield and safety of TBNA in sarcoidosis. ⋯ TBNA is an efficacious and safe procedure in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The performance of TBLB adds to the efficacy of TBNA. Hence, a combination of TBNA and TBLB should be routinely employed in diagnosis of sarcoidosis in those with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes.
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Ventilator practices in patients at risk for acute lung injury (ALI) and ARDS are unclear. We examined factors associated with choice of set tidal volumes (VT), and whether VT < 8 mL/kg predicted body weight (PBW) relates to the development of ALI/ARDS. ⋯ Clinicians seem to respond to ALI/ARDS with lower initial VT. Initial VT, however, was not associated with the development of post-intubation ALI/ARDS or other outcomes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of visualization of raw graphic polysomnography data by sleep apnea patients on adherence to CPAP therapy.
CPAP is considered to be the cornerstone of therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. However, adherence to this treatment is frequently poor, which may lead to ongoing symptoms, including daytime sleepiness and poor cognitive function. We aimed to determine the efficacy of showing patients their raw graphic polysomnography (PSG) data in increasing their CPAP adherence. ⋯ Showing patients raw graphic PSG data does not seem to improve adherence to CPAP. BMI is a very strong predictor of CPAP adherence.
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Multicenter Study
In-patient rehabilitation outcomes following lower extremity fracture in patients with pneumonia.
Pneumonia is a common comorbidity among hospitalized older adults and may impede functional restoration and increase medical cost. Medicare reimbursement rates for patients receiving in-patient medical rehabilitation services are higher for individuals who have comorbid pneumonia. We examined the impact of comorbid pneumonia on outcomes for patients with lower extremity fracture receiving in-patient medical rehabilitation services. ⋯ Our findings suggest that comorbid pneumonia is associated with poorer rehabilitation outcomes (stay, discharge functional status, and discharge setting) among subjects receiving in-patient rehabilitation services for lower extremity fracture.
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The presence of bronchiectasis (BR) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been recognized for many decades; nevertheless, little research has been undertaken in this area. It is important to recognize that BR coexistent with RA differs from the other types of BR. The purpose of this descriptive review was to delineate the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, pulmonary function testing, imaging, prognosis and management of concomitant BR and RA. ⋯ Patients with concomitant RA and BR have worse obstructive airways disease, increased susceptibility to recurrent pulmonary infections, faster lung function decline, and higher mortality, compared with subjects with either RA or BR alone. The use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (both biological and non-biological) for RA in RA-BR patients imparts a further challenge in managing these patients. Although there are not any published guidelines on the management of coexisting RA-BR, we have attempted to provide such recommendations, based on the literature review and our experience.