Bench Assessment of the Effect of a Collapsible Tube on the Efficiency of a Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation Device.

BACKGROUND: Collapsibility of upper airways may impair the efficacy of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) devices. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a collapsible tube on peak expiratory flow (PEF) when using an MI-E device. METHODS: An MI-E device was attached to a lung simulator. Resistance was set at 5 and 20 cm H2O/L/s (R5, R20) for compliance settings of 20, 40, and 60 mL/cm H2O (C20, C40, C60). A series of 5 cycles were delivered at 3 pressures in the following order: +30/-30, +40/-40, and +50/-50 cm H2O for each compliance/resistance combination with and without the collapsible tube. Each respiratory mechanics profile was tested in random order. Pressure and flow were measured upstream of the MI-E device, and the primary outcome measure was PEF. The relationships of PEF to maximum expiratory pressure were compared with and without the collapsible tube using a linear regression model. RESULTS: For the C20-R5 condition, the effect of the collapsible tube on the intercept (-0.35 cm H2O) was not significant, but this was offset by a significant (and the largest) increase in slope (+0.12 L/s/cm H2O). For the C60-R20 condition, the effect of the collapsible tube on the slope (-0.003 L/s/cm H2O) was not significant, but this was offset by a significant (and the largest) increase of the intercept (+3.16 cm H2O) at 30 cm H2O expiratory pressure. For the other conditions, the collapsible tube significantly increased PEF at 30 cm H2O expiratory pressure, and the gap further increased above this pressure as the slope increased with the collapsible tube. CONCLUSIONS: The collapsible tube resulted in a higher PEF for all respiratory mechanics profiles tested.

EAACI Position Paper on assessment of cough in the workplace.

Cough is a nonspecific and relatively common symptom that can present difficulties in diagnosis and management, particularly when it is reported to be associated with the workplace. The present consensus document, prepared by a taskforce of the Interest Group on Occupational Allergy of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology by means of a nonsystematic review of the current literature, is intended to provide a definition and classification of work-related chronic cough (WRCC) to assist the daily practice of physicians facing with this symptom. The review demonstrates that several upper and lower airway work-related diseases may present with chronic cough; hence, the possible link with the workplace should always be considered. Due to the broad spectrum of underlying diseases, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to achieve a definite diagnosis. Nevertheless, more epidemiological studies are necessary to estimate the real prevalence and risk factors for WRCC, the role of exposure to environmental and occupational sensitizers and irritants in its pathogenesis and the interaction with both upper and lower airways. Finally, the best management option should be evaluated in order to achieve the best outcome without adverse social and financial consequences for the worker.

The potential economic impact of restricted access to angiotensin-receptor blockers.

BACKGROUND: The use of angiotensin-receptor blockers increased by more than 4000% in Canada from 1996 to 2006. The benefit of these medications over angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has not been proven aside from a reduction in dry cough. We estimated the potential cost savings that might have been achieved had access to angiotensin-receptor blockers been restricted. METHODS: We performed a cost-minimization analysis with a decision-tree model using a societal perspective over a one-year period. Sources of data for model parameters included IMS Health Canada data collected from one-third of all retail pharmacies for the cost and use of angiotensin-receptor blockers and ACE inhibitors in each province, as well as published studies for administrative costs and incidence of dry cough. We used Monte Carlo simulations with 10 000 iterations to test the impact of several model parameters (e.g., drug prices, administrative costs and the incidence of dry cough). All data are in 2006 Canadian dollars. RESULTS: A policy that would have restricted access to angiotensin-receptor blockers might have saved more than $77 million in Canada in 2006. The simulations yielded similar savings for the year (mean $58.3 million, 95% confidence interval $29.3 million to $90.8 million). Every simulation showed a cost savings. INTERPRETATION: Had access to angiotensin-receptor blockers been restricted, the potential cost savings to the Canadian health care system might have been more than $77 million in 2006, likely without any adverse effect on cardiovascular health.

BDN programmes and the effect of medical students' interventions to promote child health in Sudan.

Basic development needs (BDN) is an approach to community development that aims at improving quality of life through the full involvement and self-management of communities, supported by intersectoral collaboration. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of BDN implementation in an area of Sudan on aspects of a programme implemented by students from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Gezira. The study revealed that the joint implementation of BDN programmes and students' interventions brought about marked improvement of family and community practices as well as greater reduction in the incidence of all assessed major childhood illnesses (diarrhoea, cough and fever) than when the students' programme was implemented alone. BDN implementation also facilitated the retrieval of good quality community-based data.

Assessment of the cough reflex after propofol anaesthesia for colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of the cough reflex as a result of the lingering effects of anaesthetics may lead to aspiration pneumonia or retained secretions after general anaesthesia. It is unknown whether low concentrations of propofol alter the cough reflex in the early period after anaesthesia. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of low concentrations of propofol on the cough reflex sensitivity as assessed by the cough reflex threshold to an inhaled irritant. METHODS: Fifteen, ASA I-II, non-smoking patients undergoing elective colonoscopy were studied. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with a blood target-controlled propofol infusion. Cough reflex threshold was measured with citric acid. Increasing concentrations of nebulized citric acid (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, and 640 mg ml(-1)) were delivered during inspiration until a cough was evoked. The citric acid concentration eliciting one cough (C1) was defined as the cough reflex threshold. C1 was log transformed for statistical analysis (Log C1). Log C1 was measured before anaesthesia and during the recovery period with estimated decreasing propofol concentrations of 1.2, 0.9, 0.6, and 0.3 microg ml(-1). RESULTS: Log C1 (median; interquartile range) measured with propofol concentrations of 1.2, 0.9, 0.6, 0.3, and 0 microg ml(-1) were 1.9 (0.6), 1.9 (1.0), 1.9 (1.1), 1.9 (0.6), and 1.9 (0.7) mg ml(-1) (NS), respectively. However, light sedation was observed with propofol concentrations of 1.2 and 0.9 microg ml(-1). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that residual sedation after propofol anaesthesia for colonoscopy does not adversely affect the cough reflex.

Physiologically based modelling of inhibition of metabolism and assessment of the relative potency of drug and metabolite: dextromethorphan vs. dextrorphan using quinidine inhibition.

AIMS: To define the relative antitussive effect of dextromethorphan (DEX) and its primary metabolite dextrorphan (DOR) after administration of DEX. METHODS: Data were analysed from a double-blind, randomized cross-over study in which 22 subjects received the following oral treatments: (i) placebo; (ii) 30 mg DEX hydro-bromide; (iii) 60 mg DEX hydro-bromide; and (iv) 30 mg DEX hydro-bromide preceded at 1 h by quinidine HCl (50 mg). Cough was elicited using citric acid challenge. Pharmacokinetic data from all non-placebo arms of the study were fitted simultaneously. The parameters were then used as covariates in a link PK-PD model of cough suppression using data from all treatment arms. RESULTS: The best-fit PK model assumed two- and one-compartment PK models for DEX and DOR, respectively, and competitive inhibition of DEX metabolism by quinidine. The intrinsic clearance of DEX estimated from the model ranged from 59 to 1536 l x h(-1), which overlapped with that extrapolated from in vitro data (12-261 l x h(-1)) and showed similar variation (26- vs. 21-fold, respectively). The inhibitory effect of quinidine ([I]/Ki) was 19 (95% confidence interval of mean: 18-20) with an estimated average Ki of 0.017 microM. Although DEX and DOR were both active, the potency of the antitussive effect of DOR was 38% that of DEX. A sustained antitussive effect was related to slow removal of DEX/DOR from the effect site (ke0 = 0.07 h(-1)). CONCLUSIONS: Physiologically based PK modelling with perturbation of metabolism using an inhibitor allowed evaluation of the antitussive potency of DOR without the need for separate administration of DOR.

Medidas vitais: um desafio de comunicação / Measure essential: challenge of the comunitation

Reune informacöes sobre a saúde da crianca que todas as famílias do mundo têm o direito de saber(AU)

Assessment of the antitussive effect of vadocaine hydrochloride using citric acid-induced cough in healthy volunteers.

Vadocaine hydrochloride (2',4'-dimethyl-6'-methoxy-3-(2-methylpiperidyl)propionanilide+ ++ hydrochloride, OR K-242-HCl; INN: vadocaine) is a novel compound with potent antitussive and local anaesthetic action. The antitussive profile of this compound was evaluated in 40 healthy volunteers in double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study design using inhaled citric acid a cough inducer. In Part I, vadocaine was compared in 20 healthy volunteers at two dose levels (10 and 30 mg) with codeine phosphate (50 mg) and a placebo. In part II, vadocaine (30 mg) and a placebo were compared in 20 healthy volunteers. In Part I, no statistically significant differences were found between the 3 compounds tested. However, statistically significant rises from the pre-dose value in the cough threshold stimulus level were observed following 10 and 30 mg doses of vadocaine. Neither codeine phosphate nor the placebo produced any statistically significant change in the cough threshold stimulus level. In Part II, vadocaine at a dose of 30 mg dose was found to be a potent antitussive with a statistically significant difference (p less than 0.0001) as compared with the placebo. The maximum cough threshold stimulus level was achieved 2 h after administration and was 72.6% higher than at pre-dose. With the placebo the cough threshold stimulus level also rose to some extent after 4 h, although the change was not statistically significant. The use of inhaled citric acid in graded concentrations for induction of the cough response was found to be a reliable method when the baseline cough threshold stimulus level is maintained within narrow limits throughout the entire study population.

[The economic evaluation of vaccination against infectious cough in horses using the cost-benefit analysis]. / Zur ökonomischen Bewertung einer Schutzimpfung gegen den Infektiösen Husten der Pferde mittels Nutzen-Kosten-Analyse.

Approximately 40% of all horses in the Federal Republic of Germany had infectious respiratory disease in 1982. Although an expert vaccine prophylaxis confers a reliable protection, conventional therapy is preferred over vaccination because of the cost. The cost/effect analysis carried out in this investigation demonstrates that vaccination should be favoured also for economic reasons. Based on the individual animal immune prophylaxis saves the horse owner at least 415 DM per year. This analysis did not take into account the danger of a transmission to man and related infection chains of viruses primarily responsible for respiratory disease in horses.

Avaliação da criança com tosse ou dificuldade para respirar

O vídeo faz parte de um curso de capacitação de formadores auxiliares. Ensina a avaliar crianças com tosse ou dificuldades para respirar. Segue passo a passo da prática de avaliação

Avaliação da criança com tosse ou dificuldade para respirar

O vídeo faz parte de um curso de capacitação de formadores auxiliares. Ensina a avaliar crianças com tosse ou dificuldades para respirar. Segue passo a passo da prática de avaliação