Objective: To compare 90-day morbidity in patients undergoing lung lobectomy performed by either robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Intraoperative complications, drainage time, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain, postoperative quality of life, and readmissions within 90 days were also compared. Methods: This was a two-arm randomized clinical trial including patients with lung lesions (primary lung cancer or lung metastasis) who were candidates for lung lobectomy. Patients with comorbidities that precluded surgical treatment were excluded. All patients followed the same postoperative protocol. Results: The overall sample comprised 76 patients (39 in the VATS group and 37 in the RATS group). The two groups were similar regarding gender, age, BMI, FEV1 in % of predicted, and comorbidities. Postoperative complications within 90 days tended to be more common in the VATS group than in the RATS group, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.12). However, when only major complications were analyzed, this tendency disappeared (p = 0.58). Regarding postoperative outcomes, the VATS group had a significantly higher number of readmissions within 90 days than did the RATS group (p = 0.029). No significant differences were found regarding intraoperative complications, drainage time, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain, and postoperative quality of life. Conclusions: RATS and VATS lobectomy had similar 90-day outcomes. However, RATS lobectomy was associated with a significant reduction in the 90-day hospital readmission rate. Larger studies are necessary to confirm such a finding. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02292914 [http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/])

Keywords: Robotic surgical procedures; Thoracic surgery, video-assisted; Lung neoplasms.

Background: Lobectomy is still considered the most effective method of controlling primary lung tumors. Method: During the period from 1995 to 2000, 733 cases of non-small cell bronchial carcinoma. After clinical evaluation and surgical staging, 191 patients were submitted to surgical resection. Of those 191 surgeries, 63 were for locally advanced tumors and 128 (69 segmentectomies and 59 lobectomies) for primary tumors. Post-operative FEV1 of at least 800 ml was used as a measure of surgical success. Extended segmentectomies, in which the resection passes the intersegmental line, including the parenchyma of the adjoining segment, were used. Results: Among the 128 patients with primary tumors, there were 3 deaths and 10 patients fell out of contact. Therefore, 62 segmentectomies and 53 lobectomies were evaluated. There were 72 adenocarcinomas and 43 epidermoid carcinomas. The 5-year survival of lobectomy patients was 80% (T1N0), 72.7% (T2N0), 50% (T1N1) and 31.8% (T2N1), whereas that of segmentectomy patients was 80% (T1N0), 66.6% (T2N0), 41.1% (T1N1) and 30% (T2N1) (p > 0.05). Tumor size and enlarged interlobar lymph nodes were prognostically significant (p < 0.001), although method of resection influenced neither survival nor local or remote recurrence (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Extended segmentectomy represents an alternative treatment for primary tumors in patients with limited lung reserve.

Keywords: Lung Neoplasms, surgery. Pulmonary Surgical Procedures. Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung.

Objective: To compare the effects of voluntary breath stacking (VBS) and involuntary breath stacking (IBS) techniques on respiratory mechanics, lung function patterns, and inspiratory capacity in tracheostomized patients. Methods: This was a randomized crossover clinical trial involving 20 tracheostomized patients admitted to the ICU and submitted to the VBS and IBS techniques, in random order, with an interval of 5 h between each. Ten cycles of each technique were performed with an interval of 30 s between each cycle. In VBS, patients performed successive inspirations for up to 30 s through a one-way valve, whereas in IBS, successive slow insufflations were performed with a resuscitator bag until the pressure reached 40 cmH2O. Respiratory mechanics, inspiratory capacity, and the lung function pattern were evaluated before and after the interventions. Results: After IBS, there was an increase in static compliance (p = 0.007), which was also higher after IBS than after VBS (p = 0.03). There was no significant difference between the pre-VBS and post-VBS evaluations in terms of static compliance (p = 0.42). Inspiratory capacity was also greater after IBS than after VBS (2,420.7 ± 480.9 mL vs. 1,211.3 ± 562.8 mL; p < 0.001), as was airway pressure (38.3 ± 2.6 cmH2O vs. 25.8 ± 5.5 cmH2O; p < 0.001). There were no changes in resistance or lung function pattern after the application of either technique. Conclusions: In comparison with VBS, IBS promoted greater inspiratory capacity and higher airway pressure, resulting in an increase in static compliance.

Keywords: Mucociliary clearance; Respiratory care units; Respiratory mechanics; Physical therapy modalities.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a mindfulness-based treatment (MBT) for smoking cessation or reduction and compare it with that of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Methods: This was a single-center randomized controlled clinical trial including 113 patients divided into two groups: MBT (n = 54) and CBT (n = 59). The interventions comprised eight 90-min sessions. The primary outcome was smoking cessation at 16 weeks after program initiation. Secondary outcomes included reduction in the mean number of cigarettes smoked/day at 16 weeks after treatment initiation, as well as smoking cessation and reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked/day at the last program session. Participants had to attend = 50% of the sessions to be included in the primary outcome analysis. An intention-to-treat analysis was also performed. Results: There was no difference between the groups regarding the primary outcome (30.4% in the MBT group vs. 31.6% in the CBT group, p = 0.68) or immediate abstinence rates (47.8% in the MBT group vs. 36.8% in the CBT group, p = 0.47). Both treatments were equally effective in reducing the number of cigarettes smoked/day at the last program session (a reduction of 93.33% [0-100%] in the MBT group and of 70% [33.3-100%] in the CBT group, p = 0.92) and at 16 weeks after program initiation (a reduction of 57.1% [0-100%] in the MBT group and of 70% [25-100%] in the CBT group, p = 0.49). Conclusions: MBT appears to be as effective as CBT for smoking cessation or reduction and can be an option for the treatment of tobacco use disorders in Brazil (Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: RBR-3w2scz [http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br])

Keywords: Mindfulness; Smoking cessation; Tobacco use disorder; Psychotherapy, group; Meditation; Cognitive behavioral therapy.

Objective: To compare the effects of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program with and without telecoaching on health-related outcomes in COVID-19 survivors. Methods: A total of 42 COVID-19 patients who completed medical treatment were randomly divided into two groups: the study (telecoaching) group (n = 21) and the control (no telecoaching) group (n = 21). Both groups participated in an 8-week home-based PR program including education, breathing exercises, strength training, and regular walking. The study group received phone calls from a physiotherapist once a week. Both groups of patients were assessed before and after the program by means of the following: pulmonary function tests; the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale; the six-minute walk test; extremity muscle strength measurement; the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (to assess disease-related quality of life); the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36, to assess overall quality of life); and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: In both groups, there were significant improvements in the following: FVC; the six-minute walk distance; right and left deltoid muscle strength; Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire activity domain, impact domain, and total scores; and SF-36 social functioning, role-physical, role-emotional, and bodily pain domain scores (p < 0.05). Decreases in daily-life dyspnea, exertional dyspnea, and exertional fatigue were significant in the study group (p < 0.05), and the improvement in SF-36 social functioning domain scores was greater in the study group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A home-based PR program with telecoaching increases social functioning and decreases daily-life dyspnea, exertional dyspnea, and exertional fatigue in COVID-19 survivors in comparison with a home-based PR program without telecoaching.

Keywords: COVID-19; Exercise; Telerehabilitation; Dyspnea; Fatigue.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the association of the breath stacking (BS) technique associated with routine physiotherapy on pulmonary function, lung volumes, maximum respiratory pressures, vital signs, peripheral oxygenation, thoracoabdominal mobility, and pain in the surgical incision in patients submitted to upper abdominal surgery during the postoperative period, as well as to analyze BS safety. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial involving 34 patients divided into a control group (CG; n = 16), who underwent conventional physiotherapy only, and the BS group (BSG; n = 18), who underwent conventional physiotherapy and BS. Both groups performed two daily sessions from postoperative day 2 until hospital discharge. The primary outcomes were FVC and Vt. The safety of BS was assessed by the incidence of gastrointestinal, hemodynamic, and respiratory repercussions. Results: Although FVC significantly increased at hospital discharge in both groups, the effect was greater on the BSG. Significant increases in FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF, and FEF25-75% occurred only in the BSG. There were also significant increases in Ve and Vt in the BSG, but not when compared with the CG values at discharge. MIP and MEP significantly increased in both groups, with a greater effect on the BSG. There was a significant decrease in RR, as well as a significant increase in SpO2 only in the BSG. SpO2 acutely increased after BS; however, no changes were observed in the degree of dyspnea, vital signs, or signs of respiratory distress, and no gastrointestinal and hemodynamic repercussions were observed. Conclusions: BS has proven to be safe and effective for recovering pulmonary function; improving lung volumes, maximum respiratory pressures, and peripheral oxygenation; and reducing respiratory work during the postoperative period after upper abdominal surgery.

Keywords: Abdomen/surgery; Pulmonary ventilation; Physical therapy modalities. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT 04418700 [http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/])

Objective: To evaluate the use of the forced expiratory volume in one second/forced expiratory volume in six seconds (FEV1/FEV6) ratio as an alternative to the FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio in the detection of mild airway obstruction. Methods: Reference equations for the Brazilian population in 2006 were used in order to determine the lower limits of normality for the FEV1/FEV6 and FEV1/FVC ratios. The spirometry findings of 155 patients from 20 to 84 years of age were analyzed. All of the patients presented the following: a < 15% difference between predicted and observed FEV1/FVC ratio; an FEV1 ≥ 60% of predicted; and an exhalation time of at least 6 s. The Brazilian Thoracic Society criteria for acceptability and reproducibility in spirometry were met. Results: Mean values (± SD) for FEV1/FEV6 and FEV1/FVC were 73 ± 4% and 75 ± 3%, respectively. Using the FEV1/FVC ratio, we identified airflow obstruction in 61 patients, compared with only 46 patients when we used the FEV1/FEV6 ratio, showing a sensitivity of 75% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The FEV1/FEV6 ratio has poor sensitivity and should not be used to replace the FEV1/FVC ratio in the diagnosis of mild airway obstruction.

Keywords: Forced expiratory volume; Vital capacity; Airway obstruction; Spirometry; Respiratory function tests.

Objective: Surgical resection remains the gold standard treatment for bronchiectasis in patients who present with hemoptysis or suppuration, as well as in those who do not respond to clinical treatment. We sought to investigate the efficacy of sublobar resection (segmentectomy) and compare it with that of lobar resection (lobectomy) in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Methods: Patients undergoing lobectomy or segmentectomy between 2019 and 2023 were included in the study. We analyzed intraoperative complications and postoperative outcomes, including length of hospital stay, length of ICU stay, and disease recurrence. Results: There was no significant difference between the lobectomy and segmentectomy groups regarding the occurrence of intraoperative complications such as bleeding > 1000 ml, cardiogenic shock, and ventilatory instability (p > 0.999). However, the frequency of complications was significantly lower in the segmentectomy group than in the lobectomy group (p = 0.016). Hospital stays were longer in the lobectomy group than in the segmentectomy group (16 days vs. 5 days; p = 0.027), as were ICU stays (7 days vs. 1 day; p = 0.006). There was no significant difference between the lobectomy and segmentectomy groups regarding the recurrence rate (p = 0.541). Conclusions: Early identification of bronchiectasis patients who are candidates for surgical resection is essential because those who are identified as such early on are candidates for parenchyma-sparing resections, which are similar to lobar resections in terms of disease control and lead to shorter hospital stays and better postoperative outcomes.

Keywords: Bronchiectasis; Thoracic surgery; Disease-free survival.

Objective: To assess the quality of life of patients with lung cancer and to compare it with that of individuals without cancer. Methods: The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was administered to 57 patients diagnosed with lung cancer, treated at the Lung Cancer Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital São Paulo, and to a control group of 57 individuals recruited from the Extra Penha workout group. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the groups, domain by domain. The first model of logistic regression was adjusted for male gender, nonsurgical treatment, Karnofsky performance status and smoking, which were included as predictors. The second model was adjusted for each SF-36 domain in order to identify increases in the proportions of patients in stage IIIB or IV. Results: The lung cancer group and the control group presented the following mean scores, respectively, for the SF-36 domains: role limitations due to physical health problems, 29.39 ± 36.94 and 82.89 ± 28.80; role limitations due to emotional problems, 42.78 ± 44.78 and 86.55 ± 28.77; physical function, 56.49 ± 28.39 and 89.00 ± 13.80; vitality, 61.61 ± 23.82 and 79.12 ± 17.68; bodily pain, 62.72 ± 28.72 and 81.54 ± 19.07; general health, 62.51 ± 25.57 and 84.47 ± 13.47; emotional well-being, 68.28 ± 23.46 and 82.63 ± 17.44; and social functioning, 72.87 ± 29.20 and 91.67 ± 17.44. The logistic regression model showed that role limitations due to physical health problems, physical function and emotional well-being were predictors of stages IIIB and IV. Conclusions: The patients with lung cancer had a poorer quality of life, especially regarding physical aspects, than did the control subjects.

Keywords: Lung neoplasms; Quality of life; Health status.

Objective: To evaluate post-operative complications in living lobar lung transplant donors. Methods: Between September of 1999 and May of 2005, lobectomies were performed in 32 healthy lung transplant donors for 16 recipients. The medical charts of these donors were retrospectively analyzed in order to determine the incidence of post-operative complications and alterations in pulmonary function after lobectomy. Results: Twenty-two donors (68.75%) presented no complications. Among the 10 donors presenting complications, the most frequently observed complication was pleural effusion, which occurred in 5 donors (15.6% of the sample). Red blood cell transfusion was necessary in 3 donors (9.3%), and 2 donors underwent a second surgical procedure due to hemothorax. One donor presented pneumothorax after chest tube removal, and one developed respiratory infection. There were two intra-operative complications (6.25%): one donor required bronchoplasty of the middle lobe; and another required lingular resection. No intra-operative mortality was observed. Post-operative pulmonary function tests demonstrated an average reduction of 20% in forced expiratory volume in one second (p < 000.1) compared to pre-operative values. Conclusions: Lobectomy in living lung transplant donors presents high risk of post-operative complications and irreversible impairment of pulmonary function. Careful pre-operative evaluation is necessary in order to reduce the incidence of complications in living lobar lung transplant donors.

Keywords: Lung transplantation; Living donors; Pneumonectomy; Postoperative complications.

Objective: To evaluate cognitive learning, ability to perform and interpret lung ultrasound exams, and self-perception of learning among medical students after a short pedagogical intervention at a medical school in Brazil. Methods: An experimental pilot study was conducted with medical students at different stages of their education (basic cycle, clinical cycle, and medical internship). The participants underwent a cognitive test before and after the intervention, a practical test, a test to recognize lung ultrasound pathologies, and a qualitative evaluation test at the end of the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: A total of 42 students were included in the study, with a median age of 23 years and a predominance of males. The mean score of the pre-intervention cognitive test was 2.97 ± 0.87, and that of the post-intervention test was 6.57 ± 1.41, showing significant improvement (p < 0.001). The score of the practical test and that of the recognition of pathologies test also showed significant improvement after the intervention. There was no significant difference in execution time between the groups. Students in the clinical cycle had a better self-perception of learning. Conclusions: Theoretical teaching and practical training of lung ultrasound in a short pedagogical intervention can improve cognitive performance, practical skills, and interpretation of the exam. The level of learning achievement was higher among more advanced students in medical education. Additionally, the students in the clinical cycle had a better perception of their learning.

Keywords: Ultrasonography; Lung; Students, medical; education, medical.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose, single-capsule budesonide-formoterol combination, in comparison with budesonide alone, in patients with uncontrolled asthma. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, phase III, parallel clinical trial, comparing the short-term efficacy and safety of the combination of budesonide (400 μg) and formoterol (12 μg), with those of budesonide alone (400 μg), both delivered via a dry powder inhaler, in 181 patients with uncontrolled asthma. The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 77 years. After a run-in period of 4 weeks, during which all of the patients received budesonide twice a day, they were randomized into one of the treatment groups. The treatment consisted of the administration of the medications twice a day for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures were FEV1, FVC, and morning PEF. We performed an intention-to-treat analysis of the data. Results: In comparison with the budesonide-only group patients, those treated with the budesonide-formoterol combination showed a significant improvement in FEV1 (0.12 L vs. 0.02 L; p  =   0.0129) and morning PEF (30.2 L/min vs. 6.3 L/min; p  = 0.0004). These effects were accompanied by good tolerability and safety, as demonstrated by the low frequency of adverse events, only minor adverse events having occurred. Conclusions: The single-capsule combination of budesonide-formoterol appears to be efficacious and safe. Our results indicate that this formulation is a valid therapeutic option for obtaining and maintaining asthma control. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01676987 [http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/])

Keywords: Asthma; Budesonide; Adrenergic beta-2 receptor agonists.

Objective: To compare 28-day mortality rates and clinical outcomes in ICU patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia according to the diagnostic strategy used. Methods: This was a prospective randomized clinical trial. Of the 73 patients included in the study, 36 and 37 were randomized to undergo BAL or endotracheal aspiration (EA), respectively. Antibiotic therapy was based on guidelines and was adjusted according to the results of quantitative cultures. Results: The 28-day mortality rate was similar in the BAL and EA groups (25.0% and 37.8%, respectively; p = 0.353). There were no differences between the groups regarding the duration of mechanical ventilation, antibiotic therapy, secondary complications, VAP recurrence, or length of ICU and hospital stay. Initial antibiotic therapy was deemed appropriate in 28 (77.8%) and 30 (83.3%) of the patients in the BAL and EA groups, respectively (p = 0.551). The 28-day mortality rate was not associated with the appropriateness of initial therapy in the BAL and EA groups (appropriate therapy: 35.7% vs. 43.3%; p = 0.553; and inappropriate therapy: 62.5% vs. 50.0%; p = 1.000). Previous use of antibiotics did not affect the culture yield in the EA or BAL group (p = 0.130 and p = 0.484, respectively). Conclusions: In the context of this study, the management of VAP patients, based on the results of quantitative endotracheal aspirate cultures, led to similar clinical outcomes to those obtained with the results of quantitative BAL fluid cultures. (Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials - ReBEC; identification number RBR-86DCDX [http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br])

Keywords: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid/diagnosis; Respiratory aspiration; Pneumonia, ventilator-associated.

Objective: To evaluate the effects that passive cycling exercise, in combination with conventional physical therapy, have on peripheral muscle strength, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of hospital stay in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU of a tertiary care university hospital. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial involving 38 patients (≥ 18 years of age) on mechanical ventilation who were randomly divided into two groups: control (n = 16), receiving conventional physical therapy; and intervention (n = 22), receiving conventional physical therapy and engaging in passive cycling exercise five days per week. The mean age of the patients was 46.42 ± 16.25 years, and 23 were male. The outcomes studied were peripheral muscle strength, as measured by the Medical Research Council scale, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of hospital stay. Results: There was a significant increase in peripheral muscle strength (baseline vs. final) in both groups (control: 40.81 ± 7.68 vs. 45.00 ± 6.89; and intervention: 38.73 ± 11.11 vs. 47.18 ± 8.75; p < 0.001 for both). However, the range of increase in strength was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (8.45 ± 5.20 vs. 4.18 ± 2.63; p = 0.005). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of duration of mechanical ventilation or length of hospital stay. Conclusions: The results suggest that the performance of continuous passive mobilization on a cyclical basis helps to recover peripheral muscle strength in ICU patients. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01769846 [http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/])

Keywords: Physical therapy modalities; Intensive care units; Early ambulation; Muscle strength.

Objective: To describe the implementation of a robotic thoracic surgery program at a public tertiary teaching hospital and to analyze its initial results. Methods: This was a planned interim analysis of a randomized clinical trial aimed at comparing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and robotic surgery in terms of the results obtained after pulmonary lobectomy. The robotic surgery program developed at the Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, is a multidisciplinary initiative involving various surgical specialties, as well as anesthesiology, nursing, and clinical engineering teams. In this analysis, we evaluated the patients included in the robotic lobectomy arm of the trial during its first three months (from April to June of 2015). Results: Ten patients were included in this analysis. There were eight women and two men. The mean age was 65.1 years. All of the patients presented with peripheral tumors. We performed right upper lobectomy in four patients, right lower lobectomy in four, and left upper lobectomy in two. Surgical time varied considerably (range, 135-435 min). Conversion to open surgery or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was not necessary in any of the cases. Intraoperative complications were not found. Only the first patient required postoperative transfer to the ICU. There were no deaths or readmissions within the first 30 days after discharge. The only postoperative complication was chest pain (grade 3), in two patients. Pathological examination revealed complete tumor resection in all cases. Conclusions: When there is integration and proper training of all of the teams involved, the implementation of a robotic thoracic surgery program is feasible and can reduce morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Pneumonectomy; Robotic surgical procedures; Thoracic surgery; Minimally invasive surgical procedures; Lung neoplasms.

Objective: Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects multiple organs, the most severe consequences being observed in the lungs. Despite significant progress in developing CF transmembrane conductance regulator-specific treatments for CF lung disease, exploring alternative CF-targeted medications seems reasonable. We sought to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of oral benzbromarone as an adjuvant therapy in CF patients with reduced lung function. Methods: This was a prospective open-label pilot study of oral benzbromarone (100 mg/day) administered once daily for 90 days. Patients were followed at a tertiary referral center in southern Brazil. Safety was assessed by the number of reported adverse events. Secondary objectives included percent predicted FEV1 (FEV1%) and pulmonary exacerbations. Results: Ten patients were enrolled. Benzbromarone was found to be safe, with no serious drug-related adverse events. Eight patients completed the study; the median relative change in FEV1% tended to increase during the treatment, showing an 8% increase from baseline at the final visit. However, a nonparametric test showed that the change was not significant (p = 0.06). Of a total of ten patients, only one experienced at least one pulmonary exacerbation during the study. Conclusions: Oral benzbromarone appears to be safe, and improved FEV1% has been observed in patients with CF. Further assessment in larger trials is warranted to elucidate whether oral benzbromarone can be a potential adjuvant therapy for CF.

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis/therapy; Mucociliary clearance; respiratory tract diseases.

Objectives: To determine the effect that the treatment of GERD has on the clinical management, as well as the respiratory function, of patients with asthma and to evaluate the clinical characteristics of this group of patients. Methods: Patients with asthma and concomitant GERD, documented using 24 h pH-metry, were evaluated by means of quality of life questionnaires, as well as questionnaires related to respiratory and digestive symptoms. In addition, esophageal manometry, spirometry and the determination of peak expiratory flow were also performed prior to and after the study. Forty-nine individuals who were diagnosed with GERD by means of 24 h esophageal pH-metry were selected and participated in a clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, involving the administration of 40 mg/day of pantoprazol for 12 consecutive weeks. Results: Forty-four individuals completed the study (n = 22 per group). There was significant improvement in the scores for respiratory symptoms and quality of life only in the group that received pantoprazol (p = 0.01 and p = 0.001, respectively). No respiratory function parameters changed in either group. Conclusions: In this study, the effective treatment of GERD improved patient quality of life, and the symptoms of asthma significantly decreased in the group that received the medication. There were no changes in pulmonary function parameters.

Keywords: Asthma; Gastroesophageal reflux/treatment; Diagnosis; Antacids.

Objective: To compare a once-daily long-acting β2 agonist (indacaterol 150 µg) with a once-daily long-acting anticholinergic (tiotropium 5 µg) in terms of their effects on exercise endurance (limit of tolerance, Tlim) in patients with moderate COPD. Secondary endpoints were their effects on lung hyperinflation, exercise-related dyspnea, and daily-life dyspnea. Methods: This was a randomized, single-blind, crossover pilot study involving 20 patients (mean age, 60.9 ± 10.0 years; mean FEV1, 69 ± 7% of predicted). Spirometric parameters, Transition Dyspnea Index scores, Tlim, and exertional dyspnea were compared after three weeks of each treatment (with a one-week washout period between treatments). Results: Nineteen patients completed the study (one having been excluded because of COPD exacerbation). Improvement in Tlim from baseline tended to be greater after treatment with tiotropium than after treatment with indacaterol (96 ± 163 s vs. 8 ± 82 s; p = 0.06). Tlim significantly improved from baseline after treatment with tiotropium (having increased from 396 ± 319 s to 493 ± 347 s; p = 0.010) but not after treatment with indacaterol (having increased from 393 ± 246 to 401 ± 254 s; p = 0.678). There were no differences between the two treatments regarding improvements in Borg dyspnea scores and lung hyperinflation at "isotime" and peak exercise. There were also no significant differences between treatments regarding Transition Dyspnea Index scores (1.5 ± 2.1 vs. 0.9 ± 2.3; p = 0.39). Conclusions: In patients with moderate COPD, tiotropium tends to improve Tlim in comparison with indacaterol. No significant differences were observed between the two treatments regarding their effects on lung hyperinflation, exercise-related dyspnea, and daily-life dyspnea. Future studies, including a larger number of patients, are required in order to confirm our findings and explore mechanistic explanations. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01693003 [http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/])

Keywords: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Exercise; Bronchodilator agents.

Objective: COVID-19 has been associated with a significant burden to those who survive the acute phase. We aimed to describe the quality of life and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 90 days after hospital discharge of COVID-19 patients. Methods: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to a private hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between April of 2020 and April of 2021 were interviewed by telephone at 30 and 90 days after discharge to assess the quality of life and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Results: A total of 2,138 patients were included. The mean age was 58.6 ± 15.8 years, and the median length of hospital stay was 9.0 (5.0-15.8) days. Between the two time points, depression increased from 3.1% to 7.2% (p < 0.001), anxiety increased from 3.2% to 6.2% (p < 0.001), and PTSD increased from 2.3% to 5.0% (p < 0.001). At least one physical symptom related to COVID-19 diagnosis persisted in 32% of patients at day 90. Conclusions: Persistence of physical symptoms was high even at 90 days after discharge. Although the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD was low, these symptoms persisted for three months, with a significant increase between the time points. This finding indicates the need to identify at-risk patients so that they can be given an appropriate referral at discharge.

Keywords: COVID-19; Anxiety; Depression; Stress disorders, post-traumatic; Quality of life; Critical care outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the combined impact of videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) and therapeutic feeding and swallowing interventions on clinical outcomes in children with oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD). Methods: This was an uncontrolled longitudinal analytical study in which OPD patients were evaluated before and after VFSS. Children = 24 months of age diagnosed with OPD in a clinical setting and undergoing VFSS for investigation and management of OPD were included in the study. The study participants received therapeutic feeding and swallowing interventions after having undergone VFSS, being followed at an outpatient clinic for pediatric dysphagia in order to monitor feeding and swallowing difficulties. Respiratory and feeding outcomes were compared before and after VFSS. Results: Penetration/aspiration events were observed in 61% of the VFSSs (n = 72), and therapeutic feeding and swallowing interventions were recommended for 97% of the study participants. After the VFSS, there was a reduction in the odds of receiving antibiotic therapy (OR = 0.007) and in the duration of antibiotic therapy (p = 0.014), as well as in the odds of being admitted to hospital (p = 0.024) and in the length of hospital stay (p = 0.025). A combination of oral and enteral feeding became more common than oral or enteral feeding alone (p = 0.002). Conclusions: A high proportion of participants exhibited penetration/aspiration on VFSS. Therapeutic feeding and swallowing interventions following a VFSS appear to be associated with reduced respiratory morbidity in this population.

Keywords: Fluoroscopy; Deglutition disorders; Respiratory tract diseases; Pneumonia, aspiration; Nutritional support.