The role of patient-reported outcomes in the management of chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a debilitating condition that can substantially affect patients' quality of life (QoL), mental health and ability to perform daily tasks. International guidelines on the management of CSU, jointly developed by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GALEN), European Dermatology Forum (EDF) and World Allergy Organization (WAO), recommend a treat-to-target strategy until symptom control or remission is achieved. This may mean stepping up or down in the treatment algorithm according to the course of CSU and re-evaluating the need for continued/alternative drug treatment.

Differential IL-1 signaling induced by BMPR2 deficiency drives pulmonary vascular remodeling.

Bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) mutations are present in patients with heritable and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Circulating levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) are raised in patients and animal models. Whether interplay between BMP and IL-1 signaling can explain the local manifestation of PAH in the lung remains unclear.

Improved survival with an ambulatory model of non-invasive ventilation implementation in motor neuron disease.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) increases survival and quality of life in motor neuron disease (MND). NIV implementation historically occurred during a multi-day inpatient admission at this institution; however, increased demand led to prolonged waiting times. The aim of this study was to evaluate the introduction of an ambulatory model of NIV implementation.

Inpatient and long-term outcomes of individuals admitted for weaning from mechanical ventilation at a specialized ventilation weaning unit.

Background: Weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in specialized weaning units has been demonstrated to be safe and cost-effective. Success rates and outcomes vary widely, probably relating to patient factors and unit expertise.

Methods: An audit was undertaken of patients admitted for weaning from IMV at the Austin Hospital Ventilation Weaning Unit (VWU) between March 2002 and January 2008.

Improvement in nutritional status reduces the clinical impact of infections in older adults.

Objectives: To determine the effect of a dietary intervention and micronutrient supplementation on self-reported infections in older adults.

Design: A randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial.

Setting: Community living older people in South Yorkshire, United Kingdom.