Most recently added articles listed first
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
In a cohort of 81 patients presenting with silicosis to a single centre in China, artificial stone exposure is associated with shorter latency to disease onset, and more rapid radiologic progression and reduction in lung function, when compared with those exposed to natural stone. This paper further contributes to the data surrounding accelerated silicosis in workers exposed to artificial stone that has been noted in multiple countries in recent years.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
Differentiation of the causes of pulmonary hypertension has become more important with targeted treatments available that can change prognosis. This study demonstrates the potential utility of a simple non-invasive test to differentiate between PH and non-PH, and CTEPH and PAH. Further studies will be required to clarify test performance in other patient groups and to exclude confounders.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
Non-expansile lung is considered a contraindication to talc slurry pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusion, however inter-observer agreement for diagnosing non-expansile lung on chest radiography is unknown. This study demonstrates poor correlation between experienced observers. Implications for study design and clinical treatment choices are considered.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
In this nationwide study of 83425 patients with COPD, of whom 2637 had one or more acute coronary syndrome events during follow-up, low rates of beta-blocker prescription is found. This finding is especially pronounced in those with very severe COPD despite international guidelines recommending the use of beta-blockers in patients with coronary ischaemia and COPD.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
A simple tool to measure chronic cough and its impact on daily life can be useful for ongoing outpatient or clinic assessment of patients with this condition. In this paper, the authors develop and validate a 5-point questionnaire that correlates well with other tools and demonstrates reliability and validity in a Republic of Korean population.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
The authors review two years of data from their Malaysian hospital for correlation between respiratory admissions and local haze conditions. The findings demonstrate significantly increased rates of admission with respiratory symptoms during a haze, particularly in those with chronic lung or cardiac disease, and those with obesity. Length of stay and requirement for intensive care also increased in the haze periods.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
This paper outlines the clinical and pathophysiologic features of the unexpandable lung. The authors demonstrate a clear distinction between chronic 'trapped lung' and the 'lung entrapment' that occurs in active pleural disease states such as malignancy or infection.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
EBUS-TBNA has rapidly become the standard of care for mediastinal and hilar lymph node sampling. This systematic review outlines the range and frequency of potential complications, as well as the possibility that these reports do not represent the full scale of adverse outcomes.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
This important study describes a large cohort of patients admitted with acute pulmonary embolism to Intensive Care Units across Australia and New Zealand. A subpopulation at very high risk of death is identified (those requiring mechanical ventilation). No improvement in mortality rate over time is seen.
Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
The indications for thoracic ultrasonography continue to expand, and this study suggests another indication. Diaphragmatic dysfunction found on ultrasound on admission in patients with acute hypercapnic exacerbations of COPD is identified as a risk factor for failure of NIV, duration of mechanical ventilation and short-term mortality. This non-invasive test might help clinicians identify patients at risk of failing standard care.
Need for intensive care in patients admitted for asthma: Red flags from the social history. Moghaddas et al.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12831/full (Jun 2016)
(Editorial: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12870/abstract)
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure during a prolonged wildfire period and emergency department visits for asthma. Haikerwal et al.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12613/abstract (Sep 2015)
(FREE access: Editor's Choice)
Systematic review and meta-analysis of respiratory viral coinfections in children. Lim et al.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12741/abstract (Feb 2016)