The aims of this review were to determine the level of evidence for exercise training in the management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and provide evidence-based recommendations on exercise training. This review was performed in PubMed and Cochrane Library. Included studies investigated patients with COPD who had been randomised to exercise training or no training. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
This Future Hospital Programme case study from The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust outlines the benefits of having a consultant- led service for respiratory medicine.
Commentary on:
França-Pinto A, Mendes FAR, de Carvalho-Pinto RM, et al. Aerobic training decreases bronchial hyper-responsiveness and systemic inflammation in patients with moderate or severe asthma: a randomised controlled trial. Thorax 2015;70:732–9.
Context
Exercise is a well-known trigger for asthma symptoms. In patients with asthma, strenuous physical activity increases the risk of an asthma attack, with a ‘U’-shaped curve showing that moderate exercise training carries a lower risk of asthma compared to high-intensity exercise training. Lack of physical activity appears to be independently associated with increased bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR).1 These observations are confirmed by a growing number of murine studies, but reviews examining the epidemiological evidence for such associations in humans show that the overall evidence on exercise and asthma is, at best, … To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
Commentary on:
Varraso R, Chiuve SE, Fung TT, et al. Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among US women and men: prospective study. BMJ 2015;350:h286.
Context
Cigarette smoking has been identified as the major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); nevertheless, many patients with COPD have never smoked, which suggests the involvement of other modifiable risk factors such as diet. While some studies have revealed an inverse relationship between a prudent dietary pattern and COPD risk and a direct association between a Western dietary pattern and COPD risk in both men1 and women,2 the role of overall dietary quality as reflected by the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010, a measure of overall diet quality) and COPD risk remains unknown. This study examines the association between AHEI-2010 and COPD risk among US men and women. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
Objectives To investigate patient characteristics of an unselected primary care population associated with risk of first hospital admission and readmission for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Open Access Article
To identify factors that may serve as facilitators and barriers to self-management described by adults living with chronic illness by conducting a qualitative metasynthesis. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - request a copy of the article from the library - www.sssft.nhs.uk/library
Persons who have had bronchiolitis in early childhood have an increased risk of asthma at the age of 28-31 years and a weaker health-related quality of life than their peers. In lung function tests, they also demonstrate changes indicative of irreversible airway obstruction, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland. Bronchiolitis and pneumonia are common lower respiratory tract infections in early childhood. During their first year, around 30% of children have bronchiolitis, leading to hospitalisation in one to 3%. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
The hypertension profiles show each local authority how well it is doing in detecting and treating high blood pressure by comparing its performance with that of similar authorities and with the rest of England.
Timothy Ellam and colleagues argue for a focus on what diagnosis means for individual patients rather than population risks. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
The Rapid Elderly Assessment Care Team (REACT) was established in May 2013 to offer this ‘hospital at home’ service. The team includes medics, community nurse practitioners, pharmacy and allied health professionals offering rapid access to comprehensive assessment within a homely setting. Referrals can be accepted from the community or as part of our supported discharge pathway. For example, community nurse practitioners have extended clinical examination skills and are able to provide interventions such as IV antibiotics in patients own homes. REACT also offers rapid access to AHP support and rehabilitation, critical to the testing and development of our supported discharge work shortening length of stay within hospital.
An exciting new mobile app has been launched to help patients manage long term health conditions.
The free app, called Manage Your Health, is available on IOS and Android devices, and is the brainchild of the West Midlands Academic Health Science Network (WMAHSN) , Stoke on Trent CCG and Keele University with clinical support from the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Using computer generated characters, interactive quizzes and information resources; the app updates with content designed to help patients with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and diabetes with additional conditions to follow.
Objectives This study aimed to understand the influences and decisions of households with children with asthma regarding keeping warm and well at home in winter.
Conclusions The findings illustrate how and why a child with asthma may be at risk of a cold home. A ‘trade-off model’ has been developed as an output of the research to explain the competing demands on families. Messages emerge about the importance of tailored advice and information to families vulnerable to cold-related harm. Open Access Article
Increasingly there is a focus on self-care strategies for both malignant and non-malignant conditions. Models of self-care interventions have focussed on the individual and less on the broader context of family and society. In many societies, decision-making and health seeking behaviours, involve family members. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - request a copy of the article from the library - www.sssft.nhs.uk/library
Objective Increased physical activity (PA) may be beneficial for children with asthma. Knowledge about how to intervene and encourage children with asthma to be physically active is required. In the present study, we aimed to pilot a 6-week exercise intervention designed as active play and examine attendance rate, exercise intensity and children's perceptions of participating. Open Access Article
'Self-management support is when health professionals, teams and services (both within and beyond the NHS) work in ways that ensure that people with long-term conditions have the knowledge, skills, confidence and support they need to manage their condition(s) effectively in the context of their everyday life. A system of effective self-management support requires changes at every level from how and what services are commissioned, to how health professionals and people with long term conditions work together in a consultation, to how people are supported in between appointments.'
This paper explores how the House of Care, a coordinated approach to personalised care and support planning, can transform the health and care of people with long-term conditions (LTCs).
It contains case studies of evolving practice in Leeds and Somerset and seeks to understand how two whole health economies – individuals, communities, health and social care services and others – are working to manage the rise in the number of people with multiple LTCs and enhance their care experiences.
European and North American blood pressure guidelines, issued last year, may not be appropriate for patients from some Asian populations, particularly elderly patients, an expert opinion published online in the journal Heart Asia has said. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens