PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

COPD readmission may be tied to unmodifiable risk factors

2012-10-22
(Press-News.org) National efforts are underway to reduce 30-day readmission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, new research suggests that COPD readmissions may be related to risk factors that cannot be modified, including advanced disease and psychosocial factors.

Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with primary discharge diagnosis of COPD. Of the 160 patients admitted for a total of 193 hospitalizations, 30 patients were readmitted within 30 days. Patients who were readmitted were more likely to be black, had congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, history of alcohol abuse, and were using supplemental oxygen. There was no difference in baseline medication use, length of stay, or serum bicarbonate values, and whether or not the patient had a follow-up postdischarge. In a multivariate analysis, odds of 30-day readmission was 2.56 in patients using supplemental oxygen, and 2.17 in patients with alcohol abuse. Researchers conclude that 30-day readmission in patients with COPD was related to advanced disease and psychosocial factors that are unlikely to be modifiable. 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


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Roflumilast improves lung function after 6 months compared with placebo

2012-10-22
Roflumilast was associated with significant improvements in lung function in patients with moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after 6 months of treatment compared with placebo. Roflumilast is approved to reduce the risk of exacerbations in patients with severe COPD associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations. To examine the drug's impact on lung function, researchers from multiple institutions, including Baylor College of Medicine; Takeda Pharmaceuticals International GmbH; and Forest Research Institute, randomized 4,746 ...

Tonsil and adenoid removal reduces asthma symptoms in children

2012-10-22
Children with asthma who have their tonsils and adenoids (T&A) removed may experience fewer asthma symptoms. Researchers from Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, California, followed 105 children with asthma (7-21 years) referred for sleep study for suspected sleep apnea. Twenty-four patients with sleep apnea required T&A, of which 11 patients followed through with surgery. Results indicated that asthma scores trended toward improvement with T&A. However, there was no significant increase in the lung function following T&A. This study was presented ...

'Obesity paradox': Extra weight linked to better outcomes for septic shock, asthma exacerbation

2012-10-22
Although obesity is linked to a variety of health risks, new research indicates that obese patients may have an advantage over nonobese patients in certain health situations, including septic shock and acute asthma exacerbation. In two separate studies presented at CHEST 2012, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, researchers compared outcomes in obese (BMI >30) vs nonobese patients with either septic shock or acute asthma exacerbation. Results showed that, although obese patients with asthma are more at risk for asthma exacerbations, near ...

Secondhand smoke in cars, bars impairs breathing within 20 minutes

2012-10-22
Heavy concentrations of secondhand smoke, such as those found in smoke-filled bars and cars, can lead to airway restriction for bystanders within minutes of exposure. The study, presented at CHEST 2012, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, showed that after 20 minutes of exposure to highly concentrated secondhand smoke, participants experienced near immediate physiologic changes, including airway resistance and impedance. "Bars and cars are places where high concentrations of fine particles usually occur because of smoking. Nonsmokers are then ...

5-question survey may increase COPD diagnoses

2012-10-22
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 ...

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 ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Ships trigger high and unexpected emissions of the greenhouse gas methane

Optimizing laser irradiation: An in-silico meta-analysis of skin discoloration treatment

Climate crisis could force wild vanilla plants and pollinating insects apart, threatening global supply

Teens report spending 21% of each driving trip looking at their phone

Study explores the ‘social norms’ of distracted driving among teens

Diver-operated microscope brings hidden coral biology into focus

Enhancing the “feel-good” factor of urban vegetation using AI and street view images

A single genetic mutation may have made humans more vulnerable to cancer than chimpanzees

Innovative nanocomposite hydrogel shows promise for cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis treatment

2025 Guangci Laboratory Medicine Innovation and Development Conference

LabMed Discovery is included in the ICI World Journals database

LabMed Discovery is included in the China Open Access Journal (COAJ) database

Vaccination support program reduces pneumonia-related mortality by 25 percent among the elderly

Over decades, a healthy lifestyle outperforms metformin in preventing onset of Type 2 diabetes

Mental health disorders, malaria, and heart disease most affected by covid pandemic

Green transition will boost UK productivity

Billions voted in 2024, but major new report exposes cracks in global democracy

Researchers find “forever chemicals” impact the developing male brain

Quantum leap in precision sensing across technologies

Upgrading biocrude oil into sustainable aviation fuel using zeolite-supported iron-molybdenum carbide nanocatalysts

For effective science communication, ‘just the facts’ isn’t good enough

RT-EZ: A golden gate assembly toolkit for streamlined genetic engineering of rhodotorula toruloides

Stem Cell Reports announces five new early career editors

Support networks may be the missing link for college students who seek help for excessive drinking

The New England Journal of Medicine shines spotlight on forensic pathology

Scientists discover protein that helps lung cancer spread to the brain

Perceived social status tied to cardiovascular risks in women but not in men

Brain tumor growth patterns may help inform patient care management

This might be America's first campus tree inventory

Emoji use may impact relationship outcomes

[Press-News.org] COPD readmission may be tied to unmodifiable risk factors