Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine最新文献

Background: Unique cognitive impairments related to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) have been increasingly reported. Considering the dementia risk and medication management, older patients with COPD should be evaluated for cognitive impairment. This study aimed to examine whether specific cognitive impairments related to COPD could be detected by an assessment tool using a touchscreen personal computer (PC) in older patients with COPD.

Methods: This study included 28 older male patients with COPD and 30 healthy older male individuals. A touchscreen PC-based cognitive assessment application called CogEvo was used to assess and compare the cognitive function according to five domains: spatial cognition, orientation, working memory, executive function, and attention.

Results: Analysis of variance showed an interaction effect on the indices of cognitive function based on five domains between the two groups, indicating differences in the characteristics of cognitive function in such groups. Betweengroup comparisons as a subtest showed that attention, executive function, and working memory were significantly lower in the COPD group than in the healthy group.

Conclusions: CogEvo can detect specific cognitive impairments associated with COPD, suggesting that it can be potentially used as a screening tool for cognitive impairment in older patients with COPD.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) poses a significant morbidity and mortality risk to critically ill COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of AKI in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with critically ill COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study in Saudi Arabia of adult patients aged at least 18 years diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia and admitted to the intensive care unit between May 2020 and May 2021 was conducted. The occurrence of AKI and associated risk factors, the need for continous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and the outcome were reported.

Results: The study included 340 patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19. Their mean age was 66.7±13.4 years, ranging from 49 to 84 years, and most of them were men (63.8%). The most common concomitant diseases were hypertension (71.5%), diabetes (62.4%), IHD (37.6%), CKD (20%), heart failure (19.4%), and 81.2% suffered from ARDS. AKI occurred in 60.3% of patients, 38% were stage 1, 16.6% were stage 2, and 45.4% were stage 3. Approximately, 39% of patients required CRRT, out of which 76.2% were stage 3, which was significantly higher than the other stages (p<0.001). AKI patients suffered significantly from asthma and had lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and higher creatinine levels than patients without AKI (p<0.05 all). The overall mortality rate was 39.4%, and the mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with AKI than in patients without AKI (48.3% versus 25.9%; p<0.001).

Conclusion: AKI is common in adults admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 and is associated with an increased risk of death. Early detection of AKI and appropriate treatment can positively impact COVID-19 outcome. CRRT is the preferred dialysis method in critically ill ICU patients with AKI.

Background: In Thailand, epidemiological data on silicosis in the ceramic sector is lacking and the underdiagnosis of silicosis remains an extensive concern. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of silicosis and the extent of underdiagnosis among Thai ceramic workers by reinterpreting chest radiographs previously taken by a health check-up unit.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on ceramic workers undergoing health surveillance using chest radiographs in one ceramic factory in September 2018. All chest radiographs were done retrospectively, then were reinterpreted by professional readers specially trained in using the ILO International Classification of Radiograph of Pneumoconioses (ILO/ICRP). Chest radiographs with a profusion of 1/1 or greater were suggestive of silicosis.

Results: Out of the 244 participants undergoing chest radiography, the prevalence of silicosis was 2.9%. Overall, the mean age of the participants was 41 years, and 72.1% were female. Among individuals with silicosis, the median age was 43 years; 71.4% were male; the average employment duration was 26.9 years; while the male sex was the significant variable associated with silicosis with an odds ratio of 7.01 (95% confidence interval 1.31 to 37.4). Regarding the underdiagnosis, the health check-up unit failed to recognize all individuals with silicosis, and could not detect any radiographic chest abnormalities in 57.1% of those with silicosis.

Conclusions: Despite the low prevalence of silicosis among Thai ceramic workers, this finding indicates ongoing exposure to silica in the ceramic industry. In addition, a significant proportion of the silicosis cases were underrecognized. Future efforts to prevent underdiagnosis and improve an occupational health surveillance service in Thailand are needed.

Background: No definite consensus has been reached yet on the best treatment strategy for the large group of infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Minimal handling is often recommended, although not evaluated scientifically. There is a need to evaluate the management, as the infants often are critically affected, and the costs for society are high. The aim of this RCT was to evaluate the most common physiotherapy intervention in Sweden for this patient group, including frequent changes in body position and stimulation of physical activity, compared to standard care.

Methods: Infants 0-24 months old, without previous cardiac or respiratory diagnoses and born in gestational week 35+, were recruited in two Swedish hospitals. The participants (n=109) were randomised to either interventions in addition to standard care (intervention group) or to standard care alone (control group). The primary outcome measure was time to improvement. The secondary outcomes were immediate changes in oxygen saturation, heart rate and respiratory rate, time to improved general condition (parents' assessment), and lung complications.

Results: The median time to improvement was 6 hours in both groups (p=0.54). The result was similar when we adjusted for age in months, sex, tobacco smoke exposure, heredity for asthma/atopic disease, and early stage of the infection (for those with RSV), p=0.69. Analyses of the immediate changes showed no significant differences either (p=0.49-0.89). Time to improved general condition was median 3 hours in the intervention group and 6 hours in the control group, p=0.76. No lung complications occurred.

Conclusions: No statistically significant differences in outcomes were detected between the intervention group and the control group. Both strategies were found to be equally effective and safe, indicating that the current recommendation of minimal handling for these infants should be reconsidered. Furthermore, the findings suggest that this treatment can be safely continued.

Background: In COVID-19 patients undetected co-infections may have severe clinical implications associated with prolonged hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of viral coinfections on the outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in a large tertiary Saudi Arabian Hospital.

Methods: A total of 178 adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 who were hospitalized at the Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region (AFHSR), Saudi Arabia, from March 1^st to June 30^th 2022, were enrolled. Real-time PCR for the detection of viral co‑infections was carried out. Cases (SARS-CoV-2 with viral coinfections) and control (SARS-CoV-2 mono-infection) groups were compared.

Results: 12/178 (7%) of enrolled COVID-19 patients had viral coinfections. 82/178 (46%) of patients were males. 58% of patients had comorbidities. During the study period, 4/12 (33%) and 21/166 (13%) cases and control patients died, p=0.047, respectively. Duration of hospitalization was the only significant independent factor associated with SARS-CoV-2 coinfections, OR 1.140, 95% CI 1.020-1.274, p=0.021.

Conclusions: The findings of this study from a large tertiary Saudi Arabian Center revealed a prevalence of 7% for SARS-CoV-2 viral coinfections. SARS-CoV-2 coinfected patients had a significantly prolonged duration of hospitalization and higher mortality than those with SARS-CoV-2 alone. Future studies are needed.

Background: The International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections Consortium (ISARIC) 4C mortality score has been used before as a valuable tool for predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients. We aimed to address the utility of the 4C score in a well-defined Saudi population with COVID-19 admitted to a large tertiary referral hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted that included all adults COVID‑19 patients admitted to the Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region (AFHSR), between January 2021 and September 2022. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve depicted the diagnostic performance of the 4C Score for mortality prediction.

Results: A total of 1,853 patients were enrolled. The ROC curve of the 4C score had an area under the curve of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.702-0.758), p<0.001. The sensitivity and specificity with scores >8 were 80% and 58%, respectively, the positive and negative predictive values were 28% and 93%, respectively. Three hundred and sixteen (17.1%), 638 (34.4%), 814 (43.9%), and 85 (4.6%) patients had low, intermediate, high, and very high values, respectively. There were significant differences between survivors and non-survivors with regard to all variables used in the calculation of the 4C score. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that all components of the 4C score, except gender and O₂ saturation, were independent significant predictors of mortality.

Conclusions: Our data support previous international and Saudi studies that the 4C mortality score is a reliable tool with good sensitivity and specificity in the mortality prediction of COVID-19 patients. All components of the 4C score, except gender and O₂ saturation, were independent significant predictors of mortality. Within the 4C score, odds ratios increased proportionately with an increase in the score value. Future multi-center prospective studies are warranted.

Introduction: Ovarian granulosa cell tumor is a relatively rare tumor that accounts for 2-5% of malignant ovarian tumors. This tumor progresses slowly and may recur late in life.

Case presentation: A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a left secondary pneumothorax due to metastatic lung tumors of granulosa cell tumor. Reports of secondary pneumothorax due to granulosa cell tumor are rare. Thoracoscopic suturing and pleurodesis using talc were effective in the treatment of this pneumothorax.

Conclusions: We experienced a rare case of secondary pneumothorax due to multiple pulmonary metastases of granulosa cell tumor. It should be noted that pulmonary metastasis of granulosa cell tumor can lead to secondary pneumothorax.

There is a close, physiological, relationship between kidney and lung that begin in the fetal age, and is aimed to keep homeostatic balance in the body. From a pathological point of view, the kidneys could be damaged by inflammatory mediators or by immune-mediated factors linked to a primary lung disease or, conversely, it could be the kidney disease that causes lung damage. Non-immunological mechanisms are frequently involved in renal and pulmonary diseases, as observed in chronic conditions. This crosstalk have clinical and therapeutic consequences. This review aims to describe the pulmonary-renal link in physiology and in pathological conditions.

Background: Exacerbations are pivotal events in the natural history of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB), since they have a negative impact on the functional evolution of these individuals. The daily symptoms of patients with NCFB show great variability, which negatively affects their self-perception of symptoms and exacerbations. The aim of this study was to identify daily symptoms in patients with NCFB, and to investigate whether there is a correlation between the frequency of self-reported exacerbations and events defined according to the criteria established in the literature to define exacerbation in bronchiectasis.

Methods: This observational and prospective study was carried out in outpatient clinics of a Brazilian public university hospital. Over 24 weeks, patients completed a diary in which daily symptoms, self-reported exacerbations, and demands for medical care for respiratory symptoms were recorded. The instrument used (diary and symptom scores ranging from 0 to 12) were developed by the researchers. The participants also answered questionnaires mMRC, Leicester's, and St. George's Respiratory (SGRQ).

Results: Twenty-eight patients returned the diary, their mean age was 54 years, and 50% out of them were classified as mild by the FACED score. Cough (64%) and expectoration (62%) were the most frequent symptoms. Correlations were found between the stability score and the mMRC (r=0.4727, p=0.011) and SGRQ (r=0.6748, p<0.0001) questionnaires. The number of self-perceived exacerbations (24) was significantly lower than exacerbations using the exacerbation consensus (63) (p<0.01). Additionally, no correlation was found between these two criteria.

Conclusions: There was great variability of symptoms among the individuals sampled, and even for the same individual, over time. Patients had low self-perception of exacerbations, which suggests that strategies aimed at improving this self-perception may contribute to the early detection of exacerbations.