Correlation between disease severity factors and EQ-5D utilities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Purpose: Impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is associated with poor health outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to determine health utilities in patients with COPD and to identify the variables with the greatest impact.

Methods: This is a pooled analysis of data from 4 observational studies performed in stable COPD patients.

Micronutrient intake in children with cystic fibrosis in Sydney, Australia.

Background: Children with CF have been reported to consume significantly more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods than controls where there are now concerns of inadequate micronutrient intake. There are no current or comprehensive dietary studies assessing micronutrient intake in CF children.

Objectives: To evaluate micronutrient intake in children with CF compared to recommended dietary intakes (RDIs).

Dietary intake of energy-dense, nutrient-poor and nutrient-dense food sources in children with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Prescription of a high-energy, high-fat diet is a mainstay of nutrition management in cystic fibrosis (CF). However, families may be relying on energy-dense, nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods rather than nutrient-dense (ND) foods to meet dietary targets. We aimed to evaluate the relative contribution of EDNP and ND foods to the usual diets of children with CF and identify sociodemographic factors associated with higher EDNP intakes.

Depressive status explains a significant amount of the variance in COPD assessment test (CAT) scores.

Background: COPD assessment test (CAT) is a short, easy-to-complete health status tool that has been incorporated into the multidimensional assessment of COPD in order to guide therapy; therefore, it is important to understand the factors determining CAT scores.

Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of a cross-sectional, observational study conducted in respiratory medicine departments and primary care centers in Spain with the aim of identifying the factors determining CAT scores, focusing particularly on the cognitive status measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and levels of depression measured by the short Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: A total of 684 COPD patients were analyzed; 84.