Biomedical subjects

L Smolíková

Publications and source records attributed to L Smolíková.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

[Relation between pulmonary ventilation parameters, exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease].

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) do usually have decreased tolerance of exercise capacity and impaired quality of life. Several studies have shown that exercise capacity is related relatively weakly to lung functions in this group of patients. The aim of the present study was to find parameter which could better reflect or predict maximal exercise capacity. 19 patients with the diagnosis COPD with mean value of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 46% predicted (range 21-79%) entering pulmonary rehabilitation program were included into the study. Enrolled patients were chosen to cover the whole range of airway obstruction severity. Post-bronchodilator static and dynamic ventilation parameters were used for evaluation and calculation. Quality of live was measured using St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), evaluating symptoms, activity and impact of the disease with range from 0 (the best level) to 100 (the worst level). Values of FEV1 (p < 0.001) and ratio of FEV1 to vital capacity (FEV1/VC, p < 0.001) were significantly positively correlated with 6 minute walking distance (6MWD). FEV1/VC were closely related to 6MWD then FEV1. The degree of hyperinflation expressed by residual volume (RV, p < 0.005) and by ratio of residual volume to total lung capacity (RV/TLC, p < 0.001) significantly negatively correlated with 6MWD. Maximal occlusion mouth pressures (PImax, p < 0.05) were positively related to 6MWD. Total score of SGRQ correlated significantly to maximal exercise capacity. Pulmonary function tests and respiratory muscle function have important impact on exercise tolerance in patients with COPD. Tolerance of exercise capacity is significantly reflected by total score of quality of life in this group of patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Vascular and nerve disorders at exposure to hand-held vibrating tools related to ISO 5349.

The authors present the results of the investigation of peripheral nerves of the hand in a group of 30 glass cutters, 21 metal grinders, 10 blacksmiths and 24 workers who worked with nailers. The measurements of vibrotactile sensitivity were carried out by Vibrometry System Brüel & Kjaer Type 9627. The vibrotactile perception thresholds (VPT) were measured in frequency range from 8 to 500 Hz. The same investigations were carried out in 103 healthy subjects with no previous work-exposure to vibration or shocks. Further electromyographic examination was carried out in all members of exposed groups. The results of measurements VPT have proved reliability and high sensitivity of this method for the early detection of light disorders of peripheral nerves of the hand due to vibration. All the workers also passed investigation of vascular system of fingers. Simultaneously the measurement of vibration and shocks of single types of hand-held tools used by workers was done. The results of measurement have been worked up according to ISO 5349 (1) that enables to determine the beginning of the incidence of disorders of the hands and arms on the base of measured values of vibration and shocks. The results of the vascular system investigation have been compared with the results of the assessment of exposure according to ISO 5349. The conformity has been proved in the case of hand-transmitted vibrations not in the case of shocks.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed1999

[Cystic fibrosis--a disease of adolescents and adults?].

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is no longer a childhood disease. Since the identification of the gene in 1989 research has made advances and changed views on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. The objective of the present work is to make doctors treating adult patients familiar with modern therapeutic methods and their value. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the CF Centre of the Faculty Hospital in Prague Motol 349 patients are followed up on a long-term basis, incl. 95 who died since 1985. Hundred and twenty six (36.1%) patients survived to the age of 18 years, of those 41 died and 85 patients live. Comparison of semilongitudinal data of a group of 83 patients born before 1975 whose treatment during childhood and puberty was inadequate and 196 patients born in 1976-90 treated by modern methods proved the great effect of treatment on the course and prognosis of the disease. The median age at death increased during from 12.2 years in 1985-90 to 18.8 years in 1991-1998 (p = 0.004). The nutritional status of adult patients is satisfactory in 40.4%, poor in 33.3% and marginal in 26.3%. A normal pulmonary function was recorded in 17.5%, 22.8% are severely affected, the majority of patients (59.7%) has values within 40 to 80% of normal levels. CONCLUSIONS: Modern intensive treatment improved the prognosis and quality of live in patients with CF. Critical deterioration of the clinical condition shifted to the threshold of adult age. It is therefore essential that doctors treating such patients should be familiar with this issue.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Impulsive vibration and exposure limit.

Several cases of exposure to hand-transmitted shocks in two different factories were studied with an intention to improve our knowledge about the influence of the impulsive components of vibration on human being. Two types of shocks affecting the workers could be distinguished, i.e., shocks having small amount of energy at frequencies higher than 100 Hz and shocks having relatively high frequency components up to 1000 Hz. An exposure to the hand-arm shocks of both types was measured and assessed in accordance with the international standard ISO 5349. Health condition of workers was examined. Carpal tunnel syndrome was found among the workers of the workshop in wood industry, who work with staple gun. The investigation of the health condition of about 60 forge workers up to now did not confirm the severity of hand-arm shocks as it had been assessed according to the Annex A of the ISO 5349. The exposure to hand-arm shocks in the forge leads to the incidence of occupational diseases and disorders, which however, differ from the diseases normally reported as a consequence of the hand-arm vibration and shocks. It seems obvious that for the assessment of shock exposure, the ISO 5349 is not quite suitable in its present form.

Humans↗