Duration of noninvasive ventilation is not a predictor of clinical outcomes in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and respiratory failure.

Purpose: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is proven to be effective in the majority of patients with acute exacerbation COPD (AECOPD) complicated with respiratory failure. NIV could be lifesaving but also can delay mechanical ventilation if its efficacy is not assessed in a timely manner.

Frequency, Risk Factors, and Outcome of Gallbladder Polyps in Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Case-Control Study.

The prevalence polyps (GBPs) in the general population has been estimated to be approximately 5%, with up to 10% of these being dysplastic or malignant. Previous studies have suggested that patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have increased frequency of GBPs. However, data on the prevalence, risk factors, and outcome of GBPs in these patients are sparse.