Original Article

Regional Differences in Hospitalizations among Patients Admitted with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective: Extreme temperatures negatively impact pulmonary function. This study explored whether the variability in ambient temperatures across disparate geographic regions in the United States was associated with differences in hospital outcomes for patients admitted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Using the 2016–2019 National Inpatient Sample database, we compared…

“Writing Therapy – Work Life Balance for Clinicians” — Southern Medicine Podcast is Now Available

In this episode of Writing Therapy, SMA Education Committee Vice Chair Dr. Richard Leggett sits down with Dr. Carey Robinson, a retired ophthalmologist whose creative journey has taken him well beyond the exam room.

“POCUS at the Bedside: Rapidly Differentiating CHF from COPD Exacerbations” — Southern Medicine Podcast is Now Available

In this episode, Dr. Tatiana Havryliuk and Randy Glick examine how POCUS can help primary care providers differentiate between CHF and COPD exacerbations in real-time.

POCUS in Primary Care: A Game-Changer for Differentiating CHF from COPD Exacerbations

Distinguishing between CHF and COPD exacerbations can be challenging in the primary care setting, as both conditions present with similar symptoms: dyspnea and wheezing. Traditional diagnostic tools may not always be readily available or conclusive. POCUS has emerged as a highly sensitive and cost-effective tool to aid in this differentiation.

Original Article

Role of Socioeconomic Factors on Physical and Mental Distress Reported by Alabama Adults with COPD

Objectives: Educational attainment, income, and race play significant roles in managing and treating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of these socioeconomic factors and others on the physical and mental distress reported by patients with COPD living in Alabama….

Original Article

CME Article: Clinical Outcomes of Noninvasive Ventilation in Asthma, Bronchiectasis, and Other COPD

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) appears to be associated with a significant decrease in frequency of exacerbation, hospital admissions, and mortality in patients with COPD. In this study, we sought to determine clinical outcomes, prevalence,…

Original Article

CME Article: Use of e-Cigarettes and Development of Respiratory Conditions in Women of Childbearing Age

Objective: Women of childbearing age are encouraged not to smoke because of well-documented adverse health outcomes. This study examines the association between e-cigarette use and respiratory conditions (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) among women of childbearing age. Methods: The study used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance…

Case Report

Not Your Typical Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation: Aspergillus Tracheobronchitis in a Nonclassical Immunocompromised Host

he present study reports on a 72-year-old female initially treated as a presumed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, but she was ultimately discovered to have Aspergillus tracheobronchitis. Bronchoscopic findings were characteristic, revealing diffuse plaque-like inflammatory lesions extending from midtrachea into the mainstem bronchi. Evidence suggests that the rise in…

Original Article

Obesity and Mortality in Persons with Obstructive Lung Disease Using Data from the NHANES III

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between obesity and all-cause mortality among participants with obstructive lung disease in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Methods: Public data from a retrospective cohort of the 33,994 participants in NHANES III was analyzed to determine…

CME Topic

Clinical Definition of COPD Exacerbations and Classification of Their Severity

Abstract:A standardized definition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation still represents an unmet need in respiratory medicine; definitions currently rely on clinical empiricism with little evidence-based scientific support. Exacerbations of COPD are certainly clear events in the mind of practicing physicians. However, when one tries to provide simple concepts…