Respiratory pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause severe pneumonia. Nonetheless, mechanically ventilated intensive care patients, who have a high risk of contracting pneumonia, rarely develop pneumococcal pneumonia. Mechanically ventilated patients are at risk of contracting pneumonia. Therefore, these patients often receive prophylactic systemic antimicrobial therapy. Intriguingly however, a previous study showed that antimicrobial activity in bronchoalveolar aspirates (here referred to as “sputa”) from ventilated patients was only partially explained by antibiotic therapy. Here we report that sputa from these patients presented distinct proteome signatures depending on the presence or absence of antimicrobial activity. Moreover, we show that the same distinction applied to antibodies against Streptococcus pneumoniae , which is a major causative agent of pneumonia. Specifically, the investigated sputa that inhibited growth of S. pneumoniae , while containing subinhibitory levels of the antibiotic cefotaxime, presented elevated levels of proteins implicated in innate immune defenses, including complement and apolipoprotein-associated proteins. In contrast, S. pneumoniae -inhibiting sputa with relatively high cefotaxime concentrations or noninhibiting sputa contained higher levels of proteins involved in inflammatory responses, such as neutrophil elastase-associated proteins. In an immunoproteomics analysis, 18 out of 55 S. pneumoniae antigens tested showed significantly increased levels of IgGs in inhibiting sputa. Hence, proteomics and immunoproteomics revealed elevated levels of antimicrobial host proteins or S. pneumoniae antigen-specific IgGs in pneumococcal growth-inhibiting sputa, thus explaining their anti-pneumococcal activity. IMPORTANCE Respiratory pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause severe pneumonia. Nonetheless, mechanically ventilated intensive care patients, who have a high risk of contracting pneumonia, rarely develop pneumococcal pneumonia. This suggests the presence of potentially protective antimicrobial agents in their lung environment. Our present study shows for the first time that bronchoalveolar aspirates, “sputa,” of ventilated patients in a Dutch intensive care unit were characterized by three distinct groups of proteome abundance signatures that can explain their anti-pneumococcal activity. Importantly, this anti-pneumococcal sputum activity was related either to elevated levels of antimicrobial host proteins or to antibiotics and S. pneumoniae -specific antibodies. Further, the sputum composition of some patients changed over time. Therefore, we conclude that our study may provide a novel tool to measure changes that are indicative of infection-related conditions in the lungs of mechanically ventilated patients.
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No clinical characteristics, particularly not sputum characteristics, can guide antibiotic prescription in patients with mild to severe COPD exacerbations
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Patients who are critically ill and receiving invasivemechanical ventilation are at increased risk for accumula-tion of secretions in the lower airways. Such accumula-tion of airway mucus can induce atelectasis and contributeto ventilator-associated pneumonia. Preventive airwaycare interventions, including humidification, endotrachealsuctioning, and pharmacologic interventions, are thereforefrequently initiated during invasive ventilation. However,evidence for the efficacy of these interventions is scarce,and the absence of guidelines enhances variation in indica-tions for their use. Currently, the choice and timing of interventions aremainly driven by clinical assessment of mucus viscosity based on a mucus classification scale or preference by thetreating physician. Alternatively, airway mucus proper-ties can be measured through rheology, a more objectiveparameter, which characterizes its biophysical properties(eg, viscoelasticity). Previously, studies reported that rhe-ology of airway secretions may help classify chronic muco-obstructive respiratory diseases and serve as a marker ofdisease progression. In this study, we tested the hypoth-esis that airway mucus viscoelastic properties, as measuredby rheology in patients who are critically ill and receivinginvasive mechanical ventilation, correlates with its clinicalmucus classification score.
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Background To improve the quality of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) the CR guideline from the Dutch Royal Society for Physiotherapists (KNGF) has been updated. This guideline can be considered an addition to the 2011 Dutch Multidisciplinary CR guideline, as it includes several novel topics. Methods A systematic literature search was performed to formulate conclusions on the efficacy of exercise-based interventions during all CR phases in patients with CHD. Evidence was graded (1–4) according the Dutch evidence-based guideline development (EBRO) criteria. In case of insufficient scientific evidence, recommendations were based on expert opinion. This guideline comprised a structured approach including assessment, treatment and evaluation. Results Recommendations for exercise-based CR were formulated covering the following topics: preoperative physiotherapy, mobilisation during the clinical phase, aerobic exercise, strength training, and relaxation therapy during the outpatient rehabilitation phase, and adoption and monitoring of a physically active lifestyle after outpatient rehabilitation. Conclusions There is strong evidence for the effectiveness of exercise-based CR during all phases of CR. The implementation of this guideline in clinical practice needs further evaluation as well as the maintenance of an active lifestyle after supervised rehabilitation. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinusjongert/
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BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients receiving invasive ventilation are at risk of sputum retention. Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) is a technique used to mobilise sputum and optimise airway clearance. Recently, interest has increased in the use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation for invasively ventilated critically ill adults, but evidence for the feasibility, safety and efficacy of this treatment is sparse. The aim of this scoping review is to map current and emerging evidence on the feasibility, safety and efficacy of MI-E for invasively ventilated adult patients with the aim of highlighting knowledge gaps and identifying areas for future research. Specific research questions aim to identify information informing indications and contraindications to the use of MI-E in the invasively ventilated adult, MI-E settings used, outcome measures reported within studies, adverse effects reported and perceived barriers and facilitators to using MI-E reported.METHODS: We will search electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL using the OVID platform, PROSPERO, The Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Two authors will independently screen citations, extract data and evaluate risk of bias using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Studies included will present original data and describe MI-E in invasively ventilated adult patients from 1990 onwards. Our exclusion criteria are studies in a paediatric population, editorial pieces or letters and animal or bench studies. Search results will be presented in a PRISMA study flow diagram. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarise quantitative data. For qualitative data relating to barriers and facilitators, we will use content analysis and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) as a conceptual framework. Additional tables and relevant figures will present data addressing our research questions.DISCUSSION: Our findings will enable us to map current and emerging evidence on the feasibility, safety and efficacy of MI-E for invasively ventilated critically ill adult patients. These data will provide description of how the technique is currently used, support healthcare professionals in their clinical decision making and highlight areas for future research in this important clinical area.
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In patients with COPD, self-management skills are important to reduce the impact of exacerbations. However, both detection and adequate response to exacerbations appear to be difficult for some patients. Little is known about the underlying process of exacerbation-related self-management. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify and explain the underlying process of exacerbation-related self-management behavior. A qualitative study using semi-structured in-depth interviews was performed according to the grounded theory approach, following a cyclic process in which data collection and data analysis alternated. Fifteen patients (male n=8; age range 59–88 years) with mild to very severe COPD were recruited from primary and secondary care settings in the Netherlands, in 2015.
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Background: Adequate self-management skills are of great importance for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to reduce the impact of COPD exacerbations. Using mobile health (mHealth) to support exacerbation-related self-management could be promising in engaging patients in their own health and changing health behaviors. However, there is limited knowledge on how to design mHealth interventions that are effective, meet the needs of end users, and are perceived as useful. By following an iterative user-centered design (UCD) process, an evidence-driven and usable mHealth intervention was developed to enhance exacerbation-related self-management in patients with COPD. Objective: This study aimed to describe in detail the full UCD and development process of an evidence-driven and usable mHealth intervention to enhance exacerbation-related self-management in patients with COPD. Methods: The UCD process consisted of four iterative phases: (1) background analysis and design conceptualization, (2) alpha usability testing, (3) iterative software development, and (4) field usability testing. Patients with COPD, health care providers, COPD experts, designers, software developers, and a behavioral scientist were involved throughout the design and development process. The intervention was developed using the behavior change wheel (BCW), a theoretically based approach for designing behavior change interventions, and logic modeling was used to map out the potential working mechanism of the intervention. Furthermore, the principles of design thinking were used for the creative design of the intervention. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used throughout the design and development process. Results: The background analysis and design conceptualization phase resulted in final guiding principles for the intervention, a logic model to underpin the working mechanism of the intervention, and design requirements. Usability requirements were obtained from the usability testing phases. The iterative software development resulted in an evidence-driven and usable mHealth intervention—Copilot, a mobile app consisting of a symptom-monitoring module, and a personalized COPD action plan. Conclusions: By following a UCD process, an mHealth intervention was developed that meets the needs and preferences of patients with COPD, is likely to be used by patients with COPD, and has a high potential to be effective in reducing exacerbation impact. This extensive report of the intervention development process contributes to more transparency in the development of complex interventions in health care and can be used by researchers and designers as guidance for the development of future mHealth interventions.
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Chest physical therapy (CPT) is a widely used intervention for patients with airway diseases. The main goal is to facilitate secretion transport and thereby decrease secretion retention in the airways. Historically, conventional CPT has consisted of a combination of forced expirations (directed cough or huff), postural drainage, percussion, and/or shaking. CPT improves mucus transport, but it is not entirely clear which groups of patients benefit from which CPT modalities. In general, the patients who benefit most from CPT are those with airways disease and objective signs of secretion retention (eg, persistent rhonchi or decreased breath sounds) or subjective signs of difficulty expectorating sputum, and with progression of disease that might be due to secretion retention (eg, recurrent exacerbations, infections, or a fast decline in pulmonary function). The most effective and important part of conventional CPT is directed cough. The other components of conventional CPT add little if any benefit and should not be used routinely. Alternative airway clearance modalities (eg, high-frequency chest wall compression, vibratory positive expiratory pressure, and exercise) are not proven to be more effective than conventional CPT and usually add little benefit to conventional CPT. Only if cough and huff are insufficiently effective should other CPT modalities be considered. The choice between the CPT alternatives mainly depends on patient preference and the individual patient's response to treatment.
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Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) is traditionally used in the neuromuscular population. There is growing interest of MI-E use in invasively ventilated critically ill adults. We aimed to map current evidence on MI-E use in invasively ventilated critically ill adults. Two authors independently searched electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL via the Ovid platform; PROSPERO; Cochrane Library; ISI Web of Science; and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform between January 1990–April 2021. Inclusion criteria were (1) adult critically ill invasively ventilated subjects, (2) use of MI-E, (3) study design with original data, and (4) published from 1990 onward. Data were extracted by 2 authors independently using a bespoke extraction form. We used Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool to appraise risk of bias. Theoretical Domains Framework was used to interpret qualitative data. Of 3,090 citations identified, 28 citations were taken forward for data extraction. Main indications for MI-E use during invasive ventilation were presence of secretions and mucus plugging (13/28, 46%). Perceived contraindications related to use of high levels of positive pressure (18/28, 68%). Protocolized MI-E settings with a pressure of ±40 cm H2O were most commonly used, with detail on timing, flow, and frequency of prescription infrequently reported. Various outcomes were re-intubation rate, wet sputum weight, and pulmonary mechanics. Only 3 studies reported the occurrence of adverse events. From qualitative data, the main barrier to MI-E use in this subject group was lack of knowledge and skills. We concluded that there is little consistency in how MI-E is used and reported, and therefore, recommendations about best practices are not possible.
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INLEIDING In deze module worden behandeladviezen gegeven voor de Post-COVID-19 ambulante behandeling in de geriatrische revalidatie gericht op somatische-, functionele- en psychische status. Deze module is een onderdeel van het behandeladvies post-COVID-19 (geriatrische) revalidatie-Verenso. Deze module is in een zeer korte tijd tot stand gekomen en heeft de status van groeidocument. Zorgvuldigheid is betracht om zowel de (beperkte) ervaringskennis, als de actuele stand van de wetenschappelijke literatuur hierin te betrekken. Voor dit behandeladvies is gebruik gemaakt van het door GRZPLUS ontwikkeld ambulant revalidatieprogramma CO FIT+. Bij GRZPLUS is een doorontwikkeling gemaakt op basis van de update behandeladvies post-COVID-19 geriatrische revalidatie van Verenso (Verenso, 19-05-2020) welke is gebaseerd op de principes van longrevalidatie zoals vertaald in het Behandelprogramma geriatrische COPD-revalidatie (van Damvan Isselt et al.) en het Behandelprogramma COVID-19 Post IC, van Revalidatiecentrum de Hoogstraat (Brouwers, de Graaf). Dit is aangevuld met behandeladviezen en leidraden vanuit de beroepsverenigingen en kennis uit wetenschappelijk onderzoek (long-revalidatie) en vanuit het REACH netwerk (REhabilitation After Critical illness and Hospital discharge). De komende maanden zullen zowel de nieuwe wetenschappelijke literatuur als de ervaringen uit de praktijk gebruikt worden om de handreiking te verbeteren en zo nodig aan te vullen. Dat zullen wij doen met specialisten ouderengeneeskunde, revalidatieartsen, klinisch-geriaters, paramedici, longartsen, verpleegkundigen, infectie deskundigen, en andere betrokken beroepsgroepen. De revalidatie van ambulante post-COVID-19 patiënten vereist vooral afstemming binnen de multidisciplinaire zorg. De complexiteit en ernst van de problematiek en de interactie van beperkingen op diverse domeinen maakt dat interdisciplinaire behandeling essentieel is.
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