(Press-News.org) A simple, five-question patient-administered survey (COPD-PS) may lead to increased diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers from David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Olmsted Medical Center, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc , and Pfizer Inc, randomized 9,704 patients with no prior COPD diagnosis from US primary care practices in seven states into three groups based on treatment: Arm 1: COPD-PS plus spirometry; Arm 2: COPD-PS alone; Arm 3: usual care. Results showed that the rate of new COPD diagnoses within 8 weeks of visit 1 was statistically significantly higher in Arms 1 and 2 than Arm 3, with the highest yield seen in Arm 1, the combination screening group. Researchers conclude that screening tools in primary care could facilitate diagnosis of COPD in primary care. This study was presented during CHEST 2012, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, held October 20 – 25, in Atlanta, Georgia.
### END
5-question survey may increase COPD diagnoses
2012-10-22
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
College education and moderate alcohol intake linked to lower COPD risk
2012-10-22
College education and alcohol consumption may be linked to risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers from Kaiser Permanente Medical Group in Oakland, California, followed 126,019 people who supplied baseline data from 1978 – 1985 through 2008 with analyses of hospitalizations attributed to COPD (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or chronic airway obstruction).
Although cigarette smoking, increasing age, and history of respiratory disease/symptoms were powerful predictors of COPD, results also showed that Asian Americans (vs whites) and college graduates ...
Critical care ultrasound training can improve physician trainee knowledge and skills
2012-10-22
A dedicated critical care ultrasound (CCUS) training program could help improve physician trainees' knowledge and skills at the bedside.
Researchers from the University of North Carolina implemented a dedicated CCUS curriculum for critical care fellows consisting of didactic/bedside sessions. Participants completed surveys prior to and following the program to assess confidence in ultrasonography knowledge and skills, as well as their perception as to training effectiveness.
The preintervention knowledge/bedside image acquisition scores were 71.4%and 31.5%, while ...
24-hour ICU in-house staff intensivist improves mortality and decreases length of stay
2012-10-22
The implementation of a 24-h ICU in-house staff intensivist coverage was associated with improved mortality rates and reduced length of stay, along with quicker decision-making and a positive trend in quality of end-of-life care.
In two separate studies, researchers analyzed outcomes data prior to and after the implementation of the 24-h intensivist staffing model. Both studies showed significant improvements after the staffing change, including reduced mortality rates, decreased length of stay by nearly a half day, as well as improved decision-making and improved quality ...
Excessive ICU noise may harm patients
2012-10-22
New research shows that overnight noise levels in the medical ICU (MICU) often exceed recommended levels, which could potentially lead to worse outcomes.
Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine reviewed 70 MICU patient charts and recorded in-room activities between midnight and 4:00 AM. Based on this chart review and via direct observation, they also identified the key elements of nocturnal patient disruption.
Results showed significant in-room activity (ie, vital sign recording) and sound level maximums that exceeded 83 dB(C) every hour between midnight ...
Outpatient urological surgery costs significantly less when performed in physician offices & ACCs
2012-10-22
Philadelphia, PA, October 22, 2012 – More and more outpatient surgical procedures are being done at nonhospital-based facilities such as freestanding ambulatory surgical centers and physician offices, instead of at hospital-based outpatient departments. A new study comparing the cost to Medicare of 22 urological surgical procedures performed in each setting has found that ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices are less costly than hospitals. The results are published in the December issue of The Journal of Urology.
"Our findings indicate that for comparable ...
Chinese herbs show promise for lung cancer, flu, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
2012-10-22
Chinese herbs, including JHQG, BFXL, and BFHX, may show significant benefits for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and influenza. In three separate studies, researchers from China Academy of Chinese Medical Science in Beijing analyzed the health benefits of Chinese herbs on patients with NSCLC, IPF, and seasonal influenza. Researchers found that JHQG helped to prolong survival in patients with metastatic NSCLC compared with patients receiving standard care; was safe and effective in the management of IPF and could also ...
Chest band may relieve a chronic cough
2012-10-22
A soft, extendible band fitted around the chest may help to relieve cough in patients with persistent dry cough. Over the course of 1 year, Japanese researchers evaluated the antitussive effect of the chest band worn for 8 hours a day in 56 patients with chronic cough due to a variety of conditions. Results showed that 88% (n=49) of patients improved their cough scores, and 59% (n=33) were able to reduce the cough. Researchers conclude that soft chest band therapy for intractable, prolonged, and chronic cough is a safe and effective therapy. This study was presented during ...
New antidote for smoke-related cyanide toxicity shows promise
2012-10-22
Smoke inhalation is the major cause of death in fire victims due to cyanide poisoning. However, new research presented at CHEST 2012, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, shows that a new antidote, cobinamide, may help reverse the effects of cyanide toxicity. Researchers from multiple institutions, including the University of California Irvine Medical Center, exposed six ventilator-supported New Zealand white rabbits to cold smoke breaths until toxic carbon monoxide levels were achieved, concurrent with intravenous cyanide infusion. Intravenous ...
Mold exposure at home could increase risk for sarcoidosis
2012-10-22
People who are exposed to mold in their homes could be at an increased risk for sarcoidosis, a chronic inflammatory lung disease. Researchers from Sweden and Slovenia tested 62 nonsmoking patients with sarcoidosis, 34 of whom had extrapulmonary manifestations (EPM). Patients were tested for β-glucan, an immune-modulating agent found in fungi, and accompanying inflammatory biomarkers, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-12. Serum samples were also obtained from 18 control subjects with no pulmonary disease or respiratory symptoms. Results showed that levels ...
Statins may help prolong survival in NSCLC resection
2012-10-22
Patients who have undergone resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may improve their overall survival and reduce the risk of recurrence by taking statins. Researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, and Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute followed 803 patients who underwent resection for NSCLC, of which 315 were using statins. Results showed that statin use was associated with a significantly lower local recurrence rate and significantly higher overall survival compared with non-statin users. Researchers conclude that prospective ...