Six minute walk distance is a predictor of survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and distressing disease with a trajectory that is often difficult to predict.

Objective: To determine whether initial 6 min walk distance (6MWD) or change in 6MWD following inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) predicted survival.

Methods: Patients referred for PR in 2010 were studied in a retrospective chart review.

Implementation of a targeted screening program to detect airflow obstruction suggestive of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within a presurgical screening clinic.

Background: Targeted spirometry screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been studied in primary care and community settings. Limitations regarding availability and quality of testing remain. A targeted spirometry screening program was implemented within a presurgical screening (PSS) clinic to detect undiagnosed airways disease and identify patients with COPD/asthma in need of treatment optimization.

Using a virtual game system to innovate pulmonary rehabilitation: safety, adherence and enjoyment in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objective: The present pilot study tested the use of a virtual game system (VGS) for exercise training in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Safety, feasibility, enjoyment and adherence were assessed.

Methods: VGS (Wii [2006], Nintendo, USA) games were prescreened and categorized into lower- and upper-body workouts.

Integrated interdisciplinary care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reduces emergency department visits, admissions and costs: a quality assurance study.

Background: Dedicated programs for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can reduce hospitalizations and improve quality of life.

Objective: To investigate whether health care utilization could be reduced by a newly developed integrated, interdisciplinary initiative that included a COPD nurse navigator who educates patients and families, transitions patients through various points of care and integrates services.

Methods: The present quality assurance, pre-post study included patients followed by a COPD nurse navigator from January 25, 2010 to November 5, 2011.

Patient knowledge in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: back to basics.

Patient education is integral to the care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and a cornerstone of self-management in chronic illness. We aimed to assess information needs and knowledge of patients with COPD. The Lung Information Needs Questionnaire (LINQ) and The Mount Sinai Hospital Questionnaire (MSHQ) were used.

Prevalence of emotional distress in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients.

Goals Of Work: Distress is defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network as a multifactorial unpleasant emotional experience of a psychological, social, and/or spiritual nature that may interfere with the ability to cope effectively with cancer. We investigated the prevalence and associated symptoms of distress in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: Between November 2005 and July 2007, 98 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients completed an assessment.

Prognostic value of the six-minute walk in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: The 6 minute walk (6MW) is usually used to evaluate exercise capacity in a variety of patient populations. We hypothesized that the 6MW would decline after chemotherapy and assessed the prognostic value of this test.

Materials And Methods: The 6MW was conducted in newly diagnosed advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients on three different days: twice before (one initial and one prechemotherapy test) and once after two cycles of chemotherapy.

Should patient-rated performance status affect treatment decisions in advanced lung cancer?

Introduction: The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score is a well known prognostic factor and almost always used to determine eligibility for clinical trials. The patient-rated performance status score (Pt-PS), section of the patient generated subjective global assessment scale, has identical criteria to the physician-rated ECOG scale (MD-PS). We compared the Pt-PS with MD-PS in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and compared the effect of each rating on eligibility for a hypothetical clinical trial.

Does granulocyte colony-stimulating factor affect survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer?

Background: Platinum-based chemotherapy is standard treatment for patients with advanced lung cancer. The common side effect of this therapy is myelosuppression, for which different stimulating factors are used. In this article, the effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration on the survival of patients with unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was evaluated.