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Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the dynamic patterns of perception and expectations among COPD patients. Methods: Conducted at the Heart-Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, in Milan, Italy, the research involved 28 participants (16 males; mean age 72.8 ± 9.9) in face-to-face interviews. Utilizing a Grounded Theory approach, complemented by clinical data, recorded, and transcribed interviews underwent enhancement through the integration of two pictorial tools. Results: The central theme that emerged was a profound sense of responsibility toward their condition, perceived as a significant threat to life. Key symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coupled with negative expectations about their condition, contributed to depressive mood and avoidance behaviors. A notable proportion (N = 17; 60.71%) of participants struggled to envision a positive future, expressing a pervasive sense of hopelessness, which significantly influenced their health behaviors and adherence to medical recommendations. Conversely, individuals who felt supported and optimistic about treatment efficacy exhibited more positive expectations and adopted proactive coping strategies. Discussion: Recognizing the dynamic nature of patients' perceptions and negative illness expectations is essential to create personalized therapeutic interventions and meet the specific needs of COPD patients, ultimately improving the overall effectiveness of their care journey.
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Adaptación Psicológica , Teoría Fundamentada , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica , Humanos , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/psicología , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/terapia , Masculino , Femenino , Anciano , Persona de Mediana Edad , Depresión/psicología , Depresión/etiología , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Disnea/psicología , Disnea/etiología , Disnea/terapia , Investigación Cualitativa , Medicina de Precisión/métodos , Actitud Frente a la Salud , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Percepción , Entrevistas como AsuntoAsunto(s)
Influenza Pandémica, 1918-1919 , Gripe Humana , Neumonía Viral , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto Joven , Dolor en el Pecho/diagnóstico , Dolor en el Pecho/etiología , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Disnea/diagnóstico , Disnea/etiología , Pulmón/diagnóstico por imagen , Pulmón/patología , Radiografía Torácica , Fiebre/diagnóstico , Fiebre/etiología , Tos/diagnóstico , Tos/etiología , Gripe Humana/complicaciones , Gripe Humana/diagnóstico , Gripe Humana/epidemiología , Gripe Humana/prevención & control , Influenza Pandémica, 1918-1919/historia , Subtipo H1N1 del Virus de la Influenza A/aislamiento & purificación , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , Monitoreo Epidemiológico , Neumonía Viral/complicaciones , Neumonía Viral/diagnóstico , Preparación para una Pandemia , Vacunas contra la Influenza/administración & dosificaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the survival rates of cancer patients. However, this has also led to an increase in side effects, such as dyspnoea, which can negatively impact of patients. We propose a programme for re-educating effort. The main objective is to test the effectiveness of this programme in improving respiratory symptoms and functionality in cancer patients. METHODOLOGY: Experimental, prospective, longitudinal, randomised study with a parallel fixed-assignment scheme (CG-IG). The patients were selected from the Medical Oncology Service of the University Hospital Complex of Salamanca (CAUSA), Spain. Two parallel intervention programmes were designed for the two study groups (Conventional Clinical Practice-Effort Re-education Programme). Primary variables: dyspnoea (MRC), functionality (Barthel); secondary variables: physical performance (SPPB) and functional capacity (ECOG) and the socio-demographic variables (age, sex, anatomopathological diagnosis, and number of treatment lines). RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 182 patients, with 12 excluded, resulting in a final sample size of n = 170. Sex distribution (CG: 52.9% male and 47.1% female; IG: 49.4% male and 50.6% female). The primary oncological diagnosis was lung cancer, and the most frequent tumour stages were III and IV. Statistically significant differences were found between the IG and CG scores (p < 0.001, d = 0.887, 95% CI) and between the IG and CG scores (p = 0.004, d = 0.358, 95% CI), indicating that the IG performed better. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the beneficial effects of an exercise re-education programme, carried out by an interdisciplinary team in improving the autonomy of oncology patients with dyspnoea. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04186754). (03 September 2019).
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Disnea , Neoplasias , Rendimiento Físico Funcional , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Disnea/etiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Prospectivos , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Anciano , España , Estudios Longitudinales , Educación del Paciente como Asunto/métodos , AdultoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Dabbing is recently getting popular among young adults. It is a new method of using the most active form of marijuana where large amounts of concentrated tetrahydrocannabinol are inhaled. Tetrahydrocannabinol is associated with a feeling of 'High' which makes the user feel joyous and relaxed. With increasing use of such techniques, dabbing becomes an important differential for evaluation of acute respiratory failure with pneumonitis especially in the adult population. CASE PRESENTATION: A Fifty-one years old Caucasian man presented to the hospital with chest pressure and shortness of breath. The patient was noted to be hypoxic, desaturating down to 82-83% on nasal cannula oxygen. Imaging revealed bilateral lung infiltrates. Patient was started on high flow oxygen, broad spectrum antibiotics and intravenous corticosteroids. The patient gradually improved and was able to come off oxygen completely. He was discharged home on prednisone taper. CONCLUSIONS: Dabbing is a newer technique which has been gaining popularity for marijuana usage. With the legalization of marijuana, newer techniques are getting popular. Our case report emphasizes the importance of keeping dabbing as a differential when a patient presents with respiratory failure and has concerns for pneumonitis. Patients might not reveal until specifically asked about their practices.
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Dronabinol , Neumonía , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Dronabinol/efectos adversos , Insuficiencia Respiratoria , Antibacterianos/efectos adversos , Terapia por Inhalación de Oxígeno , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Disnea/etiologíaRESUMEN
CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old male Vietnam veteran with a medical history of OSA on CPAP, mild COPD, Parsonage-Turner syndrome (a rare neurologic syndrome manifesting with shoulder and arm pain), hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux, hiatal hernia, and prior endocarditis presented with 1 year duration progressive exertional dyspnea with minimal activity by referral from an outside pulmonologist. The patient reported possible exposure to Agent Orange during his service but was otherwise without significant occupational or environmental exposures. His exercise tolerance was well-maintained up until the last 12 months. Aside from marginal cigarette use, he denied any recreational drug use or any anorectic use. The patient provided records from a recent right heart catheterization (RHC) months earlier for review.
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Disnea , Oximetría , Humanos , Masculino , Anciano , Disnea/etiología , Disnea/diagnóstico , Oximetría/métodos , Diagnóstico DiferencialRESUMEN
The differential diagnosis of dysphagia and dyspnoea with cervicofacial oedema is wide and includes diseases with variable prognosis that may require an urgent approach. This article presents the case of a middle-aged man who came to the emergency room referring to the symptoms described, with a history of central venous access established approximately 4 years ago. The patient was diagnosed with superior vena cava syndrome and treated with anticoagulants and removal of the catheter. After a week of admission with anticoagulation, the patient clinically improved with a considerable decrease in thrombus and pharyngolaryngeal and subcutaneous mucosal oedema. In the differential diagnosis of dysphagia and dyspnoea, we must also consider systemic diseases, and more specifically, these symptoms such as those described, and think about this entity because of its severity.
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Trastornos de Deglución , Síndrome de la Vena Cava Superior , Humanos , Síndrome de la Vena Cava Superior/etiología , Síndrome de la Vena Cava Superior/diagnóstico , Masculino , Trastornos de Deglución/etiología , Trastornos de Deglución/diagnóstico , Persona de Mediana Edad , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Anticoagulantes/uso terapéutico , Disnea/etiología , Cateterismo Venoso Central/efectos adversos , Edema/etiologíaRESUMEN
A man in his early 50s with previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) presented with a 3-month history of cough, expectoration and progressive breathlessness, accompanied by significant weight loss. Examination revealed tachycardia, tachypnoea, hypoxaemia and unilateral diminished breath sounds. Investigations showed anaemia, leucocytosis and a homogeneous opacity on the left side of the CXR. ECG and echocardiography suggested pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). A CT pulmonary angiogram confirmed a chronic embolus and a severely fibrosed left lung. A comprehensive thrombophilia workup yielded normal results and the PTE was attributed to his history of TB. Sputum analysis confirmed reactivated TB, leading to the initiation of antitubercular therapy. The patient improved clinically with plans for a repeat CT pulmonary angiography to assess the need for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy after completing TB treatment. This case highlights the possible association of TB and PTE, its management and why it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with a history of TB presenting with exacerbated breathlessness.
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Antituberculosos , Embolia Pulmonar , Tuberculosis Pulmonar , Humanos , Masculino , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/complicaciones , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Embolia Pulmonar/complicaciones , Embolia Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Embolia Pulmonar/diagnóstico por imagen , Persona de Mediana Edad , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Antituberculosos/uso terapéutico , Angiografía por Tomografía Computarizada , Disnea/etiología , Disnea/diagnóstico , EcocardiografíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is incurring a huge health and economic burden worldwide. There is currently no effective treatment or recommended drug for PASC. METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in a hospital in China. The effect of intermittent hypoxia exposure (IHE; 5-min hypoxia alternating with 5-min normal air, repeated five times) on dyspnea and fatigue was investigated in patients meeting the NICE definition of PASC. Patients were computationally randomized to receive normoxia exposure (NE) and routine therapy or IHE and routine therapy. Six-minute walk distance (6MWD) and spirometry were tested before and after the interventions; the Borg Dyspnea Scale (Borg) and the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) were used to assess dyspnea; and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and the Chalder Fatigue Scale-11 (CFQ-11) were used to assess fatigue. The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300070565). FINDINGS: Ninety-five participants (33 males and 62 females) were recruited between March 1, 2023 and December 30, 2023. Forty-seven patients in the IHE group received 10.0 (9.0, 15.0) days of IHE, and 48 patients in NE group received 10.0 (8.0, 12.0) days of NE. 6MWD, forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC %pred, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1 %pred, tidal volume (VT), and dyspnea and fatigue scales markedly improved after IHE (p < 0.05), and improvements were greater than in the NE group (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, participants in IHE group had better subjective improvements in dyspnea and fatigue than those in the NE group (p < 0.05). Compared with <10 days of IHE, ≥10 days of IHE had a greater impact on 6MWD, FVC, FEV1, FEV1 %pred, VT, FAS, and CFQ-11. No severe adverse events were reported. INTERPRETATION: IHE improved spirometry and 6MWD and relieved dyspnea and fatigue in PASC patients. Larger prospective studies are now needed to verify these findings.
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COVID-19 , Disnea , Fatiga , Hipoxia , Síndrome Post Agudo de COVID-19 , Humanos , Disnea/fisiopatología , Disnea/etiología , Masculino , Femenino , COVID-19/complicaciones , COVID-19/fisiopatología , Fatiga/etiología , Fatiga/fisiopatología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Prospectivos , Hipoxia/fisiopatología , Adulto , Prueba de Paso/métodos , Anciano , Espirometría/métodos , ChinaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether an early comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation intervention initiated during hospital admission is safe and effective for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled study. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: Patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: In total, 108 patients were randomized to the early comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation and usual care groups within 48 hours. The 6-min walking distance, quality of life, breathlessness, and inspiratory muscle strength were measured on admission and discharge. Any adverse events of pulmonary rehabilitation were recorded. RESULTS: On discharge, the patients in the early comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation group had a more significant improvement in the 6-min walking distance (47.5 vs 23.0, p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in quality of life and breathlessness between the 2 groups. In the early comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation group, inspiratory muscle strength and peak inspiratory flow were significantly improved, and the changes were much more pronounced than in the usual care group. There were no adverse events. CONCLUSION: Early comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation is safe and effective for hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and should be performed during the early stage of hospitalization.
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Hospitalización , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica , Calidad de Vida , Humanos , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/rehabilitación , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/fisiopatología , Masculino , Femenino , Anciano , Estudios Prospectivos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fuerza Muscular/fisiología , Resultado del Tratamiento , Disnea/rehabilitación , Disnea/etiología , Disnea/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old woman came to our hospital with worsening cough and dyspnea over the preceding week, during which time she had been treated with azithromycin and prednisone for suspected pneumonia. She had no fever, chills, or sweats, but her cough had become productive of clear to blood-tinged phlegm during the interval. Medical history was significant for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and OSA. She had quit smoking 44 years earlier and had no history of lung disease. She was a bank teller residing in southeastern Minnesota and described no relevant inhalational or environmental exposures, drug use, aspiration, or travels preceding her illness.
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Tos , Disnea , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Humanos , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Tos/etiología , Tos/diagnóstico , Disnea/etiología , Disnea/diagnóstico , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Nódulos Pulmonares Múltiples/diagnóstico , Nódulos Pulmonares Múltiples/diagnóstico por imagen , Nódulos Pulmonares Múltiples/etiología , Neoplasias Pulmonares/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Pulmonares/complicacionesRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to explore functional improvements by sex for patients with refractory angina pectoris using a 6-min walk test (6MWT) after enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy. METHODS: All patients who completed EECP from 2015 to 2023 were identified for analysis retrospectively, utilizing the electronic medical record. Patients completed 35 1-hr EECP sessions 5 d/wk over 7 wk. All baseline and post-EECP intervention 6MWT, exertional angina, and dyspnea measurements were assessed on the first and last sessions, respectively. Paired and unpaired t tests and linear and stepwise multivariable regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 116 patients (24 female) with a mean age of 69 ± 13 yr. After EECP, there was a mean improvement of 128 m (72%) in distance walked during the 6MWT ( P < .001) with 126 ± 91 m improvement in males and 134 ± 73 m in females. The improvement in angina and dyspnea scores was 3.5 ± 2.1 and 4.2 ± 2.4, respectively. There were no differences between the sexes for improvements in 6MWT distance, angina, or dyspnea. Univariate associations for change in 6MWT distance included body mass index (BMI; adjusted R2 = .05) and being a nonsmoker (adjusted R2 = .03). The only independent predictor for increasing distance during 6MWT was BMI (adjusted R2 = .1; P = .001). CONCLUSION: Patients who have refractory angina pectoris can improve their functional capacity while simultaneously decreasing exertional angina and dyspnea using EECP. This study highlights the equal efficacy of EECP therapy for females.
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Angina de Pecho , Contrapulsación , Disnea , Prueba de Paso , Humanos , Femenino , Masculino , Disnea/fisiopatología , Disnea/etiología , Disnea/terapia , Contrapulsación/métodos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Anciano , Angina de Pecho/terapia , Angina de Pecho/fisiopatología , Prueba de Paso/métodos , Factores Sexuales , Persona de Mediana Edad , Resultado del Tratamiento , Tolerancia al Ejercicio/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Background: In the postacute phase of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), survivors may have persistent symptoms, lung function abnormalities, and sequelae lesions on thoracic computed tomography (CT). This new entity has been defined as post-COVID interstitial lung disease (ILD) or residual disease. Aims: To evaluate the characteristics, risk factors and clinical significance of post-COVID ILD. Study Design: Multicenter cross-sectional analysis of data from a randomized clinical study. Methods: In this study, patients with persistent respiratory symptoms 3 months after recovery from COVID-19 were evaluated by two pulmonologists and a radiologist. post-COVID ILD was defined as the presence of respiratory symptoms, hypoxemia, restrictive defect on lung function tests, and interstitial changes on follow-up high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Results: At the three-month follow-up, 375 patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome were evaluated, and 262 patients were found to have post-COVID ILD. The most prevalent complaints were dyspnea (n = 238, 90.8%), exercise intolerance (n = 166, 63.4%), fatigue (n = 142, 54.2%), and cough (n = 136, 52%). The mean Medical Research Council dyspnea score was 2.1 ± 0.9, oxygen saturation was 92.2 ± 5.9%, and 6-minute walking distance was 360 ± 140 meters. The mean diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide was 58 ± 21, and the forced vital capacity was 70% ± 19%. Ground glass opacities and fibrotic bands were the most common findings on thoracic HRCT. Fibrosis-like lesions such as interlobular septal thickening and traction bronchiectasis were observed in 38.3% and 27.9% of the patients, respectively. No honeycomb cysts were observed. Active smoking [odds ratio (OR), 1.96; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.44-2.67), intensive care unit admission during the acute phase (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.1-1.95), need for high-flow nasal oxygen (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.42-1.9) or non-invasive ventilation (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.8-2.07), and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase levels (OR, 1.23; 95% CI 1.18-1.28) were associated with the development of post-COVID ILD. At the 6-month follow-up, the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary functions had improved spontaneously without any specific treatment in 35 patients (13.4%). The radiological interstitial lesions had spontaneously regressed in 54 patients (20.6%). Conclusion: The co-existence of respiratory symptoms, radiological parenchymal lesions, and pulmonary functional abnormalities which suggest a restrictive ventilatory defect should be defined as post-COVID-19 ILD. However, the term "fibrosis" should be used carefully. Active smoking, severe COVID-19, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase level are the main risk factors of this condition. These post-COVID functional and radiological changes could disappear over time in 20% of the patients.
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COVID-19 , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Humanos , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/fisiopatología , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/etiología , COVID-19/complicaciones , COVID-19/fisiopatología , Masculino , Femenino , Estudios Transversales , Persona de Mediana Edad , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodos , Anciano , SARS-CoV-2 , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria/métodos , Factores de Riesgo , Síndrome Post Agudo de COVID-19 , Disnea/etiología , Disnea/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
Objectives: To determine the proportion of people who achieve minimal clinically important differences (MCID) with centre-based or home-based pulmonary rehabilitation and to synthesise data on adverse events.Methods: Cochrane reviews and electronic databases were searched to identify randomised trials comparing centre-based to home-based pulmonary rehabilitation, or either model to usual care, in people with chronic respiratory disease. Primary outcomes were the proportion of participants achieving MCIDs in exercise capacity and disease-specific quality of life. Secondary outcomes were symptoms and adverse events. Cochrane Risk of Bias 1.0 and GRADE were used to assess the risk of bias and certainty of evidence respectively.Results: Forty-nine trials were eligible. Compared to usual care, a higher proportion of pulmonary rehabilitation participants achieved the MCID for exercise capacity (6MWT: 47% vs 20%, p = 0.11), dyspnoea (43% vs 29%, p = 0.0001), fatigue (48% vs 27%, p = 0.0002) and emotional function (37% vs 25%, p = 0.02), with all of these between group differences statistically significant except for exercise capacity. There were no differences between centre-based and home-based pulmonary rehabilitation in the proportion of participants who achieved MCIDs (34%- 58% across studies). Ninety percent of trials reported no adverse events. Certainty of evidence was low-to- moderate with all outcomes except for CRQ-mastery (centre-based vs home-based pulmonary rehabilitation, or pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care in COPD), ESWT (pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care in COPD) and 6MWT (pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care in bronchiectasis) where evidence was very uncertain.Discussion: Clinically meaningful outcomes are achieved by similar proportions of participants in centre-based and home-based pulmonary rehabilitation, with few adverse events. Reporting of trial outcomes according to MCIDs is necessary for informed decision making regarding pulmonary rehabilitation models.
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Tolerancia al Ejercicio , Servicios de Atención de Salud a Domicilio , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica , Calidad de Vida , Humanos , Enfermedad Crónica , Disnea/rehabilitación , Disnea/etiología , Fatiga/rehabilitación , Fatiga/etiología , Diferencia Mínima Clínicamente Importante , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/rehabilitación , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto , Centros de RehabilitaciónRESUMEN
Fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) has a poor prognosis when no antigen is identified, which occurs in many cases. We present a case of HP due to foam exposure in bedding, an unrecognised cause of HP. A woman was referred for dyspnoea and cough. High-resolution chest computed tomography (HRCT) showed a three-density pattern with gas trapping. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) revealed restriction and reduced diffusing capacity. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed lymphocytosis (43%) and lung cryobiopsy showed fibrosis, lymphocytic infiltration and multinucleated giant cells. She had foam in mattress and pillows but no other exposures. Her symptoms, PFTs, and imaging improved after avoiding foam in her bedding. After re-exposure to a foam pillow, her symptoms, PFTs, and HRCT worsened. Microbiological analysis of the foam pillow reported Penicillium spp, known to cause HP. Foam exposure is a novel cause of HP, and foam avoidance can prevent disease progression and death.
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Alveolitis Alérgica Extrínseca , Ropa de Cama y Ropa Blanca , Penicillium , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Humanos , Alveolitis Alérgica Extrínseca/etiología , Alveolitis Alérgica Extrínseca/diagnóstico , Femenino , Ropa de Cama y Ropa Blanca/efectos adversos , Lechos/efectos adversos , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pulmón/diagnóstico por imagen , Pulmón/patología , Disnea/etiologíaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Dyspnea is a common and distressing symptom in patients with advanced malignant and non-malignant diseases. It is a subjective experience that can only be described by the patients themselves and can be associated with a massive reduction in quality of life, including social isolation and wish to hasten death. Often there is an affective component such as anxiety or panic. Objective parameters do not necessarily correlate with the subjective experience. Health professionals often underestimate and inadequately treat the burden of dyspnea. The introduction of the concept of chronic breathlessness syndrome or acute-on-chronic-breathlessness aims to illustrate the nature of the condition and facilitate the identification and access to appropriate treatment. The management of dyspnea is complex, and for effective treatment, a combination of general, non-pharmacological, and pharmacological measures is usually advisable. Opioids should be offered to patients with incurable cancer and refractory dyspnea for symptom relief. They can be supplemented with benzodiazepines in cases of concomitant anxiety. The administration of oxygen is only indicated in cases of hypoxemia. Key measures include education, self-management skills acquisition and advance care planning for emergency situations.
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Disnea , Cuidados Paliativos , Disnea/terapia , Disnea/etiología , Humanos , Cuidados Paliativos/métodos , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Calidad de Vida , Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapéutico , Analgésicos Opioides/efectos adversos , Terapia Combinada , Terapia por Inhalación de OxígenoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Manual breathing assist technique (MBAT) is a common physical therapy technique used to facilitate airway clearance and improve ventilation and oxygenation. The effects during and immediately after intervention in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects and potential mechanisms of MBAT on lung volume, dyspnea, and oxygenation in individuals with COPD. METHODS: This non-randomized quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study included participants from pulmonary rehabilitation programs at Tagami Hospital (COPD group) and a community exercise program (Healthy group). During a single session, MBAT was applied during the expiration of every breath for 10 minutes. Dyspnea and lung volumes (tidal volume; VT, inspiratory capacity; IC, inspiratory reserved capacity; IRV, expiratory reserve capacity; ERV) were collected at baseline and after MBAT. Pulse oximetry (SpO2), skeletal muscle oxygenation (SmO2), and oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin (O2Hb and HHb) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) were collected at baseline, during, and after MBAT. Between-group comparisons were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U-test and chi-square analyses. Within-group changes before and after MBAT were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to detect differences in NIRS variables in each phase and over time. RESULTS: Thirty participants with COPD, matched for age and sex, were included, with 15 individuals per group. The difference scores of VT, IRV, and IC were significantly higher in the Healthy group than in the COPD group, but improvements in dyspnea and SpO2 were significantly higher in the COPD group. Compared to baseline, ERV decreased significantly in both groups, with dyspnea and SpO2 improving significantly only in the COPD group. Inspiratory accessory muscle ΔO2Hb and ΔHHb were significantly higher and lower (respectively) during MBAT in the COPD group compared to the Healthy group. Additionally, only the COPD group had increased SmO2 during and after MBAT compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: MBAT in patients with COPD had acute physiological effects in reducing dyspnea by facilitating expiration and decreasing the recruitment of accessory respiratory muscles. MBAT may help individuals with COPD reduce dyspnea before exercise therapy in a pulmonary rehabilitation program.