Objective To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of omalizumab in treating allergic bronchial asthma. Methods The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about omalizumab in treating allergic bronchial asthma were searched in databases such as MEDILINE, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data from inception to April 2013. The references of included studies and relevant conference proceedings were also retrieved manually. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the quality, and then RevMan 5.1 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 13 RCTs involving 4 195 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: a) Compared with the control group, the trial group revealed lower acute exacerbation of asthma during treatment (RR=0.71, 95%CI 0.65 to 0.77, Plt;0.000 01), and higher rate of patients achieved best/better results in Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness (GETE) (RR=1.61, 95%CI 1.32 to 1.97, Plt;0.000 01). More patients could reduce the inhaled cortisteroid (ICS) by 50% during both treatment (RR=1.40, 95%CI 1.29 to 1.52) and 24-week follow-up period (RR=1.69, 95%CI 1.41 to 2.03). And it also increased the ratio of patients whose Asthma Quality Of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) score got improved by 0.5 and 1.5 socres. b) There were no significant differences in the incidence of overall adverse events (RR=1.01, 95%CI 0.98 to 1.04) and severe adverse events (RR=0.94, 95CI 0.68 to 1.28). c) There might be the effects of omalzumab in improving lung function and reducing rescue medication use, but they were not obviously observed in the studies. Conclusion In the treatment of asthma, omalizumab can decrease the acute exacerbation of asthma and ICS use, and it is safer to improve the therapeutic effects and quality of life.
Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect, safty and tolerance of Gankeshuangqing Capsule in the treatment of patients suffering from wind-heat syndrome (acute upper respiratory infection or acute bronchitis). Methods The clinical trials were designed multicentered, double blind, double dummy, randomized and parallel positive drug controlled. A total of 289 patients participated in the trials. Those who suffered from acute upper respiratory infection were given throat virus-detection to make a definite diagnosis of the origins of disease. Results Among the 40 patients who were diagnosed with virus infection, 81.82% in Gankeshuangqing group were healed, but only 50.00% in control group, and significant differences were observed between the two groups (Plt;0.05). At the end of the third day of treatment, the rates of cure and excellence in patients suffering from acute upper respiratory infection were 80.00% in Gankeshuangqing group, and 68.57% in control group, and both groups showed good therapeutic effect，but there was no significant difference between the two groups (Pgt;0.05). At the end of the seventh day of treatment, the rates of cure and excellence in patients suffering from acute bronchitis were 82.35% in Gankeshuangqing group, and 63.77% in control group, and both groups showed good therapeutic effect, and there were significant differences between the two groups (Plt;0.05)；only one patient in Gankeshuangqing group had constipation during the treatment, but there was no evidence showing that it is caused by Gankeshuangqing. Conclusion The results show that Gankeshuangqing Capsule has a definite effect on wind-heat syndrome (acute upper respiratory infection or acute bronchitis) with good safety.
Objective To evaluate the safety and diagnostic yield of transbronchial lung biopsy ( TBLB) performed in mechanically ventilated patients. Methods TBLB was performed in 19 mechanically ventilated patients form January 2001 to September 2007 in the ICU of Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases. The results of clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 19 patients were analyzed[ 9 female, 10 male, with amean age of ( 57. 94 ±15. 00) years] . Specific diagnoses were made in 9 cases ( 47. 4% ) by TBLB. The diseases included pulmonary aspergillus pneumonia in 4 cases ( 21. 0% ) ,lung cancer in 2 cases ( 10. 5% ) , radioactive pneumonia in 1 case( 5. 3% ) , Goodpasture’s syndrome in1case( 5. 3% ) , pulmonary tuberculosis in 1 case ( 5. 3% ) . Ten cases ( 52. 6% ) were not able to establish confirmed diagnoses including pulmonary interstitial fibrosis in 6 cases( 31. 6% ) and lung tissue nonspecific changes in 4 cases( 21. 0% ) . The treatment was adjusted according to the results of TBLB in 10 patients( 52. 6% ) . Complications associated with this procedure included episodes of bronchial hemorrhage of ≥30 mL in 4 cases ( 21. 0% ) , transient oxygen desaturation in 11 cases ( 57. 9% ) , hypotension in 5 cases ( 26. 3% ) , and transient tachycardia in 1 case ( 5. 3% ) without death and pneumothorax. Conclusions TBLB can be performed safely and has a diagnostic value in mechanically ventilated patients. TBLB should be considered as a diagnostic procedure before open lung biopsy.
Objective To investigate the effects of methylprednisolone on airway inflammation of chronic bronchitis in rats, and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, ie. a blank control group, amethylprednisolone control group, a model group, and two methylprednisolone intervention groups. Chronic bronchitis model was established by cigarette inhalation in the model group and two intervention groups. Methylprednisolone was injected intraperitoneally in the two intervention groups before exposing to cigarette smog ( at the dose of 1 mg/ kg and 10 mg/ kg, qd,respectively) . The protein expression of phosphodiesterase 4D ( PDE4D ) in trachea and lung samples was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The average optical density of positive staining of PDE4D was determined by image analysis technique and gray scale scanning. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) was collected for total and differential cell counts, and the concentrations of TNF-αand interleukin-8 ( IL-8) in BALF were detected by ELISA. Results Cigarette smoking induced obvious airway inflammation in themodel group, and the inflammation was alleviated in the two methylprednisolone intervention groups.Compared with the two control groups, the expression of PDE4D was obviously elevated in tracheal and lungs in the model group( P lt; 0. 05) . Moreover, the increased expression of PDE4D was positively related with theincreased release of TNF-αand IL-8 in BALF. The expression of PDE4D and the release of TNF-αand IL-8 in BALF were decreased after the treatment with methylprednisolone in a dose-dependent manner ( P lt;0. 05) . Compare with the low dose intervention group, there was no markedly difference related to PMNnumber and TNF-α release in the high dose intervention group ( P gt; 0.05) . Conclusions Methylprednisolone may alleviate airway inflammation of chronic bronchitis by inhibiting the expression of PDE4D in rats. Inhibition of PDE4D may down-regulate TNF-αactivity, which may further reduce IL-8 release and alleviate airway inflammation.
Objective To determine the airway wall thickness at the segmental and subsegmental levels in patients with bronchial asthma and eosinophilic bronchitis ( EB) by high resolution CT scanning,and evaluate its relationship with airway hyperresponsiveness. Methods High resolution CT scanning was performed in 14 subjects with asthma,15 subjects with EB, 15 subjects with cough variant asthma ( CVA) ,and 14 healthy volunteers. Total airway and lumen diameter, total airway cross sectional area and lumen area which corrected by body surface area ( BSA) were measured. The percentage of airway wall area to total airway cross sectional area ( WA% ) and wall thickness to airway diameter ratio ( T/D) were calculated for the right upper lobe apical segmental bronchus ( RB1) and all airways clearly visualized with a transverse diameter of 1-6 mm. Results T/D/BSA and WA% in the asthma patients were all significantly higher than those in the subjects with EB, CVA and healthy volunteers. T/D/BSA and WA% in the EB patients were significantly higher than the healthy volunteers, and similar with the CVA patients. Al /BSA in the patientswith asthma and CVA was less than the subjects with EB and the healthy volunteers. However, Al /BSA in the EB patients was similar with the healthy volunteers. Conclusions The airway wall thickness and remodeling can be measured and assessed by high resolution CT. Airway wall thickness and remodeling inEB patients are milder than asthma patients, which may be associated with airway hyperresponsiveness that presents in asthma but not in EB.
Objective To evaluate the application value of spiral CT virtual endoscopy and three dimensional imaging in fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon dilation in patients with benign tracheobronchial stenosis. Methods Thirty-three cases of benign tracheobronchial stenosis from June 2004 to November 2008 were checked by spiral CT with airway tracheobronchial reconstruction. For the patients with indications, balloon dilatation was performed under fiberoptic bronchoscope. The three-dimensional reconstruction images were compared with the findings under bronchoscopy. And the preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional reconstruction images were compared for airway diameter. Results Three cases were found stenosis of middle lobe by CT virtual endoscopy and did not undergo balloon dilatation. The remaining 30 cases were confirmed by bronchoscopy findings similar to the images by tracheobronchial reconstruction with CT, with consistent rate of 100% . Immediate postoperative three-dimensional CTreconstruction of tracheal bronchus revealed that diameter of stenotic bronchus increased from ( 2. 7 ±1. 3) mm to ( 6. 9 ±1. 6) mmafter operation. Conclusion Multislice spiral CT virtual endoscopy is helpful in fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon dilation in patients with benign tracheobronchial stenosis and postoperative follow-up.
Objective To compare the value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide ( FENO) measurement and leukotriene D4 bronchial provocation test ( LTD4-BPT) in diagnosis and evaluation of asthma. Methods 20 uncontrolled,22 partially controlled, 20 controlled asthmatics, and 21 normal subjects were enrolled in the study. Measurement of FENO was performed followed by LTD4-BPT. The distribution characteristics and relationship of both results were analyzed, and the diagnostic value was compared using receiver operation characteristic ( ROC) curve.Results FENO was above 25. 0ppb in 80. 7% of the asthmatics. The proportion of asthmatics with FENO between 26.0ppb and 49.0ppb was larger in the uncontrolled and partially controlled subjects than that in the controlled subjects. Both the median and interquartile range of cumulative dosage ( PD20FEV1-LTD4) were much higher in the controlled asthmatics as compared with the uncontrolled and partially controlled asthmatics. The area under the ROC curve ( AUC) for PD20FEV1-LTD4 [ AUC: 0.914, 95% CI: ( 0.855, 0.974) ] was larger than that of FENO [ AUC: 0.820, 95% CI: ( 0.718, 0.921) ] . Higher sensitivity ( 0.8570 vs. 0.8065) and specificity ( 0.9048 vs. 0.7619) were in favor of PD20 FEV1 -LTD4 ≤ 4.800 nmol as compared with FENO ≥ 26.0ppb being the positive threshold. Conclusion Compared with FENO measurement, LTD4-BPT has higher sensitivity and specificity and is of higher diagnostic value for asthma.
Objective To investigate the role of transbronchial lung biopsy ( TBLB) in the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia ( IIP) . Methods Clinical data of IIP patients admitted to Peking University First Hospital from January 2005 to April 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. The pathologic manifestations of TBLB samples of these patients had been reviewed by pathologists and respirologists. Chest high-resolution computer tomography ( HRCT) of the patients had been reviewed, and subsequent follow-ups were performed. The influence factors on diagnosis value of TBLB were analyzed. The relationship between TBLB findings and prognosis were observed. Results 29 IIP patients had been investigated, among them 21 were male and 8 were female, ranging in age from 43 to 79 years, with an average of 63 ±10 years.16 TBLB samples had diagnostic value, among themthe total number of the samples was from 2 to 7, with an average of 4.2 ±1.8. 13 TBLB samples had no diagnostic value, among them the total number of the samples was from0 to 5, with an average of 2.1 ±1.6. There was significant differences between two groups( P lt;0.005) . Among the 16 cases with diagnostic value of TBLB, non-specific interstitial pneumonia ( NSIP) pattern was showed in 9 cases, usual interstitial pneumonia ( UIP) pattern in 6 cases and organizing pneumonia ( OP) in 1 case. Among 29 cases, UIP-like pattern was showed on HRCT in 14 cases, while non-UIP pattern showed on HRCT in 15 cases. On follow-up of the 16 patients, 1 patient aggravated and 5 patients died among 6 cases with UIP pattern, 8 patients got better and 1 patient died among 9 cases with NSIP pattern, and the patient with OP got better. The patients who show non-UIP pattern in TBLB survived longer than UIP pattern with significant difference between two groups ( P lt; 0.005) . Conclusions The diagnosis value of TBLB is bly related to the number of samples and the patterns of HRCT. When the number of samples is more than or equal to 3, the diagnosis value of TBLB is better. It is easier to get valuable TBLB samples in patients with non-UIP pattern on HRCT than that with UIP pattern. The patients with non-UIP pattern in TBLB have better prognosis than those with UIP pattern. TBLB is useful in diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of IIP.
Abstract： Objective To summarize the technical characteristics and experience on the surgical treatment of esophagobrochial fistula induced by esophageal carcinoma and explore the safe and effective operation procedures. Methods This report retrospective1y summarized 12 cases of esophagobronchial fistula induced by esophageal cancer between January 2007 and November 2010 in Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University. There were 9 male patients and 3 female patients with their mean age of 51.24 years (ranging from 37 to 62 years). Four types of surgical procedures were performed to patients according to their respective conditions: (1) Esophagectomy ＋“tunnel”esophagogastrostomy ＋ pulmonary lobectomy (2 patients)； (2) Esophagectomy ＋ stapled esophagogastrostomy ＋ pulmonary lobectomy (5 patients)； (3) Esophagectomy ＋ colon interposition for esophagus ＋ pulmonary lobectomy (4 patients)； (4) Esophagectomy ＋ esophagogastrostomy ＋ left pneumonectomy (1 patient). Results Among those 12 cases presenting to our hospital, 2 patients died during the postoperative period and the overall morality was 16.67%(2/12). One patient died of acute congestive heart failure on the 4th postoperative day after esophagectomy, “tunnel”esophagogastrostomy and left lower lobectomy of the lung for esophageal carcinoma directly invading the left lower bronchus, and another patient died of severe infection and renal failure on the 11th postoperative day after esophagectomy, stapled esophagogastrostomy and left upper lobectomy of the lung for esophageal carcinoma directly invading the left upper bronchus. Four patients developed mild empyema and 1 patienthad bronchial fistula after surgery, who finally recovered and were discharged after treatment of antibiotics and drainage. The postoperative morbidity was 41.67%（5/12）. All surviving patients were followed up from 1 month to 3 years. During follow-up, there was one death, and the other patients were alive without any clinical events. Conclusion Individualized surgical procedure is a safe and effective therapeutic choice for patients with esophagobronchial fistula induced by esophageal carcinoma.
ObjectiveTo investigate clinical characteristics and surgical treatment of patients with non-malignant esophageal-tracheal/bronchial fistula.?Methods?We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 12 patients with non-malignant esophageal-tracheal/bronchial fistula who underwent surgical repair in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2002 to October 2011. There were 6 males and 6 females with a mean age of 49.8 years (ranging from 32 to 72 years). There were 7 patients with esophagotracheal fistula，1 patient with esophagobronchial fistula，2 patients with gastro-bronchial fistula after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer，and 2 patients with esophageal diverticulum bronchial fistula. Nine patients underwent surgical repair via right thoracotomy approach，and 3 patients via left thoracotomy approach. Seven patients underwent esophageal fistula and tracheal fistula repair，1 patient underwent esophageal fistula and bronchial fistula repair，2 patients underwent gastric fistula and bronchial fistula repair，1 patient underwent esophagectomy, gastroesophageal anastomosis and left lower lobectomy, and 1 patient underwent esophageal diverticulum repair and left lower lobectomy.?Results?All the patients recovered well from surgery with no perioperative complication or in-hospital death，and resumed oral intake 7-10 days after surgery. Three months to 1 year postoperatively, regular examinations including upper gastroenterography and fibrobronchoscopy found no sign of tracheal/bronchial stenosis or esophageal stenosis，and no patients needed stent implantation or dilatation treatment. All the patients were followed up from 3 months to 10 years and had a good quality of life during follow-up.?Conclusion?Excluding malignant etiology and determining the exact fistula location are key points of clinical diagnosis for esophageal-tracheal/bronchial fistula. Adequate preoperative nutritional support and 1-stage surgical repair can lead to satisfactory clinical outcomes.