Telephone care co-ordination for tobacco cessation: randomised trials testing proactive versus reactive models.

Objectives: We conducted two parallel studies evaluating the effectiveness of proactive and reactive engagement approaches to telephone treatment for smoking cessation.

Methods: Patients who smoked and were interested in quitting were referred to this study and were eligible if they were current smokers and had an address and a telephone number. The data were collected at 35 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sites, part of four VA medical centres in both California and Nevada.

Missed opportunities to counsel patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma about causation and potential compensation.

Introduction: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a lethal malignancy strongly associated with occupational exposure to asbestos. The aims of this study were to assess the quality of counseling provided to patients with MPM about the causation of MPM and the potential for compensation.

Methods: The authors conducted a structured retrospective chart review of patients with a diagnosis of MPM.

Enhanced acute responses in an experimental exposure model to biomass smoke inhalation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) may increase air pollution-related mortality. The relationship of immune mechanisms to mortality caused by fine particulates in healthy and COPD populations is incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to determine whether fine particulates from a single biomass fuel alter stress and inflammation biomarkers in people with COPD.