Antimicrobial Drugs and Community–acquired Clostridium difficile–associated Disease, UK

In a population-based case-control study of community-acquired Clostridium difficile–associated disease (CDAD), we matched 1,233 cases to 12,330 controls. CDAD risk increased 3-fold with use of any antimicrobial agent and 6-fold with use of fluoroquinolones. Prior use of antimicrobial agent did not affect risk for CDAD after 6 months

Antimicrobial Drugs and Community-acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, United Kingdom

Antimicrobial drugs are associated with an increased risk for community-acquired MRSA infections

Invasive Aspergillosis in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases

OBJECTIVES: To determine the outcomes, and clinical and therapeutic factors associated with the development of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with obstructive pulmonary diseases

Re-Evaluation of Acid-Base Prediction Rules in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Acidosis

RATIONALE: The prediction rules for the evaluation of the acid-base status in patients with chronic respiratory acidosis, derived primarily from an experimental canine model, suggest that complete compensation should not occur. This appears to contradict frequent observations of normal or near-normal pH levels in patients with chronic hypercapnia

The effectiveness of mask continuous positive pressure in the treatment of acute respiratory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease /

Context. Exacerbations of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) that result in acute respiratory failure are a significant health care problem with high morbidity and mortality. Recent reports have shown that preventing intubation with the use of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation significantly decreases the morbidity and mortality associated with respiratory failure in this population.Objective. To evaluate whether patients with COPD and acute respiratory failure treated with non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) have improved clinical outcomes after adjusting for potentially confounding covariates when compared to similar patients who were intubated or treated with medical therapy.Design and setting. Comparison of three retrospective cohorts, one in which CPAP was routinely available and two in which CPAP were not available for the management of this type of patient. Data were collected on all patients admitted to two ICU's in tertiary care teaching hospitals during the time periods defined by the cohorts.Population. Two hundred and thirty-eight patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and acute respiratory failure admitted to two intensive care units between January 15th 1985 to December 31st 1995. (Abstract shortened by UMI.