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Effect of gamma interferon on lung function of mustard gas exposed patients, after 15 years.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis has been known to be among the main the pathological features of lung lesions in Mustard Gas (MG) exposed patients. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of interferon gamma-1b on the lung function in MG exposed patients with bronchiolitis. METHOD: Thirty-six bronchiolitis patients, whose lung lesion had been diagnosed through High Resolution Computerized Tomography (HRCT) of the chest and also pathological study, were divided into two 18-member case and control groups. Both groups were receiving their conventional treatment (inhaled Felixotide and Servent). The case group were treated for 6 months with a combination of 200 microg of interferon gamma-1b (given three times per week subcutaneously) plus 7.5 mg of prednisolone (given once a day), while the control group received their previous conventional medications. Lung function was measured at base line and after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment. RESULTS: In case and control groups, Forced Expiratory Volume in first second (FEV1) did not have statistical differences at the base line (49.3 +/- 2.9 and 48.7 +/- 4.1, respectively = 0.6), whereas a significant increase was seen in the case group (66.3 +/- 5.4) compared control group (57.3 +/- 8.6) at the subsequent months (P = 0.001 for the difference between the groups). Similar pattern of increase was observed in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that a 6-month treatment with interferon gamma-1b plus a low-dose prednisolone is associated with an improvement in the lung function in mustard-gas exposed patients with bronchiolitis.

Adult↗

Effect on lung function of continuous positive airway pressure administered either by infant flow driver or a single nasal prong.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to assess if continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) delivered by an infant flow driver (IFD) was a more effective method of improving lung function than delivering CPAP by a single nasal prong. A total of 36 infants (median gestational age 29 weeks, range 25-35 weeks) were studied, 12 who received CPAP via an IFD, 12 who received CPAP via a single nasal prong and 12 without CPAP. CPAP was administered post extubation if apnoeas and bradycardias or a respiratory acidosis developed or electively if the infant was of birth weight <1.0 kg. Lung function was assessed by the supplementary oxygen requirement and measurement of compliance of the respiratory system using an occlusion technique. Assessments were made immediately prior to and after 24 h of CPAP administration and at similar postnatal ages in the non-CPAP group. The infants who did not require CPAP had better lung function (non significant) than the other two groups before they received CPAP. After 24 h, lung function had improved in both CPAP groups to the level of the non CPAP infants. The supplementary oxygen requirements of all three groups decreased over the 24 h period, but this only reached significance in the single nasal prong group (P<0.05). Four infants supported by the IFD, but none with a single nasal prong, became hyperoxic. CONCLUSION: Continuous positive airways pressure administration via the infant flow driver appears to offer no short-term advantage over a single nasal prong system when used after extubation in preterm infants.

Humans↗

Relationship between nutritional status and lung function in cystic fibrosis: cross sectional and longitudinal analyses from the German CF quality assurance (CFQA) project.

BACKGROUND: The German cystic fibrosis (CF) quality assurance (CFQA) project is a patient registry for CF which was founded in 1995. Relevant clinical and laboratory data, respiratory function test results, complications, and CF treatments are entered into the database once a year for each patient. Using the database, a study was undertaken to elucidate the relationship between nutrition and lung function in a large patient cohort by cross sectional and longitudinal analysis. METHODS: A cohort of 3298 patients above 2 years of age was analysed. Patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of malnutrition (wasting and/or stunting). Cross sectional and longitudinal analyses over 2 and 3 years including mixed model analyses were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of abnormal weight for height (<90% predicted) increased with age from 19% in children aged <6 years to 38% in adults with CF. Patients with malnutrition had significantly lower mean values of vital capacity, arterial oxygen tension (PO(2)), and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) and higher serum IgG (p<0.05). Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was also associated with decreased pulmonary function. Malnourished adolescents aged 12-18 years experienced a serious decline in FEV(1) of about 20% predicted, whereas mean FEV(1) values remained stable at above 80% predicted in adolescents of normal weight. Longitudinal follow up showed that malnourished patients of all ages and those with P aeruginosa infection had significantly worse lung function than their normally nourished counterparts and a greater yearly loss of FEV(1) % predicted. During 1 year of observation adolescents who experienced a >5% predicted decrease in weight for height had a concomitant mean loss of FEV(1) of 16.5% predicted during that year, whereas patients who gained relative weight had a parallel increase in FEV(1) of 2.1% predicted. CONCLUSIONS: These data emphasise the close relationship between nutrition, lung function, and clinical course in CF. Normal body weight and absence of P aeruginosa infection was associated with better preservation of lung function.

Adolescent↗

Effects of smoking cessation on lung function and airway inflammation in smokers with asthma.

RATIONALE: Active smoking in asthma is associated with worsening of symptoms, accelerated decline in lung function, and impaired response to corticosteroids. OBJECTIVES: To examine the short-term effects of smoking cessation on lung function, airway inflammation, and corticosteroid responsiveness in smokers with asthma. METHODS AND MEASUREMENTS: Smokers with asthma were given the option to quit or continue smoking. Both groups underwent spirometry and induced sputum at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 wk. Cutaneous vasoconstrictor response to topical beclometasone, airway response to oral prednisolone, and sensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes to corticosteroids were measured before smoking cessation and at 6 wk. MAIN RESULTS: Of 32 subjects recruited, 11 opted to continue smoking (smoking control group). Of 21 subjects who opted for smoking cessation, 10 quit smoking for 6 wk (quit group). In the comparison of quitters with smokers at 6 wk, the mean (confidence interval [CI]) difference in FEV(1) was 407 ml (21, 793), p = 0.040, and the proportion of sputum neutrophils was reduced by 29 (51, 8), p = 0.039. Total cutaneous vasoconstrictor response score to topical beclometasone improved after smoking cessation with a mean (CI) difference of 3.56 (0.84, 6.28), p = 0.042, between quitters and smokers. There was no change in airway corticosteroid responses after smoking cessation. CONCLUSIONS: By 6 wk after smoking cessation, subjects who quit smoking had achieved considerable improvement in lung function and a fall in sputum neutrophil count compared with subjects who continued to smoke. These findings highlight the importance of smoking cessation in asthma.

Adult↗

[Changes of lung function in experimentally induced emphysema before and after unilateral homotransplantation of the canine lung].

Pulmonary function studies after single-lung homotransplantation in dogs with experimentally induced emphysema. Pulmonary emphysema was induced in 8 bastard dogs by intratracheal instillation of papain (dose 2 mg/kg 3 to 5 times in 6 to 10 weeks). Development of emphysema was documented by weekly pulmonary function studies. The emphysematous animals underwent single-lung homotransplantation. Postoperative studies of lung function were performed immediately after transplantation and 1 week postoperatively. Bronchospirometric measurement revealed that ventilatory function and oxygen consumption of the graft was at least equal to the animal's own emphysematous lung. Up to 1 week after transplantation there is no evidence of serious ventilation-perfusion imbalance.

Animals↗

Lung function and respiratory symptoms of pesticide sprayers in state farms of Ethiopia.

Chemical pesticides are health hazards affecting the livelihood of those who are occupationally engaged in spraying farm fields. The objective of the study was to determine the extent of the hazard of chemical pesticide application by farm workers in selected farms. The major parameters used were measurements of lung function and respiratory symptoms. The design of the study was cross-sectional and was conducted in four state farms. Lung function and respiratory symptoms of 102 pesticide sprayers of state farms of Ethiopia and of 69 non-sprayers were assessed All data were analysed by decade age groups adjusting for smoking habits. The results of lung function and respiratory symptoms of 102 pesticide sprayers and of 69 non-sprayers are presented. The 15-24 years age group of pesticide sprayers had significantly reduced forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), as compared to that of similar age group non-sprayers. Analysis of variance on FVC and FEV for the five predictors (age, height, weight, chest circumference and FFM) of the non-sprayers was highly significant (F = 4.647, 5.563 & P = 0.001, 0.000 for FVC and FEV1 respectively). 5.9% and 16.7% of the pesticide sprayers had symptoms of cough and breathlessness respectively. Pesticide applications resulted in reduced lung function and evoking respiratory symptoms. Pesticide sprayers need to be sensitised to the hazardous consequences of pesticide applications for human health and the environment and should be encouraged to wear personal protective devices during work on farms.

Adolescent↗

Western red cedar dust exposure and lung function: a dose-response relationship.

The relationship between levels of cumulative red cedar dust exposure and decline in lung function was explored in an 11-yr follow-up study of 243 sawmill workers who participated in at least two occasions. We also studied 140 office workers in a similar manner as control subjects. Workers with asthma were excluded from the analysis. During the period of the study, 916 personal and 216 area samples of dust were collected from the sawmill. Cumulative wood dust exposure was calculated for each sawmill worker according to the duration and exposure in each job, based on the geometric mean of all dust measurements for that job. Average daily dust exposure was calculated by dividing the total cumulative exposure by the number of days of work. Workers were divided into low-, medium-, and high-exposure groups with mean daily level of exposure of < 0.2, 0.2 to 0.4, and > 0.4 mg/m3, respectively. Sawmill workers had significantly greater declines in FEV1 and FVC compared with office workers adjusted for age, smoking, and initial lung function. A dose-response relationship was observed between the level of exposure and the annual decline in FVC. We conclude that exposure to Western red cedar dust is associated with a greater decline in lung function which may lead to development of chronic airflow limitation.

Adult↗

Lung function in Pakistani welding workers.

Our objective was to study the effects of welding fumes and their duration of exposure on lung function. This was a matched case-control cross-sectional study of spirometry in 50 nonsmoking manual metal arc welders who work without the benefit of welding fume control ventilation or respiratory protective devices. Welding workers, with exposures longer than 9 years, showed a significant reduction in spirometry (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], FEV1/forced vital capacity [FVC%], and peak expiratory flow [PEF]) relative to controls. Lung function in nonsmoking welding workers is impaired and stratification of results shows a dose-effect of years of welding on lung function. This effect primarily shows an obstructive pattern of airways disease. Preventive measures in developing countries have to be adopted to avert long-term lung damage in welders.

Adult↗

Dyspnoea, lung function & respiratory muscle pressures in patients with Graves' disease.

To understand the pathophysiology of dyspnoea in patients with hyperthyroidism, lung function, maximum inspiratory, expiratory respiratory muscle pressures (MIP and MEP) and intensity of dyspnoea (after six minutes walking test) were recorded in 12 consecutive patients with active Graves' disease. Reassessment was done after achieving euthyroidism with 8-12 wk of carbimazole therapy. Patients covered similar distance during 6 min walking before and after carbimazole therapy. However, there was a significant reduction in dyspnoea following euthyroidism. This was accompanied by significant decrease in respiratory rate, minute ventilation, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%) and improvement in the forced vital capacity (FVC). No significant changes in tidal volume (TV) and maximum-midexpiratory flow rates (MMEFR), MIP and MEP were observed. Lung function parameters, MIP and MEP did not correlate with the severity of dyspnoea. Serum T4 levels correlated inversely with the distance covered during 6 min walking test, MIP and MEP. To conclude, increased breathing effort in presence of reduced FVC may lead to dyspnoea during hyperthyroid phase in patients with active Graves' disease. Lack of correlation between the severity of dyspnoea and abnormalities in lung function suggests that other mechanisms of dyspnoea may also operate in these patients.

Adult↗

Deterioration in lung function following hemithorax irradiation for pleural mesothelioma.

Thirty-four patients receiving high-dose hemithorax irradiation as part of the treatment for pleural mesothelioma were studied with regard to changes in lung function following irradiation, and these changes were correlated with the radiologically-assessed lung injury. The latter was scored from 0 to 500 and found to be severe by 6 months (mean score 360), very severe by 9 months (mean score 430), and nearly total by 12 months (mean score 480) after treatment. Forced vital capacity and diffusing capacity both showed a significant decline at 1.5-2 months following the end of radiotherapy and thereafter up to the end of the 1 year follow-up period. Neither of these variables could be correlated consistently with the radiologically-assessed changes. Hypoxemia and pathological physiological shunting increased transiently 1-2 months after irradiation in 2 of the 6 patients monitored. The observed radiologically-assessed final effects of high-dose hemithorax irradiation are compatible with a total loss of lung function on the irradiated side. Before this form of treatment is used, lung function should be evaluated as for pneumonectomy.

Female↗

Serial lung function testing in patients treated with amiodarone: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: Amiodarone has proven to be effective in many cases of cardiac arrhythmias, refractory ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. Pulmonary toxicity is a possible side effect of the drug, with a reported incidence of 2 to 15 percent per year. To determine the effect of amiodarone on lung function, we prospectively studied serial lung function tests in a cohort of 91 patients with refractory cardiac arrhythmias treated with this agent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Spirometry and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) were measured at zero, three, six, 12, 18, and 24 months, with a mean follow-up of 351 days. RESULTS: For the whole population taking a mean dose of amiodarone of 367 mg daily (range: 136 to 512 mg), there was no accelerated rate of decline in spirometric indices or DLCO. Analysis of lung function changes by multivariate analysis demonstrated that an accelerated decline in DLCO values occurred in elderly patients (p less than 0.05) but not in patients with pre-existing lung disease or cigarette smokers. In four patients (4.5 percent), clinical evidence of amiodarone pulmonary toxicity developed that was associated with a fall in DLCO of greater than 20 percent. All four patients recovered after the drug was stopped. Another 15 patients, without clinical evidence of pulmonary toxicity, had a sustained decline in DLCO of greater than 20 percent. These 15 patients remained asymptomatic over the next 11 months without interruption of therapy. A greater than 20 percent fall in DLCO was a sensitive test for clinically evident amiodarone pulmonary toxicity, but had a positive predictive value of only 21 percent. CONCLUSION: An isolated fall in DLCO, in the absence of clinical evidence of toxicity, does not necessitate stopping amiodarone. An unchanged DLCO value appears to be a reliable negative predictor of pulmonary toxicity.

Adult↗

Longitudinal follow-up of lung function from childhood to adolescence in prematurely born patients with neonatal chronic lung disease.

We investigated whether early lung function abnormalities in prematurely born children with a history of chronic lung disease improve in late childhood and adolescence. We performed a prospective, longitudinal evaluations of pulmonary function over an 8 year period. In seventeen patients from the age (mean +/- SD) of 8.2 +/- 1.2 years to the age of 15.1 +/- 1.6 years. They had been born at 29.1 +/- 1.9 weeks of gestation, with a birthweight of 1120 +/- 190 g, and they had received supplemental oxygen, with or without mechanical ventilation, for 40.4 +/- 23.8 days during the neonatal period. They all had radiographic evidence of chronic lung disease at 4 weeks of age. Annual measurements of lung volumes using the helium dilution technique, and of airway function with spirometry and maximal expiratory flow-volume curves over a 5 to 8 year period, were obtained. The results indicated that total lung capacity (TLC) and vital capacity (VC) were within the predicted normal range in all patients and increased over time. In contrast, the initially abnormal residual volume (RV) and RV/TLC ratio decreased over time, suggesting gradual resolution of air-trapping. The peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and the ratio FEV1/FVC remained at or above the predicted normal range in all patients. FEF25-75, FEF50, and FEF75 were within normal limits in eight patients and abnormally low (more than 2 SD below the predicted normal value) in the remaining nine patients, indicating small airway obstruction. Eight of the nine patients with lower airway obstruction showed significant response to inhaled bronchodilator, and four responded to a histamine challenge. None of the eight patients with normal airway function responded to histamine, but four responded to bronchodilators. The perinatal history, family history of asthma, and exposure to smoking were similar in patients with and without airway obstruction. The height and weight were and remained within the normal range. We conclude that gradual normalization of air-trapping continues well into adolescence in virtually all patients with a history of prematurity and chronic lung disease. in contrast, airflow obstruction may persist but does not get worse later in life. Although chronic airflow obstruction probably is the consequence of injury to the small airways during the neonatal period, it is present in only some of the children, and it does not appear to be directly related to the perinatal history. Finally, there is evidence that airway hyperresponsiveness may be a contributing factor to the development and/or persistence of airflow obstruction in chronic lung disease of prematurity.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗

Lung function following cardiac surgery is not affected by postoperative ventilation time.

We investigated the effect of postoperative ventilation time on lung function following cardiac surgery. A prospective observational study of 100 elective patients. Anaesthetic technique and postoperative ventilation times reflected the routine of participating anaesthetists. Group I (n = 29) patients were extubated prior to leaving the operating room, Group II (n = 37) within 8 hours and Group III (n = 28) after 8 hours. Oxygen saturation on air, spirometry and chest x-rays were performed preoperatively and on postoperative days 2, 3 and 4. No demographic differences were detected between groups. There was no mortality, perioperative myocardial infarction or reintubation in any group. Lung function significantly declined following surgery in all groups (p<0.0001) for all endpoints, but was not different between groups. Chest x-ray changes were common in all groups but not significantly different between groups. Immediate extubation does not worsen lung function compared to early or late extubation.

Aged↗

[Perioperative evaluation of lung function].

Respiratory diseases contribute significantly to perioperative morbidity and mortality. Severe pulmonary complications usually emerge postoperatively. To minimise pulmonary risk, the perioperative evaluation of lung function is of major significance, allowing the identification of patient and surgery-related risk factors. In particular, the significance of the intraoperative assessment of lung function has gained in importance over the last few years. The following article describes the possibilities and frontiers of the perioperative assessment of lung function, and focuses especially on the significance of preoperative pulmonary function tests and the intraoperative interpretation of respiratory pressure, flow, and volume loops.

Blood Gas Analysis↗

Erythropoietin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Relationship between serum erythropoietin, blood hemoglobin and lung function--effect of the calcium antagonist isradipine on serum erythropoietin.

The relations between serum-erythropoietin (se-EPO), blood hemoglobin and lung function were investigated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, the hypothesis was tested that se-EPO might increase after treatment with a calcium antagonist. In 18 patients with COPD, median se-EPO (19.2 mU ml-1) was in the low normal range. The correlations between se-EPO and blood hemoglobin (p = -0.63, p = 0.024) and between se-EPO and lung function indices were negative (n.s.) and the correlation between blood hemoglobin and lung function indices (n.s.) were positive. The hypothesis is proposed that the normal hemoglobin found in most patients with COPD is a result of a balance between a trend towards a decreased red cell mass, as found in chronic diseases, and a trend towards an increased red cell mass due to the erythropoietic effect of EPO. Se-EPO was not changed by the calcium antagonist, isradipine.

Aged↗

[Diagnosis of lung function in bronchial asthma].

Chronic obstructive airway diseases have only slight demand on lung function diagnostics according to the number of methods and technical level. But we have the demand of a high rate of lung function, more than in all other lung diseases. The expiratory peak flow (PEF) seems to be a suitable parameter for daily control.

Adult↗

Infective exacerbations of chronic bronchitis: relation between bacteriologic etiology and lung function.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: In patients with severe COPD, acute infective exacerbations are frequent. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are the most commonly isolated bacteria in sputum cultures from these patients. We hypothesized that in patients with advanced disease, Gram-negative bacteria other than H influenzae play at least an equally important role. METHODS: We evaluated clinical data and sputum culture results from 211 unselected COPD patients admitted to our hospital with an acute infective exacerbation of COPD. One hundred twelve patients fulfilled our protocol criteria of reliable microbiologic results and reproducible lung function tests; the patients were categorized according to the recently published three stages of severity. RESULTS: Lung function tests revealed an FEV1 of > or =50% of the predicted value in 30 patients (stage I), an FEV1 of 35% to <50% of the predicted value in 30 patients (stage II), and an FEV1 of < or =35% of the predicted value in 34 patients (stage III). Bacteria were classified into three groups: group 1 contained S pneumoniae and other Gram-positive cocci; group 2, H influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis; and group 3, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp. For all patients together, the most frequently isolated bacteria were group 3 organisms (Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp, 48.2%), followed by group 1 organisms (S pneumoniae and other Gram-positive cocci, 30.4%), and group 2 organisms (H influenzae and M catarrhalis, 21.4%). In stage I patients, 14 of 30 had bacteria from group 1, seven of 30 had group 2, and nine of 30 had group 3. In stage II patients, eight of 30 had group 1 bacteria, 10 of 30 had group 2, and 12 of 30 had group 3. In stage III patients, 12 of 52 had group 1 bacteria, seven of 52 had group 2, and 22 of 52 had group 3. The three groups of bacteria causing infective exacerbations were unevenly distributed among the three severity stages of lung function (p=0.016). CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between deterioration of lung function and the bacteria isolated from patients with infective exacerbations of COPD. In acute infective exacerbations, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp are the predominant bacteria in patients with an FEV1 < or =35% of the predicted value.

Acute Disease↗

Lung function abnormalities after bone marrow transplantation in children: has the trend recently changed?

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate early and late lung function abnormalities and their predictors in a large sample of children who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for leukemias in the 1990s, highlighting changes with respect to the 1980s. DESIGNS: Prospective cohort. SETTING: A university department of pediatrics. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-five consecutive children who underwent BMT were enrolled in the study (median age, 11 years; range, 6 to 19 years; 45 male and 30 female children). Twenty-three children received autologous BMT, and 52 children received allogeneic BMT; 50 children completed the study. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical examinations and lung function tests were performed before BMT, and 3 to 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after BMT. RESULTS: Before BMT, at 3 to 6 months after BMT, and at 24 months after BMT, 44%, 85%, and 62% of children, respectively, had altered lung function in the absence of persistent respiratory symptoms. Between 3 months and 6 months after BMT, a restrictive pattern was the most frequent abnormality. The only predictive factors for late abnormalities were transplantation performed in the advanced disease phase (odds ratio [OR], 6.75; p = 0.005) and bronchopulmonary infections (OR, 3.9; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a significant proportion of children who undergo BMT, especially if for leukemia in advanced phase, have early and late pulmonary abnormalities. These abnormalities, especially the late ones, seem to be more severe than patients reported in studies analyzing children undergoing BMT in the 1980s. This could be due to the more intensive front-line treatment protocols employed for treatment of children with acute leukemia in the 1990s.

Adolescent↗