Chest最新文献

Topic importance: As interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are increasingly recognized on imaging and in clinical practice, identification and appropriate management are critical. We propose an algorithmic approach to the identification and management of patients with ILAs.

Review findings: The radiologist initially identifies chest CT scan findings suggestive of an ILA pattern and excludes findings that are not consistent with ILAs. The next step is to confirm that these findings occupy > 5% of a nondependent lung zone. At this point, the radiologic pattern of ILA is identified. These findings are classified as non-subpleural, subpleural nonfibrotic, and subpleural fibrotic. It is then incumbent on the clinician to ascertain if the patient has symptoms and/or abnormal pulmonary physiology that may be attributable to these radiologic changes. Based on the patient's symptoms, physiological assessment, and risk factors for interstitial lung disease (ILD), we recommend classifying patients as having ILA, at high risk for developing ILD, probable ILD, or ILD. In patients identified as having ILA, a multidisciplinary discussion should evaluate features that indicate an increased risk of progression. If these features are present, serial monitoring is recommended to be proactive. If the patient does not have imaging or clinical features that indicate an increased risk of progression, then monitoring is recommended to be reactive. If ILD is subsequently diagnosed, the management is disease specific.

Summary: We anticipate this algorithmic approach will aid clinicians in interpreting the radiologic pattern described as ILA within the clinical context of their patients.

Background: COPD inhaler regimens should be appropriate for the patient's peak inspiratory flow (PIF) and should ideally consist of single or similar device(s).

Research questions: In a subspecialized COPD clinic: (1) What is the prevalence of patients with suboptimal PIF and with inappropriate device(s) for measured PIF? (2) Are there patient-related risk factors associated with suboptimal PIF? (3) What is the prevalence of patients with non-single inhaler therapy (SIT)/nonsimilar devices? (4) Does point-of-care PIF affect clinical decision-making?

Study design and methods: In this single-center real-world observational study, PIF was measured systematically at every outpatient visit in a subspecialized COPD clinic, and point-of-care results were provided to the clinician. Coprimary outcomes were the prevalence of outpatients with suboptimal PIF and with inappropriate devices for measured PIF. Secondary outcomes were patient-related risk factors associated with suboptimal PIF, the prevalence of non-SIT/nonsimilar devices, the prevalence of regimens consisting of either inappropriate device(s) for measured PIF and/or non-SIT/nonsimilar devices, and the effect of point-of-care PIF on clinical decision-making.

Results: Suboptimal PIF was identified in 45 of 161 participants (28%), and inappropriate device(s) for measured PIF were identified in 18 participants (11.2%). Significant associations were observed between suboptimal PIF and age (1.09; 95% CI, 1.04-1.15), female sex (10.30; 95% CI, 4.45-27.10), height (0.92; 95% CI, 0.88-0.96), BMI (0.90; 95% CI, 0.84-0.96), and FEV₁ (0.09; 95% CI, 0.03-0.26). After adjustment for age and sex, the association between suboptimal PIF and BMI, but not height, remained significant. Non-SIT and/or nonsimilar devices were identified in 50 participants (31.1%). Regimens consisting of either inappropriate device(s) for measured PIF and/or non-SIT/nonsimilar devices were observed in 59 participants (36.6%). Inhaler prescription changes were observed in this latter group (3.39; 95% CI, 1.76-6.64), as well as in patients with suboptimal PIF who already had SIT/similar regimens (2.93; 95% CI, 1.07-7.92).

Interpretation: Suboptimal PIF and inappropriate devices for measured PIF are highly prevalent among outpatients from a subspecialized COPD clinic. Female sex, reduced FEV₁, and low BMI are important, readily identifiable risk factors for suboptimal PIF, and point-of-care PIF can inform clinical decision-making.

Background: Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. There are few data on whether there are gender differences in outcomes.

Research question: Is female gender associated with worse outcomes in ambulatory and hospitalized patients with OHS?

Study design and methods: Post hoc analyses were performed on 2 separate OHS cohorts: (1) stable ambulatory patients from the 2 Pickwick randomized controlled trials; and (2) hospitalized patients with acute-on-chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure from a retrospective international cohort. We first conducted bivariate analyses of baseline characteristics and therapeutics between genders. Variables of interest from these analyses were then grouped into linear mixed effects models, Cox proportional hazards models, or logistic regression models to assess the association of gender on various clinical outcomes.

Results: The ambulatory prospective cohort included 300 patients (64% female), and the hospitalized retrospective cohort included 1,162 patients (58% female). For both cohorts, women were significantly older and more obese than men. Compared with men, baseline Paco₂ was similar in ambulatory patients but higher in hospitalized women. In the ambulatory cohort, in unadjusted analysis, women had increased risk of emergency department visits. However, gender was not associated with the composite outcome of emergency department visit, hospitalization, or all-cause mortality in the fully adjusted model. In the hospitalized cohort, prescription of positive airway pressure was less prevalent in women at discharge. In unadjusted analysis, hospitalized women had a higher mortality at 3, 6, and 12 months following hospital discharge compared with men. However, after adjusting for age, gender was not associated with mortality.

Interpretation: Although the diagnosis of OHS is established at a more advanced age in women, gender is not independently associated with worse clinical outcomes after adjusting for age. Future studies are needed to examine gender-related health disparities in diagnosis and treatment of OHS.