"Tricks and tips for home mechanical ventilation" Home mechanical ventilation: set-up and monitoring protocols.

In this part of the review series "Tricks and tips for home mechanical ventilation", we will discuss the evidence with regard to the place and manner of home mechanical ventilation initiation and follow-up. Outsourcing more and more of this chronic care to the home situation is a big challenge for the future: especially for the home situation, monitoring has to be non-invasive, reliable and easy to use, data security needs to be ensured, signals need to be integrated and preferably automatically processed and algorithms need to be developed based on clinically relevant outcomes.

Impact of the severity of restrictive spirometric pattern on nutrition, physical activity, and quality of life: results from a nationally representative database.

The general disease burden associated with the restrictive spirometric pattern (RSP) is substantial. However, the impact of RSP by its severity on general health problems and quality of life has not been well elucidated. This study aimed to analyse nutrition, physical activity, and quality of life in subjects who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2016 according to severity of RSP. Participants were classified as subjects with normal spirometry, those with mild-to-moderate RSP, and those with severe RSP. Poor quality of life was defined as 25th percentile value on the EuroQoL five dimensions (Eq5D) questionnaire index, i.e., 0.90. This study included 23,615 subjects composed of 20,742 with normal spirometry, 2758 with mild-to-moderate RSP, and 115 with severe RSP. The subjects with severe RSP were more likely to have attained lower education levels, had a lower total caloric intake, had less physical activity, had experienced a higher prevalence of comorbidities, and poorer quality of life than those with normal spirometry (P < 0.001 for all). In multivariable analysis, subjects with a mild-to-moderate RSP and severe RSP were more likely to show decreased total calories (coefficient for change in calorie = - 56.6 kcal and - 286.7 kcal, respectively) than those with normal spirometry; subjects with mild-to-moderate RSP and those with severe RSP were 1.26 times and 1.96 times more likely, respectively, to have a poorer quality of life than those with normal spirometry. Additionally, subjects with mild-to-moderate RSP and those with severe RSP were 0.84 times and 0.36 times less likely, respectively, to have high-intensity physical activity than those with normal spirometry in univariable analysis. The trends of a poorer quality of life and physical activity were only significant in the male subgroups. In conclusion, our study revealed that the severity of general health problems and quality of life reductions are correlated with the severity of RSP, especially in males.

Assessment of lung function in successfully treated tuberculosis reveals high burden of ventilatory defects and COPD.

BACKGROUND: Burden, phenotype and risk-factors of lung function defects in successfully treated tuberculosis cases are unclear. METHODS: We performed spirometry with bronchodilators in new drug-sensitive adult (≥18 years) pulmonary tuberculosis cases during the 12 months following successful treatment in India. Airflow obstruction was defined as pre-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<5th percentile of Global Lung Initiative mixed-ethnicity reference (lower limit of normal [LLN]). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was defined as post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC

Assessment of Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function Status among Workers of Flour Mills in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Flour dust in the respiratory tract affects lung function. Flour dust is a heterogeneous organic substance which can have a tendency to cause respiratory ailments. There is growing consensus on the deleterious effects of flour dust on respiratory symptoms and lung performance of flour mill workers. METHODS: The study design was comparative cross-sectional. A total of 54 flour mill workers who work for more than eight-hour shift per day and 54 control subjects matched for sex, age, weight, height, and area of residence were enrolled. Anthropometric measurement was done. Lung function was measured by using a digital portable spirometer (Spiro Pro) based on the ATS guidelines. FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, and FEF25%  -75% were measured. Productive cough, dry cough, wheeze, and breathlessness were evaluated using BMRC questionnaire guidelines, administered through face-to-face interview. RESULT: This study showed statistically significant reduction in the mean values of pulmonary function tests in flour mill workers as compared to their matched controls. Reduction of pulmonary function indices in study subjects was significant for FVC (4.25±0.93 vs. 5.30±0.71, p<0.001), FEV1 (3.46±0.86 vs. 4.50±0.72, p<0.001), PEFR (5.43±2.43 vs. 7.87±2.53, p<0.001), and FEF25%  -75%, (3.87±1.61 vs. 4.60±1.60, p<0.05), but not significant for FEV1/FVC (81.93±12.74 vs. 83.40±12.50, p>0.05). Flour mill workers developed 27.7% of restrictive type and 11.1% of obstructive type of lung disorders. Percentage prevalence of respiratory symptoms was evaluated as dry cough (27.7% vs. 9.3%), productive cough (11.1% vs. 5.6%), wheeze (14.8% vs. 3.8%), and breathlessness (16.6% vs.7.4%) in flour mill workers and controls, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, occupational exposure to flour dust could cause respiratory dysfunction, thereby reducing lung efficiency.

Effects of Environmental Air Pollution on Pulmonary Function Level of Residents in Korean Industrial Complexes.

This study aims to identify environmental air pollution adversely affecting pulmonary function among a community-based general population living in Korean industrial complexes. A total of 1963 residents participated in a pulmonary function test (PFT). The sample population consisted of an exposed group (n = 1487) living within a radius of 5 km of industrial complexes and a control group (n = 476) living over a radius of 10 km from the industrial complexes in Gwangyang and Yeosu cities. PFT results were calculated for each resident of the study population. On-site questionnaire surveys with face-to-face interviews were also conducted to collect more detailed information on personal lifestyles, medical history, exposure to air pollution, and respiratory disease and related symptoms. A total of 486 measured samples were collected by eight automated air-monitoring stations installed in four counties of Gwangyang and four counties of Yeosu in South Korea from January 2006 to February 2007. Mean levels of SO2 (0.012 ppm), CO (0.648 ppm), NO2 (0.02 ppm), O3 (0.034 ppm), and PM10 (43.07 μg/m³), collected within a radius of 5 km, were significantly higher than those collected over a radius of 10 km from Gwangyang and Yeosu industrial complexes. Prevalence odds ratio (OR) of abnormal pulmonary function in the exposed group of residents (<5 km) was elevated at 1.24 (95% CI 0.71⁻1.96), but not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In multiple linear regression analysis, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) levels significantly declined as SO2, CO, and O3 levels increased when adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), alcohol, smoking, secondhand smoke, and respiratory disease and related symptoms (n = 1963) (p < 0.05). These results suggest that exposure to air pollution affects pulmonary function levels of residents living in Korean industrial complexes.

Effects of exposure to air pollutants on children's health in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. / Efeitos da exposição a poluentes do ar na saúde das crianças de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil.

Exposure to air pollutants, usually measured by environmental agencies that are not present in all states, may be associated with respiratory admissions in children. An ecological time series study was conducted with data on hospitalizations due to selected respiratory diseases in children under 10 years of age in 2012 in the city of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Mean levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were estimated with a mathematical model, data on low temperatures and relative humidity were obtained from the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology, and the numbers of brush burnings were obtained from the Environmental Information System. The statistical approach used the Poisson regression generalized additive model with lags of 0 to 7 days. The financial costs and increases in hospitalizations due to increments in PM2.5 were estimated. There were 565 hospitalizations (mean 1.54 admissions/day; SD = 1.52), and mean PM2.5 concentration was 15.7µg/m3 (SD = 3.2). Associations were observed between exposure and hospitalizations in the second semester at lags 2 and 3, and at lag 2 when the entire year was analyzed. An increment of 5µg/m3 in PM2.5 was associated with an increase of 89 hospitalizations and costs exceeding BRL 95,000 (≈ USD 38,000) for the Brazilian Unified National Health System. Data estimated by mathematical models can be used in locations where pollutants are not monitored.

Exposição a poluentes do ar, que costumam ser quantificados por agências ambientais que não estão presentes em todos os estados, pode estar associada a internações por doenças respiratórias de crianças. Foi desenvolvido um estudo ecológico de séries temporais com dados referentes às internações por algumas doenças respiratórias de crianças menores de dez anos de idade, em 2012, na cidade de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Os níveis médios de material particulado fino (PM2,5) foram estimados por modelo matemático, os dados de temperatura mínima e umidade relativa do ar foram obtidos do Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia, e número de focos de queimadas do Sistema de Informações Ambientais. A abordagem estatística utilizou o modelo aditivo generalizado da regressão de Poisson com defasagens de 0 a 7 dias. Foram estimados os custos financeiros e aumentos do número de internações decorrentes de elevações de PM2,5. Foram 565 internações (média de 1,54/dia; DP = 1,52) e concentração de PM2,5 de 15,7µg/m3 (DP = 3,2). Foram encontradas associações entre exposição e internações no segundo semestre, nos lags 2 e 3, e quando analisado o ano todo, no lag 2. Uma elevação de 5µg/m3 do PM2,5 implicou o aumento de 89 internações e custos acima dos R$ 95 mil para o Sistema Único de Saúde. Dados estimados por modelo matemático podem ser utilizados em locais onde não há monitoramento de poluentes.

La exposición a contaminantes del aire, que suelen ser cuantificados por agencias ambientales que no están presentes en todos los estados, puede estar asociada a internamientos por enfermedades respiratorias de niños. Se desarrolló un estudio ecológico de series temporales con datos referentes a los internamientos por algunas enfermedades respiratorias de niños menores de 10 años de edad, en 2012, en la ciudad de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Los niveles medios de material particulado fino (PM2,5) se estimaron mediante un modelo matemático, los datos de temperatura mínima y humedad relativa del aire se obtuvieron del Instituto Nacional de Meteorología, y el número de focos de incendios del Sistema de Información Ambiental. El enfoque estadístico usó el modelo aditivo generalizado de la regresión de Poisson con desfases de 0 a 7 días. Se estimaron los costes financieros y aumentos del número de internamientos derivados de elevaciones de PM2,5. Fueron 565 internamientos (media de 1,54/día; DE = 1,52) y concentración de PM2,5 de 15,7µg/m3 (DE = 3,2). Se encontraron asociaciones entre exposición e internamientos en el segundo semestre, en los lags 2 y 3, y cuando se analizó todo el año, en el lag 2. Una elevación de 5µg/m3 del PM2,5 implicó el aumento de 89 internamientos y costes por encima de los BRL 95 mil para el Sistema Único de Salud. Los datos estimados por el modelo matemático pueden ser utilizados en lugares, donde no existe un monitoreo de contaminantes.

Forced vital capacity assessment for risk stratification of blunt chest trauma patients in emergency settings: A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) for prediction of secondary respiratory complications in blunt chest trauma patients. METHODS: During a 15-month period, all consecutive blunt chest trauma patients admitted in our emergency intensive care unit with more than 3 rib fractures were eligible, unless they required mechanical ventilation in the prehospital or emergency settings. FVC was measured at admission and at emergency discharge after therapeutic interventions. The main outcome was the occurrence of secondary respiratory complications defined by hospital-acquired pulmonary infection, secondary admission in the intensive care unit or mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure or death. The performance of FVC for prediction of secondary respiratory complications was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and multivariate analysis after logistic regression. RESULTS: Sixty-two consecutive patients were included and 13 (21%) presented secondary respiratory complications. Only FVC measured at emergency discharge - not FCV at admission - was significantly lower in patients who developed secondary respiratory complications (44±15 vs. 61±20%, P=0.002). The area under the ROC curves for FCV in predicting secondary pulmonary complications was 0.79 [95% CI: 0.66-0.88], P=0.0001. An FVC at discharge≤50% was independently associated with the occurrence of secondary complications with an OR at 7.9 [1.9-42.1], P=0.004. CONCLUSION: The non-improvement of FVC≤50% at emergency discharge is associated with secondary respiratory complications and should prevent the under-triage of patients with no sign of respiratory failure at admission.

Effectiveness of Healthcare Coordination in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Diseases.

Coordination of healthcare effectively prevents exacerbations and reduces the number of hospitalizations, emergency visits, and the mortality rate in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine clinical effectiveness of ambulatory healthcare coordination in chronic respiratory patients and its effect on the level of healthcare services as an indicator of direct medical costs. We conducted a retrospective health record survey, using an online database of 550 patients with chronic respiratory diseases. There were decreases in breathing rate, heart rate, and the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expired volume in 1 s (FEV1) increased after the implementation of the coordinated healthcare structure. These benefits were accompanied by increases in the number of visits to the pulmonary outpatient clinic (p < 0.001), diagnostic costs (p < 0.001), and referrals to other outpatient clinics (p < 0.003) and hospitals (p < 0.001). The advantageous effects of healthcare coordination on clinical status of respiratory patients above outlined persisted over a 3-year period being reviewed.

Novel assessment tool to detect breathing pattern disorder in patients with refractory asthma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Breathing pattern disorder (BPD) can co-exist with and mimic asthma, acting to amplify symptoms and confound assessment of disease control, resulting in inappropriate treatment escalation. The aim of this research was to report the utility of a novel breathing pattern assessment tool (BPAT) to detect BPD in treatment-refractory asthma. METHODS: As a component of a multidisciplinary assessment, adult patients referred with treatment-refractory asthma underwent respiratory physiotherapy assessment to diagnose BPD. Based on this assessment, patients were classified as having asthma, asthma + BPD or BPD alone. BPAT data were collected in addition to questionnaire data (Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and Nijmegen Questionnaire (NQ)), pulmonary function and an assessment of exercise capacity. RESULTS: Data were retrospectively analysed for 150 (female; 69%) patients, mean (SD) age of 43 (14) years; characterized as asthma-only (n = 54, 36%), asthma + BPD (n = 63, 42%) and BPD-only (n = 33, 22%). Of the total population, 113 (76%) had an NQ score ≥23, but of these only 68% had physiotherapy evidence of BPD. Exercise capacity and AQLQ were lower in the asthma + BPD group than in the asthma-only group (P < 0.05), whilst lung function was similar between groups. Sensitivity analysis indicated that a BPAT score of ≥4 corresponded to a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 0.75 for diagnosis of BPD in this cohort. CONCLUSION: Breathing pattern irregularities are highly prevalent in individuals referred with treatment-refractory asthma and can be characterized using the BPAT. Further work is needed to determine inter-observer and within-subject variability and ensure the BPAT is a robust clinical tool. Watch the video abstract.

Efeitos da exposição a poluentes do ar na saúde das crianças de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil / Efectos de la exposición a contaminantes del aire en la salud de los niños de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil / Effects of exposure to air pollutants on children's health in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, Brazil

Exposição a poluentes do ar, que costumam ser quantificados por agências ambientais que não estão presentes em todos os estados, pode estar associada a internações por doenças respiratórias de crianças. Foi desenvolvido um estudo ecológico de séries temporais com dados referentes às internações por algumas doenças respiratórias de crianças menores de dez anos de idade, em 2012, na cidade de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Os níveis médios de material particulado fino (PM2,5) foram estimados por modelo matemático, os dados de temperatura mínima e umidade relativa do ar foram obtidos do Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia, e número de focos de queimadas do Sistema de Informações Ambientais. A abordagem estatística utilizou o modelo aditivo generalizado da regressão de Poisson com defasagens de 0 a 7 dias. Foram estimados os custos financeiros e aumentos do número de internações decorrentes de elevações de PM2,5. Foram 565 internações (média de 1,54/dia; DP = 1,52) e concentração de PM2,5 de 15,7µg/m3 (DP = 3,2). Foram encontradas associações entre exposição e internações no segundo semestre, nos lags 2 e 3, e quando analisado o ano todo, no lag 2. Uma elevação de 5µg/m3 do PM2,5 implicou o aumento de 89 internações e custos acima dos R$ 95 mil para o Sistema Único de Saúde. Dados estimados por modelo matemático podem ser utilizados em locais onde não há monitoramento de poluentes.

La exposición a contaminantes del aire, que suelen ser cuantificados por agencias ambientales que no están presentes en todos los estados, puede estar asociada a internamientos por enfermedades respiratorias de niños. Se desarrolló un estudio ecológico de series temporales con datos referentes a los internamientos por algunas enfermedades respiratorias de niños menores de 10 años de edad, en 2012, en la ciudad de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Los niveles medios de material particulado fino (PM2,5) se estimaron mediante un modelo matemático, los datos de temperatura mínima y humedad relativa del aire se obtuvieron del Instituto Nacional de Meteorología, y el número de focos de incendios del Sistema de Información Ambiental. El enfoque estadístico usó el modelo aditivo generalizado de la regresión de Poisson con desfases de 0 a 7 días. Se estimaron los costes financieros y aumentos del número de internamientos derivados de elevaciones de PM2,5. Fueron 565 internamientos (media de 1,54/día; DE = 1,52) y concentración de PM2,5 de 15,7µg/m3 (DE = 3,2). Se encontraron asociaciones entre exposición e internamientos en el segundo semestre, en los lags 2 y 3, y cuando se analizó todo el año, en el lag 2. Una elevación de 5µg/m3 del PM2,5 implicó el aumento de 89 internamientos y costes por encima de los BRL 95 mil para el Sistema Único de Salud. Los datos estimados por el modelo matemático pueden ser utilizados en lugares, donde no existe un monitoreo de contaminantes.

Exposure to air pollutants, usually measured by environmental agencies that are not present in all states, may be associated with respiratory admissions in children. An ecological time series study was conducted with data on hospitalizations due to selected respiratory diseases in children under 10 years of age in 2012 in the city of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Mean levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were estimated with a mathematical model, data on low temperatures and relative humidity were obtained from the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology, and the numbers of brush burnings were obtained from the Environmental Information System. The statistical approach used the Poisson regression generalized additive model with lags of 0 to 7 days. The financial costs and increases in hospitalizations due to increments in PM2.5 were estimated. There were 565 hospitalizations (mean 1.54 admissions/day; SD = 1.52), and mean PM2.5 concentration was 15.7µg/m3 (SD = 3.2). Associations were observed between exposure and hospitalizations in the second semester at lags 2 and 3, and at lag 2 when the entire year was analyzed. An increment of 5µg/m3 in PM2.5 was associated with an increase of 89 hospitalizations and costs exceeding BRL 95,000 (≈ USD 38,000) for the Brazilian Unified National Health System. Data estimated by mathematical models can be used in locations where pollutants are not monitored.

Valoración mediante espirometría de mineros del carbón de Paipa, Colombia / Spirometry in a population of coal miners in Paipa, Colombia

RESUMEN Introducción: Las enfermedades respiratorias derivadas de la exposición a material en partículas, como sucede en la minería del carbón, continúa siendo un reto investigativo en el país y un problema de salud pública. La espirometría es una prueba de la función respiratoria, fundamental para el diagnóstico y la vigilancia de este tipo de enfermedades pulmonares crónicas. Objetivo. Determinar los valores de la espirometría en la población minera de carbón del municipio de Paipa, y su asociación con la edad y el tiempo de exposición laboral. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Se diligenció el cuestionario de enfermedad respiratoria ocupacional de la American Thoracic Society (ATS), se registraron las mediciones de la espirometría y se interpretaron siguiendo las recomendaciones internacionales. Resultados. La muestra incluyó 226 trabajadores de minas de carbón de Paipa; en 12,3 % (n=28) de ellos se registraron alteraciones leves, de tipo obstructivo o restrictivo. En 35 % (n=80) hubo disminución de la relación entre la capacidad vital forzada y el volumen espirado en el primer segundo (CVF/VEF1 ). Se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el rango de edad (p=0,002) y los años de trabajo minero (p=0,34), además de trastornos restrictivos y obstructivos. Asimismo, hubo una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el rango de edad (p<0,01) y los años de trabajo minero (p<0,01), de diferente seriedad en el patrón de las mediciones de la espirometría. Conclusiones. La espirometría es una prueba útil para detectar la presencia de trastornos respiratorios en la población minera del carbón. La enfermedad respiratoria en estos mineros estuvo significativamente asociada con el tiempo de exposición.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Respiratory diseases resulting from exposure to particulate matter such as in coal mining remains a research challenge in this country and a public health issue. Spirometry is a basic test of fundamental respiratory function for the diagnosis and monitoring of these types of chronic lung diseases. Objective: To determine spirometric values in the coal mining municipality of Paipa and their association with age and occupational exposure times. Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study. The occupational respiratory disease questionnaire of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) was completed while spirometric measurements were performed and interpreted in accordance with international recommendations for conducting the test. Results: The sample consisted of 226 coal mining workers of the municipality of Paipa. Twenty-eight subjects (12.3%) of the sample showed patterns of obstructive and restrictive respiratory disease with mild degrees of severity. Eighty subjects (35%) showed a decrease in the forced vital capacity ratio/expiratory volume in one second (FVC/FEV1 ). A statistically significant association between age range (p=0.002) and years of mining work (p=0.34) with the development of restrictive and obstructive disorders was found. Also, there was a statistically significant association between age range (p<0.01) and years of mining work (p<0.01) with various degrees of severity of the spirometric pattern. Conclusions: Spirometry is a useful test for detecting the presence of respiratory disorders in the population of coal miners. The time of exposure was significantly associated with the respiratory disease exhibited by these miners.

Clinical manifestations of severe enterovirus 71 infection and early assessment in a Southern China population.

BACKGROUND: Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) shows a potential of rapid death, but the natural history of the infection is poorly known. This study aimed to examine the natural history of EV-A71 infection. METHODS: This was a prospective longitudinal observational study performed between January 1st and October 31st, 2012, at three hospitals in Guangdong, China. Subjects with positive EV-A71 RNA laboratory test results were included. Disease progression was documented with MRI, autopsies, and follow-up. Symptoms/signs with potential association with risk of death were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 288 patients, neurologic symptoms and signs were observed (emotional movement disorders, dyskinesia, involuntary movements, autonomic dysfunction, and disturbance of consciousness). Some of them occurred as initial symptoms. Myoclonic jerks/tremors were observed among >50% of the patients; nearly 40% of patients presented fatigue and 25% were with vomiting. Twenty-eight patients (9.7%) presented poor peripheral perfusion within 53.4 ± 26.1 h; 23 patients (8.0%) presented pulmonary edema and/or hemorrhage within 62.9 ± 28.6 h. Seventeen (5.9%) patients were in a coma. Seven (2.4%) patients died within 62.9 ± 28.6 h. Seventy-seven survivors underwent head and spinal cord MRI and 37.7% (29/77) showed abnormalities. Two fatal cases showed neuronal necrosis, softening, perivascular cuffing, colloid, and neuronophagia phenomenon in the brainstem. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with EV-A71 infection showed high complexity of symptoms and onset timing. Death risk may be indicated by autokinetic eyeball, eyeball ataxia, severe coma, respiratory rhythm abnormality, absent pharyngeal reflex, ultrahyperpyrexia, excessive tachycardia, pulmonary edema and/or hemorrhage, and refractory shock and ataxic respiration. Early assessment of these symptoms/signs is important for proper management.

Evaluation of spirometric testing as a routine preoperative assessment in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: The value of spirometry as a routine preoperative test for bariatric surgery is debatable. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between spirometry results and the frequency of postoperative pulmonary complications in 602 obese patients. METHODS: Clinical files of patients undergoing bariatric surgery between 2004 and 2013 were reviewed. Demography, risk factors, respiratory symptoms, and spirometry results (forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC) were recorded, and their relationship with postoperative pulmonary complications was evaluated. RESULTS: There were 256 males and 346 females with a mean age of 40.2 ± 11.6 years and a mean BMI of 42.1 ± 6.4 kg/m2. History of smoking was found in 408 patients (68 %). Preoperative respiratory symptoms were present in 328 (54.5 %). Most frequent symptoms were snoring (288), dyspnea (119), bronchospasm [6], and chronic productive cough [6]. In 153 patients, history of respiratory disease was documented. The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) was present in 124, 20 requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Asthma was present in 27 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2. Variables associated to a higher risk of pulmonary complications were OSAS (OR 2.3), an abnormal spirometry (OR 2.6), male gender (OR 1.9), and preoperative respiratory symptoms (OR 1.9). Using multivariate logistic regression, an abnormal spirometry was a significant predictor of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients with respiratory symptoms and/or OSAS. However, it lost prognostic significance when both conditions were subtracted. CONCLUSIONS: In obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery, abnormal preoperative spirometry predicts postoperative respiratory complications only in patients with OSAS.

An early respiratory distress detection method with Markov models.

A method for early detection of respiratory distress in hospitalized patients which is based on a multi-parametric analysis of respiration rate (RR) and pulse oximetry (SpO2) data trends to ascertain patterns of patient instability pertaining to respiratory distress is described. Current practices of triggering caregiver alerts are based on simple numeric threshold breaches of SpO2. The pathophysiological patterns of respiratory distress leading to in-hospital deaths are much more complex to be detected by numeric thresholds. Our pattern detection algorithm is based on a Markov model framework based on multi-parameter pathophysiological patterns of respiratory distress, and triggers in a timely manner and prior to the violation of SpO2 85-90% threshold, providing additional lead time to attempt to reverse the deteriorating state of the patient. We present the performance of the algorithm on MIMIC II dataset resulting in true positive rate of 92% and false positive rate of 6%.

Recommendations for fitness for work medical evaluations in chronic respiratory patients. Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR).

Chronic respiratory diseases often cause impairment in the functions and/or structure of the respiratory system, and impose limitations on different activities in the lives of persons who suffer them. In younger patients with an active working life, these limitations can cause problems in carrying out their normal work. Article 41 of the Spanish Constitution states that «the public authorities shall maintain a public Social Security system for all citizens guaranteeing adequate social assistance and benefits in situations of hardship¼. Within this framework is the assessment of fitness for work, as a dual-nature process (medico-legal) that aims to determine whether it is appropriate or not to recognise a person's right to receive benefits which replace the income that they no longer receive as they cannot carry out their work, due to loss of health. The role of the pulmonologist is essential in evaluating the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and functional capacity of respiratory patients. These recommendations seek to bring the complex setting of fitness for work evaluation to pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons, providing action guidelines that allow them to advise their own patients about their incorporation into working life.

Monitoring and respiratory health assessment of the population exposed to cooking fuel emissions in a rural area of Jalgaon district, India.

Indoor air pollution is an ongoing problem in developing countries. Respiratory diseases are common worldwide in rural communities. This study was undertaken to estimate the respirable particulate matter (PM10) concentrations emitted from cooking fuels and their effects on the respiratory health of the rural population of Jalgaon district. The respiratory status of the exposed population was assessed by conducting pulmonary function tests in the study area. The levels of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second were lower, and difficulty in respiration and frequent coughing were more common with higher odds ratios (OR) of 2.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-2.83) and 1.84 (95% CI = 0.95-2.10) in agrowaste-user female subjects. Ventilatory impairment among the agrowaste-user subjects was higher than among users of gas and wood. Difficulty in respiration and frequent coughing were strongly associated in wood-user female subjects as well with ORs of 2.10 (95% CI = 0.85-2.49) and 1.79 (95% CI = 0.91-1.98), respectively. Chest pain was significantly associated in agrowaste- and wood-user female subjects. This study confirms an association between the reductions in lung efficiency with high PM10 exposure in the rural population. The result of this study reveals an association between respiratory diseases symptoms and indoor air quality in the biomass-using rural population of Jalgaon district.

Pathophysiology of tricuspid regurgitation: quantitative Doppler echocardiographic assessment of respiratory dependence.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory dependence of tricuspid regurgitation (TR), a long-held concept suggested by murmur variation, remains unproven and of unclear mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 41 patients with mild or greater TR (median age, 67 years), we performed triple Doppler echocardiographic quantification (TR severity, right ventricular, and right atrial quantification) with simultaneous respirometer recording of respiratory phases. Expiration to inspiration changes (median) affected TR peak velocity (-40 cm/s; 25th to 75th percentile, -60 to -30 cm/s), duration (-12 milliseconds; 25th to 75th percentile, -45 to 2 milliseconds), and time-velocity integral (-17 cm; 25th to 75th percentile, -23.4 to -10 cm; all P<0.001), consistent with decreased TR driving force. Nevertheless, inspiratory TR augmentation was demonstrated by increased effective regurgitant orifice (0.21 cm(2); 25th to 75th percentile, 0.09 to 0.34 cm(2)) and volume (18 mL per beat; 25th to 75th percentile, 10 to 25 mL per beat; all P<0.001) infrequently detected clinically (2 of 41, 5). As a result of reduced TR driving force, regurgitant volume increased less than effective regurgitant orifice (120 [25th to 75th percentile, 78.6 to 169] versus 169 [ 25th to 75th percentile, 12.9 to 226.1]; P<0.001). During inspiration, right ventricular area increased (diastolic, 27.8 [25th to 75th percentile, 22.6 to 36.3] versus 26.5 [21.1 to 31.9]; P<0.0001) with widening of right ventricular shape (length-to-width ratio, 1.6 [ 25th to 75th percentile, 1.37 to 1.95] versus 1.7 [1.46 to 2.1]; P<0.0001), increased systolic annular diameter (P=0.003), valve tenting height (P<0.0001) and area (P<0.0001), and reduced valvular-to-annular ratio (P=0.006). Effective regurgitant orifice during inspiration was independently determined by inspiratory valvular-to-annular ratio (P=0.026) and inspiratory change in right ventricular length-to-width ratio (P=0.008) and valve tenting area (P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: TR is dynamic with almost universal respiratory changes of large magnitude and complex pathophysiology. During inspiration, a large increase in effective regurgitant orifice causes, despite a decline in regurgitant gradient, a notable increase in regurgitant volume. Effective regurgitant orifice changes are independently linked to inspiratory annular enlargement (decreased valvular coverage) and to inspiratory right ventricular shape widening with increased valvular tenting. These novel physiological insights into TR respiratory dependence underscore right-side heart plasticity and are important for clinical TR severity evaluation.

Health issues of the late preterm infant.

"Late preterm" birth is not such an unusual occurrence; in fact these infants were the first group of premature infants who pediatricians learned to treat, and did so with such remarkable success that physicians no longer consider them to be of high risk. So, why the sudden interest in this group? There is now enough evidence that this population is not as benign as previously thought. They have increased mortality when compared to term infants and are at increased risk for complications including transient tachypnea of newborn (TTN), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), respiratory failure, temperature instability, jaundice, feeding difficulties and prolonged neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. Evidence is currently emerging that late preterm infants make up a majority of preterm births, take up significant resources, have increased mortality/morbidity, and may even have long-term neurodevelopmental consequences secondary to their late prematurity.

The walking capacity assessment in the respiratory patient.

Exercise testing is commonly used in respiratory patients to assess their degree of disability, prognosis for survival, presence of exercise-induced hypoxemia and response to treatment. Recently, simple exercise tests, which are based on walking, have been developed and are increasingly being used both for clinical and research purposes. The 6-min walk test (6-MWT) is the most widely used and simply consists in the measurement of the distance walked in 6 min. The 6-MWT is self-paced and differs from the shuttle walking test, which is externally paced via a recorded metronome and entails incrementally faster speeds. Although the field walking tests do not require complex equipment, they can provide reliable and useful clinical information. This review deals with the validity, reliability and interpretation of these walking tests in the assessment of patients with chronic respiratory disease.