We investigated the impact of lung transplantation and outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation after lung transplantation on skeletal muscle function and exercise tolerance. Skeletal muscle force (Quadriceps force, QF), exercise tolerance (six minute walking distance, 6MWD) and lung function were assessed in 36 patients before and after lung transplantation. Seventeen male and 19 female patients (age 57 ± 4) showed skeletal muscle weakness before the transplantation. A further 32 ± 21% reduction was seen 1.2 (interquartile range 0.9 to 2.0) months after LTX. The number of days on the intensive care unit was significantly related to the observed deterioration in muscle force after LTX. At this time point 6MWD was comparable to pre-LTX.Rehabilitation started 37 (IQR 29 to 61) days after LTX. 6MWD and QF improved significantly (140 ± 91 m, and 35 ± 48%, respectively; p < 0.05) with rehabilitation. QF remained below pre-LTX values. The evolution of the 6MWD with the transplantation and the subsequent rehabilitation was less in female compared to male subjects. We conclude that muscle strength deteriorates after lung transplantation, particularly in patients with long ICU stay. Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation is feasible after lung transplantation and leads to recovery of skeletal muscle function. In female patients this recovery is significantly less compared to male recipients.TT and LD are Post-doctoral research fellows of the Scientific Foundation Flanders. DL is a research fellow of the Scientific Foundation Flanders.

Although FDG PET-CT is of questionable value in MCC management when used in parallel with CT, it may be considered as a valuable option as a single whole-body survey procedure.

Mandible movement recording and its dedicated signal processing for sleep/wake recognition improve sleep disorder index accuracy by assessing the total sleep time. Such a feature is welcome in home screening methods.

Radiological emphysema associated with IPF had an impact on pulmonary function tests. Despite this difference, the du Bois score was not statistically different between these two groups. Nevertheless, after one year of follow up, the patients with emphysema were in a subclass with a lower mortality rate than those without emphysema.