Treatment of signs and symptoms of the common cold using EPs 7630 - results of a meta-analysis.

The efficacy of preparation EPs 7630 in the common cold (CC) was assessed by performing meta-analyses of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Mean differences (MD) and risk ratios (RR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. Five trials with a total of 833 patients were included.

A prospective cohort study on the impact of a modified Basic Military Training (mBMT) programme based on pre-enlistment fitness stratification amongst Asian military enlistees.

Introduction: This study objectively evaluates the effectiveness of a 6-week Preparatory Training Phase (PTP) programme prior to Basic Military Training (BMT) for less physically conditioned conscripts in the Singapore Armed Forces.

Materials And Methods: We compared exercise test results of a group of less fi t recruits who underwent a 16-week modified-BMT (mBMT) programme (consisting of a 6-week PTP and 10-week BMT phase) with their 'fitter' counterparts enlisted in the traditional 10-week direct-intake BMT (dBMT) programme in this prospective cohort study consisting of 36 subjects. The main outcome measures included cardiopulmonary responses parameters (VO(2)max and V(O2AT)) with clinical exercise testing and distance run timings.

Does the multidimensional grading system (BODE) correspond to differences in health status of patients with COPD?

Study Objectives: To verify whether and to what extent the body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index correlates with a disease-specific index of health status in patients with COPD.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University-affiliated hospital.

Depressive symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: effect on mortality, hospital readmission, symptom burden, functional status, and quality of life.

Background: Depressive symptoms are common among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but depression's impact on COPD outcomes has not been fully investigated. We evaluated the impact of comorbid depression on mortality, hospital readmission, smoking behavior, respiratory symptom burden, and physical and social functioning in patients with COPD.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 376 consecutive patients with COPD hospitalized for acute exacerbation were followed up for 1 year.

Quality of life and psychological status in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome at 3 months postdischarge.

Background: Little is known about the long-term consequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). We carried out an assessment on SARS patients after their recovery from their acute illness.

Method: Postal survey comprising Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) questionnaires and anxiety and depression measures was sent to them at 3 months' postdischarge.

Frequent hospital readmissions for acute exacerbation of COPD and their associated factors.

Objective: The factors that determine frequent hospital readmissions for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to ascertain rates of re-hospitalizations for AECOPD patients and evaluate factors associated with frequent readmissions for acute exacerbations.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 186 patients with moderate to severe COPD with one or more admissions for acute exacerbations to two large general hospitals.

A multidimensional grading system (BODE index) as predictor of hospitalization for COPD.

Study Objectives: We hypothesized that the BODE (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity) index would better predict hospitalization for COPD than FEV1 alone, and the purpose of this study was to test this hypothesis in a cohort of patients with COPD.

Design: Historical cohort study.

Setting: University-affiliated hospital.

1-year pulmonary function and health status in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Study Objectives: To characterize the long-term pulmonary function and health status in a prospectively identified cohort of patients who survived the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Design: Prospective follow-up cohort study.

Setting: University-affiliated hospital.

Hypocortisolism in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Objective: Following the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, many survivors were observed to suffer from psychosomatic symptoms reminiscent of various endocrine disorders. Hence, we sought to determine the existence of any chronic endocrine sequelae in SARS survivors.

Design, Patients, Measurements: Sixty-one survivors of SARS prospectively recruited were analysed for hormonal derangements 3 months following recovery.

Comparison of different exercise tests in assessing outcomes of pulmonary rehabilitation.

Introduction: Common modalities of clinical exercise testing for outcome measurement after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) include walk tests, progressive cycle ergometry, and cycle endurance testing. We hypothesized that patients' responses to PR, as measured by those 3 tests, are differentially correlated, and we designed a study to investigate the tests' capacity to detect changes after PR.

Methods: We prospectively tested 37 male patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who completed a comprehensive 6-week PR program that included supervised exercise training that emphasized steady-state lower-limb aerobic exercise.

Prediction of the maximal voluntary ventilation in healthy adult Chinese subjects.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the FEV(1) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) in healthy adult Chinese subjects, and to determine the validity of existing prediction equations of MVV for use in the Chinese population.

Methodology: Ninety-five healthy subjects (48 male and 47 female) stratified into five age groups (from 20 to 70 years) for both sexes were recruited from the general population. The FEV(1) and MVV of these subjects were measured with a clinical spirometer.

Effects of inhaled furosemide on exertional dyspnea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of inhaled furosemide on the sensation of dyspnea produced during exercise in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a double-blind, randomized, crossover study we compared the effect of inhaled furosemide on dyspneic sensation during exercise testing with that of placebo. Spirometry and incremental and constant-load exercise testing were performed after inhalation of placebo or furosemide on 2 separate days in 19 patients with moderate or severe COPD.

Factors associated with improvement in breathing capacity during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between resting pulmonary function indices and the ratio of minute ventilation at peak exercise to the maximal voluntary ventilation (VEmax/MVV) and to determine whether an improvement in breathing capacity during exercise (i.e. VEmax/MVV > 1) is associated with greater exercise capacity in patients with COPD.

Predictive values for cardiopulmonary exercise testing in sedentary Chinese adults.

Objective: Normative data for cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) may vary among subjects of different races. The objectives of the present study were to: (i) establish normal standards for cardiopulmonary responses during incremental cycle ergometer testing in order to derive predictive equations for clinically useful variables during CPET of Chinese subjects; and (ii) determine the validity of existing prediction equations of maximal exercise performance for use in our local Chinese population.

Methodology: The maximal and submaximal cardiopulmonary responses were analysed for 95 healthy sedentary adult Chinese subjects (48 men and 47 women; aged 20-70 years) who underwent CPET using a cycle ergometer and an incremental work-rate protocol until symptom limitation.