RATIONALE Cystic fibrosis (CF) is believed to be associated with mucus hypersecretion; thus, the principal airway gel-forming mucins, MUC5AC and MUC5B, are also expected to be increased relative to non-CF secretions. However, we have shown that these mucins are decreased during stable CF disease. OBJECTIVES In this study, we determine if these mucins increase during a pulmonary exacerbation o...

In trials comparing the rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation between treatment arms, the rate is typically calculated on the basis of the whole of each patient's follow-up period. However, the true time a patient is at risk should exclude periods in which an exacerbation episode is occurring, because a patient cannot be at risk of another exacerbation episode until recover...

BACKGROUND The ability to objectively differentiate exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from day-to-day symptom variations would be an important development in clinical practice and research. We assessed the ability of domiciliary pulse oximetry to achieve this. METHODS 40 patients with moderate-severe COPD collected daily data on changes in symptoms, heart-rate (HR)...

We have analysed data on exacerbation rates, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and lesion burdens using the results of two neutralizing antibody (NAB) assays (CPE and MxA) from the pivotal relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) trial of interferon beta-1b (IFNB) with a longitudinal approach, where the influence of NABs in individual patients is assessed by comparing responses...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important mediator of angiogenesis. However, little is known about the potential use of serum levels of VEGF as a biomarker for asthma. We investigated the differences in VEGF levels among normal controls, stable asthma patients, and those with exacerbation of acute asthma. All subjects were young males. METHODS We measured VEGF ...

AIMS To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients hospitalized for exacerbation and to evaluate its clinical and prognostic influence on the exacerbation. SUBJECTS/METHODS The subjects were 78 consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe COPD who were admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of exacerbation. Nutritional status was assessed b...

A growing literature reports that stressful life events are associated with exacerbation and the subsequent development of brain lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The evolution an MS exacerbation occurs over a period of many months and involves many different biological processes that change over time. Likewise, the experience of stress also occurs over time, with an onset, a sh...

BACKGROUND Little is known about which self-management behaviors have the highest potential to influence exacerbation impact in COPD patients. We aimed to reach expert consensus on the most relevant set of self-management behaviors that can be targeted and influenced to maximize reduction of exacerbation impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 2-round Delphi study was performed using online surveys t...

BACKGROUND This study examined characteristics of adult and adolescent patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) to determine factors associated with an increased risk of pulmonary exacerbations. METHODS 249 patients with CF infected with multidrug resistant bacteria were recruited and prospectively followed for up to 4.5 years until they experienced a pulmonary exacerbation severe enough to require...

Introduction: COPD is a common preventable disease characterized by airflow limitation that is not completely reversible.Acute exacerbation is prominent and serious features of COPD. Acute Exacerbation of COPD leads to hospitalization and concomitant with morbidity and mortality .The ventricular dysfunction increases serum Brain Natriuretic Peptide(BNP)  . This study was conducted to evaluate t...