摘要 :
Abstract Objective Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and life-threatening disease well-marked by under diagnosis, delayed diagnosis and atypical treatments. Few data are available on the quality of life (QoL) and psy...
展开
Abstract Objective Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and life-threatening disease well-marked by under diagnosis, delayed diagnosis and atypical treatments. Few data are available on the quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial characteristics of patients with PAH. Our aim is to describe the impact of psychological factors on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of treated PAH patients in a cross-sectional study. Methods Consecutive patients presenting at our Competency Centre for PAH were recruited. The aetiology, New York Heart Association (NYHA) stage, haemodynamics, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), delta SPO 2 (Pulse oximeter oxygen saturation; baseline lowest value during 6-min walk test (6MWT), current treatments and psychological history were recorded. HRQoL, anxiety, depression and coping strategies were explored using self-administered questionnaires (SF-36, HADS, STAI-Y, CHIP and WCC). Results A total of 55 patients were included. The HRQoL of PAH patients was poor with altered results on several scales. Anxiety and depression were high and coping was focused on medical information strategies. Multivariate analysis indicated a positive relationship between 6MWD and the Physical Composite Score for QoL (p=0.004), as well as a negative relationship between delta SPO 2 and the Mental Composite Score (p=0.02), irrespective of other known prognostic factors (such as haemodynamics at right heart catheterization). Depression and Trait-Anxiety were associated with a lower physical (p=0.001) and mental (p Conclusions Psychological factors impact the HRQoL of treated patients. A longitudinal and qualitative study should refine these results. Trial Registration: Clinical trial N°: NCT01380054. Highlights ? A study which combines medical and psychological expertise in a rare disease ? Depression and anxiety were associated with physical and mental HRQoL, respectively. ? A decrease in oxygen saturation interferes with mental HRQoL.
收起
摘要 :
Allergic rhinitis is a worldwide health problem and prevalence of the disease is increasing, with economic and social consequences. An initiative from ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), an NGO working with the Worl...
展开
Allergic rhinitis is a worldwide health problem and prevalence of the disease is increasing, with economic and social consequences. An initiative from ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), an NGO working with the World Health Organization, has forwarded three main developments in the management of allergic rhinitis. Firstly, ARIA has provided new evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of rhinitis that can be used worldwide, including in developing countries. The guidelines were designed to be used by the specialist as well as by the primary caregiver. Secondly, ARIA proposes a new subdivision of allergic rhinitis and suggests evidence-based management of the disease using a stepwise approach. Thirdly, ARIA notes that asthma and rhinitis are common comorbidities and proposes that allergic patients are treated globally to combine treatment of upper and lower airway disease.
收起
摘要 :
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of rhinitis is high and frequently observed in association with asthma. Although the persistence of predisposing factors such as rhinitis is frequently observed in adults, this has not yet been confirmed...
展开
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of rhinitis is high and frequently observed in association with asthma. Although the persistence of predisposing factors such as rhinitis is frequently observed in adults, this has not yet been confirmed in children. AIMS: The aim of this present work is to show the relationship between rhinitis and asthma control in asthmatic children. METHODS: The authors carried out a cross-sectional study by collecting clinical, spirometric, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) data in children aged from 4 to 17 years. RESULTS: One hundred seventeen children were included. Asthma control was optimal in 37.6%, suboptimal in 55.5% and poor in 7.3% of cases. A 74.3% of children were atopic and 62.5% had symptoms 34 of rhinitis. Rhinitis was more frequent when control of asthma was worse (p = .0001). Age (p = .002), asthma control (p < .001), atopy (p = .001), and presence of rhinitis (p = .012) were significantly associated with FeNO. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the strong relationship between upper airways and poor asthma control in the asthmatic child. Symptoms of rhinitis may be partly responsible for the increased fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) level, independently of the control of asthma. Evaluation of rhinitis should be included to improve assessment of asthma control in children.
收起
摘要 :
The origin of the epidemic of IgE-associated (allergic) diseases is unclear. MeDALL (Mechanisms of the Development of ALLergy), an FP7 European Union project (No. 264357), aims to generate novel knowledge on the mechanisms of init...
展开
The origin of the epidemic of IgE-associated (allergic) diseases is unclear. MeDALL (Mechanisms of the Development of ALLergy), an FP7 European Union project (No. 264357), aims to generate novel knowledge on the mechanisms of initiation of allergy and to propose early diagnosis, prevention, and targets for therapy. A novel phenotype definition and an integrative translational approach are needed to understand how a network of molecular and environmental factors can lead to complex allergic diseases. A novel, stepwise, large-scale, and integrative approach will be led by a network of complementary experts in allergy, epidemiology, allergen biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, epigenetics, functional genomics, bioinformatics, computational and systems biology. The following steps are proposed: (i) Identification of 'classical' and 'novel' phenotypes in existing birth cohorts; (ii) Building discovery of the relevant mechanisms in IgE-associated allergic diseases in existing longitudinal birth cohorts and Karelian children; (iii) Validation and redefinition of classical and novel phenotypes of IgE-associated allergic diseases; and (iv) Translational integration of systems biology outcomes into health care, including societal aspects. MeDALL will lead to: (i) A better understanding of allergic phenotypes, thus expanding current knowledge of the genomic and environmental determinants of allergic diseases in an integrative way; (ii) Novel diagnostic tools for the early diagnosis of allergy, targets for the development of novel treatment modalities, and prevention of allergic diseases; (iii) Improving the health of European citizens as well as increasing the competitiveness and boosting the innovative capacity of Europe, while addressing global health issues and ethical issues.
收起
摘要 :
This pocket guide is the result of a consensus reached between members of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2) LEN) and Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA). The aim of the current pocket guide is to ...
展开
This pocket guide is the result of a consensus reached between members of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2) LEN) and Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA). The aim of the current pocket guide is to offer a comprehensive set of recommendations on the use of skin prick tests in allergic rhinitis-conjunctivitis and asthma in daily practice. This pocket guide is meant to give simple answers to the most frequent questions raised by practitioners in Europe, including 'practicing allergists', general practitioners and any other physicians with special interest in the management of allergic diseases. It is not a long or detailed scientific review of the topic. However, the recommendations in this pocket guide were compiled following an in-depth review of existing guidelines and publications, including the 1993 European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology position paper, the 2001 ARIA document and the ARIA update 2008 (prepared in collaboration with GA(2) LEN). The recommendations cover skin test methodology and interpretation, allergen extracts to be used, as well as indications in a variety of settings including paediatrics and developing countries.
收起
摘要 :
The safety of beta_2-agonists has been questioned since their introduction in the late 1950s. Hundreds of papers have been published on short- and long-acting inhaled products, and the debate still persists. Is it time to close th...
展开
The safety of beta_2-agonists has been questioned since their introduction in the late 1950s. Hundreds of papers have been published on short- and long-acting inhaled products, and the debate still persists. Is it time to close the debate with current evidence? The introduction of isoproterenol forte, a poorly selective inhaled short-acting beta_2-agonist (SABA), was associated with an epidemic of asthma deaths in the UK, Australia and the USA [1]. Trends in deaths were parallel to the increased consumption of this SABA and many concluded that SABAs had a cardiac toxicity or induced an acquired resistance [2]. In fact, most deaths occurred in patients who stopped oral corticosteroids and this was further associated with asthma deaths.
收起
摘要 :
The relationship between allergic rhinitis and asthma is now established, and most of the clinical, epidemiological and biological data recommend integrated management. Epithelial cells represent the first barrier of the upper and...
展开
The relationship between allergic rhinitis and asthma is now established, and most of the clinical, epidemiological and biological data recommend integrated management. Epithelial cells represent the first barrier of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and thus are logical targets for a comprehensive integrated therapeutic approach. This review discusses rhinosinusitis as a co-morbid condition, a precipitating or triggering condition, and an epiphenomenon as an integrated part of the disease. A better understanding and a more pragmatic method of diagnosis and management is needed using cost-effective long-term strategies.
收起
摘要 :
The relationship between allergic rhinitis and asthma is now established, and most of the clinical, epidemiological and biological data recommend integrated management. Epithelial cells represent the first barrier of the upper and...
展开
The relationship between allergic rhinitis and asthma is now established, and most of the clinical, epidemiological and biological data recommend integrated management. Epithelial cells represent the first barrier of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and thus are logical targets for a comprehensive integrated therapeutic approach. This review discusses rhinosinusitis as a co-morbid condition, a precipitating or triggering condition, and an epiphenomenon as an integrated part of the disease. A better understanding and a more pragmatic method of diagnosis and management is needed using cost-effective long-term strategies.
收起
摘要 :
Background Nosocomial infections (NIs) are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in premature infants. We present a new method for detecting and confirming NIs in a neonatal intensive care unit. Methods Newborns with birth we...
展开
Background Nosocomial infections (NIs) are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in premature infants. We present a new method for detecting and confirming NIs in a neonatal intensive care unit. Methods Newborns with birth weight < 1,500 g or gestational age (GA) < 33 weeks were included prospectively over 2 years in a single-center tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. The computerized physician order entry system (CPOE) generated alerts when antibiotics were prescribed for at least 5 consecutive days and these cases were reviewed by an expert group following international recommendations. Results Four hundred sixty-one neonates were included, with a mean GA of 30 weeks (range, 26-32 weeks) and mean birth weight 1,270 g (range, 950-1600 g). The CPOE flagged 158 cases of potential NI, 85.1% of which were classified as true NI and 14.9% of which were false positive. Incidence and device-associated nosocomial bloodstream infection rates were 21.9% and 10.8 per 1,000 central venous catheter days, respectively. GA d 28 weeks (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-4) and > 7 central venous catheter days (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-1.7) were independently associated with the risk of nosocomial bloodstream infection. Conclusion Combining CPOE and interdisciplinary review may improve the accuracy of NI recording in a neonatal intensive care unit.
收起
摘要 :
We describe the case of a young man suffering from incessant ventricular tachycardia and a chronic apical left ventricular thrombus. We performed radiofrequency ablation of this tachycardia emerging from the border zone of the sep...
展开
We describe the case of a young man suffering from incessant ventricular tachycardia and a chronic apical left ventricular thrombus. We performed radiofrequency ablation of this tachycardia emerging from the border zone of the septoapical anevrism, near the apical thrombus. We used Cartosound™ system to avoid manipulation of catheter in the thrombus. We demonstrate, in this case, that the technique is feasible and safe.
收起