A Novel Case of Legionnaire's Disease after Staying at Home Rentals.

Case of a 44-year-old woman with past medical history of dermatomyositis who had been on Methrotexate therapy who became infected with Legionella pneumophila after staying at a home rental, known commercially as an Airbnb. The patient presented to the ER with complaints of general malaise and subsequently developed sepsis with respiratory failure requiring intubation. CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of pneumonia and through extensive research L. pneumophila was identified using a pneumonia panel that works by identifying nucleic acids of fastidious organisms that are difficult and take long to grow by culture. As the patient's pneumonia progressed to ARDS and her clinical impression worsened, pronation technique was begun in addition to her course of antibiotics that were already being administered. The patient began showing significant improvement in her clinical picture and was extubated with progressive recovery.

Riociguat improves health-related quality of life for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: results from the phase 4 MOTION study.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by progressive dyspnea and exercise limitation and is associated with reduced health-related quality of life. Few clinical studies have evaluated the primary effects of treatment of PAH from the patient perspective. Here, we present the impact of riociguat on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in treatment-naïve patients with PAH. MOTION (NCT02191137) was an open-label, phase 4 trial of riociguat monotherapy in treatment-naïve patients with PAH. The primary endpoint was the change in total score from baseline to Week 24 in the Living with Pulmonary Hypertension (LPH) questionnaire. The Short Form-12 Health Survey and Work Limitations Questionnaire 8 were also utilized to assess PROs. Other secondary endpoints included change from baseline in World Health Organization functional class (WHO FC), 6-min walk distance (6MWD), Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale, and safety. At week 24 (n = 66), the mean (standard deviation [SD]) total LPH score was 37.17 (24.61), for a mean (SD) change from baseline of -10.99 (22.51). At last visit, with week 24 imputed, the mean (SD) total score was 40.63 (28.38), for a mean (SD) change from baseline of -5.40 (27.8) (n = 75; P = 0.0484). Improvement in LPH questionnaire total score was observed by week 4 and was maintained through week 24. Improvements were observed in WHO FC, Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale, and accelerometer-measured 6MWD at week 24. Treatment with riociguat had a positive impact on PROs in treatment-naïve patients with PAH and was well tolerated, with a similar safety profile to that observed in placebo-controlled phase 3 trials.

Insights, attitudes, and perceptions about asthma and its treatment: findings from a multinational survey of patients from Latin America.

BACKGROUND: In 2011 the Latin America Asthma Insight and Management (LA AIM) survey explored the realities of living with asthma. We investigated perception, knowledge, and attitudes related to asthma among Latin American asthma patients. METHODS: Asthma patients aged ≥12 years from four Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico responded to questions during face-to-face interviews. A sample size of 2,169 patients (approximately 400 patients/location) provided an accurate representation of asthma patients' opinions. Questions probed respondents' views on topics such as levels of asthma control, frequency and duration of exacerbations, and current and recent use of asthma medications. RESULTS: A total of 2,169 adults or parents of children with asthma participated in the LA AIM survey. At least 20% of respondents experienced symptoms every day or night or most days or nights. Although 60% reported their disease as well or completely controlled, only 8% met guideline criteria for well-controlled asthma. 47% of respondents reported episodes when their asthma symptoms were more frequent or severe than normal, and 44% reported seeking acute care for asthma in the past year. Asthma patients in Latin America overestimated their degree of asthma control. CONCLUSIONS: The LA AIM survey demonstrated the discrepancy between patient perception of asthma control and guideline-mandated criteria. Additional education is required to teach patients that, by more closely following asthma management strategies outlined by current guidelines more patients can achieve adequate asthma control.