Lung Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Prediction of Progression in Patients With Nonidiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Interstitial Lung Disease: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: Correlate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters at baseline with disease progression in nonidiopathic pulmonary fibrosis interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Materials And Methods: Prospective observational cohort study, in which patients with non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ILD underwent MRI at baseline (1.5 T).

Spirometry for the diagnosis of airway obstruction in patients with risk factors for COPD: the GOLD and lower limit of normal criteria.

Objective: The identification of persistent airway obstruction is key to making a diagnosis of COPD. The GOLD guidelines suggest a fixed criterion-a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio < 70%-to define obstruction, although other guidelines suggest that a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio < the lower limit of normal (LLN) is the most accurate criterion.

Methods: This was an observational study of individuals ≥ 40 years of age with risk factors for COPD who were referred to our pulmonary function laboratory for spirometry.

Current Practices in Home Mechanical Ventilation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Real-Life Cross-Sectional Multicentric Study.

Purpose: Home mechanical ventilation (HMV) use in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is becoming increasingly widespread. The aim of this study was to provide an accurate description of the current practices and clinical characteristics of COPD patients on HMV in Portugal.

Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional, multicenter real-life study of COPD patients established on HMV for at least 30 days.

Multimodality imaging in connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease.

Interstitial lung disease is a well-recognised manifestation and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with connective tissue diseases. Interstitial lung disease may arise in the context of an established connective tissue disease or be the initial manifestation of an otherwise occult autoimmune disorder. Early detection and characterisation are paramount for adequate patient management and require a multidisciplinary approach, in which imaging plays a vital role.

Chronic respiratory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease under home noninvasive ventilation: Real-life study.

Background: Home noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been increasingly used in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF). However its effectiveness remains debatable.

Aim: To describe a follow-up of COPD patients under home NIV.