Health-related quality of life in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: the French experience.

The French registry of patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)-associated emphysema was launched in 2006. Here, we aimed to report on the baseline characteristics of these patients, their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and factors associated with HRQoL. Another goal was to survey the practices of French physicians regarding augmentation therapy.

Performance of the BODE index in patients with α1-antitrypsin deficiency-related COPD.

The BODE (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea and exercise capacity) index is used to decide on referral and transplantation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The BODE index has not been validated in patients with α1-antitrypsin deficiency, who account for 15% of COPD patients undergoing lung transplantation. We sought to validate the BODE index in α1-antitrypsin deficiency-related COPD.

Levocetirizine in children: evidenced efficacy and safety in a 6-week randomized seasonal allergic rhinitis trial.

Studies evaluating newer antihistamines in children are few. Levocetirizine is a potent and highly selective H1-antihistamine with a proven efficacy in adults. Primary objective was to assess the efficacy of levocetirizine 5 mg once-daily in reducing seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) symptoms, as measured by Total Four Symptom Score (T4SS = sum of sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal and ocular pruritus), over the first 2 wk of treatment.

Diffuse infiltrative lung disease associated with flecainide. Report of two cases.

We present two patients who developed subacute diffuse infiltrative lung disease while receiving flecainide for supraventricular arrhythmia. They had bilateral subpleural lung opacities on computed tomography. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed increased numbers of lymphocytes and eosinophils, and a low CD4/CD8 ratio.