Glasgow outcome scale at hospital discharge as a prognostic index in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Objective: Evaluate the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) at discharge (GOS-HD) as a prognostic indicator in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Method: Retrospective data were collected of 45 patients, with Glasgow coma scale <8, age 25±10 years, 36 men, from medical records. Later, at home visit, two measures were scored: GOS-HD (according to information from family members) and GOS LATE (12 months after TBI).

Continuous positive airway pressure increases inspiratory capacity of COPD patients.

Background And Objective: Hyperinflation with a decrease in inspiratory capacity (IC) is a common presentation for both unstable and stable COPD patients. As CPAP can reduce inspiratory load, possibly secondary to a reduction in hyperinflation, this study examined whether CPAP would increase IC in stable COPD patients.

Methods: Twenty-one stable COPD patients (nine emphysema, 12 chronic bronchitis) received a trial of CPAP for 5 min at 4, 7 and 11 cmH(2)O.