Evaluation of the Abbott ARCHITECT™ cytomegalovirus IgM/IgG, rubella IgM/IgG, and syphilis treponemal antibodies enzyme immunoassays in a mother and child health center population.

This study evaluated the concordance of Architect™ chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays with Captia™ ELISA for cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM and IgG, with Enzygnost™ and Captia™ ELISA for rubella IgM and IgG and with Trep-Sure™ ELISA for syphilis treponemal antibodies in a mixed pediatric and obstetrical population. Total agreement between assays and Kappa statistic value were 82.5% (95% CI: 75.

Evaluation of the abbot Architect(™) epstein-barr virus viral capsid antigen IgM, viral capsid antigen IgG and nuclear antigen IgG assays in a pediatric and adult population.

Background: The detection of antibodies against Epstein-Barr viral capsid (VCA) and nuclear (EBNA) antigens is routinely performed with different commercially available immunoassays.

Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the concordance and performance of the Architect(™) chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays (CMIAs) using Captia(™) enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for VCA IgM, and standard immunofluorescence (IF) assays for VCA IgG and EBNA IgG as comparative techniques.

Study Design: Sera were selected from a heterogeneous population including pediatric and adult patients.

Evaluation of a fluorescent immunoassay rapid test (Sofia™) for detection of influenza A+B and RSV in a tertiary pediatric setting.

In response to the lack of sensitivity and reproducibility of previously marketed rapid antigen detection tests, a novel fluorescent immunoassay was recently developed. This new assay offers rapidity and automated reading. More characterization of this assay is needed.

Predictive value of nonspecific bronchial responsiveness in occupational asthma.

Background: The diagnosis of occupational asthma (OA) can be challenging and needs a stepwise approach. However, the predictive value of the methacholine challenge has never been addressed specifically in this context.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the methacholine challenge in OA.

Efficacy of brief motivational interviewing to improve adherence to inhaled corticosteroids among adult asthmatics: results from a randomized controlled pilot feasibility trial.

Purpose: Daily adherence to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) regimens is one of the most important factors linked to achieving optimal asthma control. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a client-centered communication style that focuses on enhancing intrinsic motivation to engage in appropriate self-management behaviors. MI has been shown to improve a variety of health behaviors including medication adherence in other disorders, but its efficacy for the improvement of ICS adherence in asthmatics has yet to be examined.

Grief reactions and impact of patient death on pediatric oncologists.

Background: To examine pediatric oncologists' grief reactions to patient death, and the impact patient death has on their personal and professional lives.

Procedure: The grounded theory method was used. Data was collected between March 2012 and July 2012 at two academic centres in Canada.

Prospective impact of panic disorder and panic-anxiety on asthma control, health service use, and quality of life in adult patients with asthma over a 4-year follow-up.

Background Panic disorder (PD) is a common anxiety disorder among asthmatic patients with overlapping symptoms (e.g., hyperventilation).

Long-term socioprofessional and psychological status in workers investigated for occupational asthma in quebec.

Objective: To compare the long-term status of workers with occupational asthma (OA) with those of subjects with work-exacerbated asthma (WEA) and nonasthmatic (NA) workers.

Methods: We contacted 179 subjects investigated for suspected OA at Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from 1997 to 2007. Participants completed questionnaires on psychological and functional status, followed by a telephone interview about socioprofessional outcomes and health care utilization.

The effects of a multisite aerobic exercise intervention on asthma morbidity in sedentary adults with asthma: the Ex-asthma study randomised controlled trial protocol.

Objective: Aerobic exercise can improve cardiovascular fitness and does not seem to be detrimental to patients with asthma, though its role in changing asthma control and inflammatory profiles is unclear. The main hypothesis of the current randomised controlled trial is that aerobic exercise will be superior to usual care in improving asthma control. Key secondary outcomes are asthma quality of life and inflammatory profiles.

Screening for occupational asthma by using a self-administered questionnaire in a clinical setting.

Objective: Because of its high prevalence, early screening for occupational asthma (OA) is crucial. We aimed to evaluate the screening performance of the Occupational Asthma Screening Questionnaire-11 items (OASQ-11) in a clinical setting.

Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2011, 169 workers referred for potential OA to our hospital completed the OASQ-11 and underwent workups to determine the final diagnosis.

Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among patients investigated for occupational asthma: an overlooked differential diagnosis?

Rationale: Up to one-third of patients assessed for occupational asthma (OA) do not receive a diagnosis of OA or any other medical disorder. Although several differential diagnoses are considered (e.g.

Integrated approach to diagnosis of associated occupational asthma and rhinitis.

Patients with coexisting work-related rhinitis and asthma would benefit from an adequate and simultaneous recognition of both diseases. The present case illustrates the advantages and importance of using an integrated approach to confirm a diagnosis of occupational rhinitis (OR) and occupational asthma (OA). A 38-year-old woman, who worked as an animal laboratory technician since 2004, first noticed the appearance of rhinitis and conjunctivitis symptoms in 2007 when she was exposed to rats.

Occupational asthma: new deleterious agents at the workplace.

This article summarizes the main new categories of occupational agents responsible for causing occupational asthma, with and without a latency period reported in the last 10 years. It also reports examples of occupational agents for which the fabrication processing or use have influenced the outcome of occupational asthma.

Effect of an integrated care programme on re-hospitalization of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background And Objective: Hospital admissions due to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a major impact on disease progression and costs. We hypothesized that a 1-year integrated care (IC) programme comprising two components (patient-centred education+case management) would be effective in preventing COPD-related hospitalizations.

Methods: This was a retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

Irritant-induced asthma.

Purpose Of Review: To describe the recent insights into the definition, causes, natural outcome, and key elements of irritant-induced asthma (IIA) management.

Recent Findings: IIA is a subtype of occupational asthma without immunologic sensitization and includes the typical reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS) and a more gradual form called not-so-sudden IIA, when onset of asthma follows repeated low-dose exposure to irritants. The World Trade Center tragedy brought new insight in the understanding of IIA, suggesting that it can exhibit a prolonged interval between exposure and recognition of clinical symptoms and disease.

Does a self-management education program have the same impact on emotional and functional dimensions of HRQoL?

Most previous research evaluating the effect of interventions on HRQoL in COPD patients has focused on measuring HRQoL using aggregated questionnaire scores, increasing the risk of false-negative results. There is also evidence to suggest that self-evaluations of functional status are less likely to be modified over time relative to self-evaluation of emotional status. This study was a secondary analysis of a prospective study that compared the efficacy of a self-management education program (SM) on emotional and functional dimensions of HRQoL.

Application and interpretation of an interferon-gamma release assay: Results of an audit in a Canadian centre.

Background: Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are newly approved for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). An internal audit was conducted to review the use of a newly implemented IGRA at the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal (Montréal, Québec) to evaluate its concordance with Canadian recommendations and its implication on diagnosis.

Methods: From April 2007 to January 2009, all Quantiferon TB Gold In-Tube (QFT, Cellestis inc, USA) tests performed in at the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal were retrieved.

Can a self-management education program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease improve quality of life?

Objective: To assess the effects of a self-management program on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and morbidity commonly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: A total of 57 outpatients with stable COPD received four weeks of self-management education, while 45 patients received usual care. Patients were evaluated at baseline, at three months and one year following the educational intervention.

Medical surveillance programme for diisocyanate exposure.

Objectives: Surveillance programmes for occupational asthma should reduce the severity of asthma both at the time of diagnosis and after removal from exposure as well as costs related to functional impairment. The aim of this study was to compare the severity and cost of diisocyanate-induced occupational asthma in workers participating in a surveillance programme and in twice the number of workers diagnosed after being referred by their physician.

Methods: Answers to a self-administered questionnaire led to possible referral for further assessment that included methacholine testing and specific inhalation challenges as the gold standard for confirming occupational asthma.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with psychiatric disorders are at greater risk of exacerbations.

Objective: To assess prospectively the impact of psychiatric disorders on risk for exacerbations. The course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is punctuated by acute exacerbations. Although anxiety and mood disorders are common in patients with COPD, no studies have assessed prospectively the association between these disorders and exacerbations.

Antibiotics used in the ambulatory management of acute COPD exacerbations.

Study Objectives: This study was conducted to describe the different antibiotics that are used in the home management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations and to estimate the failure rates following the initiation of the antibiotic.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted. Patients enrolled in a COPD home management program were included in the analysis.