Articles: chronic.
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Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with lower mortality in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients. However, it is yet unclear which body component is responsible for this relationship. ⋯ Low skeletal muscle area, as assessed by CT scan during the early stage of critical illness, is a risk factor for mortality in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients, independent of sex and APACHE II score. Further analysis suggests muscle mass as primary predictor, not sex. BMI is not an independent predictor of mortality when muscle area is accounted for.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jan 2014
Risk Factors and Comorbidities in the Pre-Clinical Stages of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
There is little information about comorbidities and their risk factors in the preclinical stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Premorbid risk factors and comorbid diseases were more prevalent in the preclinical stages of COPD and smokers without COPD. Physical inactivity and smoking were more strongly associated with the presence of comorbidities compared with airflow obstruction. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 01314807).
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Computed tomography (CT) scans are widely used in managing chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Factors that determine early post-operative volume have not been examined. The value of routine early post-operative residual volume have not been evaluated. Our study aims to compare pre-operative and early post-operative CT findings to determine the factors affecting residual hematoma and evaluate if early post-operative CT scans are useful in the management of CSDH. ⋯ Routine post-operative CT brain for burr hole drainage of CSDH may be unnecessary in view of the good predictive value of pre-operative volume, and also because it is not predictive of the clinical outcome.