Relationship between dyspnoea, pulmonry function and exercise capacity in patients with cystic fibrosis

AbstractThe median age of survival in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has improved considerably. Despite this improvement, deterioration of pulmonary function and decrease in exercise capacity are still the main problems for many patients. Although dyspnoea is a common complaint in CF patients, relatively little regard has been paid to this symptom. This study examined the relationship between dyspnoea, bicycle exercise capacity and pulmonary function in patients with CF.In 14 patients in a stable clinical condition, pulmonary function [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), inspiratory vital capacity (IVC)], bicycle exercise capacity [maximum exercise capacity (Wmax)], subjective degree of dyspnoea during daily living [Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnoea scale], and during exercise (Borg scale) were assessed.The mean (sd) age of the patients was 25 (6·8) years, FEV1 was 41 (19)% predicted, IVC was 63 (17)% predicted and FEV1IVC ratio was 47 (10)%; median (range) Wmax was 55 (0–79)% predicted. Bicycle exercise test performance appeared to be mainly determined by pulmonary function and MRC dyspnoea grade; multiple regression equation containing FEV1 and dyspnoea accounted for 76% of the variance in Wmax (% predicted) (Wmax= −7·9 dysp+1·1FEV1, +24). Exercise dyspnoea, assessed by the Borg scale, showed a significant linear correlation with minute ventilation. (V̇e), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) (%) (r=0·76; P<0·001). Medical Research Council dyspnoea score correlated relatively poorly with FEV1 (% predicted) (r= −0·17; n.s.) and IVC (% predicted) (r= −0·48; n.s.). Borg score at maximal exercise did not correlate with MRC dyspnoea score (r= −0·07). Borg50% score correlated significantly with MRC dyspnoea score (r= 0·61; P<0·05).These results show that dyspnoea has an influence on exercise capacity. Dyspnoea score showed a large inter-individual variation, not strongly related to pulmonary function. It is concluded that dyspnoea deserves more attention in CF patients and needs to be assessed in rehabilitation programmes and other intervention studies in these patients

Prescription of inhalers in asthma and COPD : Towards a rational, rapid and effective approach

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Asthma beliefs among mothers and children from different ethnic origins living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Doctors and patients hold varying beliefs concerning illness and treatment. Patients' and families' explanatory models (EMs) vary according to personality and sociocultural factors. In a multi-ethnic society, it is becoming increasingly significant that doctors understand the different beliefs of their patients in order to improve patient/doctor communication as well as patient adherence to treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twelve focus groups were formed, consisting of 40 children diagnosed with asthma, as well as 28 mothers of these children. These groups included mothers and children of different ethnicities who were living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In order to understand the beliefs that both mothers and children hold regarding asthma and its treatment, the explanatory models were analysed and compared.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Study findings show that mothers and children, regardless of ethnicity and age, have their own EMs. Overall, there is a great deal of uncertainty related to the causes, consequences, problems, and symptoms of asthma and its treatment. It also seems that many concerns and feelings of discomfort are the result of lack of knowledge. For instance, the fact that asthma is not seen as a chronic disease requiring daily intake of an inhaled corticosteroid, but rather as an acute phenomenon triggered by various factors, may be very relevant for clinical practice. This particular belief might suggest an explanation for non-adherent behaviour.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A thorough understanding of the mothers' and children's beliefs regarding the illness and its treatment is an important aspect in the management of asthma. Gaining an understanding of these beliefs will provide a foundation for a solid clinician-patient/family partnership in asthma care. Although ethnic differences were observed, the similarities between the mothers' and children's beliefs in this multi-ethnic population were striking. In particular, a common belief is that asthma is considered an acute rather than a chronic condition. In addition, there is a lack of knowledge about the course and the self-management of asthma. Health care providers should be aware of these commonly held beliefs, and this information could be shared in educational programs.</p

Small-particle Inhaled Corticosteroid as First-line or Step-up Controller Therapy in Childhood Asthma

Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Communion by extension : discrepancies between policy and practice

The growing practice of Communion by Extension was given formal authorisation by the Church of England General Synod in 2000 with the expectation that it would be used in particular circumstances, including explicitly the rural multi-church benefice. This paper reviews the historical origins of the practice of Communion by Extension and clarifies the intentions of the authorisation given in 2000. Then the intentions of the 2000 authorisation are compared and contrasted with current parochial practice within one English diocese. Considerable divergence is found. Five main themes are identified and discussed: the relationship between worship and mission; the pressures on clerical time; sacramental self-sufficiency; the value given to familiarity; and the choice between reservation and congregationalism

Cohort Analysis of Exacerbation Rates in Adolescent and Adult Patients Initiating Inhaled Corticosteroids for Asthma : Different Dose–Response Profile by Particle Size

Data Availability. The datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Funding. Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe B.V.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A minimally invasive tool to study immune response and skin barrier in children with atopic dermatitis

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects children of all skin types. Most research has focused on light skin types. Studies investigating biomarkers in people with AD with dark skin types are lacking. Objectives: To explore skin barrier and immune response biomarkers in stratum corneum (SC) tape strips from children with AD with different skin types. Methods: Tape strips were collected from lesional and nonlesional forearm skin of 53 children with AD and 50 controls. We analysed 28 immunomodulatory mediators, and natural moisturizing factors (NMF) and corneocyte morphology. Results: Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, C-X-C motif chemokine (CXCL) 8 (CXCL8), C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 22 (CCL22), CCL17, CXCL10 and CCL2 were significantly higher (P < 0·05) in lesional AD skin compared with nonlesional AD skin; the opposite trend was seen for IL-1α. CXCL8, CCL2 and CCL17 showed an association with objective SCORing Atopic Dermatitis score. NMF levels showed a gradual decrease from healthy skin to nonlesional and lesional AD skin. This gradual decreasing pattern was observed in skin type II but not in skin type VI. Skin type VI showed higher NMF levels in both nonlesional and lesional AD skin than skin type II. Corneocyte morphology was significantly different in lesional AD skin compared with nonlesional AD and healthy skin. Conclusions: Minimally invasive tape-stripping is suitable for the determination of many inflammatory mediators and skin barrier biomarkers in children with AD. This study shows differences between children with AD with skin type II and skin type VI in NMF levels, suggesting that some aspects of pathophysiological mechanisms may differ in AD children with light versus dark skin types

Thyroid hormone metabolism and environmental chemical exposure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Polychlorinated dioxins and –furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated-biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental toxicants that have been proven to influence thyroid metabolism both in animal studies and in human beings. In recent years polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) also have been found to have a negative influence on thyroid hormone metabolism. The lower brominated flame retardants are now banned in the EU, however higher brominated decabromo-diphenyl ether (DBDE) and the brominated flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) are not yet banned. They too can negatively influence thyroid hormone metabolism. An additional brominated flame retardant that is still in use is tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), which has also been shown to influence thyroid hormone metabolism.</p> <p>Influences of brominated flame retardants, PCDD/F’s and dioxin like-PCBs (dl-PCB’s) on thyroid hormone metabolism in adolescence in the Netherlands will be presented in this study and determined if there are reasons for concern to human health for these toxins. In the period 1987-1991, a cohort of mother-baby pairs was formed in order to detect abnormalities in relation to dioxin levels in the perinatal period. The study demonstrated that PCDD/Fs were found around the time of birth, suggesting a modulation of the setpoint of thyroid hormone metabolism with a higher 3,3’, 5,5’tetrathyroxine (T4) levels and an increased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). While the same serum thyroid hormone tests (- TSH and T4) were again normal by 2 years of age and were still normal at 8-12 years, adolescence is a period with extra stress on thyroid hormone metabolism. Therefore we measured serum levels of TSH, T4, 3,3’,5- triiodothyronine (T3), free T4 (FT4), antibodies and thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) in our adolescent cohort.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Vena puncture was performed to obtain samples for the measurement of thyroid hormone metabolism related parameters and the current serum dioxin (PCDD/Fs), PCB and PBDE levels.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The current levels of T3 were positively correlated to BDE-99. A positive trend with FT4 and BDE-99 was also seen, while a positive correlation with T3 and dl-PCB was also seen. No correlation with TBG was seen for any of the contaminants. Neither the prenatal nor the current PCDD/F levels showed a relationship with the thyroid parameters in this relatively small group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Once again the thyroid hormone metabolism (an increase in T3) seems to have been influenced by current background levels of common environmental contaminants: dl-PCBs and BDE-99. T3 is a product of target organs and abnormalities might indicate effects on hormone transporters and could cause pathology. While the influence on T3 levels may have been compensated, because the adolescents functioned normal at the time of the study period, it is questionable if this compensation is enough for all organs depending on thyroid hormones.</p