Background: In the absence of clarity in national guidelines, this study aimed to reach a consensus among experts in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) regarding when medication should be initiated or changed in patients demonstrating a gradual decline.
Methods: An electronic three-stage Delphi exercise was undertaken with 37 leading UK experts in COPD. The panel submitted criteria which they scored in subsequent rounds. Consensus was defined as ≥ 80% of the panel scoring an item as important.
Results: Consensus was reached on seven criteria: decreased exercise tolerance (97%); increased breathlessness at rest or on exertion (97%); quality of life impairment (91%); low or reduced oxygen saturations based on pulse oximetry readings (86%); ability to perform activities of daily living independently (85%); increase in sputum (80%); and increase in wheeze (80%).
Conclusions: These criteria could be used to guide clinical practice. Empirical research is now required to test their reliability and validity.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.4104/pcrj.2011.00008 | DOI Listing |
J Thromb Haemost
January 2025
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Office of the Vice-Principal of Research and Innovation, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada. Electronic address:
Background: Whether to stop oral anticoagulants after a first unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) is challenging, partially due to an intriguingly higher risk of VTE recurrence (rVTE) in men after therapy discontinuation. DNA methylation (DNAm) differences between men and women might underly this sex-biased rVTE risk difference.
Aim: To investigate sex-specific associations between DNAm at cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites and rVTE.
J Transl Med
January 2025
Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics, Johns Hokins University School of Medicine, 200 N. Wolfe St., Room 2077, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
Background: We have noted that some adolescents and young adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) report difficulty with arms-overhead activities, suggestive of brachial plexus dysfunction or thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). In the TOS literature, diagnostic maneuvers focus on the provocation of upper limb symptoms (arm fatigue and heaviness, paresthesias, neck and upper back pain), but not on elicitation of systemic symptoms.
Objectives: To estimate the proportion of patients with fatiguing illness who experience local and systemic symptoms during a common maneuver used in evaluating TOS-the elevated arm stress test (EAST).
Cureus
December 2024
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Ostu, JPN.
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by periodic fever, serositis, and arthritis. In women, FMF attacks can sometimes be triggered by the menstrual cycle. Once diagnosed, prophylactic treatment with colchicine is generally recommended.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDrugs Aging
January 2025
Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, NCRC 016-308E, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
Background: Central nervous system (CNS)-active polypharmacy (defined as concurrent exposure to three or more antidepressant, antipsychotic, antiseizure, benzodiazepine, opioid, or nonbenzodiazepine benzodiazepine receptor agonists) is associated with significant potential harms in persons living with dementia (PLWD).We conducted a pilot trial to assess a patient nudge intervention's implementation feasibility and preliminary effectiveness to prompt deprescribing conversations between PLWD experiencing CNS-active polypharmacy and their primary care clinicians ("clinicians").
Methods: We used the electronic health record to identify PLWD prescribed CNS-active polypharmacy in primary care clinics from two health systems.
J Soc Cardiovasc Angiogr Interv
December 2024
The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio.
Background: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) may provoke hypertension and/or impaired kidney function. Some patients develop uncontrolled hypertension and deteriorating kidney function despite optimal medical therapy. In these patients, endovascular treatment is an important therapeutic option.
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