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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2022Self-management interventions help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to acquire and practise the skills they need to carry out disease-specific... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Self-management interventions help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to acquire and practise the skills they need to carry out disease-specific medical regimens, guide changes in health behaviour and provide emotional support to enable them to control their disease. Since the 2014 update of this review, several studies have been published.
OBJECTIVES
Primary objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of COPD self-management interventions compared to usual care in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and respiratory-related hospital admissions. To evaluate the safety of COPD self-management interventions compared to usual care in terms of respiratory-related mortality and all-cause mortality. Secondary objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of COPD self-management interventions compared to usual care in terms of other health outcomes and healthcare utilisation. To evaluate effective characteristics of COPD self-management interventions.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Airways Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, trials registries and the reference lists of included studies up until January 2020.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster-randomised trials (CRTs) published since 1995. To be eligible for inclusion, self-management interventions had to include at least two intervention components and include an iterative process between participant and healthcare provider(s) in which goals were formulated and feedback was given on self-management actions by the participant.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently selected studies for inclusion, assessed trial quality and extracted data. We resolved disagreements by reaching consensus or by involving a third review author. We contacted study authors to obtain additional information and missing outcome data where possible. Primary outcomes were health-related quality of life (HRQoL), number of respiratory-related hospital admissions, respiratory-related mortality, and all-cause mortality. When appropriate, we pooled study results using random-effects modelling meta-analyses.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 27 studies involving 6008 participants with COPD. The follow-up time ranged from two-and-a-half to 24 months and the content of the interventions was diverse. Participants' mean age ranged from 57 to 74 years, and the proportion of male participants ranged from 33% to 98%. The post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio of participants ranged from 33.6% to 57.0%. The FEV1/FVC ratio is a measure used to diagnose COPD and to determine the severity of the disease. Studies were conducted on four different continents (Europe (n = 15), North America (n = 8), Asia (n = 1), and Oceania (n = 4); with one study conducted in both Europe and Oceania). Self-management interventions likely improve HRQoL, as measured by the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score (lower score represents better HRQoL) with a mean difference (MD) from usual care of -2.86 points (95% confidence interval (CI) -4.87 to -0.85; 14 studies, 2778 participants; low-quality evidence). The pooled MD of -2.86 did not reach the SGRQ minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of four points. Self-management intervention participants were also at a slightly lower risk for at least one respiratory-related hospital admission (odds ratio (OR) 0.75, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.98; 15 studies, 3263 participants; very low-quality evidence). The number needed to treat to prevent one respiratory-related hospital admission over a mean of 9.75 months' follow-up was 15 (95% CI 8 to 399) for participants with high baseline risk and 26 (95% CI 15 to 677) for participants with low baseline risk. No differences were observed in respiratory-related mortality (risk difference (RD) 0.01, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.04; 8 studies, 1572 participants ; low-quality evidence) and all-cause mortality (RD -0.01, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.01; 24 studies, 5719 participants; low-quality evidence). We graded the evidence to be of 'moderate' to 'very low' quality according to GRADE. All studies had a substantial risk of bias, because of lack of blinding of participants and personnel to the interventions, which is inherently impossible in a self-management intervention. In addition, risk of bias was noticeably increased because of insufficient information regarding a) non-protocol interventions, and b) analyses to estimate the effect of adhering to interventions. Consequently, the highest GRADE evidence score that could be obtained by studies was 'moderate'.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Self-management interventions for people with COPD are associated with improvements in HRQoL, as measured with the SGRQ, and a lower probability of respiratory-related hospital admissions. No excess respiratory-related and all-cause mortality risks were observed, which strengthens the view that COPD self-management interventions are unlikely to cause harm. By using stricter inclusion criteria, we decreased heterogeneity in studies, but also reduced the number of included studies and therefore our capacity to conduct subgroup analyses. Data were therefore still insufficient to reach clear conclusions about effective (intervention) characteristics of COPD self-management interventions. As tailoring of COPD self-management interventions to individuals is desirable, heterogeneity is and will likely remain present in self-management interventions. For future studies, we would urge using only COPD self-management interventions that include iterative interactions between participants and healthcare professionals who are competent using behavioural change techniques (BCTs) to elicit participants' motivation, confidence and competence to positively adapt their health behaviour(s) and develop skills to better manage their disease. In addition, to inform further subgroup and meta-regression analyses and to provide stronger conclusions regarding effective COPD self-management interventions, there is a need for more homogeneity in outcome measures. More attention should be paid to behavioural outcome measures and to providing more detailed, uniform and transparently reported data on self-management intervention components and BCTs. Assessment of outcomes over the long term is also recommended to capture changes in people's behaviour. Finally, information regarding non-protocol interventions as well as analyses to estimate the effect of adhering to interventions should be included to increase the quality of evidence.
Topics: Aged; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Quality of Life; Self-Management
PubMed: 35001366
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002990.pub4 -
Heart & Lung : the Journal of Critical... 2022The gold standard for diagnosing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is microbiological confirmation by reverse... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The gold standard for diagnosing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is microbiological confirmation by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) most commonly done using oropharyngeal (OP) and nasopharyngeal swabs (NP). But in suspected cases, where these samples are false-negative, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) may prove diagnostic.
OBJECTIVES
Hence, the diagnostic yield of BAL for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in cases of non-diagnostic upper respiratory tract samples is reviewed.
METHODS
Databases such as MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using a systematic search strategy. The current study has been in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and has been registered with the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020224088).
RESULTS
911 records were identified at initial database extraction, of which 317 duplicates were removed and, 596 records were screened for inclusion eligibility. We included total 19 studies in the systematic review, and 17 were included in metanalysis. The pooled estimate of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in BAL was 11% (95%CI: 0.01-0.24). A sensitivity analysis also showed that the results appear to be robust and minimal risk of bias amongst the studies.
CONCLUSION
The current study demonstrates that BAL can be used to diagnose additional cases primary disease and superadded infections in patients with severe COVID-19 lower respiratory tract infection.
Topics: Bronchoalveolar Lavage; COVID-19; Humans; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34929538
DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.11.011 -
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases... Oct 2021Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) struggle with respiratory symptoms that impair their daily activities and quality of life. Understanding a...
RATIONALE
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) struggle with respiratory symptoms that impair their daily activities and quality of life. Understanding a treatment's ability to relieve symptoms requires precise assessment. The Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms in COPD (E-RS:COPD) was developed to quantify respiratory symptoms in clinical trials. This study aimed to better understand how trials use this patient-reported outcome measure as an endpoint, as well as its responsiveness and performance relative to other outcome measures.
OBJECTIVES
To summarize the use of the E-RS:COPD in pharmacological trials since its qualification by regulatory authorities.
METHODS
A rapid systematic literature review, using key biomedical databases to identify English language full-text publications of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that included the E-RS:COPD as an endpoint (2010-2020). Two investigators independently screened the publications and extracted data.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Of 219 screened records, 28 full-text publications were included, and data from 17 reporting 20 unique double-blind RCTs were synthesized. The E-RS:COPD was positioned as a primary or secondary endpoint in six publications (35%), and served as an exploratory or additional endpoint in 11 (65%). Statistically significant E-RS:COPD treatment effects versus placebo/comparator were found in 13 of the 14 publications reporting symptom results. E-RS:COPD effects corresponded well with other outcome measures (e.g., St George's Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ] and forced expiratory volume 1 second [FEV]). Two publications reported the number of responders.
CONCLUSIONS
E-RS:COPD is sensitive to treatment effects in clinical trials testing drug therapies. Presentation of trial results should include responder analyses to facilitate interpretation and application of results.
PubMed: 34614551
DOI: 10.15326/jcopdf.2021.0235 -
Respiratory Investigation Nov 2021The prognosis of patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) has improved significantly in recent years, but interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with connective... (Review)
Review
The prognosis of patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) has improved significantly in recent years, but interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with connective tissue disease (CTD-ILD) remains a refractory condition, which is a leading cause of mortality. Because it is an important prognostic factor, many observational and interventional studies have been conducted to date. However, CTD is a heterogeneous group of conditions, which makes the clinical course, treatment responses, and prognosis of CTD-ILD extremely diverse. To summarize the current understanding and unsolved questions, the Japanese Respiratory Society and the Japan College of Rheumatology collaborated to publish the world's first guide focusing on CTD-ILD, based on the evidence and expert consensus of pulmonologists and rheumatologists, along with radiologists, pathologists, and dermatologists. The task force members proposed a total of 27 items, including 7 for general topics, 9 for disease-specific topics, 3 for complications, 4 for pharmacologic treatments, and 4 for non-pharmacologic therapies, with teams of 2-4 authors and reviewers for each item to prepare a consensus statement based on a systematic literature review. Subsequently, public opinions were collected from members of both societies, and a critical review was conducted by external reviewers. Finally, the task force finalized the guide upon discussion and consensus generation. This guide is expected to contribute to the standardization of CTD-ILD medical care and is also useful as a tool for promoting future research by clarifying unresolved issues.
Topics: Connective Tissue Diseases; Humans; Japan; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Prognosis; Pulmonologists
PubMed: 34602377
DOI: 10.1016/j.resinv.2021.04.011 -
Annals of the American Thoracic Society Jun 2021Individuals who identify with a gender not typically associated with their sex assigned at birth are a growing population worldwide. Guidelines to help healthcare...
Individuals who identify with a gender not typically associated with their sex assigned at birth are a growing population worldwide. Guidelines to help healthcare providers navigate the care of gender minorities (GMs) are often aimed at primary care providers and may be too general for subspecialists. Pulmonologists may see GM individuals for a variety of reasons, and no reference exists that contains relevant information about GM-specific care, including unique conditions to consider. A systematic review was completed to identify unique characteristics in caring for GM patients with a pulmonary complaint.
Topics: Gender Identity; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Transgender Persons
PubMed: 33606614
DOI: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202007-801CME -
The Journal of Asthma : Official... Jan 2022To review the available evidence supporting the validity of algorithms to identify asthma patients in healthcare administrative databases. A systematic literature...
To review the available evidence supporting the validity of algorithms to identify asthma patients in healthcare administrative databases. A systematic literature search was conducted on multiple databases from inception to March 2020 to identify studies that reported the validity of case-finding asthma algorithms applied to healthcare administrative data. Following an initial screening of abstracts, two investigators independently assessed the full text of studies which met the pre-determined eligibility criteria. Data on study population and algorithm characteristics were extracted. A revised version of the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias and generalizability of studies.: A total of 20 studies met the eligibility criteria. Algorithms which incorporated ≥1 diagnostic code for asthma over a 1-year period appeared to be valid in both adult and pediatric populations (sensitivity ≥ 85%; specificity ≥ 89%; PPV ≥ 70%). The validity was enhanced when: (1) the time frame to capture asthma cases was increased to two years; (2) ≥2 asthma diagnostic codes were considered; and (3) when diagnoses were recorded by a pulmonologist. Algorithms which integrated pharmacy claims data appeared to correctly identify asthma patients; however, the extent to which asthma medications can improve the validity remains unclear. The quality of several studies was high, although disease progression bias and biases related to self-reported data was observed in some studies.Healthcare administrative databases are adequate sources to identify asthma patients. More restrictive definitions based on both asthma diagnoses and asthma medications may enhance validity, although further research is required to confirm this hypothesis.
Topics: Algorithms; Asthma; Child; Databases, Factual; Delivery of Health Care; Humans; International Classification of Diseases
PubMed: 32990481
DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2020.1827425 -
Sao Paulo Medical Journal = Revista... 2020A positive real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS CoV-2, from nasopharyngeal swabs, is the current gold standard diagnostic test for... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction versus chest computed tomography for detecting early symptoms of COVID-19. A diagnostic accuracy systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
A positive real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS CoV-2, from nasopharyngeal swabs, is the current gold standard diagnostic test for this virus and has sensitivity of 60-70%. Some studies have demonstrated a significant number of false-negative RT-PCR tests while displaying significant tomographic findings, in the early days of symptoms of COVID-19.
OBJECTIVE
To compare accuracy between RT-PCR and computed tomography (CT) for detecting COVID-19 in the first week of its symptoms during the pandemic.
DESIGN AND SETTING
Systematic review of comparative studies of diagnostic accuracy within the Evidence-based Health Program of a federal university in São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
METHODS
A systematic search of the relevant literature was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and LILACS databases, for articles published up to June 6, 2020, relating to studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of RT-PCR and chest CT for COVID-19 diagnoses. The QUADAS 2 tool was used for methodological quality evaluation.
RESULTS
In total, 1204 patients with COVID-19 were evaluated; 1045 had tomographic findings while 755 showed positive RT-PCR for COVID-19. RT-PCR demonstrated 81.4% sensitivity, 100% specificity and 92.3% accuracy. Chest CT demonstrated 95.3% sensitivity, 43.8% specificity and 63.3% accuracy.
CONCLUSION
The high sensitivity and detection rates shown by CT demonstrate that this technique has a high degree of importance in the early stages of the disease. During an outbreak, the higher prevalence of the condition increases the positive predictive value of CT.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/UNGHA in the Open Science Framework.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; Brazil; COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; COVID-19 Vaccines; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; SARS-CoV-2; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 32844901
DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2020.034306072020 -
Monaldi Archives For Chest Disease =... Feb 2020To date treatment protocols in Respiratory and or Internal departments across Italy for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at hospital...
To date treatment protocols in Respiratory and or Internal departments across Italy for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at hospital admission with relapse due to exacerbation do not find adequate support in current guidelines. Here we describe the results of a recent clinical audit, including a systematic review of practices reported in literature and an open discussion comparing these to current real-life procedures. The process was dived into two 8-hour-audits 3 months apart in order to allow work on the field in between meeting and involved 13 participants (3 nurses, 1 physiotherapist, 2 internists and 7 pulmonologists). This document reports the opinions of the experts and their consensus, leading to a bundle of multidisciplinary statements on the use of inhaled drugs for hospitalized COPD patients. Recommendations and topics addressed include: i) monitoring and diagnosis during the first 24 h after admission; ii) treatment algorithm and options (i.e., short and long acting bronchodilators); iii) bronchodilator dosages when switching device or using spacer; iv) flow measurement systems for shifting to LABA+LAMA within 48 h; v) when nebulizers are recommended; vi) use of SMI to deliver LABA+LAMA when patient needs SABA <3 times/day independently from flow limitation; vii) use of DPI and pre-dosed MDI to deliver LABA+LAMA or TRIPLE when patient needs SABA <3 times/day, with inspiratory flow > 30 litres/min; viii) contraindication to use DPI; ix) continuation of LABA-LAMA when patient is already on therapy; x) possible LABA-LAMA dosage increase; xi) use of SABA and/or SAMA in addition to LABA+LABA; xii) use of SABA+SAMA restricted to real need; xiii) reconciliation of drugs in presence of comorbidities; xiv) check of knowledge and skills on inhalation therapy; xv) discharge bundle; xvi) use of MDI and SMI in tracheostomized patients in spontaneous and ventilated breathing.
Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Aged, 80 and over; Bronchodilator Agents; Clinical Audit; Disease Progression; Drug Therapy, Combination; Hospitalization; Humans; Italy; Muscarinic Antagonists; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Patient Care Team; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
PubMed: 32072800
DOI: 10.4081/monaldi.2020.1176 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2019The opportunity of a multidisciplinary evaluation for the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonias highlighted a major change in the diagnostic approach to diffuse lung...
The opportunity of a multidisciplinary evaluation for the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonias highlighted a major change in the diagnostic approach to diffuse lung disease. The new American Thoracic Society, European Respiratory Society, Japanese Respiratory Society, and Latin American Thoracic Society guidelines for the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have reinforced this assumption and have underlined that the exclusion of connective tissue disease related lung involvement is mandatory, with obvious clinical and therapeutic impact. The multidisciplinary team discussion consists in a moment of interaction among the radiologist, pathologist and pulmonologist, also including the rheumatologist when considered necessary, to improve diagnostic agreement and optimize the definition of those cases in which pulmonary involvement may represent the first or prominent manifestation of an autoimmune systemic disease. Moreover, the proposal of classification criteria for interstitial lung disease with autoimmune features (IPAF) represents an effort to define lung involvement in clinically undefined autoimmune conditions. The complexity of autoimmune diseases, and in particular the lack of classification criteria defined for pathologies such as anti-synthetase syndrome, makes the involvement of the rheumatologist essential for the correct interpretation of the autoimmune element and for the application of classification criteria, that could replace clinical pictures initially interpreted as IPAF in defined autoimmune disease, minimizing the risk of misdiagnosis. The aim of this review was to evaluate the available evidence about the efficiency and efficacy of different multidisciplinary team approaches, in order to standardize the professional figures and the core set procedures that should be necessary for a correct approach in diagnosing patients with interstitial lung disease.
PubMed: 31750308
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00246 -
Clinical Medicine Insights.... 2019is one of the primary cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) worldwide. However, scant data are available on the prevalence of etiological organisms for CAP in...
BACKGROUND
is one of the primary cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) worldwide. However, scant data are available on the prevalence of etiological organisms for CAP in adolescent and adult Indian population.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the contribution of in the causation of CAP in Indian patients aged 12 years or above.
METHODOLOGY
We performed a systematic search of both indexed and non-indexed publications using PubMed, databases of National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR), Annotated Bibliography of Indian Medicine (ABIM), Google Scholar, and hand search including cross-references using key terms 'community acquired pneumonia AND India'. All studies, published between January 1990 and January 2017, that evaluated Indian patients aged above 12 years with a confirmed diagnosis of CAP were eligible for inclusion. Our search retrieved a total of 182 studies, of which only 17 and 12 qualified for inclusion in the systematic review of all etiological organisms, and meta-analysis of , respectively.
RESULTS
A total of 1435 patients met the inclusion criteria. The pooled proportion of patients with infection was 19% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12%-26%; I = 94.5% where I represents heterogeneity, < .01). Other major etiological agents are (15.5% [1.1%-35.5%]), (10.5% [1.6%-24.0%]), and (7.3% [2.5%-23.8%]).
CONCLUSIONS
Analysis found approximately a one-fifth proportion of adult Indian patients of CAP with infection, suggesting it as a leading organism for causing CAP compared with other etiological organisms.
PubMed: 31391784
DOI: 10.1177/1179548419862790