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Biomedical subjects

Claus M Muth

Publications and source records attributed to Claus M Muth.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Decline of FEV1 in scuba divers.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Obstructive changes in lung function have been reported with cumulative scuba diving exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate the decline in FEV1 in scuba divers over time. DESIGN: Prospective controlled cohort study. SETTING: German Naval Medical Institute. PATIENTS: Four hundred sixty-eight healthy, male, military scuba divers and 122 submariners (control subjects) were entered. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Pulmonary function tests were performed in all subjects on at least three occasions with a minimum interval of 1 year between first and last measurement. The decline in FEV1 was investigated fitting a general linear model to FEV1 across time with a factorial main-effects model for slopes and intercepts with respect to the factors group, smoking status, and baseline FEV1. Mean baseline age of all subjects was 32 years (SD, 9.1), and mean body mass index was 24.7 kg/m2 (SD, 2.4). Subjects were followed up for 5 years (range, 1 to 9 years) on average. Baseline FEV1 exceeded the predicted values in both divers and nondiving control subjects. There was no significant difference in the decline of FEV1 between divers and control subjects. Over time, FEV1 declined more rapidly in smokers than in nonsmokers (p = 0.0064) and declined more rapidly also in subjects with a baseline FEV1 above average compared to subjects below average (p < 0.0001). The annual decline of FEV1 peaked in smoking divers who had a high FEV1 at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that scuba diving is not associated with an accelerated decline in FEV1. Combined exposure to diving and smoking contributes to the fall of FEV1; therefore, smoking cessation is advised for divers.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Lung function in military oxygen divers: a longitudinal study.

It is increasingly recognized that professional diving may elicit adverse long-term effects on the lungs, but conflicting results have been reported from distinct diving cohorts. This study reports the longitudinal change in lung function in professional divers who employ closed-circuit oxygen rebreathing apparatuses. All oxygen divers who attended the German Naval Medical Institute between 1994 and 1999 for regular medicals underwent spirometry and were entered if they had at least two follow-up examinations. Forced expiratory flows and volumes at baseline and at maximum follow up were compared. There were 39 divers who presented at least 3 times during a median period of 5.8 (2.7-8) yr. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) amounted to 4.86 +/- 0.62 L and 5.89 +/- 0.67 L at baseline, and 4.83 +/- 0.64 L and 5.87 +/- 0.69 L at maximum follow up, respectively. The change over time was statistically not significant. Substantial exposure to elevated oxygen partial pressure while diving is not associated with an accelerated decline in lung function. Factors other than hyperoxia (e.g., venous gas microemboli and altered breathing gas characteristics) may account for the long-term effects that have been found in professional divers.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Influence of an orally effective SOD on hyperbaric oxygen-related cell damage.

In a prospective, double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled study, we tested the hypothesis that a new formulation consisting of wheat gliadin chemically combined with a vegetal (thus orally effective) preparation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) allows to prevent hyperbaric oxygen (HBO)-induced oxidative cell stress. Twenty healthy volunteers were exposed to 100% oxygen breathing at 2.5 ATA for a total of 60 min. DNA strand breaks (tail moments) were determined using the alkaline version of the comet assay. Whole blood concentrations of reduced (GSH) and oxidised (GSSG) glutathione and F2-isoprostanes, SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (Cat) activities and red cell malondialdehyde (MDA) content were determined. After HBO exposure the tail moment (p = 0.03) and isoprostane levels (p = 0.049) were significantly lower in the group that received the vegetal formulation. Neither SOD and Cat nor GSH and GSSG were significantly affected by this preparation or HBO exposure. By contrast, blood GPx activity, which tended to be lower in the SOD-group already before the HBO exposure (p = 0.076), was significantly lower afterwards (p = 0.045). We conclude that an orally effective SOD-wheat gliadin mixture is able to protect against DNA damage, which coincided with reduced blood isoprostane levels, and may therefore be used as an antioxidant.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation and management of decompression illness--an intensivist's perspective.

Decompression illness (DCI) is becoming more prevalent as more people engage in activities involving extreme pressure environments such as recreational scuba-diving. Rapid diagnosis and treatment offer these patients the best chance of survival with minimal sequelae. It is thus important that critical care physicians are able to evaluate and diagnose the signs and symptoms of DCI. The cornerstones of current treatment include the administration of hyperbaric oxygen and adjunctive therapies such as hydration and medications. However, managing patients in a hyperbaric environment does present additional challenges with respect to the particular demands of critical care medicine in an altered pressure environment. This article reviews the underlying pathophysiology, clinical presentation and therapeutic options available to treat DCI, from the intensivist's perspective.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

A review of asthma and scuba diving.

An increasing number of asthmatics participate in recreational scuba diving. This activity presents unique physical and physiological challenges to the respiratory system. This review addresses the susceptibility of divers with asthma to diving accidents, acute asthmatic attacks, and long-term exacerbation of their disease. Recommendations on fitness to dive with asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness are provided.

Asthma↗