Outcomes of Noninvasive Ventilation in Obese Patients With Acute Asthma Exacerbations.

BACKGROUND: The role of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in acute asthma exacerbation is controversial. However, the outcome of NIPPV in obese patients with asthma during such exacerbation has not been well studied despite well-established relationship between obesity and asthma. STUDY QUESTION: Does body mass index (BMI) play a role in the outcome of NIPPV during an acute exacerbation and does it predict of the success or failure of NIPPV? STUDY DESIGN: The study was a retrospective analysis by design. The purpose of the study was to assess factors predicting the success or failure of NIPPV. The entire cohort was divided into 2 groups: patients who failed NIPPV and patients who did not. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to predict the variables. Stepwise selection method was used to select variables for final regression model. RESULTS: A total 96 patients were included in the study. Of those, 18 patients (18.9%) failed NIPPV and required endotracheal intubation (group 1). Rest (78.1%) did not fail NIPPV (group 2). Mean age of the study population was 48.8 years and 53% of patients were female. In the univariate analysis, the group that did not fail NIPPV (group 2) had significantly higher number of obese patients (47.9% versus 22.2%; P 0.013). Multivariate analysis showed significant association between BMI categories (BMI of 30 or more) and failure of NIPPV (odds ratio 0.26, 95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.85; P-value 0.017). Forced introduction of smoking status as a risk factor did not change the significance of association. CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of the study design and the sample size, our analysis showed that patients with high BMI (obese) fared well with NIPPV during acute asthma exacerbation. Because there are controversies on use of NIPPV during asthma exacerbation, larger-scale prospective studies are needed to better understand the role of NIPPV in obese patients with asthma during acute exacerbation.

Profile of Acute Asthma Exacerbation in Drug Users.

The characteristics of patients who use heroin, cocaine, or both and present with acute asthma exacerbations have not been well studied. In this retrospective study, we aimed to study the demographic characteristics of this patient population, the characteristics of their asthma attack, and the risk factors for the need for invasive mechanical ventilation in this patient population. We reviewed the charts of patients discharged from an inner-city hospital with a diagnosis of acute asthma exacerbation. Individuals who used either heroin or cocaine or both within 24 hours of presenting to the emergency department were identified as a cohort of drug users. The rest were classified as non-drug users. Both groups were compared, and a univariate analysis was performed. To assess the predictive value of drug use for the need for intubation in the presence of confounding factors, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify whether using cocaine or heroin or both was an individual predictor for the need for invasive ventilation. Data from 218 patients were analyzed. Drug users (n = 85) were younger (mean age in years 43.9 vs. 50.5, P < 0.01), predominantly male (63.5% vs. 33.8%, P < 0.01), and more likely to be cigarette smokers (90.6% vs. 57.6%, P < 0.01). A medical history of intubation and admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) was more common among drug users (56.5% vs. 29.3%, P < 0.01 and 54.1% vs. 38.3%, P < 0.03, respectively). Drug use was associated with increased need for invasive mechanical ventilation (35% vs. 23.3%, P = 0.05). Non-drug users were more likely to be using inhaled corticosteroids (48.9% vs. 32.9%, P = 0.03) and had longitudinal care established with a primary care provider (50.6% vs. 68.9%, P < 0.01). After adjusting for a history of mechanical ventilation, history of ICU admission, use of systemic corticosteroids, smoking, and acute physiological assessment and chronic health evaluation 2 score, drug use remained predictive for the need for mechanical ventilation (P = 0.026). Acute asthma exacerbations triggered by cocaine and heroin should be treated aggressively because they represent a cohort with poor follow-up and undertreated asthma as outpatients and are associated with increased need for invasive mechanical ventilation and ICU admission during acute exacerbation.

Near Fatal Asthma in an Inner City Population.

Near-fatal asthma (NFA) is highly prevalent in inner city population. Patients who present with NFA require timely intervention, which necessitates knowledge of appropriate associated risk factors. The purpose of the study was to look and identify the salient features of an asthma exacerbation that are more likely to be associated with NFA in inner city population. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who were discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of acute asthma exacerbation. Two hundred eighteen patients were included in the study. Patients who required intubation during the course of their hospitalization were defined as NFA and the rest were defined as non-near-fatal asthma (NNFA). Multiple patient parameters were compared between the 2 groups; 60 patients met the definition of NFA. There was no difference between NFA and NNFA groups with respect to sex, race, and history of smoking and asthma treatment modalities before presentation. NFA was seen more commonly in heroin (40% vs. 25.9%; P < 0.05) and cocaine users (28.3% vs. 16.5%; P < 0.05). A history of exacerbation requiring intensive care unit (ICU) care was more common among the NFA patients (55% vs. 40.5%; P = 0.05). A history of intubation for an exacerbation was more commonly seen in patients presenting with NFA (51.7% vs. 35.4%; P < 0.05). The NNFA group was more likely to have a primary care physician and to be discharged home (65.6% vs. 51.7%, P < 0.05; and 71.7 vs. 79.1%, P < 0.05). In a multi-logistic regression model, including age, sex, race, heroin and cocaine use, history of intubation and ICU admission, medications, use of noninvasive ventilation, primary care physician, and pH <7.35, PCO2 >45 mm Hg, and FiO2 >40% on initial blood gas, NFA was predicted only by PaCO2 >45 [odds ratio (OR = 6.7; P < 0.001)] and FiO2 >40% (OR = 3.5; P = 0.002). Use of noninvasive ventilation was a negative predictor of NFA (OR = 0.2; P < 0.001). Asthmatic patients who carry a history of intubation with mechanical ventilation for an asthma exacerbation, admissions to the ICU, or those who indulge in recreational drugs like cocaine or heroin should be closely monitored for clinical deterioration.

Use of noninvasive ventilation in adult patients with acute asthma exacerbation.

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been found to be beneficial for respiratory failure in many disease states; however, limited data are available supporting its use in acute asthma exacerbation. A retrospective chart analysis of adult patients admitted for acute asthma exacerbation and treated with NIV between January 2007 and December 2009 at a tertiary care community hospital was done. Ninety-eight patient encounters were identified. Mean age of the patients was 48.3 years, and 46% were male. Nineteen patients failed NIV and required invasive ventilation. There was no significant difference in the mean age, sex, race, and initial blood gas between patients with successful versus failed NIV. Usage of drugs, smoking, and history of past hospital or intensive care unit admission or intubation did not significantly influence the rate of failure of NIV. Patients who needed higher initial FiO2 were more likely to get intubated during their hospital stay (46.2 vs. 20.4%, P = 0.019). Patients who failed NIV were found to have longer duration of hospital stay (6.8 vs. 3.9 days, P= 0.016) and longer intensive care unit stay (4 vs. 0.9 days, P = 0.002). Use of inhalers and other medications was not found to significantly influence the rate of failure of NIV. NIV can be used initially in patients with acute asthma exacerbation, as it is associated with shorter duration of hospital stay and can prevent the morbidity of mechanical intubation. Patients with initial requirement of higher FiO2 were more likely to fail NIV and should be carefully monitored.

Role of Anemia in Home Oxygen Therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients.

Anemia is a known comorbidity found in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Hypoxemia is common and basically due to ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch in COPD. Anemia, by decreasing arterial oxygen content, may be a contributing factor for decreased delivery of oxygen to tissues. The objective of this study is to determine if anemia is a factor in qualifying COPD patients for home oxygen therapy. The study was designed as a retrospective, cross-sectional, observational chart review. Patients who were referred for home oxygen therapy evaluation were selected from the computerized patient record system. Demographic data, oxygen saturation at rest and during exercise, pulmonary function test results, hemoglobin level, medications, reason for anemia, comorbid diseases, and smoking status were recorded. The χ tests, independent sample t tests, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Only 356 of total 478 patient referrals had a diagnosis of COPD over a 2-year period. Although 39 of them were excluded, 317 patients were included in the study. The overall rate of anemia was 38% in all COPD patients. Anemia was found significantly more frequent in COPD patients on home oxygen therapy (46%) than those not on home oxygen therapy (18.5%) (P < 0.0001). Mean saturation of peripheral oxygen values were significantly lower in anemic COPD patients both at rest and during exercise (P < 0.0001). Also, in COPD patients, age, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease class, smoking status, hemoglobin level, hematocrit, percent of forced expiratory volume in first second, forced expiratory volume in first second/forced vital capacity, residual volume/total lung volume, percent of carbon monoxide diffusion capacity were significantly different between home oxygen therapy and those not on home oxygen therapy (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that anemia remained a strong predictor for long-term oxygen therapy use in COPD patients after adjusting for other significant parameters. Anemic COPD patients are more hypoxic especially during exercise than those who are not anemic. We conclude that anemia is a contributing factor in qualifying COPD patients for home oxygen therapy.

Robot-Assisted Bronchoscopy for Identification of Lung Nodules During Minimally Invasive Pulmonary Resection.

OBJECTIVE: Small pulmonary nodules can be difficult to identify during minimally invasive surgical (MIS) resection. Previous investigators have reported using standard bronchoscopy with electromagnetic navigation to identify small pulmonary nodules. Robot-assisted bronchoscopy has been introduced into clinical practice and has shown utility for the biopsy of small lesions. We report our experience using robot-assisted bronchoscopy with dye marking to aid in minimally invasive pulmonary resection. METHODS: Patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules underwent robot-assisted bronchoscopy before a planned minimally invasive resection. Indocyanine green or methylene blue was injected directly into the targeted lesion. Surgical resection was then immediately performed. Success was defined as dye visualization leading to sublobar resection of the target nodule without the need for lobectomy or thoracotomy. RESULTS: Thirty patients with a single targeted nodule underwent robot-assisted bronchoscopy followed by MIS resection. The median lesion size was 9 mm (4 to 25 mm), and the median distance from the pleura was 5 mm (1 to 32 mm). The success rate was 83.3% (25 of 30). There were 3 cases in which the dye was not visualized, and in 2 cases there was free extravasation of dye. The targeted nodule was identified in these 5 patients without the need for thoracotomy or lobectomy. Pathology revealed non-small cell lung cancer (n = 13, 43.3%), metastatic disease (n = 11, 36.7%), and benign disease (n = 6, 20%). There were no complications related to the use of robot-assisted bronchoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted bronchoscopy with dye marking is safe and effective for guiding minimally invasive resection of small peripheral pulmonary nodules.

Effect of mode of administration on Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in the South Indian population: A comparative study on self-administered and interviewer-administered scores.

BACKGROUND: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a validated screening tool widely used to assess perinatal depression (PND). However, due to stigma associated with PND, respondents could answer sensitive questions differently depending on the mode of administration, especially in culturally and linguistically diverse country like India. The present study explored longitudinal differences in EPDS scores between self-administered and interviewer-administered modes. METHODS: 177 women from rural South India were administered EPDS, self-administration followed by interviewer-administered for four visits, twice each during prenatal and postnatal visits. EPDS scores were compared between the two modes descriptively, graphically and by repeated mixed measure models. Classification of antenatal depression (AD), postnatal depression (PD) and PND based on the two modes were compared by McNemar Chi-square test. Clinical and psychosocial characteristics were examined to identify factors associated with differences in the scoring modes. Concordance rates and Goodman Kruskal's Gamma coefficients were measured for individual EPDS items. RESULTS: Longitudinal EPDS scores and rates of AD, PD and PND were significantly higher in self-administered mode. Recent adverse life events were the only factor observed to be significantly associated with the differences between the two modes. Rank correlation and concordance rates suggested stronger association for EPDS items relating to anhedonia subscale and moderate/weaker association for EPDS items relating to anxiety/depression subscales. CONCLUSION: Our study findings suggest that the effect of mode of administration should be taken into account while using PND screening tools such as EPDS, especially in countries such as India with higher levels of illiteracy.

Symptoms at Onset in First Episode Schizophrenia: Caregivers Perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Early recognition of symptoms is important in the management of psychosis. Caregivers understanding and attribution of symptoms plays a major role in treatment selection. AIM: The aim was to identify the various symptoms cluster recognized by caregivers at illness onset in first episode schizophrenia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study 40 key caregivers of patients with first episode of Schizophrenia (International Classification of Diseases-10) attending the outpatient services of Schizophrenia Research Foundation were recruited. Caregivers were assessed using a questionnaire adapted from the Psychiatric and Personal History Schedule. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Principal component (PCP) analysis. RESULTS: Caregivers were predominantly women. Parents (58%), siblings (18%), spouse (12%), and children (12%) formed the sample. The caregiver easily recognized depressive symptoms. An analysis was done to analyze symptom data rated on the caregiver questionnaire indicated a four-factor solution. PCP analysis produced a clear depressive, anxious, irritable, and vegetative factor (Eigenvalue >0.05). Caregivers (40%) attributed present lifestyle as causality. The first contact of help in almost half of the sample (45%) was to a psychiatric facility. CONCLUSION: Caregiver's perception about mental illness and ability to identify the four factors has important treatment implications. Studying patterns of help seeking may be a useful strategy in early intervention programs.