Cachexia is a condition characterized as a loss in body mass or metabolic dysfunction and it is associated with several prevalent chronic health conditions including many cancers, COPD, HIV, and kidney disease. Currently there is little research into cachexia and the objective of this article is to characterize cachexia patients, their healthcare utilisation, and associated hospitalization costs.
Up to 75% of patients with COPD do not use a correct inhaler technique. In this article, the authors provide details of a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of two educational interventions aimed at improving inhalation techniques in a cohort of patients in southern Spain.
In this era of comparative effectiveness research, new, advanced techniques are being investigated by the research community to overcome the limitations of existing data sources. In this article Dr Christopher Blanchette and his co-authors describe the approach of probabilistic data linkage as a means to address this critical issue.
Primary therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the removal of the toxic agent (in most cases, tobacco smoke). Additional therapy includes bronchodilators. Inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators can be used to prevent and reduce the risk of exacerbations. COPD is a systemic disease and often requires therapy of its protean-associated morbidities from depression to osteoporosis and muscle wasting. Despite pessimism from some, COPD is treatable.
