The difficult-to-control asthma can be defined as that which is inadequately or poorly controlled despite an appropriate therapeutic strategy that is adjusted to clinical severity.
Pulmonary
Scoring the BODE Index
The BODE is a multidimensional index designed to assess clinical risk in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It combines four important variables into a single score: (B) body mass index; (O) airflow obstruction measured by the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1); (D) dyspnoea measured by the modified Medical Research Council (MRC) scale; and (E) exercise capacity measured by the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). Each component is graded and a score out of 10 is obtained, with higher scores indicating greater risk. The BODE index reflects the impact of both pulmonary and extrapulmonary factors on prognosis and survival in COPD.
Indications for the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
The American Thoracic Society Pulmonary Function Standards Committee developed guidelines for the 6MWT in clinical settings. The 6MWT was chosen because it is easier to administer, better tolerated, and better reflects activities of daily living than other walk tests.
Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Adults and Children
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is defined as repeated episodes of obstructive apneas and hypopneas during sleep, frequently followed by transient hemoglobin desaturation (hypoxemia) and unconscious (EEG) arousals.
Indications and Contraindications for Tube Thoracostomy
In current hospital practice chest drains are used in many different clinical settings and doctors in most specialities need to be capable of their safe insertion.
CURB-65 and CRB-65 Severity Scores for Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)
CURB and CRB-65 scores can be used in the hospital and out-patients setting to assess pneumonia severity and the risk of death.
Diagnostic Criteria for the Hepatopulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
The hepatopulmonary syndrome is characterized as the triad of liver disease, pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities leading to arterial deoxygenation and evidence of intrapulmonary vascular dilatations.
ATS/ERS Criteria for Diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) are part of a broad, heterogeneous group of interstitial lung diseases that encompasses more than 200 acute or chronic diseases with varying degrees of inflammation or fibrosis.
Light Criteria for Exudative Pleural Effusion
Transudative and exudative pleural effusions are distinguished by measuring the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and protein levels in the pleural fluid. Exudative pleural effusions meet at least one of the following criteria, whereas transudative pleural effusions meet none:
Diagnostic Criteria for Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a syndrome of inflammation and increased permeability associated with a constellation of clinical, radiologic, and physiologic abnormalities unexplained by elevations in left atrial or pulmonary capillary pressure.