Management Of Respiratory Symptoms Research Articles

Diaphragmatic Myopathy Associated with Dual Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in a Patient with Renal Cell Carcinoma

ABSTRACT Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have become increasingly prevalent with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) cancer treatment. We present a 79-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who developed shortness of breath and hypercapnic respiratory insufficiency after his first cycle of nivolumab and ipilimumab. Laboratory data showed elevated creatinine kinase, troponins, and transaminases. Computed tomography of the chest demonstrated bilateral lower lobe atelectasis. Heart catheterization and endomyocardial biopsy were unremarkable. Electromyogram (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) of the limb muscles revealed mild diffuse myopathy, normal sensory nerve conductions, and low-amplitude motor responses. Subsequent diaphragmatic EMG and NCS demonstrated severe myopathy. ICI-mediated myopathy predominantly affecting diaphragmatic muscles was diagnosed. Treatment included intravenous methylprednisolone, infliximab, abatacept, rituximab, and plasmapheresis. He underwent tracheostomy placement on hospital day 11 due to minimal improvement. He was discharged to a long-term acute care hospital, but unfortunately, he died less than 1 month later due to recurrent infections. irAEs can affect any organ system, but diaphragmatic dysfunction is uncommon. Use of diaphragmatic EMG, NCS, ultrasound study, or biopsy can support the diagnosis. Treatment includes systemic steroids, plasmapheresis, immunosuppressive medications, respiratory support, and cessation of causative medications. ICI-related diaphragmatic dysfunction should be suspected in those patients at risk with hypoxia, hypercapnia, or prolonged invasive or noninvasive ventilation without a distinct etiology. This case report exemplifies the importance of multidisciplinary workup and management of respiratory symptoms and insufficiency to identify and ameliorate irAEs. Diaphragmatic involvement can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality despite early aggressive multimodal therapy.

Rationale and protocol for a prospective cohort study of respiratory viral infections in patients admitted from emergency departments of community hospitals: Effect of respiratory Virus infection on EmeRgencY admission (EVERY) study

IntroductionRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a causative virus for the common cold worldwide and can result in hospitalisations and even death in patients with high-risk conditions and older adults. However,...

Association between body mass index and respiratory symptoms in US adults: a national cross-sectional study

The correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the development of cough, shortness of breath, and dyspnea is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between these parameters. Data from individuals who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2003 and 2012 were analyzed. Weighted logistic regression analysis and smoothed curve fitting were used to examine the correlation between BMI and respiratory symptoms. In addition, the relationship between BMI, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchial asthma was examined. Stratified analysis was used to discover inflection points and specific groups. Weighted logistic regression and smoothed curve fitting revealed a U-shaped relationship between BMI and respiratory symptoms. The U-shaped relationship in BMI was also observed in patients with bronchial asthma and COPD. Stratified analysis showed that the correlation between BMI and wheezing and dyspnea was influenced by race. In addition, non-Hispanic black individuals had a higher risk of developing cough than individuals of the other three races [OR 1.040 (1.021, 1.060), p < 0.0001], and they also exhibited an inverted U-shaped relationship between BMI and bronchial asthma. However, the association of BMI with cough, wheezing, dyspnea, COPD, and asthma was not affected by sex. High or low BMI was associated with cough, shortness of breath, and dyspnea, and has been linked to bronchial asthma and COPD. These findings provide new insights into the management of respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases.

The association between sleep duration, respiratory symptoms, asthma, and COPD in adults.

The association between sleep duration and cough, wheezing, and dyspnea was unclear. This research aimed to test this relationship. Research data were obtained from people who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2012. We used weighted logistic regression analysis and fitted curves to explore the association between sleep and respiratory symptoms. In addition, we investigated the association between sleep duration, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. The stratified analysis is used to analyze inflection points and specific populations. The 14,742 subjects are weighted to reflect the 45,678,491 population across the United States. Weighted logistic regression and fitted curves show a U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and cough and dyspnea. This U-shaped relationship remained in people without COPD and asthma. The stratified analysis confirmed that sleep duration before 7.5 h was negatively associated with cough (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73-0.87) and dyspnea (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.77-0.88). In contrast, it was positively associated with cough and (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.14-1.48) dyspnea (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00-1.26) when sleep duration was >7.5 h. In addition, short sleep duration is associated with wheezing, asthma, and COPD. Both long and short sleep duration are associated with cough and dyspnea. And short sleep duration is also an independent risk factor for wheezing, asthma, and COPD. This finding provides new insights into the management of respiratory symptoms and diseases.

Evidence-based traditional Siddha formulations for prophylaxis and management of respiratory symptoms in COVID-19 pandemic-a review.

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 is attributed to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This viral disease is rapidly spreading across the globe, including India. The mainstay in managing the disease is supportive care, nutrition, and preventing further progression in the absence of proven antiviral drugs. Currently two vaccines Covishield and Covaxin are administered in India. Long-term plans of developing most reliable mRNA-based vaccines are also underway for the future method of prophylaxis. The Siddha system of medicine's holistic approach emphasizes lifestyle modification, prophylactic interventions, and dietary management to boost the host immunity and treatment with herbal medicines and higher-order medicines as the case may be. In this review, a brief outline of the disease COVID-19, Coronavirus, evidence-based traditional Siddha interventions for respiratory ailments and immune boosters highlighting the relevant published research on individual herbs are dealt, which pave way for further research on drug repurposing for COVID-19. Historical evidence on the prevention and treatment of infections especially antivirals in Siddha classics is studied.

Effect of Demonstration on Procedures of Various Nursing Measures regarding Management of Respiratory Symptoms among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Patients

Effect of Demonstration on Procedures of Various Nursing Measures regarding Management of Respiratory Symptoms among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Patients

Management of respiratory symptoms in paediatric palliative care.

Respiratory symptoms in children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions are common, distressing and have a lasting impact, yet there is a paucity of evidence to guide clinicians in their management. This article makes a series of recommendations for the management of the most frequent and distressing respiratory symptoms encountered in paediatrics (dyspnoea, cough, haemoptysis and retained secretions) with attention to the evidence from research. There are very few paediatric studies exploring any aspect of respiratory symptoms in paediatric palliative care, so much of the evidence base has been drawn from adult studies, few of which have been published in the past 12-18 months. In the absence of well designed paediatric studies we need to judiciously apply what we can extrapolate from adult studies to each child we are treating; selecting interventions and approaches carefully, adjusting them when there is no evidence of individual benefit.

P39. Management of respiratory symptoms in patients with advanced lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide in terms of both incidence and mortality. Prognosis is generally poor. Of all patients with lung cancer, approximately 15% survive for 5 years after diagnosis while 80% die within 1 year. Respiratory symptoms observed in patients with lung cancer (dyspnea, cough, haemoptysis) are determined by cancer’s histologic type, biological properties, and anatomic location. They may be caused either by the primary tumour itself or by locoregional metastases within the thorax. Respiratory symptoms can result from immediate mechanical effects of cancer spread, such as localized obstruction of large airways, postobstructive pneumonia, formation of fistulae between airways and other intrathoracic structures, pleural effusion, and paresis of diaphragm or vocal cords due to encroachment upon respective nerves. In such patients, noninvasive therapies may be insufficient to palliate respiratory symptoms. Invasive techniques are available to benefit this group of patients. Respiratory symptoms can be caused by chemotherapy, or complications of radiotherapy (airway stenosis and necrosis, fistula formation, haemoptysis). Moreover, comorbid conditions such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), heart failure, pulmonary embolism, previous lung resection or malnutrition likewise contribute to respiratory symptoms. Dyspnea is the most frequently reported symptom in lung cancer patients: over of 65% patients have this symptom at some time during the course of their illness. In management of cancer-related dyspnea, opioids will remain the mainstay of therapy for the foreseeable future. Further studies will also be needed to identify the target populations who would benefit from oxygen, benzodiazepines, and the wide spectrum nonpharmacological interventions to relieve dyspnea. The design of these studies should respect the difference between cancer-related dyspnea and dyspnea from other causes. Suppression of cancer-related cough should also be addressed in future randomized studies. Current recommendations for palliative care in patients with advanced lung cancer, organized according to salient respiratory symptoms: Dyspnea: opioids; supplemental oxygen; other pharmacological interverventions; nonpharmacological interventions; dyspnea due to comorbidities and its treatment. Cough: opioids, non-opioid cough supressants, chemotherapy. Haemoptysis: pharmacologic treatment, bronchoscopic management, palliative thoracic radiotherapy. Malignant pleural effusion: thoracocentesis, chest tube dranaige, pleurodesis, and pleuroperitoneal shunting.

Management of Respiratory Symptoms in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer

SUMMARY Respiratory symptoms requiring palliation in patients with lung cancer may be caused either by the primary tumor itself, or by locoregional metastases within the thorax. Moreover, pulmonary symptoms can also be secondary, stemming from complications of lung cancer treatment or from independent comorbid conditions. This article outlines current recommendations for palliative care in lung cancer patients sorted according to salient respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, cough and hemoptysis). Written from the pulmonological point of view, the article gives an overview of what pulmonary specialists can offer, including invasive endobronchial and surgical procedures.

164 Experience of the use of diaphragm pacing in patients with respiratory impairment due to motor neurone disorders

BackgroundFor patients with motor neurone disease respiratory muscle weakness is a poor prognostic sign and once the forced vital capacity reaches less than 50%, mortality at 9 months ranges from...

Management of respiratory symptoms in ALS

Respiratory insufficiency is a frequent feature of ALS and is present in almost all cases at some stage of the illness. It is the commonest cause of death in ALS. FVC is used as important endpoint in many clinical trials, and in decision-making events for patients with ALS, although there are limitations to its predictive utility. There are multiple causes of respiratory muscle failure, all of which act to produce a progressive decline in pulmonary function. Diaphragmatic fatigue and weakness, coupled with respiratory muscle weakness, lead to reduced lung compliance and atelectasis. Increased secretions increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia, which further compromises respiratory function. Bulbar dysfunction can lead to nutritional deficiency, which in turn increases the fatigue of respiratory muscles. Early recognition of respiratory decline and symptomatic intervention, including non-invasive ventilation can significantly enhance both quality of life and life expectancy in ALS. Patients with respiratory failure should be advised to consider an advance directive to avoid emergency mechanical ventilation.

Management of Respiratory Symptoms in Palliative Care

Respiratory symptoms are extremely common in palliative care patients. They can have significant and profound effects on the quality of life of the patient and those around them so their control is essential. Assessment and management of respiratory symptoms in palliative care patients broadly follow that of the general population and are within the abilities of all clinicians. However, this patient group does pose particular management problems that the GP should be familiar with. The aim of this review is to familiarize the GP with the main respiratory symptoms encountered in palliative care along with the main causes, their assessment and management.

Acupuncture for respiratory disorder: what’s the point?

Acupuncture has been an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. It has been used for the treatment of many painful and nonpainful conditions. Its use within Western medicine has increased since the 1970s and acupuncture is now practiced by a variety of healthcare practitioners across Europe. There is an accepted body of evidence to support the use of acupuncture for back or neck pain. Anecdotal evidence from both clinicians and patients suggests there may be some beneficial effect of acupuncture in the treatment of respiratory symptoms, such as bronchospasm, breathlessness and hyperventilation syndromes. Some respiratory clinicians are introducing acupuncture as a treatment modality for the management of respiratory symptoms, despite the lack of available objective evidence to support this practice. This article reviews the available evidence for the use of acupuncture in respiratory disorders and provides discussion of the methodological issues that are evident within this literature. It also highlights reasons for the lack of objective evidence to support acupuncture for respiratory conditions and the difficulties faced by acupuncture researchers when designing randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support a recommendation for the use of acupuncture in respiratory disorders.

Respiratory Symptoms and Acute Painful Episodes in Sickle Cell Disease

The authors examined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and determined whether respiratory symptoms were associated with prevalence of chest pain and number of acute painful episodes in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease. Participants (N = 93; 44 females, 49 males; mean age 9.8 +/- 4.3 years) reported coughing in the morning (21.5%), at night (31.2%), and during exercise (30.1%). Wheezing occurred both when they had a cold or infection (29.0%) and when they did not have (23.7%) a cold or infection. Sleep was disturbed by wheezing in 20.4%. Among the 76 patients who were school-age (>5 years), 19.7% of patients missed more than 4 days of school because of respiratory symptoms. The majority of patients reported having acute painful episodes (82.8%), and most (66.7%) reported having chest pain during acute painful episodes in the previous 12 months. Participants with acute pain episodes greater than 3 during the previous 12 months had significantly higher reports of breathing difficulties (P = .01) and chest pain (P = .002). The high number of respiratory symptoms (cough and wheeze) among patients with sickle cell disease may trigger acute painful episodes. Early screening and recognition, ongoing monitoring, and proactive management of respiratory symptoms may minimize the number of acute painful episodes.

Respiratory Symptom Management in a Child with Severe Neurologic Impairment

Respiratory Symptom Management in a Child with Severe Neurologic Impairment

Volcanic ash and respiratory symptoms in children on the island of Montserrat, British West Indies

Background: In July 1995 the volcano on the West Indian island of Montserrat erupted after being inactive for several hundred years. Since then, clouds of ash have been released intermittently...

Etiology and management of respiratory complications after repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.

This article reviews the cause and management of respiratory symptoms after repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). Postoperative respiratory symptoms developed in 31 (46%) of 68 patients and included apnea and bradycardia, respiratory arrest, aspiration, and recurrent pneumonia. The respiratory symptoms were initially attributed to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in 20 patients (64%), tracheomalacia in 4 patients (13%), recurrent TEF in 4 patients (13%), and anastomotic stricture in 3 patients (10%). Three patients with GER and the three patients with a stricture were initially managed nonoperatively. The remaining 25 patients underwent surgical correction of the underlying cause of the respiratory symptoms. Despite aggressive management of this problem, 14 (45%) of these 31 patients had persistent or recurrent respiratory symptoms. Although GER is the most common cause of respiratory complications in patients who have undergone prior TEF repair, other factors are often responsible for these symptoms and should not be overlooked.

Long-term management of respiratory symptoms in advanced cancer

Respiratory symptoms are a common cause of distress in patients with advanced cancer. Optimal palliative therapy requires careful assessment and the appropriate use of symptomatic measures in conjunction with specific antitumor treatments. The etiology and management of the three major respiratory symptoms, dyspnea, cough and hemoptysis, are described. The indications for antitumor treatments and surgical procedures are briefly outlined, and symptomatic treatments, including drug and nondrug measures, are discussed in detail.