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Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery Jul 2023COVID-19 Patients may be at risk for involving with spontaneous pneumothorax. However, clinical data are lacking in this regard. In this study, we aimed to investigate...
INTRODUCTION
COVID-19 Patients may be at risk for involving with spontaneous pneumothorax. However, clinical data are lacking in this regard. In this study, we aimed to investigate the demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics and survival predictors in COVID-19 patients with pneumothorax.
METHODS
This is a retrospectivestudy conducted on COVID-19 patients with pneumothorax that had been hospitalized at hospital. l from December 2021 to March 2022. The chest computed tomography (CT) scan of all patients was reviewed by an experienced pulmonologist in search of pulmonary pneumothorax. Survival analysis was conducted to identify the predictors of survival in patients with COVID-19 and pneumothorax.
RESULTS
A total of 67 patients with COVID-19 and pneumothorax were identified. Of these, 40.7% were located in the left lung, 40.7% were in the right lung, and 18.6% were found bilaterally. The most common symptoms in the patient with pneumothorax were dyspnea (65.7%), increased cough severity (53.7%), chest pain (25.4%), and hemoptysis (16.4%). The frequency of pulmonary left and right bullae, pleural effusion, andfungus ball were 22.4%, 22.4%, 22.4%, and 7.5%, respectively. Pneumothorax was managed with chest drain (80.6%), chest drain and surgery (6%), and conservatively (13.4%). The 50-day mortality rate was 52.2% (35 patients). The average survival time for deceased patients was 10.06 (2.17) days.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrated that those with pleural effusion or pulmonary bullae have a lower survival rate. Further studies are required to investigate the incidence and causality relation between COVID-19 and pneumothorax.
Topics: Humans; Pneumothorax; Blister; COVID-19; Pleural Effusion; Survival Analysis
PubMed: 37403072
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-023-02331-0 -
The Laryngoscope Apr 2024The objective of this work was to gather an international consensus group to propose a global definition and diagnostic approach of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) to...
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this work was to gather an international consensus group to propose a global definition and diagnostic approach of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) to guide primary care and specialist physicians in the management of LPR.
METHODS
Forty-eight international experts (otolaryngologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and physiologists) were included in a modified Delphi process to revise 48 statements about definition, clinical presentation, and diagnostic approaches to LPR. Three voting rounds determined a consensus statement to be acceptable when 80% of experts agreed with a rating of at least 8/10. Votes were anonymous and the analyses of voting rounds were performed by an independent statistician.
RESULTS
After the third round, 79.2% of statements (N = 38/48) were approved. LPR was defined as a disease of the upper aerodigestive tract resulting from the direct and/or indirect effects of gastroduodenal content reflux, inducing morphological and/or neurological changes in the upper aerodigestive tract. LPR is associated with recognized non-specific laryngeal and extra-laryngeal symptoms and signs that can be evaluated with validated patient-reported outcome questionnaires and clinical instruments. The hypopharyngeal-esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH testing can suggest the diagnosis of LPR when there is >1 acid, weakly acid or nonacid hypopharyngeal reflux event in 24 h.
CONCLUSION
A global consensus definition for LPR is presented to improve detection and diagnosis of the disease for otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and primary care practitioners. The approved statements are offered to improve collaborative research by adopting common and validated diagnostic approaches to LPR.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
5 Laryngoscope, 134:1614-1624, 2024.
Topics: Humans; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux; Larynx; Otolaryngologists; Electric Impedance; Surveys and Questionnaires; Esophageal pH Monitoring
PubMed: 37929860
DOI: 10.1002/lary.31134 -
Respiratory Research Sep 2023Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has an unknown aetiology and limited treatment options. A recent meta-analysis identified three novel causal variants in the TERT,... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has an unknown aetiology and limited treatment options. A recent meta-analysis identified three novel causal variants in the TERT, SPDL1, and KIF15 genes. This observational study aimed to investigate whether the aforementioned variants cause clinical phenotypes in a well-characterised IPF cohort.
METHODS
The study consisted of 138 patients with IPF who were diagnosed and treated at the Helsinki University Hospital and genotyped in the FinnGen FinnIPF study. Data on > 25 clinical parameters were collected by two pulmonologists who were blinded to the genetic data for patients with TERT loss of function and missense variants, SPDL1 and KIF15 missense variants, and a MUC5B variant commonly present in patients with IPF, or no variants were separately analysed.
RESULTS
The KIF15 missense variant is associated with the early onset of the disease, leading to progression to early-age transplantation or death. In patients with the KIF15 variant, the median age at diagnosis was 54.0 years (36.5-69.5 years) compared with 72.0 years (65.8-75.3 years) in the other patients (P = 0.023). The proportion of KIF15 variant carriers was 9- or 3.6-fold higher in patients aged < 55 or 65 years, respectively. The variants for TERT and MUC5B had similar effects on the patient's clinical course, as previously described. No distinct phenotypes were observed in patients with the SPDL1 variant.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicated the potential of KIF15 to be used in the genetic diagnostics of IPF. Further studies are needed to elucidate the biological mechanisms of KIF15 in IPF.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis; Genotype; Phenotype; Mucin-5B; Kinesins
PubMed: 37777755
DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02540-0 -
Arthritis Care & Research Dec 2023Juvenile systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an orphan disease, associated with high morbidity and mortality. New treatment strategies are much needed, but clearly defining... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Juvenile systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an orphan disease, associated with high morbidity and mortality. New treatment strategies are much needed, but clearly defining appropriate outcomes is necessary if successful therapies are to be developed. Our objective here was to propose such outcomes.
METHODS
This proposal is the result of 4 face-to-face consensus meetings with a 27-member multidisciplinary team of pediatric rheumatologists, adult rheumatologists, dermatologists, pediatric cardiologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, a statistician, and patients. Throughout the process, we reviewed the existing adult data in this field, the more limited pediatric literature for juvenile SSc outcomes, and data from 2 juvenile SSc patient cohorts to assist in making informed, data-driven decisions. The use of items for each domain as an outcome measure in an open label 12-month clinical trial of juvenile SSc was voted and agreed upon using a nominal group technique.
RESULTS
After voting, the domains agreed on were global disease activity, skin, Raynaud's phenomenon, digital ulcers, musculoskeletal, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and gastrointestinal involvement, and quality of life. Fourteen outcome measures had 100% agreement, 1 item had 91% agreement, and 1 item had 86% agreement. The domains of biomarkers and growth/development were moved to the research agenda.
CONCLUSION
We reached consensus on multiple domains and items that should be assessed in an open label, 12-month clinical juvenile SSc trial as well as a research agenda for future development.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Consensus; Quality of Life; Raynaud Disease; Scleroderma, Systemic
PubMed: 37332054
DOI: 10.1002/acr.25171 -
Lung India : Official Organ of Indian... 2023
PubMed: 37787351
DOI: 10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_377_23 -
Clinical and Experimental Allergy :... Nov 2023It is unclear if predictors of asthma attacks are the same as those of asthma symptom control in children.
BACKGROUND
It is unclear if predictors of asthma attacks are the same as those of asthma symptom control in children.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated predictors for these two outcomes in a clinical cohort study.
METHODS
The Swiss Paediatric Airway Cohort (SPAC) is a multicentre prospective clinical cohort of children referred to paediatric pulmonologists. This analysis included 516 children (5-16 years old) diagnosed with asthma. At baseline, we collected sociodemographic information, symptoms, personal and family history and environmental exposures from a parental baseline questionnaire, and treatment and test results from hospital records. Outcomes were assessed 1 year later by parental questionnaire: asthma control in the last 4 weeks as defined by GINA guidelines, and asthma attacks defined as any unscheduled visit for asthma in the past year. We used logistic regression to identify and compare predictors for suboptimal asthma control and asthma attacks.
RESULTS
At follow-up, 114/516 children (22%), reported suboptimal asthma control, and 114 (22%) an incident asthma attack. Only 37 (7%) reported both. Suboptimal asthma control was associated with poor symptom control at baseline (e.g. ≥1 night wheeze/week OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.7-6), wheeze triggered by allergens (2.2; 1.4-3.3), colds (2.3; 1.4-3.6) and exercise (3.2; 2-5), a more intense treatment at baseline (2.4; 1.3-4.4 for Step 3 vs. 1), history of preschool (2.6; 1.5-4.4) and persistent wheeze (2; 1.4-3.2), and exposure to tobacco smoke (1.7; 1-2.6). Incident asthma attacks were associated with previous episodes of severe wheeze (2; 1.2-3.3) and asthma attacks (2.8; 1.6-5 for emergency care visits), younger age (0.8; 0.8-0.9 per 1 year) and non-Swiss origin (0.3; 0.2-0.5 for Swiss origin). Lung function, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and allergic sensitization at baseline were not associated with control or attacks.
CONCLUSION
Children at risk of long-term suboptimal asthma control differ from those at risk of attacks. Prediction tools and preventive efforts should differentiate these two asthma outcomes.
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Adolescent; Cohort Studies; Prospective Studies; Switzerland; Asthma; Allergens; Respiratory Sounds; Nitric Oxide
PubMed: 37658735
DOI: 10.1111/cea.14390 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Sep 2023The Global Initiative for Asthma and National Asthma Education and Prevention Program recently made paradigm-shifting recommendations regarding inhaler management in...
BACKGROUND
The Global Initiative for Asthma and National Asthma Education and Prevention Program recently made paradigm-shifting recommendations regarding inhaler management in asthma. The Global Initiative for Asthma now recommends that combination inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-formoterol inhalers replace short-acting β-agonists as the preferred reliever therapy at all steps of asthma management. Although the most recent guidelines of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program did not review reliever ICS-formoterol usage in mild asthma, they similarly recommended single maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) at steps 3 and 4 of asthma management. Despite these recommendations, many clinicians-particularly in the United States-are not prescribing new inhaler paradigms. Clinician-level reasons for this implementation gap remain largely unexplored.
OBJECTIVE
To gain an in-depth understanding of the facilitators and barriers to prescribing reliever ICS-formoterol inhalers and SMART in the United States.
METHODS
Community and academic primary care providers, pulmonologists, and allergists who reported regularly caring for adults with asthma were interviewed. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, qualitatively coded, and analyzed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Interviews were continued until theme saturation.
RESULTS
Among 20 interviewed clinicians, only 6 clinicians described regularly prescribing ICS-formoterol inhalers as a reliever inhaler (either alone or within SMART). Significant barriers to new inhaler approaches included concerns surrounding a lack of Food and Drug Administration labeling for ICS-formoterol as a reliever therapy, a lack of awareness regarding a patient's formulary-preferred ICS-long-acting β-agonist choices, the high cost of combination inhalers, and time constraints. Facilitators to using new inhaler approaches included clinicians' beliefs that the latest inhaler recommendations are simpler and more congruent with real-world patients' behavior, and that a potential change in management strategy would offer a valuable opportunity for shared decision making.
CONCLUSIONS
Although new guidelines exist in asthma, many clinicians described significant barriers to using them including medicolegal issues, pharmaceutical formulary confusion, and high drug costs. Nonetheless, most clinicians believed that the latest inhaler approaches would be more intuitive for their patients and would offer an opportunity for patient-centered collaboration and care. Stakeholders may find these results useful in future attempts to increase the real-world adoption of recent asthma recommendations.
Topics: Adult; Humans; United States; Budesonide; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Ethanolamines; Administration, Inhalation; Asthma; Budesonide, Formoterol Fumarate Drug Combination; Formoterol Fumarate; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Drug Combinations
PubMed: 37245736
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.05.023 -
Annual Review of Medicine Jan 2024Interventional pulmonary medicine has developed as a subspecialty focused on the management of patients with complex thoracic disease. Leveraging minimally invasive... (Review)
Review
Interventional pulmonary medicine has developed as a subspecialty focused on the management of patients with complex thoracic disease. Leveraging minimally invasive techniques, interventional pulmonologists diagnose and treat pathologies that previously required more invasive options such as surgery. By mitigating procedural risk, interventional pulmonologists have extended the reach of care to a wider pool of vulnerable patients who require therapy. Endoscopic innovations, including endobronchial ultrasound and robotic and electromagnetic bronchoscopy, have enhanced the ability to perform diagnostic procedures on an ambulatory basis. Therapeutic procedures for patients with symptomatic airway disease, pleural disease, and severe emphysema have provided the ability to palliate symptoms. The combination of medical and procedural expertise has made interventional pulmonologists an integral part of comprehensive care teams for patients with oncologic, airway, and pleural needs. This review surveys key areas in which interventional pulmonologists have impacted the care of thoracic disease through bronchoscopic intervention.
Topics: Humans; Pulmonary Medicine; Bronchoscopy; Thoracic Diseases
PubMed: 37827195
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-med-050922-060929 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024Diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making in pregnancy with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) is challenging. European and other international professional societies... (Review)
Review
Diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making in pregnancy with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) is challenging. European and other international professional societies have proposed various recommendations that are ambiguous, probably due to the unavailability of randomized controlled trials. In the following sections, we discuss the supporting diagnostic steps and treatments. We suggest a standardized diagnostic work-up in pregnant patients presenting with symptoms of PE to make evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. We strongly recommend that clinical decisions on treatment in pregnant patients with intermediate- or high-risk pulmonary embolism should include a multidisciplinary team approach involving emergency physicians, pulmonologists, angiologist, cardiologists, thoracic and/or cardiovascular surgeons, radiologists, and obstetricians to choose a tailored management option including an interventional treatment. It is important to be aware of the differences among guidelines and to assess each case individually, considering the specific views of the different specialties. This review summarizes key concepts of the diagnostics and acute management of pregnant women with suspected PE that are supportive for the clinician on duty.
PubMed: 38792409
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102863