COPD: a prevalence estimation model.

Objectives: COPD is increasingly recognized as a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Prevalence estimates for COPD are generally unavailable or unreliable. Thus, a simple and valid model for estimating COPD prevalence would provide essential information for policymakers in addressing a major burden of worldwide illness.

The effect of inflammation on mucociliary clearance in asthma: an overview.

Mucociliary clearance (MCC) is one of the most important nonspecific defense mechanisms of the respiratory tract, and its impairment is a well-documented feature of chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma. In vitro and in vivo data suggest that several inflammatory mediators influence the mucociliary apparatus. Epithelial damage and functional abnormalities have been described in bronchial asthma, along with changes in mucus-secreting cells and the chemical and rheological properties of airway fluid.

Relationship between bronchial reversibility and tracheobronchial clearance in patients with chronic bronchitis.

Background: Patients with chronic bronchitis show a large intersubject variation in sputum rheology, tracheobronchial clearance, and reversibility of airflow obstruction to beta 2 agonists. The bronchial mediators which are known to cause bronchoconstriction, mucosal oedema, mucus hypersecretion, and cough can also affect mucociliary transport. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether changes in tracheobronchial clearance and sputum rheological properties in patients with chronic bronchitis were associated with a specific degree of airflow reversibility assessed as the bronchial response to an inhaled beta 2 agonist (fenoterol 400 micrograms).

Effect of temazepam on tracheobronchial mucus clearance.

Background: Tracheobronchial clearance of mucus from the lungs is reduced during sleep and, usually, by the administration of opiates. It seemed possible therefore that temazepam, a widely used potent benzodiazepine, retarded clearance.

Methods: The effect of 10 mg temazepam on mucociliary clearance was studied in eight healthy volunteers, aged 18-50 (mean 30) years, in a randomised, placebo controlled, double blind, cross-over study.