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Harold R Collard

Publications and source records attributed to Harold R Collard.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Patient experiences with pulmonary fibrosis.

This survey describes the experiences of patients diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, focusing on the issues of patient education and resources. A survey of 52 defined-choice and open-ended questions regarding the diagnosis and management of pulmonary fibrosis was delivered. A total of 1448 respondents comprised the study group. Two-thirds of respondents reported a clear lack of information and resources on pulmonary fibrosis at the time of diagnosis. Less than half of respondents reported they felt well-informed about treatment options, the role of supplemental oxygen, pulmonary rehabilitation, and transplantation. These results suggest there is a substantial need for improved patient education regarding the diagnosis and management of pulmonary fibrosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Nosocomial pneumonia: state of the science.

Nosocomial pneumonia is the leading cause of mortality due to hospital-acquired infections. A thorough understanding of the most recent developments in evaluating and managing nosocomial pneumonia is critical for infection control professionals and hospital epidemiologists, given the incidence and cost of this important patient safety problem. We review the evidence on pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of both ventilator-associated and nonventilator-associated pneumonia. Key recommendations are then provided for diagnostic testing strategies, antibiotic selection, and treatment duration. We also summarize the most recent data on how to prevent hospital-acquired infection, in general, and nosocomial pneumonia, in particular.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2006

Classification and natural history of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias.

In the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society consensus classification, idiopathic interstitial pneumonias are classified into seven clinicopathologic entities. The classification is largely based on histopathology, but depends on the close interaction of clinician, radiologist, and pathologist. An accurate diagnosis can be very difficult, especially when deciding between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia; better diagnostic markers are needed. The prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is very poor, with median survival of 2-4 yr after the diagnosis, yet the course of individual patients is highly variable. Predicting prognosis in the individual patient is challenging but various clinical and radiologic variables have been identified. According to several recent clinical trials, the natural history of this disease may involve periods of relative stability punctuated by acute exacerbations of disease that result in substantial morbidity or death. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia is characterized by a distinct histopathologic appearance and a better prognosis than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, there is still confusion and controversy over the relationship between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Current perspectives on the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The clinical course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is variable; however, the long-term survival in IPF is poor. Prednisone has been the mainstay of therapy since its release for clinical use in 1948. Recently, prednisone combined with azathioprine or cyclophosphamide has been used. A number of other drug combinations have been tried with prednisone (e.g., methotrexate, colchicine, penicillamine, or cyclosporine) but have failed or are not well tolerated by the patient. Few high quality, prospective, controlled clinical trials have been performed. Thus, there is no good evidence to support the routine use of any specific therapy in the management of IPF. Additional large clinical trials are needed to confirm the potential usefulness of the newer agents (e.g., IFN-gamma1b, pirfenidone, N-acetylcysteine, coumadin, bosentan, or etanercept). This article examines the body of evidence supporting the current therapies and reviews the newer agents being tested in patients with IPF.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed2005

Subglottic secretion drainage for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of subglottic secretion drainage in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive, systematic meta-analysis of randomized trials that have compared subglottic secretion drainage with standard endotracheal tube care in mechanically ventilated patients. Studies were identified by a computerized database search, review of bibliographies, and expert consultation. Summary risk ratios or weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each outcome using a fixed-effects model. RESULTS: Of 110 studies retrieved, five met the inclusion criteria and enrolled 896 patients. Subglottic secretion drainage reduced the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia by nearly half (risk ratio [RR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37 to 0.71), primarily by reducing early-onset pneumonia (pneumonia occurring within 5 to 7 days after intubation). Although significant heterogeneity was found for several endpoints, this was largely resolved by excluding a single outlying study. In the remaining four studies, which recruited patients expected to require >72 hours of mechanical ventilation, secretion drainage shortened the duration of mechanical ventilation by 2 days (95% CI: 1.7 to 2.3 days) and the length of stay in the intensive care unit by 3 days (95% CI: 2.1 to 3.9 days), and delayed the onset of pneumonia by 6.8 days (95% CI: 5.5 to 8.1 days). CONCLUSION: Subglottic secretion drainage appears effective in preventing early-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia among patients expected to require >72 hours of mechanical ventilation.

Confidence Intervals↗
PubMed2005

Clinical and economic consequences of ventilator-associated pneumonia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection in critically ill patients. The clinical and economic consequences of VAP are unclear, with a broad range of values reported in the literature OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review to determine the incidence of VAP and its attributable mortality rate, length of stay, and costs. DATA SOURCE: Computerized PUBMED and MEDLINE search supplemented by manual searches for relevant articles, limited to articles published after 1990. STUDY SELECTION: English-language observational studies and randomized trials that provided data on the incidence of VAP were included. Matched cohort studies were included for calculation of attributable mortality rate and length of stay. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted on patient population, diagnostic criteria for VAP, incidence, outcome, type of intensive care unit, and study design. DATA SYNTHESIS: The cumulative incidence of VAP was calculated by combining the results of several studies using standard formulas for combining proportions, in which the weighted average and variance are calculated. Results from studies comparing intensive care unit and hospital mortality due to VAP, additional length of stay, and additional days of mechanical ventilation were pooled using a random effects model, with assessment of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Our findings indicate a) between 10% and 20% of patients receiving >48 hrs of mechanical ventilation will develop VAP; b) critically ill patients who develop VAP appear to be twice as likely to die compared with similar patients without VAP (pooled odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-3.56); c) patients with VAP have significantly longer intensive care unit lengths of stay (mean = 6.10 days; 95% confidence interval, 5.32-6.87 days); and d) patients who develop VAP incur > or = USD $10,019 in additional hospital costs. CONCLUSIONS: Ventilator-associated pneumonia occurs in a considerable proportion of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation and is associated with substantial morbidity, a two-fold mortality rate, and excess cost. Given these findings, strategies that effectively prevent VAP are urgently needed.

Critical Care↗
PubMed2004

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage represents a medical emergency, and clinicians must have an expedient approach to its identification. There are many causes of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, including vasculitides, immunologic conditions such as Goodpasture's syndrome, collagen vascular disease, and idiopathic conditions. Careful attention to the medical history, physical examination, and targeted laboratory evaluation often suggests the underlying cause. Patients in whom the diagnosis of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage remains uncertain should undergo diagnostic bronchoscopy. In patients with evidence of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and renal involvement, kidney biopsy should be considered to identify the underlying cause and help direct therapy.

Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease↗
PubMed2004

Combined corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy does not alter survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) conventionally includes corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents. No study to date has adequately evaluated the benefits of this approach. This study retrospectively compared combination corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy in a large population of patients who meet the current consensus definition of IPF. DESIGN: Patients were identified retrospectively and treatment addressed on an intention-to-treat basis. Treated and untreated patients were matched by age and percentage of predicted FVC (FVC%) at the time of the initial visit. SETTING: Two academic tertiary referral centers. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: The diagnosis of IPF was based on current consensus criteria. A total of 164 patients (82 treated and 82 untreated) were included. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment consisted of combined corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy using a standardized protocol. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: There was no difference in age, FVC%, gender, or smoking status between groups. No survival difference was found between patients who were treated (median survival, 1,431 days) or untreated (median survival, 1,665 days) [p = 0.58]. The lack of treatment effect persisted when only those patients with a diagnosis by surgical biopsy (n = 24) or FVC% >/= 60 (n = 107) were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that combined corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy has no impact on survival in patients with IPF. This finding supports the evolving concept that chronic inflammation plays a minimal role in the progression of IPF and reinforces the importance of careful consideration of the risks and benefits of such therapies prior to their institution.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2003

Changes in clinical and physiologic variables predict survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

There is significant heterogeneity in survival time among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Studies of baseline clinical and physiologic variables as predictors of survival time have reported inconsistent results. We evaluated the predictive value of changes in clinical and physiologic variables over time for survival time in 81 patients with biopsy-proven idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Six-month changes in dyspnea score, total lung capacity, thoracic gas volume, FVC, FEV1, diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide, partial pressure of arterial oxygen, oxygen saturation, and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient were predictive of survival time even after adjustment for baseline values. Analyses were repeated on 51 patients with 12-month change data. Twelve-month changes in dyspnea score, total lung capacity, FVC, partial pressure of arterial oxygen, oxygen saturation, and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient were predictive of survival time after adjustment for baseline values. Evaluation of changes in clinical and physiological variables over 6 and 12 months may provide clinicians with more accurate prognostic information than baseline values alone.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: an evidence-based systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a common cause of morbidity in critically ill patients. Interventions beneficial to the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia would therefore have a significant impact on the care of these patients. PURPOSE: To perform a literature review and synthesis of methods for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (1966-2001), the Cochrane Library, and bibliographies of retrieved articles. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were required to be prospective and controlled in design and to evaluate clinically important or surrogate outcomes. Surrogate outcomes were required to have a direct link to clinically important outcomes supported by the literature. DATA EXTRACTION: Data on patients, definitions, study design, and outcomes were abstracted and graded by using preestablished criteria. DATA SYNTHESIS: The preventive practices with the strongest supportive evidence were semi-recumbent positioning, sucralfate instead of H2-antagonists for stress ulcer prophylaxis, and selective digestive tract decontamination. Aspiration of subglottic secretions and oscillating beds may be useful in select populations. There is no evidence to support specific methods of enteral feeding or increased frequency of ventilator circuitry changes. CONCLUSIONS: After evaluation of potential benefits and risks, the authors recommend considering several specific interventions to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia: semi-recumbent positioning in all eligible patients, sucralfate rather than H2-antagonists in patients at low to moderate risk for gastrointestinal tract bleeding, and aspiration of subglottic secretions and oscillating beds in select patient populations. Selective digestive tract decontamination is not recommended because routine use may increase antimicrobial resistance.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2003

Demystifying idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Careful histopathological evaluation has shown the traditionally clinical diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia to be more heterogeneous than once thought. Its subclassification, based on clinicopathological criteria, has important therapeutic and prognostic implications. The most important distinction is the presence of usual interstitial pneumonia, the histopathological pattern seen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has a worse response to therapy and prognosis. New insight into the pathophysiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis suggests a distinctly fibroproliferative process, and antifibrotic therapies show promise. Although the clinical and radiographic diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can be made confidently in some cases, many patients require surgical lung biopsy to determine their underlying histopathological pattern. A structured, clinicopathological approach to the diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, with particular attention to the identification of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, ensures proper therapy, enhances prognosis, and allows for further investigation of therapies aimed at the distinct pathophysiology.

Acute Disease↗