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Objectives: To compare gender differences in the clinical expression of COPD patients attending a pulmonary clinic. Materials and methods: We compared 53 [FEV.sub.1]-matched men and women with COPD attending a [...]

Study objectives: The potential benefits of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) for patients with COPD remains inconclusive, as most studies have included only a small number of patients. We therefore [...]

Study objectives: To determine the 1-year efficacy of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) added to long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in patients with stable severe COPD. Patient selection and methods: We [...]

Despite the existing evidence-based smoking cessation interventions, chances of achieving that goal in real life are still low among patients with COPD. We sought to evaluate the clinical consequences of changes in smoking habits in a large cohort of patients with COPD.

The COPD-Lung Cancer Screening Score (COPD-LUCSS) is a tool designed to help identify patients with COPD with the highest risk of developing lung cancer (LC). The COPD-LUCSS includes the determination of radiological emphysema, a potential limitation for its implementation in clinical practice. The diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is a surrogate marker of emphysema and correlates well with CT-determined emphysema.

Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) has been recently described by international guidelines. A stepwise approach to diagnosis using usual features of both diseases is recommended although its clinical application is difficult.

The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) have been interchangeably proposed by GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) for assessing symptoms in patients with COPD. However, there are no data on the prognostic value of these tools in terms of mortality. We endeavored to evaluate the prognostic value of the CAT and CCQ scores and compare them with mMRC dyspnea.

There is no universal consensus on the best staging system for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although documents (eg, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] 2007) have traditionally used forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) for staging, clinical parameters have been added to some guidelines (eg, GOLD 2011) to improve patient management. As part of the COPD Cohorts Collaborative International Assessment (3CIA) initiative, we aimed to investigate how individual patients were categorised by GOLD 2007 and 2011, and compare the prognostic accuracy of the staging documents for mortality.

The new Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) update includes airflow limitation, history of COPD exacerbations, and symptoms to classify and grade COPD severity. We aimed to determine their distribution in 11 well-defined COPD cohorts and their prognostic validity up to 10 years to predict time to death.

The distance walked in the 6-min walk test (6MWT) predicts mortality in patients with severe COPD. Little is known about its prognostic value in patients with a wider range of COPD severity, living in different countries, and the potential additional impact of oxygen desaturation measured during the test.

Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are increased in patients with COPD and correlate modestly with variables predictive of outcomes. In epidemiologic studies, CRP level is associated with all-cause mortality in patients with mild-to-moderate disease.

The Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) does not promote diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (Dlco) values in the evaluation of COPD. In GOLD spirometric stage I COPD patients, the clinical and prognostic impact of a low Dlcohas not been explored.

The value of the single breath diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) relates to outcomes in COPD patients. However, little is known about the natural course of DLco over time, the intersubject variability and the factors that may influence DLco progression.

A 22-year-old man with a history of repeated whole blood transfusions since the age of 7, was admitted to the hospital for dyspnea and blood-stained sputum. A complete blood cell count, a test for reticulin antibodies, an x-ray film of the chest, a transbronchial biopsy and a biopsy of the small bowel were performed and the results confirmed the diagnosis of IPH, associated with CD. The patient has been asymptomatic for four years on a gluten-free diet. In cases of IPH, it may be important to investigate the coexistence of CD because treatment of the latter could lead to a better prognosis.

To the Editor.—Liu et al1 reported recently in the Archives a series of seven patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess associated with septic endophthalmitis, a condition not previously reported. We have seen a patient who is, to our knowledge, the first one with K pneumoniae liver abscess associated with septic endophthalmitis in the Western world.Report of a Case.—We have seen a 55-year-old patient with no medical history, presenting with a 2-week history of fever and loss of vision in the left eye. Results of a physical examination showed an acutely ill person with a temperature of 39°C. Results of the ophthalmologic examination showed left eyelid ptosis and inflammation, corneal edema, severe chemosis, and secondary glaucoma. The rest of the physical examination was negative. Chest roentgenogram was normal. Results of laboratory studies disclosed a white blood cell count of 7.8×109/L with 0.16 band cells. Biochemistry studies