Proteomics Data Suggest Diagnostic, Therapeutic Targets for RA Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease

Doctor examing ct scan images of lungs at desk, lung disease concept

Brigham researchers recently completed the first proteomic analysis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). They identify molecular signatures strongly associated with the presence and severity of RA-ILD and provide insight into unexplored disease pathways.

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Chest X-ray Not Routinely Indicated After Chest Drain Removal

Chest x-ray showing tension pneumothorax on the left side of lung, needs chest tube drain

Once the final chest drain is removed after cardiothoracic surgery, it is common practice to obtain a chest X-ray to evaluate for air or fluid that may have accumulated in the process of drain removal. However, the results of a retrospective study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital suggest routine imaging isn’t necessary.

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Reliever-Triggered Inhaled Glucocorticoid Therapy Benefits Black and Latinx Adults With Asthma

Black woman at home holding chest with one hand and about to take her inhaler with the other

Brigham researchers conducted a prospective trial in which Black and Latinx adults with asthma, whose mortality rates from asthma are twice as high as those of white individuals, were asked to use an inhaled glucocorticoid whenever they used a quick reliever. They reported improvements on every outcome measure studied.

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COVIDprotocols.org: A New Approach to Developing Clinical Guidelines During a Crisis

COVIDprotocols.org, the world’s first and most comprehensive searchable website for step-by-step COVID-19 clinical guidelines, has its roots at the Brigham. Managing editor Edy Yong Kim, MD, PhD, of the Division of Pulmonary Care and Critical Care Medicine, provides a behind-the-scenes look at this valuable resource.

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Technical Note: Thoracoscopic Radial Diaphragm Plication

Medical hand reaching for surgical tools

Numerous approaches to diaphragm plication procedures have been reported, with no consensus on the ideal technique. Surgeons at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have developed a radial diaphragm plication technique that makes use of thoracoscopic instruments to increase lung volume with long-term benefits.

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Novel Metrics for GERD Evaluation Have Prognostic Value in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Older woman holding chest, GERD symptoms/discomfort

Previous studies of GERD have relied on multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH testing, which has substantial limitations including the need to count reflux episodes. Now, researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have linked more advanced impedance metrics to the prognosis of patients with IPF.

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Respiratory Tract Diseases May Increase Risk of RA Years Before Onset

Close up of hands affected by rheumatoid arthritis

There is growing evidence that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) originates in mucosal surfaces and several respiratory tract diseases are associated with RA. Now, researchers have demonstrated that the timing of respiratory tract disease significantly affects the strength of each disease’s association with RA.

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High Prevalence of Parenchymal Lung Diseases in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

CT scan of patient with emphysema in the lungs

Tracy J. Doyle, MD, Jeffrey A. Sparks, MD, MMSc, and colleagues identified a high prevalence of undiagnosed preclinical parenchymal lung disease in a rheumatoid arthritis cohort, with important clinical implications.

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Esophagectomy Complication Rate Higher with Low-volume Surgeons Even at the Same High-volume Center

Close up of two surgeons beginning thoracic surgery

A study conducted by Daniel Dolan, MD, MPH, Scott J. Swanson, MD, of the Division of Thoracic Surgery, and colleagues determined that even at the Brigham’s high-volume center, low individual esophagectomy volume was associated with a higher perioperative complication rate.

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