BACKGROUND: Among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), improvement of lifestyle-related risk factors (LRFs) reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, modification of LRFs is highly challenging. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the impact of combining community-based lifestyle …

Little is known about which self-management behaviors have the highest potential to influence exacerbation impact in COPD patients. We aimed to reach expert consensus on the most relevant set of self-management behaviors that can be targeted and influenced to maximize reduction of exacerbation impact. Materials …

In the Netherlands an innovative programme for early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care among patients aged 40–70 years has been evaluated in both an effect study and a pilot implementation study. Health-care providers identified four obstacles for successful implementation …

Purpose With current diagnostic methods, the majority of patients with symptomatic colorectal anastomotic leakage (CAL) is identified approximately 1 week after operation. The aim of this study is to determine whether real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of Escherichia coli and …