Is phrenic nerve conduction affected in patients with difficult-to-treat asthma?

Objective The aim of this study was to obtain data on phrenic neuroconduction and electromyography of the diaphragm muscle in difficult-to-treat asthmatic patients and compare the results to those obtained in controls. Methods The study consisted of 20 difficult-to-treat asthmatic patients compared with 27 controls. Spirometry, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, chest X-ray, phrenic neuroconduction and diaphragm electromyography data were obtained.

Phrenic nerve conduction studies: normative data and technical aspects.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to define normative data of phrenic nerve conduction parameters of a healthy population.

Methods: Phrenic nerve conduction studies were performed in 27 healthy volunteers.

Results: The normative limits for expiratory phrenic nerve compound muscle action potential were: amplitude (0.

Which functional parameters can help differentiate severe asthma from COPD?

The aim of this study was to identify the respiratory function parameters that help in the accurate diagnosis of asthma and COPD. We studied 20 asthma and 30 COPD patients who underwent lung function tests including spirometry and plethysmography both with bronchodilator test and diffusion with carbon monoxide (DLCO). The tests were performed according to International Guidelines (ATS/ERS).

Echocardiograph alterations in asthma patients.

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease which has increased during the last 20 years, putting a strain on medical resources, particularly severe forms of the disease. Treatment in such cases is inhaled corticosteroids and beta agonist drugs that can produce a range of side effects. The aim of this study is to identify echocardiograph abnormalities and correlate them with severity of disease.

Comparison between total lung capacity and residual volume values obtained by pletysmography and single breath methods with methane.

We analyzed pulmonary function tests of twenty asthmatic patients from Gaffrée e Guinle University Hospital, classified according to Brazilian Guidelines for Asthma (2002), similar to GINA, into mild persistent or moderate (9) or severe (11) asthma. We obtained parameters from spirometry, plethysmograph (PL) and single breath technique for diffusion capacity (SB), with methane. Total lung capacity and residual volume were called TLC(PL) and RV(PL) when measured by pletysmography and TLC(SB) and RV(SB) when determined by single breath test.

Airway responsiveness in sarcoidosis.

The purpose of this study was to measure airway responsiveness in patients with sarcoidosis using bronchoprovocation test with methacholine (BPT) in comparison to roentgenographic findings, respiratory symptoms, activity and duration of the disease. There were 17 patients with Sarcoidosis, 20 asthmatics and 21 assymptomatics. We used the tidal breathing method with standardizes output for the nebulizers.

[Tuberculosis profile in HIV+ patient before and after the use of high activity antiretroviral treatment].

The high activity antiretroviral treatment (HAART) induces the restoration of the number and function of CD4+ T lymphocytes and is changing the landscape of tuberculosis in patients HIV-infected. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical, radiographic features and evolution of these patients and compare to the results obtained in a previous study with patients with no HAART use. A retrospective transversal study (with HAART) was done with patients HIV-infected that began the tuberculosis treatment in the Gaffrée e Guinle University Hospital, from 1997 to 2001 and compared to a previous study (no HAART) that was done from 1989 to 1990.