A utilização de placas oclusais estabilizadoras para controle do Bruxismo do Sono (BS) é uma prática muito comum entre os odontólogos, no entanto, muitos profissionais fazem uso desta medida terapêutica sem avaliar a possibilidade do paciente ter, ou vir a desenvolver, outro distúrbio do sono associado, como a Síndrome da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono (SAOS). Esta síndrome compromete a qualidade de vida pois aumenta o risco para doença cardiovascular assim como o risco para acidentes automotivos. Além disso, estudos sugerem que a utilização de placas oclusais poderia agravar o quadro da SAOS, uma vez que favoreceria à retrusão mandibular com consequente diminuição do espaço para a língua. Como a literatura ainda é inconclusiva e o questionamento clínico permanece, o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da utilização de uma placa miorrelaxante por, no mínimo, 2 meses sobre o sono de 11 pacientes com SAOS. Para tanto, foram aplicados questionários como o da Escala de Sonolência de Epworth (ESE) e o Índice de qualidade do sono de Pittsburgh (IQSP), também foram realizadas polissonografias (PSG) antes, e durante, a utilização da placa. A média de idade desses pacientes foi de 47 anos (mín 33/ máx 61) sendo que 63.6% era do gênero masculino. Os resultados dos questionários não revelaram diferença significante para os dois momentos da análise. No entanto, os dados polissonográficos evidenciaram aumento no Índice de Apneia e hipopneia (16,6-28,32 eventos por hora, p=0,003) e no Índice de Distúrbios Respiratórios (20,14-33,96 eventos por hora, p=0,003) quando da utilização da placa. Foi observado, também, uma dessaturação da oxiemoglobina mínima (85,55-79,36, p=0,026) e um aumento do tempo de saturação abaixo de 90% medido em minutos (1,43-3,98; p= 0,025). Foi possível concluir que a utilização da placa miorrelaxante, por um período de 2 meses, em pacientes portadores da SAOS, pode estar associada ao agravamento deste distúrbio. / The use of stabilization occlusal splints for Sleep Bruxism (SB) control is a very common practice among Dentists. However many professionals use this therapy without evaluating the possibility of their patients having, or developing other associated sleep disorders, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This syndrome affects the quality of life, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as traffic accidents. In addition, studies suggest that the use of occlusal splints may make OSA worse, once mandibular retrusion and decrease of tongue space may occur. Since literature is inconclusive and the clinical question remains, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects over sleep of 11 OSA patients when using an occlusal stabilization splint for at least 2 months. Therefore, questionnaires such as Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), in addition to polysomnography (PSG) were performed before, and during, splints use. Patients\' average age was 47 years old (33±61) and 63.6% were male. The questionnaire results revealed no significant difference for the two stages of analysis. However, polysomnographic data showed an increase in the apnea-hypopnea index (16.6 to 28.32 events per hour, p = 0.003) and respiratory disorders Index (20.14 to 33.96 events per hour, p = 0.003) when patients were using the occlusal splints. It was also observed a decrease of minimum oxyhemoglobin desaturation (85.55 to 79.36, P = 0.026) and an increase in saturation time below 90%, measured in minutes (from 1.43 to 3.98; p = 0.025). It was concluded that the use of occlusal splints for a period of 2 months in patients with OSA may be associated to aggravation of such disorder.

The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the biological, behavioral, and psychosocial attributes of individuals diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Specific aims were to: 1) explore the predictive power of spirometry measures for event-free survival in patients with heart failure and suspected COPD, focusing on the differences in survival between those with and without airflow limitation; 2) examine the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in patients with concomitant COPD and heart failure; and 3) test the efficacy of a theory-based, multidimensional, self-care educational intervention using an eHealth platform on measures of symptom severity and variability, anxiety and depressive symptoms, perceived self-care ability, perceived self-care adherence, and selfcare information needs (knowledge) in a sample of adult patients with stable COPD. Specific aim one was addressed by evaluation of the predictive power of spirometry measures (forced expiratory volume/second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], and the ratio of FEV1/FVC) for event-free time to combined hospitalization/mortality after controlling for clinical and sociodemographic variables. This analysis revealed that those patients with airflow limitation were 2.2 times more likely to experience hospitalization/mortality compared to those without airflow limitation. The second specific aim was addressed with a psychometric evaluation of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social support (MSPSS) which included determination of internal consistency reliability, the factor structure and construct validity by hypothesis testing in participants with comorbid COPD and heart failure. The MSPSS was a valid and reliable instrument to measure perceived social support in patients with comorbid COPD and heart failure. The third specific aim was addressed by a trial of an eHealth educational intervention in participants with COPD (N = 20). This intervention resulted in significant change in symptom severity evaluation in patients categorized as having medium symptom severity for the following symptoms: distress due to cough, chest tightness, dyspnea with activity and fatigue; these symptoms were perceived as more severe in the intervention period. Anxiety, depressive symptoms and perceived self-care ability were unchanged; however, perceived self-care adherence scores improved, and knowledge needs were significantly reduced after the intervention.

There is notable heterogeneity in clinical presentation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Classification of COPD is usually based on the severity of airflow limitation (pre- and post- bronchodilator FEV1), which may not sensitively differentiate subpopulations with distinct phenotypes. A recent advance of quantitative medical imaging and data analysis techniques allows for deriving quantitative computed tomography (QCT) imaging-based metrics. These imaging-based metrics can be used to link structural and functional alterations at multiscale levels of human lung. We acquired QCT images of 800 former and current smokers from Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcomes in COPD Study (SPIROMICS). A GPU-based symmetric non-rigid image registration method was applied at expiration and inspiration to derived QCT-based imaging metrics at multiscale levels. With these imaging-based variables, we employed a machine learning method (an unsupervised clustering technique (K-means)) to identify imaging-based clusters. Four clusters were identified for both current and former smokers. Four clusters were identified for both current and former smokers with meaningful associations with clinical and biomarker measures. Results demonstrated that QCT imaging-based variables in patients with COPD can derive statistically stable and clinically meaningful clusters. This sub-grouping can help better categorize the disease phenotypes, ultimately leading to a development of an efficient therapy.

Objective The goal of this project was to define and measure human volumetric airway dimensions with radiographic volumetric three-dimensional imaging and digital reconstruction of the pharynx using cone beam computed tomography to directly correlate these measurements with both normal and developmentally deficient jaw joints and their positions. The volume of the oropharynx was measured by creating a superior border connecting the 3-D midpoint of sella turcica and the posterior nasal spine and extending inferiorly to the level connecting the most infero-anterior point of C3 and the anterior hyoid bone as seen in the multi-planar views of the cone beam computed tomography image. The calculations were accomplished by using 3dMD software. Further extrapolation of this study'a data may be useful to establish the direct association of obstructive sleep apnea and deficiencies of jaw growth and airway development. Design In this retrospective study, 250 subjects were randomly selected from a pool of 800 referred for dental imaging at ddi Imaging Center in Sacramento, California. Digital images were captured using a low-radiation, rapid scanning cone beam computed tomography system (iCAT). Results A total of 250 subjects, 163 females and 87 males, were included in this study. Descriptive statistics were applied to the following variables: 1. Assessment of the relationship between total airway volume and several categorically independent variables: * For total airway volume, no significant difference was found between males and females; between the right temporomandibular positions; between right temporomandibular integrity; or between the left temporomandibular integrity. * There was a significant difference found between the left temporomandibular positions for total airway volume. 2. Assessment of the relationship between total airway volume and each cephalometric measurement: * Based on the Spearman correlation test, there were significant increasing relationships between total airway volume and several of the cephalometric measurements (p<0.05). * Correlation coefficients ranged from 0.13 to 0.22 indicating there were weak correlations between the two variables. 3. Assessment of the relationship between total airway volume and age: * Based on the Spearman correlation test, there was no significant relationship between total airway volume and age (p=0.8304). In addition, Spearman correlation showed no correlation between total airway volume and sex and skeletal growth pattern tendencies. Conclusions Three dimensional images of the airway offer the opportunity to serially examine individuals, acquire airway patency information, and improve the evaluation of sites of airway obstruction. Further studies to determine the effects of pharyngeal stenosis and other regional changes to the oropharynx upon physiologic response may be key to understanding the effects of biomechanical influences upon craniofacial form. Comprehension of structural inter-relationships will also help develop an understanding of how and why adaptive changes in airway shape and volume occur. Airway patency is related to many variables: head posture, the direction of mandibular rotation during growth and development, and hyoid bone position. Further studies may offer an increased understanding of these structural and positional interrelationships.

Background. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is associated with an increase in nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux (nocturnalGOR) events and symptoms, however the mechanism for this remains undefined. Treatment of OSA with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to reduce nocturnalGOR in individuals with OSA however the reasons for this reduction are not clear. The combination of OSA and nocturnalGOR could be particularly problematic for individuals who have had a lung transplant in whom Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS) limits survival. It is thought that GOR plays a role in the development of BOS in these individuals. Methods and Results. Five interrelated studies were undertaken. The first two studies sought to determine and compare the prevalence and risk factors of nocturnalGOR in OSA patients with the general population. To do this, a GOR questionnaire was completed by 2,042 members of the general community as part of the Busselton Health Survey and by 1,116 patients with polysomnography-diagnosed OSA. Risk of OSA in the general population was determined using a standardised sleep questionnaire. 137 of the OSA patients completed the questionnaire before and after treatment with CPAP. The prevalence of nocturnalGOR symptoms reported more than once a week (frequent symptoms) was greater in OSA patients (10.1%) than the general population (5.8%) (p<0.001), in individuals from the general population at high (11.2%) than low risk of OSA (4.5%) (p<0.001) and in patients with severe (14.7%) than mild OSA (5.2%) (p<0.001). Treatment of OSA with CPAP decreased the prevalence of frequent nocturnalGOR from 9.0% to 3.8% (p=0.04). In the general population, high risk of OSA was independently associated with a 2.4-fold increased risk of frequent ABSTRACT vi nocturnalGOR symptoms than low risk. In the OSA group, disease severity was independently associated with nocturnalGOR symptoms, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.7 for frequent nocturnalGOR symptoms.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a disease characterised by repetitive upper airway obstructions which are manifest by desaturation and arousal from sleep. It has been known for many years that this interruption to the normal architecture of sleep may present to the clinician as excessive daytime somnolence often with a complaint of difficulties with concentration and short term memory. Previous work had demonstrated a relationship between variables of cognitive dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, however, little was known about which components of the syndrome contributed to this outcome and whether specific clinical thresholds of sleep disordered breathing could be defined for the development of cognitive dysfunction. In the context of this body of work cognitive dysfunction is defined as: a level of cognitive performance below normal derived values for a given cognitive test, when the subjects performance is controlled for age, sex and level of education.

Interventions are needed to improve health outcomes by increasing the practice of evidence based medicine ( EBM ). Patient mediated interventions have been little studied but hold promise : they target identified barriers to EBM and particular types of patient mediated intervention have shown success. Furthermore, consumers are now being given information about evidence but the effects of this on EBM have yet to be properly assessed. The aim of this study was to show whether informing patients about research evidence leads to improved application of that evidence in their medical care. The study trialed a relatively low cost manual, developed using current best practice, which summarised Cochrane Reviews of evidence. The study focused on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ), a high - cost, high - burden chronic disease, showing a large gap between evidence and clinical practice. The study comprised a controlled before - and - after trial and a process evaluation. The trial assessed the success of this manual in changing medical practice for three indicator treatments ( influenza vaccination, bone density testing and pulmonary rehabilitation ) and in changing patient quality of life, knowledge, communication with doctor, satisfaction with information and anxiety. Results were analysed by median split of socioeconomic disadvantage. At 3 months the manual was associated with lower anxiety for participants with lowest socioeconomic disadvantage. At 12 months the manual was associated with higher pulmonary rehabilitation enrolment for participants with greatest socioeconomic disadvantage. Other outcome measures showed no significant change. Limitations included loss of power from unexpectedly good baseline care and adjustments for baseline differences. The process evaluation showed that the manual was read more than a control pamphlet at both 3 and 12 months but a minority of manual recipients reported talking to their doctor about topics from the manual. Very little treatment change was reported. Patient attitudes to evidence and doctor / patient communication norms appeared to be barriers for this patient group. New protocols for the design of behavioural interventions provide a framework for overcoming these barriers in future interventions. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Medicine, 2006.

De nouvelles approches quantitatives ou fonctionnelles d'imagerie de la BPCO (bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive) sont possibles en scanner à 64 coupes par rotation. Elles impliquent l'utilisation de logiciels dédiés, permettant la quantification de l'emphysème ou la détection de shunts via le foramen ovale, plus fréquents dans la BPCO, par analyse des courbes de rehaussement auriculaire gauche.<br />Une autre approche est d'utiliser la synchronisation cardiaque, pour évaluer les structures d'intérêt à différentes phases du cycle cardiaque, ce qui donne une information fonctionnelle utile pour la détection de l'hypertension artérielle pulmonaire (HTAP) de la BPCO.<br />Le but de ce travail, organisé en 3 parties, a été d'évaluer la faisabilité et les performances diagnostiques obtenues avec ces nouvelles applications.<br />1- Quantification des volumes pulmonaires et du pourcentage d'emphysème<br />Nous avons évalué un logiciel protoytpe (Mevis Pulmo) qui permet un calcul des volumes pulmonaires et une quantification de l'emphysème, après segmentation pulmonaire et seuillage des densités. Les résultats peuvent être obtenus de façon globale, individuellement pour chaque poumon et séparément pour chacun des 5 lobes. Les limites anatomiques lobaires sont reconnues de façon automatique (quantification automatique) mais elles peuvent être corrigées si nécessaire (quantification semi-automatique).<br />Nous avons comparé quantification automatique, semi-automatique et visuelle selon un score classique en 5 grades, chez 47 patients présentant une BPCO sévère. Ces patients étaient évalués avant éventuelle réduction endoscopique, par un scanner sans injection en inspiration et expiration.<br />Il n'y a pas de différence significative du pourcentage d'emphysème estimé par quantification automatique et semi automatique (p>0.05 dans les 5 lobes). Les coefficients de corrélation intraclasse sont supérieurs à 0.8 (concordance excellente) sauf pour le lobe supérieur droit (0.68, bonne concordance) et le lobe moyen (0.53, concordance moyenne). La concordance avec le score visuel est bonne (kappa: 0.76; IC 95% 0.58 à 0.94).<br />Le logiciel utilisé permet également d'évaluer les volumes pulmonaires en inspiration et expiration et de les comparer aux volumes de référence en pléthysmographie. Le volume tomodensitométrique (TDM) inspiratoire est corrélé à la capacité pulmonaire totale (CPT) en pléthysmographie (r= 0.8, p< 0.0001) ; la différence moyenne est de -7.7% (valeurs extrêmes: -48.8 à 28.2%). Le volume TDM expiratoire est corrélé au volume résiduel (VR) (r=0.79, p< 0.0001) ; la différence moyenne est de 9.7% (valeurs extrêmes: - 17.9 à 43.3%). Le volume TDM expiratoire est également corrélé au Volume expiratoire maximal en 1 seconde (VEMS) (r=-55, p<0.0001). Le pourcentage d'emphysème est corrélé aux volumes TDM inspiratoire et expiratoire (r= 0.56 et 0.53, p< 0.0001) et au VEMS (r= -0.69, p<0.0001).<br />Le logiciel testé permet donc une quantification lobaire automatique fiable de l'emphysème et une mesure des volumes pulmonaires en TDM pertinente pour évaluer fonctionnellement la sévérité de la BPCO.<br />2- Détection de la perméabilité du foramen ovale en scanner 64 coupes non synchronisé<br />Cette étude a été menée prospectivement chez 105 patients évalués en échographie transoesophagienne (ETO) pour rechercher un foramen ovale perméable et qui donnaient leur consentement pour une exploration tomodensitométrique réalisée le même jour. Après injection de contraste au cours d'une manoeuvre de Valsalva, une acquisition couvrant toute la largeur du détecteur (28.8 mm) était centrée sur la fosse ovale, en continu toutes les 0.5 secondes pendant 7 secondes. Les 128 images résultantes ont été analysées visuellement, à la recherche d'une opacification auriculaire gauche précédant le retour veineux pulmonaire. Les courbes de rehaussement auriculaire gauche (Logiciel DynEva) ont été analysées à la recherche d'un pic précoce de rehaussement.<br />La perméabilité du foramen ovale est détectée avec une sensibilité globale de 55% (IC 95%, 0.38 - 0.70) et une spécificité de 98% (IC 95%, 0.91 - 0.99). Les performances dépendent du grade du shunt en ETO, utilisé comme gold standard. La sensibilité varie entre 28% pour les shunts de grade 1 et 91% pour les shunts de grade 4. L'analyse des courbes de rehaussement n'augmente pas la sensibilité du scanner. La dose moyenne requise est de 2.3 mSv.<br />Ces résultats permettent d'envisager d'associer la recherche de shunts de haut grade via le foramen ovale à l'analyse tomodensitométrique du parenchyme pulmonaire, dans des contextes d'hypoxémie inexpliquée ou paradoxale,<br />3- Proposition de nouveaux critères prédictifs d'HTAP en scanner multi coupes synchronisé<br />La synchronisation à l'ECG permet d'étudier des paramètres tels que la distensibilité artérielle pulmonaire, l'épaisseur du myocarde infundibulaire et les variations en systole et diastole des mensurations infundibulaires.<br />Ces paramètres ont été analysés dans 2 groupes de patients (groupe 1, 21 patients avec HTAP; groupe 2, 24 patients sans HATP) évalués par cathétérisme cardiaque droit dans le cadre de leur prise en charge clinique. Les données brutes des examens tomodensitométriques (TDM) ont été reconstruites en coupes de 1mm d'épaisseur jointives, tous les 10% du cycle cardiaque.<br />La distensibilité de l'artère pulmonaire droite est calculée à partir de mesures de la surface de section de l'artère, effectuées tous les 10% de l'intervalle R-R. A partir des 10 valeurs obtenues, la valeur maximale de surface de section (SSmax) et la valeur minimale (SSmin) sont repérées. La distensibilité est calculée par l'équation suivante : (SSmax-SSmin)/SSmax.<br />La distensibilité est également calculée selon une méthode simplifiée à partir de deux mesures l'une à 20% du R-R, l'autre à 80%. Ces fenêtres temporelles ont été identifiées comme celles où les valeurs extrêmes de surface de section sont observées dans les deux groupes de patients. L'épaisseur myocardique, le diamètre antéropostérieur et la surface de section infundibulaires sont mesurés en systole et diastole à 30% et 90% du R-R, 1 cm au dessous de la valve pulmonaire. Les mesures de ces paramètres montrent une bonne concordance inter observateur, à l'exception de l'épaisseur systolique infundibulaire. Les valeurs médianes sont significativement différentes pour les deux groupes de patients, à l'exception des dimensions diastoliques infundibulaires. La distensibilité artérielle pulmonaire est le paramètre pour lequel l'aire sous la courbe ROC est la plus large (0.951 ; IC 95%, 0.894 - 1) et qui apparaît le mieux corrélé à la pression artérielle pulmonaire (r=-073, p<0.0001).<br />La distensibilité calculée selon la méthode simplifiée a les mêmes performances. Ce paramètre pourrait être évalué en routine pour détecter l'HTAP chez les patients présentant une BPCO, afin de restreindre les indications de cathétérisme cardiaque droit, méthode d'exploration invasive.

The overall aim of this work was to examine the effects of depleted nutritional status on some aspects of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Morbidity. In paper І, we found that energy intake was lower than the calculated energy demand for all patients. A low body mass index (BMI) at inclusion and weight loss, during the one year follow-up period were independent risk factors for having a new exacerbation (p = 0.003 and 0.006, respectively). Mortality. Nineteen percent of the patients in paper ІІ, where underweight (BMI&lt;20). A significant positive correlation was found between BMI and FEV1, and this correlation remained significant after adjustment for age, sex and pack years (p&lt;0.0001). Being underweight was related to increased overall mortality and respiratory mortality but not to mortality of other causes, 19% of the patients had died within 2 years. The lowest mortality was found among the overweight patients (BMI 25-30 kg/m). Physical capacity and effect of training. In paper ІІІ we investigated baseline characteristics of patients that were starting physical training. We found that peak working capacity was positively related to BMI (r=0.35, p=0.02) and fat free mass index (FFMI) (r=0.49, p=0.004) and negatively related to S-Fibrinogen and serum C reactive protein (S-CRP). BMI and FFMI were significantly related to the 12 minutes walking distance when adjusted for body weight. Fifty to 76% of the variation in physical capacity was accounted for when age, gender, FEV1, FFMI and CRP were combined in a multiple regression model. In Paper ІV the median change in fat free mass (FFM), after 4 months of physical training was 0.5 kg. Old age, low FEV1 and high level of dyspnoea were independent negative predictors of FFM increase after the training period. In conclusion nutritional status is an important determinant of morbidity, mortality and physical capacity in COPD. Low FEV1 and high level of dyspnea are negative predictors for increased FFM after physical training.

Sammanfattning Bakgrund Kronisk obstruktiv lungsjukdom orsakas ofta av rökning, vilket anses av de flesta vara en självförvållad sjukdom. Konsekvenserna av detta blir att patienter med KOL ofta upplever skuld och skamkänslor. Syfte Syftet med denna litteraturstudie är att beskriva patienters erfarenhet av skuld och skam vid kronisk obstruktiv lungsjukdom. Metod I litteraturstudien granskades åtta vetenskapliga artiklar för att få en kunskap om patienternas känslor kring sin sjukdom. Innehållsanalys användes med ett deduktivt förhållningssätt där data bearbetades för att identifiera mönster och teman. Resultat Två huvudkategorier; skuld och skam var från början definierade och under analysen identifierades en tredje; stigmatisering. Dessa kunde senare delas in i tre olika nivåer; individ, familj/omgivning och sjukvård. Konklusion Denna studie ger sjuksköterskan en bättre förståelse för vilka känslor som kan uppstå vid en ofta självförvållad sjukdom som KOL. Den visar också vikten av att möta patienterna med empati, respekt och höja deras känsla av värdighet och moral.