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Annals of Translational Medicine Feb 2022Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often readmitted to hospital for treatment due to an acute exacerbation of the disease. However, there are...
Factors affecting the length of stay and hospital readmission rates after an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often readmitted to hospital for treatment due to an acute exacerbation of the disease. However, there are few up-to-date studies investigating the lengths of stay and risk factors for readmission after an acute exacerbation of COPD. This study evaluated the length of stay in patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD and the factors that influenced their readmission.
METHODS
A search of the PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and Weipu databases, carried out using the following search terms: airflow limitation, airway disease, airway obstruction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, length of stay and influencing factors, long-term oxygen therapy, lung disease, readmission, and respiratory system disease. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of the retrieved studies, and a network meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.20.
RESULTS
Collectively, they included information on the length of stay for 630 patients who had been readmitted to hospital after an acute exacerbation of COPD (the readmitted group) and information on 688 patients who had not been readmitted (the non-readmitted group). Meta-analysis results showed that there was no difference in patient anxiety [risk ratio (RR) 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70-2.14] or long-term oxygen therapy (RR 1.91, 95% CI: 0.98-3.73) between the readmitted group and the non-readmitted group. However, there was a significant difference between the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) predicted value [mean difference (MD) -5.85, 95% CI: -11.14 to -0.57] and the global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) classification (C or D) (RR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.05-2.47).
DISCUSSION
In summary, no significant relationship was found between patient state of anxiety, long-term oxygen therapy, length of hospital stay, and readmission rate after an acute exacerbation of COPD. However, FEV1 predicted values and GOLD classifications (C or D) had an impact on the length of hospital stay and readmission rate after acute exacerbation of COPD. Larger samples, multiple centers, and further research are needed to confirm the findings of this research.
PubMed: 35280353
DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-150 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2021Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, life-limiting, genetically inherited disease. It affects multiple organs, particularly the respiratory system. However,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, life-limiting, genetically inherited disease. It affects multiple organs, particularly the respiratory system. However, gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS) are also important and well-recognised complications in CF. They share similar symptoms e.g. bloating, abdominal pain, but are distinct conditions. Constipation occurs when there is gradual faecal impaction of the colon, but DIOS occurs when there is an accumulation of faeces and sticky mucus, forming a mass in the distal part of the small intestine. The mass may partially block the intestine (incomplete DIOS) or completely block the intestine (complete DIOS). Symptoms of DIOS can affect quality of life and other aspects of CF health, such as airway clearance, exercise, sleep and nutritional status. Treatment of constipation and prevention of complete bowel obstruction are required for gastrointestinal management in CF. However, many different strategies are used in clinical practice and there is a lack of consensus. The importance of this topic was highlighted in a recent research priority setting exercise by the James Lind Alliance.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of laxative agents of differing types for preventing DIOS (complete and incomplete) in children and adults with CF.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. Date of search: 09 September 2021. We also searched online trial registries. Date of last search: 12 October 2021.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled parallel trials comparing laxative therapy for preventing DIOS (including osmotic agents, stimulants, mucolytics and substances with more than one action) at any dose to placebo, no treatment or an alternative laxative therapy, in people of any age with pancreatic sufficient or insufficient CF and any stage of lung disease. Randomised cross-over trials were judged on an individual basis.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently assessed trials for inclusion, extracted outcome data and performed a risk of bias assessment for the included data. We judged the certainty of the evidence using GRADE criteria.
MAIN RESULTS
We included one cross-over trial (17 participants) with a duration of 12 months, in which participants were randomly allocated to either cisapride (a gastro-prokinetic agent) or placebo for six months each. The trial had an unclear risk of bias for most domains but had a high risk of reporting bias. Radiograph scores revealed no difference in occurrence of DIOS between cisapride and placebo (narrative report, no data provided). There were no adverse effects. Symptom scores were the only secondary outcome within the review that were reported. Total gastrointestinal symptom scores favoured cisapride with a statistically significant mean difference (MD) of -7.60 (95% confidence interval (CI) -14.73 to -0.47). There was no significant difference at six months between cisapride and placebo for abdominal distension, MD -0.90 (95% CI -2.39 to 0.59) or abdominal pain, MD -0.4 (95% CI -2.05 to 1.25). The global symptom scores (whether individuals felt better or worse) were reported in the paper to favour cisapride and be statistically significant (P < 0.05). We assessed the available data to be very low certainty. There was a great deal of missing data from the included trial and the investigators failed to report numerical data for many outcomes. The overall risk of bias of the trial was unclear and it had a high risk for reporting bias. There was also indirectness; the trial drug (cisapride) has since been removed from the market in several countries due to adverse effects, thus it has no current applicability for preventing DIOS. The included trial also had very few participants, which downgraded the certainty a further level for precision.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is an absence of evidence for interventions for the prevention of DIOS. As there was only one included trial, we could not perform a meta-analysis of the data. Furthermore, the included trial compared a prokinetic agent (cisapride) that is no longer licensed for use in a number of countries due to the risk of serious cardiac events, a finding that came to light after the trial was conducted. Therefore, the limited findings from the trial are not applicable in current clinical practice. Overall, a great deal more research needs to be undertaken on gastrointestinal complications in CF, as this is a very poorly studied area compared to respiratory complications in CF.
Topics: Cisapride; Constipation; Cystic Fibrosis; Humans; Intestinal Obstruction; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 34936085
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012619.pub3 -
Sleep Medicine Dec 2021Identification of the obstruction site in the upper airway may help in treatment selection for patients with sleep-disordered breathing. Because of limitations of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Identification of the obstruction site in the upper airway may help in treatment selection for patients with sleep-disordered breathing. Because of limitations of existing techniques, there is a continuous search for more feasible methods. Snoring sound parameters were hypothesized to be potential predictors of the obstruction site. Therefore, this review aims to i) investigate the association between snoring sound parameters and the obstruction sites; and ii) analyze the methodology of reported prediction models of the obstruction sites.
METHODS
The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase.com, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Scopus in collaboration with a medical librarian. Studies were eligible if they investigated the associations between snoring sound parameters and the obstruction sites, and/or reported prediction models of the obstruction sites based on snoring sound.
RESULTS
Of the 1016 retrieved references, 28 eligible studies were included. It was found that the characteristic frequency components generated from lower-level obstructions of the upper airway were higher than those generated from upper-level obstructions. Prediction models were built mainly based on snoring sound parameters in frequency domain. The reported accuracies ranged from 60.4% to 92.2%.
CONCLUSIONS
Available evidence points toward associations between the snoring sound parameters in the frequency domain and the obstruction sites in the upper airway. It is promising to build a prediction model of the obstruction sites based on snoring sound parameters and participant characteristics, but so far snoring sound analysis does not seem to be a viable diagnostic modality for treatment selection.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Humans; Nose; Sleep Apnea Syndromes; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Snoring; Sound
PubMed: 34749271
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.10.015 -
Craniomaxillofacial Trauma &... Dec 2021Systematic review of the literature.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study is to review the current literature on severe rhinophyma requiring operative management for significant cosmetic deformity or nasal obstruction. We aim to provide a treatment algorithm for the various surgical techniques employed in the treatment of severe rhinophyma.
METHODS
Independent searches of the PubMed and MEDLINE databases were performed. Articles from the period of 2010 to 2020 were collected. All studies which described surgical treatment of severe rhinophyma using the Boolean method and relevant search term combinations, including "rhinophyma," "severe," "operative" and "surgery" were collected.
RESULTS
A total of 111 relevant unique articles met criteria for eligibility analysis. Of these, 85 articles were deemed inappropriate for the literature review due to exclusion criteria. The remaining 26 articles were included in the literature review. Due to variability in study design and outcome measures, formal synthesis of data in the form of a meta-analysis was not possible.
CONCLUSIONS
Severe rhinophyma may present a reconstructive challenge to reestablish normal contour and patent nasal airway. Significant deformity necessitates surgical correction. The present article reviews the current literature and provides a summary and stepwise explanation of established surgical techniques for addressing the cosmetic and functional deficits these patients encounter.
PubMed: 34707790
DOI: 10.1177/1943387520983117 -
Respiratory Medicine 2021Small airway disease is recognized as a cardinal pathological process of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and recently small airways have been recognized as...
Small airway disease is recognized as a cardinal pathological process of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and recently small airways have been recognized as a major site of airflow obstruction also in asthmatic patients. The transversal involvement of small airways in COPD and asthma has warranted research efforts to identify therapeutic strategies able to unlock the small airway compartment. The mainstay of COPD treatment is represented by long-acting β-adrenoceptor agonists (LABAs) and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs). In asthma, the efficacy of LAMAs administered add-on to inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) or ICS/LABA combinations has been investigated only in recent years. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the current literature concerning the impact of LAMAs on small airways and their lung deposition in both COPD and asthma. LAMAs administered either alone or in combination induced an effective bronchorelaxant effect of small airways, however the effectiveness of respiratory medications not only relies on the selected drug, but also on the employed inhalation device and patient's adherence. Tiotropium delivered via Respimat® SMI achieved a superior drug deposition in the peripheral lung compared to HandiHaler® dry powder inhaler and metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). The use of co-suspension™ delivery technology for MDIs and the introduction of the eFlow® nebulizer to deliver glycopyrronium improved aerosol drug delivery to the peripheral lung, by achieving uniform distribution of drug particles. This systematic review provides a synthesis of current literature concerning the impact of LAMAs on small airways and an insight on LAMAs distribution within the lung.
Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Asthma; Humans; Muscarinic Antagonists; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
PubMed: 34628125
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106639 -
Anaesthesia Jan 2022Haematoma after thyroid surgery can lead to airway obstruction and death. We therefore developed guidelines to improve the safety of peri-operative care of patients...
Management of haematoma after thyroid surgery: systematic review and multidisciplinary consensus guidelines from the Difficult Airway Society, the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons and the British Association of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.
Haematoma after thyroid surgery can lead to airway obstruction and death. We therefore developed guidelines to improve the safety of peri-operative care of patients undergoing thyroid surgery. We conducted a systematic review to inform recommendations, with expert consensus used in the absence of high-quality evidence, and a Delphi study was used to ratify recommendations. We highlight the importance of multidisciplinary team management and make recommendations in key areas including: monitoring; recognition; post-thyroid surgery emergency box; management of suspected haematoma following thyroid surgery; cognitive aids; post-haematoma evacuation care; day-case thyroid surgery; training; consent and pre-operative communication; postoperative communication; and institutional policies. The guidelines support a multidisciplinary approach to the management of suspected haematoma following thyroid surgery through oxygenation and evaluation; haematoma evacuation; and tracheal intubation. They have been produced with materials to support implementation. While these guidelines are specific to thyroid surgery, the principles may apply to other forms of neck surgery. These guidelines and recommendations provided are the first in this area and it is hoped they will support multidisciplinary team working, improving care and outcomes for patients having thyroid surgery.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Cognition; Elective Surgical Procedures; Hematoma; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Intubation, Intratracheal; Thyroid Gland
PubMed: 34545943
DOI: 10.1111/anae.15585 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Dec 2021adenoidectomy is one of the most common surgical procedure in pediatric otolaryngology practice. Clinical guidelines (such as the Spanish or American) suggest... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
adenoidectomy is one of the most common surgical procedure in pediatric otolaryngology practice. Clinical guidelines (such as the Spanish or American) suggest adenoidectomy when the enlargement of the adenoids is associated with nasal obstruction. Nasal endoscopy and cephalograms are adequate methods to estimate the size of the adenoids. However, they do not measure nasal patency. This systematic review is designed with the objective of exploring the relationship between adenoid size and nasal ventilation through rhinomanometry.
REVIEW METHODS
3 authors members of the YO-IFOS rhinology study group independently analyzed the data sources (Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, SciELO) for papers assessing both nasal resistance and/or nasal airflow in rhinomanometry and adenoid size by any method (endoscopy, cephalogram, direct examination).
RESULTS
A total of 10 studies with a total population of 969 participants met the inclusion criteria. 5 authors explored the size of the adenoids through endoscopy. 4 authors explored the adenoids through lateral cephalograms. Finally, a further 2 authors explored adenoid size studying the resected tissue. Five studies explored the correlation between adenoid size and nasal resistance in rhinomanometry, which ranged from 0.20 to 0.84. Finally, 5 studies used nasal decongestant. It was found higher sensitivity and specificity, a higher area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curve, and higher correlation with adenoid size for rhinomanometry under nasal decongestion.
CONCLUSION
Up to now, there is no ideal diagnostic method for adenoid hypertrophy. Therefore, it seems prudent to use a combination of all currently available tools, as they provide complementary, rather than supplementary information. Available evidence suggests that rhinomanometry combined with nasal decongestant could help to elucidate the existence of nasal obstruction in intermediate cases of adenoid hypertrophy, as well as throw light on other possible causes for nasal obstruction, mainly turbinate hypertrophy.
Topics: Adenoidectomy; Adenoids; Child; Endoscopy; Humans; Hypertrophy; Nasal Obstruction; Rhinomanometry
PubMed: 34537548
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110895 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Dec 2021Third and fourth branchial pouch sinuses can be rare causes of respiratory distress in neonates. An overview of this distinct clinical entity is missing in literature.... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Third and fourth branchial pouch sinuses can be rare causes of respiratory distress in neonates. An overview of this distinct clinical entity is missing in literature. To aid clinicians in recognizing and adequately treating this unique entity, we conducted a systematic review to discuss patient characteristics, diagnostic considerations and treatment strategy.
METHODS
MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from inception to December 29th 2020. Original studies concerning patients with respiratory symptoms as a result of a third or fourth branchial pouch sinus, as confirmed with rigid endoscopy, videofluoroscopy or during surgery.
RESULTS
Thirty-nine studies describing 56 patients (66% male, aged 0-30 days) were analyzed. Symptoms included cervical mass (76.8%), stridor (55.4%), dyspnea (35.7%) and cyanosis (17.9%) due to a third (39.3%) or fourth (60.7%) branchial pouch sinus. Intubation was performed before treatment in 31.3%. The piriform sinus opening was identified with rigid endoscopy in 81.1%. Surgery was the treatment of choice in the majority of patients (85.7%), with a success rate of 100% and a complication rate of 10.7%. Endoscopic cauterization was successful in 40% and endoscopic cauterization followed by sclerotherapy was successful 100%, with no complications.
CONCLUSION
Third or fourth branchial pouch sinuses can lead to respiratory distress in neonates. It is important to recognize this distinct clinical picture for adequate diagnosis and treatment. Rigid endoscopy is indicated to demonstrate an opening in the piriform sinus and provides the opportunity to directly perform treatment with endoscopic cauterization. If this is insufficient to relief respiratory symptoms due to a persistent cyst, sclerotherapy or surgical excision should be considered.
Topics: Branchial Region; Cautery; Endoscopy; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pharyngeal Diseases; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn
PubMed: 34525447
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110922 -
Journal of Health & Pollution Sep 2021There is fast-growing epidemiologic evidence of the effects of environmental chemicals on respiratory health. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been linked... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There is fast-growing epidemiologic evidence of the effects of environmental chemicals on respiratory health. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been linked with airway obstruction common in asthma and/or asthma exacerbation, and chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
OBJECTIVES
A systematic review of the association between exposure to PAHs and obstructive lung diseases is not yet available. The present systematic review aims to evaluate the evidence available in epidemiological studies that have associated PAHs with obstructive lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema.
METHODS
We performed a systematic literature search on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases using relevant keywords and guided by predesigned eligibility criteria.
RESULTS
From the total of 30 articles reviewed, 16 articles examined the link between PAHs and lung function in both adults and children. Twelve articles investigated the association between PAHs and asthma, asthma biomarkers, and/or asthma symptoms in children. Two articles studied the relationship between PAHs and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a biomarker of airway inflammation and the relationship between PAHs and obstructive lung diseases and infections, respectively. One study assessed exposure to daily ambient PAHs and cough occurrence.
DISCUSSION
Twenty-seven studies found an association between PAHs and asthma and reduced lung function. In children it is reinforced by studies on prenatal and postnatal exposure, whereas in adults, reductions in lung function tests marked by low forced expiratory volume in 1 second, (FEV), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow (FEF) were the major health outcomes. Some studies recorded contrasting results: insignificant and/or no association between the two variables of interest. The studies reviewed had limitations ranging from small sample size, to the use of cross-sectional rather than longitudinal study design.
CONCLUSIONS
The literature reviewed in the present study largely suggest positive correlations between PAHs and obstructive lung diseases marked mainly by asthma and reduced respiratory function. This review was registered with PROSPERO (Registration no: CRD42020212894).
COMPETING INTERESTS
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
PubMed: 34434595
DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-11.31.210903 -
Sleep Medicine Reviews Dec 2021This study's objective is to systematically review the literature on natural sleep endoscopy (NSE), including the set-up, different scoring systems, visualized collapse... (Review)
Review
This study's objective is to systematically review the literature on natural sleep endoscopy (NSE), including the set-up, different scoring systems, visualized collapse patterns during natural sleep, additional measurements, and comparison of upper airway collapse between NSE and drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). A computerized search on Medline, Web of Science and the Cochrane library was conducted, obtaining 39 hits. Ten prospective studies were included in which NSE was performed in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study's findings suggest the soft palate to be the most frequent site of obstruction (58.8 %), followed by the tongue base (43.2 %), lateral walls (29.9 %), and epiglottis (22.4 %), which is in line with previous findings during DISE. Based on this literature review, the authors conclude that at this stage high quality, comparative research between DISE and NSE is missing. To adequately compare findings between OSA patients, endoscopic classification of upper airway collapse should be standardized. Non-invasive predictive tools to determine pharyngeal collapse are currently under investigation and may obviate the need for invasive endoscopy. This review highlights the contribution of NSE in validating such novel diagnostic methods and in studying upper airway mechanics in a research setting, yet larger and adequately powered studies are needed.
Topics: Adult; Airway Obstruction; Endoscopy; Epiglottis; Humans; Prospective Studies; Sleep; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
PubMed: 34418668
DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101534