Prevalence of elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and the impact of treatment with continuous positive airway pressure: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is reported to be a cause of secondary polycythemia. The present study (i) reviewed the literature reporting the prevalence of secondary polycythemia in patients with OSA and (ii) determined the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in patients with OSA.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane for studies of adult patients with OSA that reported hemoglobin and/or hematocrit levels.

Impaired cardiac autonomic response in lung transplant patients: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Cardiac autonomic dysfunction (AD) is associated with adverse prognosis in lung disease; however, its implications in lung transplantation have not been previously described. This study evaluated the prevalence of AD in lung transplant (LTx) candidates, its determinants, prognostic implications, and prevalence post-transplant.

Methods: Retrospective one-year study of 103 LTx candidates with AD assessed using heart rate (HR) from the six-minute walk test (6MWT).

Utilization of non-invasive imaging tools for assessment of peripheral skeletal muscle size and composition in chronic lung disease: A systematic review.

Objectives: Non-invasive imaging modalities allow for detailed assessment of peripheral skeletal muscle wasting, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in chronic lung disease. Given the increased utilization of imaging tools, a systematic review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines to describe the modalities and acquisition techniques used to evaluate skeletal muscle in chronic lung disease and assess the relationships of muscle size and composition with strength, physical performance, structural alterations and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Six electronic databases were searched (inception-May 2017) to identify prospective studies measuring peripheral skeletal muscle size or composition using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging/spectroscopy (MRI/MRS), or ultrasound (US) in adult chronic lung disease patients.

Association between quality of care and complications after abdominal surgery.

Background: Measuring the quality of surgical care is essential to identifying areas of weakness in the delivery of effective surgical care and to improving patient outcomes. Our objectives were to (1) assess the quality of surgical care delivered to adult patients; and (2) determine the association between quality of surgical care and postoperative complications.

Methods: This retrospective, pilot, cohort study was conducted at a single university-affiliated institution.

Identification of quality of care deficiencies in elderly surgical patients by measuring adherence to process-based quality indicators.

Background: The ability to measure surgical quality of care is important and can lead to improvements in patient safety. As such, processes should be carried out in an identical fashion for all patients, regardless of how vulnerable or complex they are. Our objectives were to assess quality of surgical care delivered to elderly patients and to determine the association between patient characteristics and quality of care.