Good adherence to COPD AP is likely related to better health outcomes in COPD. Healthcare providers may need to enhance COPD AP aspect in various COPD self‐management programmes to improve the health status of patients with COPD. Relevance to clinical practice Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease AP aspect targeting frequent individual education with a written guideline would be helpful to enhance self‐management in patients with COPD.
On June 11, 2013, CDC issued interim infection prevention and control recommendations for hospitalized patients with known or suspected Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in U.S. hospitals (1). To date, no MERS-CoV cases have been reported in the United States; however, cases have been reported in eight other countries (2). Recent published reports (3,4) have described limited health-care transmission of MERS-CoV, including cases among health-care personnel in international settings. These published reports highlight the need for rapid detection of infectious patients and adherence to correct infection prevention measures to prevent transmission of the virus among patients, health-care personnel, and visitors.
In coming months, the U.S. health-care system might be called upon to provide care to patients infected with MERS-CoV. Front-line providers and health-care organizations should be prepared to care for MERS-CoV patients as part of routine operations. To aid providers and facilities, CDC has developed checklists that identify key actions that can be taken now to enhance preparedness for treating persons with MERS-CoV infection and compiled a list of preparedness resources (available at http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/preparedness).
Additional information, including guidance on case definitions, infection control, case investigation, and specimen collection and testing, is available at the CDC MERS website (2). The MERS website contains the most current information and guidance, which is subject to change. State and local health departments with questions should contact the CDC Emergency Operations Center at telephone, 770-488-7100.
References
Researchers from the University of North Carolina estimated that about 2.1 million people die as a result of a surge in fine particulate matter air pollution. These tiny air particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause cancer and other respiratory illnesses.
"Our estimates make outdoor air pollution among the most important environmental risk factors for health," study co-author Jason West, of the University of North Carolina, said in a journal news release. "Many of these deaths are estimated to occur in East Asia and South Asia, where population is high and air pollution is severe." ...
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Multi-modality monitoring of cystic fibrosis lung disease: The role of chest computed tomography.
Paediatr Respir Rev. 2013 Jul 2;
Authors: Tiddens HA, Stick SM, Davis S
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis [CF] lung disease is characterized by progressive bronchiectasis and small airways disease. To monitor CF lung disease traditionally spirometry has been the most important modality. In addition to spirometry chest radiography was used to monitor progression of structural lung abnormalities. However, the importance of chest radiography in disease management has been limited due to its poor sensitivity and specificity to detect disease progression. Over the last decade chest CT has become the gold standard for monitoring the severity and progression of bronchiectasis. Small airways disease can be monitored using spirometry, multiple breath washout techniques, and chest CT. In modern CF-care a multi-modality approach is needed to monitor CF lung disease and to personalize treatment for the needs of the patient. When state-of-the-art low dose bi-annual chest CT protocols are used radiation risk is considered to be low. In between chest CT imaging, physiologic measures are important to obtain for monitoring. Stratification of monitoring protocols based on the risk profile of the patient can help us in the future to better care for people with CF.
PMID: 23830321 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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Factors influencing asthma control: results of a real-life prospective observational asthma inhaler treatment (ASIT) study.
J Asthma Allergy. 2013;6:93-101
Authors: Yıldız F, ASIT Study Group
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of new pharmacological options and novel combinations of existing drug therapies, the rate of suboptimal asthma control is still high. Therefore, early identification of the clinical and behavioral factors responsible for poor asthma control, and interventions during routine outpatient visits to improve asthma trigger management, are strongly recommended. This study was designed to evaluate the profiles of asthmatic patients and their inhaler treatment devices in relation to asthma control in Turkey.
METHODS: A total of 572 patients with persistent asthma (mean [standard deviation] age: 42.7 [12.1] years; 76% female) were included in this prospective observational study. A baseline visit (0 month, visit 1) and three follow-up visits (1, 3 and 6 months after enrolment) were conducted to collect data on demographics, past medical and asthma history, and inhaler device use.
RESULTS: Asthma control was identified in 61.5% of patients at visit 1 and increased to 87.3% at visit 4 (P < 0.001), regardless of sociodemographics, asthma duration, body mass index or smoking status. The presence of asthma-related comorbidity had a significantly negative effect on asthma control (P = 0.004). A significant decrease was determined, in the rate of uncontrolled asthma, upon follow-up among patients who were using a variety of fixed dose combination inhalers (P < 0.001 for each). Logistic regression analysis was used to show that the presence of asthma-related comorbidity (odds ratio [OR], 0.602; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.419; 0.863, P = 0.006) and active smoking (OR, 0.522; 95% CI, 0.330; 0.825, P = 0.005) were significant predictors of asthma control.
CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that, despite ongoing treatment, asthma control rate was 61.5% at visit 1 in adult outpatients with persistent asthma. However, by the final follow-up 6 months later, this had increased to 87.3%, independent of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Poor asthma control was associated with asthma-related comorbid diseases, while the efficacy of fixed dose combinations was evident in the achievement of asthma control.
PMID: 23843695 [PubMed]