[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as frequent secondary diagnosis at medical department]. / Kronisk obstruktiv lungesygdom er hyppig som bidiagnose i en medicinsk afdeling.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often suffer from comorbidities. This study evaluates the need for hospitalization due to comorbidity in COPD patients and the diagnoses these patients have, and it investigates whether COPD comorbidity prolongs the hospital stay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study performed at a department of internal medicine. A total of 66 of the 101 possible participants were included. They performed a spirometry and filled-in a questionnaire. Furthermore, patients' case records were studied for evaluation of final diagnoses and length of stay. RESULTS: 39% (26/66) suffered from COPD. 54% (14/26) were diagnosed at our examination. 35% had moderate COPD, 26% severe COPD and 19% very severe COPD. 43% (6/14) of the patients with no former knowledge of their COPD had severe or very severe COPD. The COPD patients had accumulated significantly more pack years (p < 0.005) and there were significantly more smokers (p = 0.05) among them compared with patients with no COPD. 38% (10/26) had several concurrent chronic diseases. The admission period was not significantly longer for patients with COPD than for those with no COPD (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: The need for hospitalization due to comorbidity in COPD patients significantly exceeded the 20% expected to suffer from COPD in comparative age-groups of the general Danish population (p < 0.05).

[Can anaerobic culture of throat swabs prevent Lemierre's syndrome?]. / Kan anaerob dyrkning af svaelgpodning forhindre Lemierres syndrom?

Six cases of Lemierre's syndrome were reported from 2004 to 2007 at Viborg Hospital, corresponding to 33 cases per year in Denmark. All six patients were healthy younger persons presenting with a suspected bacterial tonsillitis which had been found strep A antigen negative. Fusobacterium necrophorum was found in throat swabs by anaerobic culture on selective media and/or by real-time PCR. We recommend that all patients 10 to 40 years of age with strep A antigentest negative bacterial tonsillitis have throat swabs anaerobically cultured on selective media. We believe early identification and therapy may prevent progression to Lemierre's syndrome.