• Title/Summary/Keyword: respiratory care

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Short-Term Lung Function Changes and Predictors of Progressive Systemic Sclerosis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease

  • Kaenmuang, Punchalee;Navasakulpong, Asma
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.83 no.4
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    • pp.312-320
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    • 2020
  • Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) involves multiple organ systems and has the highest mortality among connective tissue diseases. Interstitial lung disease is the most common cause of death among SSc patients and requires closer studies and follow-ups. This study aimed to identify lung function changes and predictors of progressive disease in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Methods: A retrospective study extracted SSc patients from an electronic database January 2002-July 2019. Eligible cases were SSc patients >age 15 diagnosed with SSc-ILD. Factors associated with progressive disease were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Seventy-eight SSc-ILD cases were enrolled. Sixty-five patients (83.3%) were female, with mean age of 44.7±14.4, and 50 (64.1%) were diffuse type SSc-ILD. Most SSc-ILD patients had crackles (75.6%) and dyspnea on exertion (71.8%), and 19.2% of the SSc-ILD patients had no abnormal respiratory symptoms but had abnormal chest radiographic findings. The most common diagnosis of SSc-ILD patients was non-specific interstitial pneumonia (43.6%). The lung function values of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and DLCO per unit alveolar volume declined in progressive SSc-ILD during a 12-month follow-up. Male and no previous aspirin treatment were the two significant predictive factors of progressive SSc-ILD with adjusted odds ratios of 5.72 and 4.99, respectively. Conclusion: This present study showed that short-term lung function had declined during the 12-month follow-up in progressive SSc-ILD. The predictive factors in progressive SSc-ILD were male sex and no previous aspirin treatment. Close follow-up of the pulmonary function tests is necessary for early detection of progressive disease.

Medeical Therapy For Pulmonary Arterial Hypertention (폐동맥고혈압에서 폐혈관계 작용약물)

  • Choi, Hye Sook;Lee, Sang Do
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.60 no.2
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    • pp.142-150
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    • 2006
  • Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is often difficult to diagnose and challenging to treat. Untreated, it is characterized by a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance leading to right ventricular failure and death. The past decade has seen remarkable improvements in therapy, driven largely by the conduct of randomized controlled trials. Still, the selection of most appropriate therapy is complex, and requires familiarity with the disease process, evidence from treatment trials, complicated drug delivery systems, dosing regimens, side effects, and complications. We tried to provide evidence-based treatment recommendations for physicians involved in the care of these complex patients. Due to the complexity of the diagnostic evaluation required, and the treatment options available, it is strongly recommended that consideration be given to referral of patients with PAH to a specialized center.

A Case of Pulmonary Capillary Hemangiomatosis-Like Lesion Followed for Seven Years

  • Rhee, Chin-Kook;Yim, Nam-Yeol;Shim, So-Yeon;Kim, Hui-Jung
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.70 no.3
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    • pp.242-246
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    • 2011
  • Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) is a rare disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by nodules composed of infiltrating capillary blood vessels. Herein, we describe a case of a PCH-like lesion that was detected by chest computed tomography. Transthoracic needle aspiration resulted in life-threatening hemorrhage. The patient was followed for seven years. He remained in good health and a follow up image showed little interval change.

Contemporary Strategies: Incorporating Immunotherapy into Stage 3 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment

  • Da Hyun Kang;Chaeuk Chung
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.87 no.3
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    • pp.292-301
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    • 2024
  • Stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) exhibits significant diversity, making it challenging to define an optimal treatment. A collaborative multidisciplinary approach is essential in crafting individualized treatments. Previously, targeted therapies and immunotherapies were commonly used to treat patients with advanced and metastatic lung cancer. Such treatments are now being extended to individuals considered surgery, as well as patients once considered unsuitable for surgery. These changes have increased surgical success and substantially reduced postoperative recurrence. However, the possibility of severe adverse effects from immunotherapy can deter some patients from performing surgery. It is essential to carefully explore the clinical traits and biomarkers of patients who may benefit the most from immunotherapy, and patients for whom immunotherapy should not be prescribed. In summary, it's crucial to effectively integrate the latest immunotherapy in treating stage 3 NSCLC patients, thereby increasing their opportunities for surgical intervention, and ensuring they receive the best possible care.

Systemic White Blood Cell Count as a Biomarker Associated with Severity of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

  • Koo, Hyeon-Kyoung;Kang, Hyung Koo;Song, Pamela;Park, Hye Kyeong;Lee, Sung-Soon;Jung, Hoon
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.80 no.3
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    • pp.304-310
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    • 2017
  • Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a chronic inflammatory disorder. We evaluated whether white blood cell (WBC) count, is associated with the severity of COPD, independent of other inflammatory conditions, such as metabolic syndrome. Methods: The WBC counts were compared between 1227 COPD patients and 8679 non-COPD adults older than 40. The relationships between the WBC count, lung function, and symptoms score in COPD patients, were determined, using general linear regression analyses. Results: The WBC count was negatively associated with forced vital capacity (FVC, L), FVC (% predicted), forced expiry volume in one second ($FEV_1$, L), and $FEV_1$ (% predicted) in COPD patients. Additionally, the WBC count was independently associated with the quality of life measure, by EQ5D-index score. However, this relationship between WBC count, and disease severity, was not significant in current smokers, because of the confounding effect of smoking, on the WBC count. Conclusion: The WBC count is associated with current smoking status and COPD severity, and a risk factor for poor lung function, and quality of life, especially in non-currently smoking COPD patients. The WBC count can be used, as an easily measurable COPD biomarker.

A Case of Mycoplasma Pneumonia Presenting with RUL Collapse (우상엽 무기 폐로 발현된 마이코플라즈마 폐렴 1예)

  • Cho, Byung Hyun;Choi, Hye Sook;Cho, Chang Hyun;Kim, Yee Hyung;Choi, Cheon Woong;Park, Myung Jae;Yoo, Jee-Hong;Kang, Hong Mo
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.63 no.6
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    • pp.511-514
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    • 2007
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogen of community-acquired pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumonia causes upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms in all age groups, with the highest attack rates in subjects 5 to 20 years old. In patients with mycoplasma pneumonia, the most common radiographic findings may be reticulonodular or interstitial infiltration, which have a predilection for the lower lobes. Findings that show lung collapse on a chest X-ray are very rare. We report a case of mycoplasma pneumonia that showed right upper lobe collapse.