Severe Respiratory Failure Due to Pulmonary BCGosis in a Patient Treated for Superficial Bladder Cancer.

Intra-vesical instillations with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) are the established adjuvant therapy for superficial bladder cancer. Although generally safe and well tolerated, they may cause a range of different, local, and systemic complications. We present a patient treated with BCG instillations for three years, who was admitted to our hospital due to fever, hemoptysis, pleuritic chest pain and progressive dyspnea. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed massive bilateral ground glass opacities, partly consolidated, localized in the middle and lower parts of the lungs, bronchial walls thickening, and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 as well as sputum, blood, and urine for general bacteriology-were negative. Initial empiric antibiotic therapy was ineffective and respiratory failure progressed. After a few weeks, a culture of M. tuberculosis complex was obtained from the patient's specimens; the cultured strain was identified as Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Anti-tuberculous treatment with rifampin (RMP), isoniazid (INH) and ethambutol (EMB) was implemented together with systemic corticosteroids, resulting in the quick improvement of the patient's clinical condition. Due to hepatotoxicity and finally reported resistance of the BCG strain to INH, levofloxacin was used instead of INH with good tolerance. Follow-up CT scans showed partial resolution of the pulmonary infiltrates. BCG infection in the lungs must be taken into consideration in every patient treated with intra-vesical BCG instillations and symptoms of protracted infection.

Anemia Severely Reduces Health-Related Quality of Life in COPD Patients Receiving Long-Term Home Non-Invasive Ventilation.

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of anemia on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in COPD patients receiving long-term non-invasive ventilation (NIV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective single-center cohort study, COPD patients on long-term NIV were analyzed between June 2015 and May 2020. Linear multiple regression analyses were performed using the results of the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire (SRI) along with the following variables: sex, age, body mass index, duration of NIV, exacerbation history (≤1 versus >1 in the previous year), the updated Charlson comorbidity index, hemoglobin levels and anemia (WHO criteria). RESULTS: Anemia was identified in 32.8% (N=128). Anemia (mean difference -8.4, 95% CI -2.0/-14.9 SRI points, P=0.011) and exacerbations (mean difference -9.9, 95% CI -4.3/-15.5 SRI points, P=0.001) each had a negative impact on SRI summary scores. Exacerbations were negatively associated with six out of seven SRI subscale scores, while anemia was negatively associated with four out of seven. SRI summary scores dropped by 1.5 points for every g/dl of hemoglobin (P=0.08). No other variables had an influence on the SRI scores. CONCLUSION: The present study has shown that within a cohort of COPD patients undergoing long-term NIV, one-third were identified as anemic. Furthermore, anemia, like exacerbation history, was found to have a considerable negative impact on HRQL that is specific to patients with chronic respiratory failure. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Registry (DRKS00008759).

Caracterización clínico epidemiológica de lactantes con bronquiolitis aguda grave / Clinical epidemiological characterization of infants with severe acute bronchiolitis / Caracterização epidemiológica clínica de lactentes com bronquiolite aguda grave

RESUMEN La bronquiolitis se considera como el primer episodio agudo de sibilancias en el contexto de un cuadro respiratorio de origen viral que afecta a niños menores de 24 meses que se acompaña de dificultad respiratoria de diversos grados. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo caracterizar a los pacientes con bronquiolitis aguda grave en la unidad de cuidados intensivos del Hospital Pediátrico Provincial Hermanos Cordové durante el periodo enero del 2014 a diciembre del 2018. Para lograr el objetivo planteado se realizó un estudio retrospectivo observacional descriptivo transversal con fases analíticas. El universo estuvo constituido por 72 pacientes, recolectando la información a partir de las historias clínicas y registro de control hospitalario. Se procesó la información utilizándose medidas expresadas en números absolutos, desviación estándar, media aritmética, porcentajes y tasas. Se demostró que la edad de aparición de la bronquiolitis aguda grave se presenta en menores de 6 meses de edad, resultando la estadía predominante de más de 48 horas. Se relaciona directamente la enfermedad con factores de riesgo como la no lactancia materna exclusiva y la malnutrición proteico-energética, requiriendo estos pacientes, al ingreso, oxígeno suplementario y aspiración de secreciones como terapéutica fundamental. Se presentaron complicaciones frecuentes como la neumonía e insuficiencia respiratoria aguda. Podemos concluir diciendo que se necesitan políticas bien definidas y protocolos de actuación actualizados para el manejo integral del lactante con bronquiolitis aguda grave, evitando así la aparición de complicaciones que pudieran llevar a la muerte del paciente.

ABSTRACT Bronchiolitis is considered to be the first acute episode of wheezing in the context of a respiratory picture of viral origin that affects children younger than 24 months accompanied by respiratory distress of various degrees. This study aims to characterize patients with severe acute bronchiolitis in the intensive care unit of the Hermanos Cordové Provincial Pediatric Hospital during the period from January 2014 to December 2018. To achieve the stated objective, a retrospective observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with analytical phases. The universe consisted of 72 patients, collecting the information from the medical records and the hospital control registry. The information was processed using measures expressed in absolute numbers, standard deviation, arithmetic mean, percentages and rates. It was demonstrated that the age of onset of severe acute bronchiolitis occurs in children under 6 months of age, resulting in the predominant stay of more than 48 hours. The disease is directly related to risk factors such as exclusive non-breastfeeding and protein-energy malnutrition, requiring these patients, upon admission, supplemental oxygen and secretion aspiration as fundamental therapy. Frequent complications such as pneumonia and acute respiratory failure occurred. We can conclude by saying that well-defined policies and updated action protocols are needed for the comprehensive management of the infant with severe acute bronchiolitis, thus avoiding the appearance of complications that could lead to the death of the patient.

RESUMO A bronquiolite é considerada o primeiro episódio agudo de sibilância no contexto de um quadro respiratório de origem viral que afeta crianças menores de 24 meses acompanhadas de dificuldade respiratória de vários graus. Este estudo tem como objetivo caracterizar pacientes com bronquiolite aguda grave na unidade de terapia intensiva do Hospital Pediátrico Provincial de Hermanos Cordové, no período de janeiro de 2014 a dezembro de 2018. Para atingir o objetivo declarado, foi realizado um estudo transversal observacional descritivo retrospectivo com fases analíticas. O universo foi constituído por 72 pacientes, coletando as informações dos prontuários e do registro de controle hospitalar. As informações foram processadas utilizando medidas expressas em números absolutos, desvio padrão, média aritmética, porcentagens e taxas. Foi demonstrado que a idade de início da bronquiolite aguda grave ocorre em crianças menores de 6 meses de idade, resultando em permanência predominante de mais de 48 horas. A doença está diretamente relacionada a fatores de risco, como a não amamentação exclusiva e a desnutrição energético-protéica, exigindo desses pacientes, na admissão, oxigênio suplementar e aspiração de secreção como terapia fundamental. Ocorreram complicações frequentes, como pneumonia e insuficiência respiratória aguda. Podemos concluir dizendo que são necessárias políticas bem definidas e protocolos de ação atualizados para o manejo abrangente da criança com bronquiolite aguda grave, evitando o aparecimento de complicações que podem levar à morte do paciente.

Validation of the Finnish severe respiratory insufficiency questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic respiratory insufficiency impacts patients' lives and reduces quality of life. The Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) questionnaire examines health-related quality of life and is designed specifically for patients receiving home mechanical ventilation (HMV) for chronic respiratory failure (CRF). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to validate the Finnish version of the SRI and study its reproducibility in patients with CRF. METHODS: Our 74 patients receiving HMV or long-term oxygen treatment for CRF or both completed the SRI and St George's Respiratory questionnaires (SGRQ) three times (at baseline, and then one week and one month later). Reliability and validity of the questionnaires was analysed with Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient. Patients were prospectively followed up for 5 years, with data collected on their use of hospital services and mortality. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha in the SRI ranged from 0.67 to 0.88 and was >0.7 on all subscales except the "attendant symptoms and sleep". On four subscales, Cronbach's alpha was >0.8, and on the summary scale, 0.95. The SRI showed high correlation with SGRQ. Both tests showed good reproducibility. During the 5-year follow-up, 27 (36%) patients died. CONCLUSIONS: The Finnish SRI proved valid, reliable and reproducible. Its psychometric properties were good and similar to those of the original questionnaire and of other validation studies.

Health-related quality of life as predictor for mortality in patients treated with long-term mechanical ventilation.

BACKGROUND: The Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) questionnaire is a specific measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients treated with long-term mechanical ventilation (LTMV). The aim of the present study was to examine whether SRI sum scores and related subscales are associated with mortality in LTMV patients. METHODS: The study included 112 LTMV patients (non-invasive and invasive) from the Norwegian LTMV registry in Western Norway from 2008 with follow-up in August 2014. SRI data were obtained through a postal questionnaire, whereas mortality data were obtained from the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. The SRI questionnaire contains 49 items and seven subscales added into a summary score (range 0-100) with higher scores indicating a better HRQoL. The association between the SRI score and mortality was estimated as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using Cox regression models and HRs were estimated per one unit change in the SRI score. RESULTS: Of the 112 participating patients in 2008, 52 (46%) had died by August 2014. The mortality rate was the highest in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (75%), followed by patients with neuromuscular disease (46%), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (31%) and chest wall disease (25%) (p < 0.001). Higher SRI sum scores in 2008 were associated with a lower mortality risk after adjustment for age, education, hours a day on LTMV, time since initiation of LTMV, disease category and comorbidity (HR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99). In addition, SRI-Physical Functioning (HR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99), SRI-Psychological Well-Being (HR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99), and SRI-Social Functioning (HR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99) remained significant risk factors for mortality after covariate adjustment. In the subgroup analyses of patient with neuromuscular diseases we found significant inverse associations between some of the SRI subscales and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: SRI score is associated with mortality in LTMV-treated patients. We propose the use of SRI in the daily clinic with repeated measurements as part of individual follow-up. Randomized clinical trials with interventions aimed to improve HRQoL in LTMV patients should consider the SRI questionnaire as the standard HRQoL measurement.

Chinese version of the severe respiratory insufficiency questionnaire for patients with COPD receiving long-term oxygen therapy.

Purpose: Patients with advanced-stage COPD often experience severe hypoxemia. Treatment with long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) may relieve patients' symptoms and increase survival. As COPD is incurable, improving patients' health-related quality of life is important. The Chinese version of the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire (SRI) is valid for patients with hypercapnic COPD undergoing noninvasive positive airway pressure ventilation at home. However, the reliability and validity of the Chinese SRI for patients with COPD undergoing LTOT have not been investigated. Patients and methods: We analyzed reliability using Cronbach's α coefficient. Construct validity was assessed with principal, exploratory, and confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was evaluated through the correlation between SRI domains and Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ) domains. Content validity was assessed by calculating the correlation between each SRI item score and the total score for the relevant domain. Results: In total, 161 patients participated in this study. The Cronbach's α coefficient for all SRI domains was >0.7, except for the attendant symptoms and sleep domain. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit for each domain, but the factors extracted from each domain were correlated. SRI and CRQ domains correlated well with respect to similar aspects of health-related quality of life, indicating good concurrent validity. Content validity was indirectly shown by a good correlation between each item score and the total score of the relevant domain. Conclusion: The Chinese version of the SRI has a good reliability and validity for patients with COPD undergoing LTOT in China.

Health-related quality of life measurement in patients with chronic respiratory failure.

The improvement of health-related quality of life (HRQL) is an important goal in managing patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) receiving long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and/or domiciliary noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Two condition-specific HRQL questionnaires have been developed to specifically assess these patients: the Maugeri Respiratory Failure Questionnaire (MRF) and the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire (SRI). The MRF is more advantageous in its ease of completion; conversely, the SRI measures diversified health impairments more multi-dimensionally and discriminatively with greater balance, especially in patients receiving NIV. The SRI is available in many different languages as a result of back-translation and validation processes, and is widely validated for various disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, restrictive thoracic disorders, neuromuscular disorders, and obesity hypoventilation syndrome, among others. Dyspnea and psychological status were the main determinants for both questionnaires, while the MRF tended to place more emphasis on activity limitations than SRI. In comparison to existing generic questionnaires such as the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form (SF-36) and disease-specific questionnaires such as the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ), both the MRF and the SRI have been shown to be valid and reliable, and have better discriminatory, evaluative, and predictive features than other questionnaires. Thus, in assessing the HRQL of patients with CRF using LTOT and/or NIV, we might consider avoiding the use of the SF-36 or even the SGRQ or CRQ alone and consider using the CRF-specific SRI and MRF in addition to existing generic and/or disease-specific questionnaires.

The Chinese version of the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency questionnaire for patients with chronic hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving non-invasive positive pressure ventilation.

OBJECTIVES: The Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) questionnaire is the best assessment tool for health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) receiving non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). This study aimed to translate the SRI Questionnaire into Chinese and to validate it. DESIGN: Prospective validation study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 149 participants with chronic hypercapnic COPD receiving NIPPV completed the study. METHODS: The SRI questionnaire was translated into Chinese using translation and back-translation. Reliability was gauged using Cronbach's α coefficient. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to assess construct validity. Content validity was confirmed by evaluating the relationship between the score of each item and the total score of the relevant subscale. RESULTS: Cronbach's α coefficients for each subscale and summary scale were above 0.7. Using EFA, one factor was extracted from the anxiety and summary scales and two factors were extracted from the remaining six subscales. Based on the EFA results, subsequent CFA revealed a good model fit for each subscale, but the extracted factors of each subscale were correlated. Content validity was confirmed by the good relationship between the score of each item and the total score of the relevant subscale. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the SRI questionnaire is valid and reliable for patients with chronic hypercapnic COPD receiving NIPPV in China. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02499718.

Validation of the Japanese Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire in hypercapnic patients with noninvasive ventilation.

BACKGROUND: The Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) Questionnaire was originally developed in German to assess health-related quality of life (HRQL) and was validated as a multidimensional instrument with high psychometric properties in chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF) patients receiving noninvasive ventilation (NIV). We aimed to investigate the intercultural adaptation of the Japanese SRI Questionnaire and whether it is a reliable and valid HRQL questionnaire to administer to those patients. METHODS: The SRI Questionnaire was adapted to Japanese using a translation and back-translation procedure, followed by equivalency assessment. It was validated in 56 stable outpatients receiving NIV for CHRF, primarily due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae. RESULTS: Examination of the frequency distribution of the Japanese SRI Questionnaire showed that the subscales and summary were approximately normally distributed and well balanced. There were no significant differences in SRI scores between patients with COPD and pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae. Cronbach׳s α values representing internal consistency of seven SRI subscales ranged from 0.56 to 0.80; attendant symptoms and sleep had the lowest values. Cronbach׳s α value was 0.92 for the SRI summary. The SRI summary score was significantly related to all eight subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form, with correlation coefficients of 0.41-0.66. CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese SRI Questionnaire was produced using a standardized procedure and an equivalency study. It has high psychometric properties with internal consistency and concurrent validity. The Japanese SRI Questionnaire can be used to assess HRQL in patients on NIV for CHRF.

Validation of the Greek version of the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) questionnaire is a multidimensional, well-validated tool for the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with severe chronic respiratory failure (CRF), due to a variety of underlying disorders. The aim of this study was to validate the SRI questionnaire in the Greek language (Gr-SRI). METHODS: Reliability and validity analyses were performed for the Gr-SRI using data of 136 consecutive patients with CRF, due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or non-COPD respiratory diseases (kyphoscoliosis, obesity-hypoventilation, and post-tuberculosis sequelae). Sixty-three patients (46.3 %) were under long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), while 73 (53.7 %) under long-term non-invasive mechanical ventilation at home (HMV), either with or without LTOT. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha was high for the Summary Score of the SRI (0.86) showing high internal consistency, comparable to that of the original German version. The results of the principal component analysis on the SRI Summary Score produced a one-factor construct with a variance of 54 %, which confirmed a single Summary Score for the Greek SRI also. The highest and the lowest scores were detected in Respiratory Complaints and Physical Functioning subscales, respectively. The SRI was capable of discriminating COPD patients and non-COPD patients, with COPD patients having lower mean SRI scores, but no difference was observed between COPD patients under HMV or LTOT. CONCLUSIONS: Greek SRI has high psychometric properties qualifying its use for HRQL assessment in patients with CRF. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(4): 186-190.

The Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire for Subjects With COPD With Long-Term Oxygen Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory insufficiency in COPD may present as hypoxic and/or hypercapnic respiratory failure treated with long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and/or noninvasive ventilation (NIV) with LTOT. The Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire (SRI) is a tool for the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in subjects receiving NIV. However, it remains unclear whether the SRI is also capable of assessing and discriminating HRQOL in subjects receiving LTOT. METHODS: Stable subjects with COPD receiving LTOT or NIV + LTOT (NIV) were prospectively recruited and completed the SRI, lung function tests, and blood gases. Confirmatory factor analysis for construct validity and internal consistency reliability were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-five subjects were included (113 LTOT, 42 NIV). The Cronbach α coefficient of the 7 subscales ranged between 0.69 and 0.89 (LTOT) and between 0.79 and 0.93 (NIV), respectively. In both groups, confirmatory factor analysis revealed a one-factor model for the SRI summary scale; in 5 subscales, one- or 2-factor models could be established. Group differences in the SRI subsets were all P <.05 (except for physical functioning) with higher scores in subjects receiving NIV. CONCLUSIONS: The SRI showed high reliability and validity in subjects with COPD receiving LTOT. Subjects receiving LTOT had lower SRI scores, indicating a poorer HRQOL compared with subjects with established NIV and LTOT.

The Norwegian version of the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire.

The aims of this study were to translate and adapt the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) questionnaire into Norwegians and to test its reliability and validity.Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey and were linked to the Norwegian Registry of patients receiving long-term mechanical ventilation (LTMV). Of 193 potential participants, 127 responded to the SRI questionnaire. Reliability as measured with Cronbach's α varied between 0.68 and 0.88 for the subscales and was 0.94 for SRI-sum score. Construct validity was obtained with high correlations between subscales in SF-36 and SRI. The SRI questionnaire discriminated well between universally accepted clinical differences among categories of patients receiving LTMV by significant dissimilarities in SRI-sum score and SRI subscales. The Norwegian version of SRI has well-documented psychometric properties regarding reliability and validity. It might be used in clinical practice and in international studies for assessing health-related quality of life in patients receiving LTMV.