Study of pulmonary functions in male current smokers and never smokers

Background: Cigarettes smoking is the principal cause of preventable disease, disability, and premature death in the world. Tobacco smoking affects multiple organ systems resulting in numerous tobacco-related diseases. The study aimed to investigate interrelationship of pulmonary functions between current smokers and never smokers. Methods: Asymptomatic, 50 males current tobacco smokers and 50 healthy never smokers aged between 25 to 50 years were selected as cases and controls. Detailed description of the subject抯 selection, data collection and methods used for performing the test. Results: Maximum incidence was seen in >31 yrs of age with mean of 38.681�5. The study found that never smokers had significantly higher pulmonary functions as compared to current smokers:- FVC in liters (3.43�55 Vs 2.44�58; p<0.05); FEV1 in liters (2.86�57 Vs 1.76�32; p<0.05); FEV1/FVC in percentage (82.72�67 Vs 73.72�.40; p<0.05); FEF 25-75 ratio in percentage (3.18�91 Vs 1.60�45; p<0.05); PEFR in liters per second (6.63�00 Vs 3.16�26; p<0.05); breath holding time in seconds (25.54�14 Vs 21.36�10; p<0.05); 40mm endurance test in seconds (22.36�58 Vs 17.70�01; p<0.05); MEP in mmHg (83.48�28 Vs 64.38�31; p<0.05) were found significant. Conclusions: The strong relationship between cigarette smoking and respiratory disease has been seen independent of the other risk factors in a number of well-designated epidemiologic studies. Spirometry is an excellent screening test to detect chronic airflow obstruction, but may be useful in detecting restrictive disorders as well to study the effect of tobacco smoking on pulmonary functions.

Clinical analysis of lung transplantation for lung chronic graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 器官移植

<b>Objective</b> To evaluate clinical efficacy of lung transplantation for lung chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). <b>Methods</b> Clinical data of 12 patients undergoing lung transplantation for lung cGVHD were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative clinical manifestations and involved organs of patients were analyzed. The lung function before and after lung transplantation was compared, and the survival of patients after lung transplantation was analyzed. <b>Results</b> Eleven patients underwent HSCT due to primary hematological malignancies, including 9 cases of leukemia, 1 case of myelodysplastic syndrome, 1 case of lymphoma. And 1 case underwent HSCT for systemic lupus erythematosus. Among 12 cGVHD patients, skin involvement was found in 8 cases, oral cavity involvement in 5 cases, gastrointestinal tract involvement in 4 cases and liver involvement in 3 cases. All 12 patients developed severe respiratory failure caused by cGVHD before lung transplantation, including 9 cases of typeⅡ respiratory failure and 3 cases of type Ⅰ respiratory failure. Two patients underwent right lung transplantation, 2 cases of left lung transplantation and 8 cases of bilateral lung transplantation. The interval from HSCT to lung transplantation was 75 (19-187) months. Upon the date of submission, postoperative follow-up time was 18 (7-74) months. Ten patients survived, 1 died from severe hepatitis at postoperative 22 months, and 1 died from gastrointestinal bleeding at postoperative 6 months. No recurrence of primary diseases was reported in surviving patients. <b>Conclusions</b> Lung transplantation is an efficacious treatment for lung cGVHD after HSCT, which may prolong the survival time and improve the quality of life of the recipients.

Acute effects of air pollution on pulmonary function and exhaled nitric oxide in children in Shanghai / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo investigate the acute effects of compound air pollution on children’s respiratory function. MethodsUsing panel group study design， 223 students in five classes of grade 4 from two primary schools （a， b） in Xuhui and Hongkou districts of Shanghai were randomly selected to measure pulmonary function and exhaled nitric oxide （FeNO）. The first three tests were carried out from May to June in 2020， and the fourth test was carried out from September to December in 2021. At the same time， the daily and hourly mean values of PM2.5， PM10， SO2， NO2， O3 and CO was collected from the nearby air quality monitoring points of the two schools during the same period ， as well as meteorological monitoring data （temperature， humidity， wind speed and atmospheric pressure）. The linear mixed effect model was used to analyze the effects of air pollution on pulmonary function and respiratory inflammation in the summer. ResultsThe results of single pollutant model showed that PM2.5， PM10， SO2 and NO2 were positively correlated with FeNO， and the effect was reflected in lag0， lag1 and lag3 （P<0.05）. PM2.5， PM10 and NO2 were negatively correlated with the changes of lung function FEF25%， FEF50%， FEF75%， FeF25%-75%， PEF， FVC， FEV1 and FEV1/FVC， and the effect was reflected in lag0 to lag3 days （P<0.05）. The results of the dual pollutant model showed that the concentration changes of SO2 and NO2 were significantly correlated with the decrease of FEV1 when combined with O3 or PM2.5 （P<0.01）， and the concentration changes of PM2.5 was significantly correlated with the increase of FeNO when O3， SO2 and NO2 were combined respectively （P<0.01）. The effects of the dual pollutant model were greater than the effect of PM2.5 single pollutant model. ConclusionThe health effects of different air pollutants on children’s respiratory tract function indexes in summer are different. The combined effects of two pollutants on the lung function of children increased to different degrees. Although air pollution is light in summer， it still has an impact on children’s respiratory tract function index and inflammation index， and the combined effect of dual pollutants is more significant than that of single pollutant.

Correlation between erector spinae muscle CT parameters and pulmonary function in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its predictive value for prognosis / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the correlation between CT parameters of erector spinae muscle(ESM)and pulmonary function in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),and to analyze its predictive value for the prognosis of patients.Methods A total of 120 COPD patients were included as the case group(including 60 cases in stable stage and 60 cases in acute exacerbation stage),and 60 smokers were selected as the control group.The differences of ESM CT parameters and pulmonary function parameters in each group were compared.According to the prognosis of COPD,patients were divided into good prognosis group(n=106)and poor prognosis group(n=14),and the predictive efficacy of ESM CT parameters on the prognosis of COPD patients was analyzed.Results The pulmonary function parameters,ESM cross sectional area(CSA)(ESMCSA)and ESM local volume in the case group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).ESMCSA and ESM local volume were positively correlated with inspiratory capacity(IC),vital capacity(VC),forced vital capacity(FVC)and forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1)(P<0.001).The average muscle density of ESM was positively correlated with IC,VC and FVC(P<0.05),but not with FEV1.The area under the curve(AUC)of ESMCSA and ESM local volume in predicting poor prognosis of COPD patients was 0.769[95%confidence interval(CI)0.661-0.876]and 0.827(95%CI 0.734-0.919),respectively.Conclusion There is a certain correlation between the CT parameters of ESM and the pulmonary function parameters of COPD patients,among which the ESMCSA and the ESM local volume have high predictive efficacy for the prognosis of COPD patients.

Awareness and influencing factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases among residents in Yangpu District， Shanghai / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo understand the awareness of knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） and influencing factors among residents in Yangpu District， Shanghai. MethodsWe used cluster random sampling method to conduct face-to-face questionnaire surveys on selected household residents in 12 streets of Yangpu District. The survey questions included their understanding of COPD name， lung function test， and COPD related knowledge. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of awareness rate. ResultsA total of 1 440 people were ultimately included in the analysis， and the awareness rates of COPD name， lung function test， and COPD awareness were 19.93%， 18.61%， and 14.95%， respectively. Among the people who knew the name of COPD， awareness rate of shortness of breath or dyspnea was the highest （84.12%） in the three main symptoms of COPD. Among the main risk factors of COPD， second-hand smoke（86.78%）and smoking （85.82%） were the highest. The main ways to obtain knowledge of COPD names were through television （12.60%） and the internet （11.97%）. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that men were significantly higher than women in the awareness of COPD name， lung function test， and COPD knowledge， with the OR values of （OR=1.39， 95%CI：1.08‒1.79）， （OR=1.47，95%CI：1.12‒1.92） and （OR=1.37，95%CI：1.02‒1.84）， respectively. The awareness rate of COPD names and lung function tests was the highest among people aged ≥ 65 years old， while the awareness rate of COPD knowledge was the highest among people aged 35‒50 years old. The awareness rate of COPD names was the highest among people with college education or above， civil servants， teachers， and medical staff， people with an annual household income of 100 000‒200 000 yuan. ConclusionThe overall awareness rate of COPD names， lung function tests， and COPD related knowledge among residents in Yangpu District is still at a low level. We should intensify the promotion and education of COPD among key groups such as women， young people， and those with low income， in order to improve the overall awareness rate of COPD among the population.

Effects of Sushen Jiubao decoction on Th1/Th2 factors in patients with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma / 中国现代医生

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Sushen Jiubao decoction in the treatment of acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma and its effect on Th1/Th2 factors.Methods Ninety-eight patients with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma treated in Sishengbianji Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University from February 2022 to May 2023 were selected and divided into treatment group and control group according to random number table method,with 49 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional treatment such as oxygen inhalation and atomization,and the treatment group was additionally treated with Sushen Jiubao decoctionon based on the treatment of control group.The clinical efficacy,TCM syndrome score,pulmonary function indicators[forced expiratory volume in first second(FEV1),peak expiratory flow(PEF)],and laboratory indicators[interleukin(IL)-4,IL-13,interferon-γ(IFN-γ),immunoglobulin E(IgE)].Results The total effective rate of treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group(χ2=9.287,P=0.010).After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores,serum IL-4,IL-13 and IgE levels of two groups were significantly lower than before treatment,and FEV1,PEF and IFN-γ were significantly higher than before treatment(P<0.05).The TCM syndrome score,serum IL-4,IL-13 and IgE levels in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group,and FEV1,PEF and IFN-γ were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Sushen Jiubao decoction can significantly improve clinical efficacy,reduce the level of inflammatory factors,and improve pulmonary function in the treatment of acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma.

Risk factors and determinants of pulmonary function impairments in chronic respiratory diseases in Ethiopia: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Introduction: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are diseases of the lung airways and parenchyma. Globally, they are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to characterize the common CRDs, along with their lung function and possible determinants in symptomatic patients attending Bishoftu General Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sessional study was conducted at the outpatient of Bishoftu Hospital, Ethiopia from June 2019 to March 2020. Consecutive adult patients aged 18 and above with CRDs (≥8 weeks) were recruited. Questionnaires were used to collect data on demographics, symptoms, diagnoses, and putative risk factors. Lung function was measured by spirometry. Result: A total of 170 participants were recruited, the majority 102(60.0%) were female. The mean age was 49 years (SD=16). The most common symptoms were wheezing in the last twelve months 156 (91.8%), cough 138 (81.2%), and severe exertional breathlessness 137 (80.6%). Thirty-nine (22.9%) were either active or passive smokers. Half of the patients (50.3%) were exposed daily to vapors, dust, gases, or fumes and 58 (34.3%) were exposed to biomass smoke. In total, 138 (81.2%) had a positive allergen skin prick test. Chronic bronchitis (49.1%) and asthma (36.1%) were the most common clinical diagnoses. Classification of lung function revealed 23 (15%) normal, 29 (19%) obstructive, 36(23.5%) restrictive and 61(39.9%) mixed patterns. Airflow obstruction was independently associated with increasing age (p<0.05), exertional breathlessness (p<0.001), previous history of asthma (p<0.05), BMI (p<0.05), and doctor-diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p<0.001) and asthma (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study shows a high burden of abnormal lung function in patients attending clinics because of CRDs symptoms. These findings support the critical need for spirometry services to determine lung abnormality in patients with chronic respiratory symptoms.

Impact of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations on pulmonary function, nutritional status, and morbidity in patients with cystic fibrosis / Impacto das recomendações de distanciamento social por COVID-19 sobre a função pulmonar, estado nutricional e morbidade em pacientes com fibrose cística

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations on nutritional status, pulmonary function, and morbidity in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: A retrospective cohort study including patients older than six years with a diagnosis of CF was performed. Demographic and clinical data, anthropometric measurements, pulmonary function, days of antibiotic use, and length of hospital stay were recorded. Variables were recorded at three time points relative to the baseline for implementation of social distancing measures: T-1 (14 months before implementation), T0 (baseline), and T1 (14 months after implementation). Delta (Δ) was calculated for each period: Δ1 (pre-pandemic T0-T-1) and Δ2 (pandemic T1-T0). Results: The study included 25 patients, with a mean age of 11.7±4.3 years. The mean forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) was 85.6±23.6%, and body mass index (BMI) was 17.5±3.0 kg/m2. When comparing the two periods (Δ1 and Δ2), there was a significant increase in the FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (p=0.013) and in the forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of vital capacity (FEF25-75%) (p=0.037) in the pandemic period. There was also a significant reduction (p=0.005) in the use of antibiotics in the pandemic period compared with the pre-pandemic period. The Δ1 and Δ2 values did not differ significantly for BMI, FEV1, or length of hospital stay. Conclusions: COVID-19 social distancing recommendations had a positive impact (decrease) on morbidity (use of antibiotics) and small airway obstruction (FEF25-75%) in patients with CF.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto das recomendações de medidas de distanciamento social por COVID-19 sobre estado nutricional, função pulmonar e morbidade em pacientes com fibrose cística (FC). Métodos: Estudo de coorte, retrospectivo, que incluiu pacientes com diagnóstico de FC e idade superior a seis anos. Foram registrados os dados demográficos, antropométricos, clínicos, de função pulmonar e o total de dias de uso de antibiótico e de hospitalizações. As variáveis foram registradas em três momentos relativos ao início das recomendações de distanciamento social: T-1 (14 meses antes), T0 (início das recomendações) e T1 (14 meses depois). Foram calculados deltas (Δ) para cada um dos períodos: Δ1 (pré-pandemia T0-T-1) e Δ2 (pandemia T1-T0). Resultados: Vinte e cinco pacientes, com média de idade de 11,7±4,3 anos, sendo 76% homozigotos para Δf508 e 28% colonizados por Pseudomonas aeruginosa, foram incluídos. A média do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) foi de 85,6±23,6 (% do previsto) e o índice de massa corporal (IMC) foi de 17,5±3,0 kg/m2. Ao compararmos os períodos (Δ1 e Δ2), houve aumento significativo do VEF1/CVF (p=0,013) e do FEF25-75% (p=0,037) no período das recomendações de distanciamento. Também se observou redução significativa (p=0,005) do uso de antibióticos no período da pandemia em comparação ao período anterior a ela. Não houve diferenças significativas nos deltas para o IMC, VEF1 e dias de hospitalização. Conclusões: As recomendações de distanciamento social por COVID-19 tiveram impacto positivo (redução) sobre a morbidade (uso de antibióticos) e a obstrução de vias aéreas de menor calibre (FEF25-75%) em pacientes com FC.

Bronchodilator response assessment through impulse oscillometry system and spirometry in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis / Avaliação da resposta broncodilatadora por meio do sistema de oscilometria de impulso e espirometria em crianças e adolescentes com fibrose cística

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the effect of bronchodilator on the respiratory mechanics and pulmonary function of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. Methods: Cross-sectional study on clinically stable children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis aged from six to 15 years. Participants underwent impulse oscillometry and spirometry evaluations before and 15 minutes after bronchodilator inhalation. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to verify the sample distribution, and the Student's t-test and Wilcoxon test were used to compare the data before and after bronchodilator inhalation. Results: The study included 54 individuals with a mean age of 9.7±2.8 years. The analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in impulse oscillometry and spirometry parameters after bronchodilator inhalation. However, according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) recommendations (2020 and 2021), this improvement was not sufficient to classify it as a bronchodilator response. Conclusions: The use of bronchodilator medication improved respiratory mechanics and pulmonary function parameters of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis; however, most patients did not show bronchodilator response according to ATS/ERS recommendations.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar o efeito do broncodilatador na mecânica respiratória e função pulmonar de crianças e adolescentes com fibrose cística. Métodos: Estudo transversal em crianças e adolescentes com fibrose cística clinicamente estáveis, com idade entre seis e 15 anos. Os participantes realizaram avaliações por meio do sistema de oscilometria de impulso e espirometria antes e 15 minutos depois da inalação de broncodilatador. Foi aplicado o teste Kolmogorov-Smirnov para verificar a distribuição da amostra. Para comparar os dados antes e depois do broncodilatador foram utilizados os testes t de Student e Wilcoxon. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 54 indivíduos com média de idade de 9,7±2,8 anos. Houve melhora estatisticamente significativa nos parâmetros do oscilometria de impulso e espirometria após a inalação com broncodilatador. No entanto, de acordo com recomendações da American Thoracic Society (ATS) e European Respiratory Society (ERS) (2020 and 2021), essa melhora não foi suficiente para classificar como reposta broncodilatadora. Conclusões: O uso de medicamento broncodilatador melhorou a mecânica respiratória e função pulmonar de crianças e adolescentes com fibrose cística, no entanto a maioria da amostra não apresentou resposta ao broncodilatador de acordo com as recomendações da ATS/ERS.

Efficacy of Respiratory Muscle Training in the Immediate Postoperative Period of Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of respiratory muscle training during the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery on respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, functional capacity, and length of hospital stay. Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive search on PubMed®, Excerpta Medica Database (or Embase), Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (or CINAHL), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (or LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (or SciELO), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (or PEDro), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was performed. A combination of free-text words and indexed terms referring to cardiac surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting, respiratory muscle training, and clinical trials was used. A total of 792 studies were identified; after careful selection, six studies were evaluated. Results: The studies found significant improvement after inspiratory muscle training (IMT) (n = 165, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.68, 21.99) and expiratory muscle training (EMT) (n = 135, 95% CI 8.59, 27.07) of maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure, respectively. Also, IMT increased significantly (95% CI 19.59, 349.82, n = 85) the tidal volume. However, no differences were found in the peak expiratory flow, functional capacity, and length of hospital stay after EMT and IMT. Conclusion: IMT and EMT demonstrated efficacy in improving respiratory muscle strength during the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery. There was no evidence indicating the efficacy of IMT for pulmonary function and length of hospital stay and the efficacy of EMT for functional capacity.

Serum interleukin-33 combined with FEF75% z-score and FeNO improves the diagnostic accuracy of asthma in children

Abstract Objective To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of serum IL-33 single indicator and combined indicators for asthma in children. Methods 132 children were initially diagnosed with asthma during acute exacerbation and 100 healthy children were included. Serum IL-33 concentration differences were compared between asthmatic and normal children. Correlations between IL-33 with pulmonary function parameters, FeNO, peripheral blood EOS counts and serum total IgE were analyzed in asthmatic children. ROC curves were used to assess IL-33 diagnostic efficacy and its combined indicators. To prevent overfitting of the predictive model, the hold-out cross-validation method was used. Results (1) Serum IL-33 concentrations were significantly higher in children with asthma than in normal children (p < 0.001). (2) IL-33 concentration was negatively correlated with FVC z-score, FEV1 z-score and FEF75% z-score in asthmatic children (p < 0.05). (3) The area under the ROC curve of IL-33 was 0.821, which was higher than those of FeNO, FVC z-score, and FEV1 z-score. (4) Cross-validation of the combined indicators showed that IL-33 significantly improved asthma diagnostic efficacy. The combination of IL-33, FEF75% z-score, and FeNO showed the highest diagnostic efficacy, with the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of the combined indicator being 0.954, 90.1%, and 89. 0%, respectively, and good extrapolation of the predictive model. Conclusion Serum IL-33 is higher in children with asthma and increases with the severity of pulmonary ventilation obstruction. A single indicator of serum IL-33 demonstrates moderate diagnostic accuracy, and its combination with FEF75% z-score and FeNO significantly improves the diagnostic accuracy in childhood asthma.

Effects of different early cardiac rehabilitation exercise treatments on the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract Objectives: Exercise rehabilitation is the core of Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) and will improve the prognosis of patients receiving Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI surgery). The current study retrospectively analyzed the effects of different exercise-based CR strategies on the prognosis of AMI patients receiving PCI treatment. Methods: Clinicopathological information from 127 patients was collected and divided into different groups based on the exercise-based CR received, including Continuous Resistance Exercise (COR), Continuous Aerobic Exercise (COA), Interval Resistance Exercise (IVR), Interval Aerobic Exercise (IVA), Inspiratory Muscle Exercises (ITM), and Control. The differences regarding cardio-pulmonary function, hemodynamics, and life quality were analyzed against different CR strategies. Results: All the exercise-based CR strategies showed improving effects compared with patients in the Control group regarding cardio-pulmonary parameters, with IVR showing the strongest improving effects (IVR > ITM > COR > IVA > COA) (p < 0.05) at the first recoding point. However, the improving effects of exercise-based CR declined with time. Regarding the effects on hemodynamics parameters, the improving effects of exercise-based CR were only observed regarding LVEF, and the effects of IVR were also the strongest (IVR > COR > ITM > COA > IVA) (p < 0.05). Similar improving effects were also observed for 6MWT and life quality (IVR showing the strongest improving effects) (p < 0.05), which all declined three months after the surgery. Conclusions: The current study showed that exercise-based CRs had better improving effects than the normal nursing strategy on the prognosis of AMI patients receiving PCI surgery.

Regression equations for peak expiratory flow rate in children aged 5-10 years of Western Maharashtra, India: a cross-sectional study

Background: Incidence of pulmonary diseases in urban children is on the rise. Peak expiratory flow rate, a component of pulmonary function tests, is a useful measure for initial pulmonary assessment. It is easily implementable on large population due to its simplicity. Studies presenting such data for Indian children are severely lacking, as PEFR is anthropometric, population and region specific. The present study aimed to establish an equation for predicting PEFR in urban children in Pune city in western Maharashtra, India.Methods: The cross-sectional study was done in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Children from different schools were selected by cluster sampling. The number of participants screened was 2100 of which 1760 were selected. Best of three readings of PEFR was recorded for each child using an EU Scale Peak Flow meter (Breath-O meter, Cipla). Anthropometric data like height, weight, chest expansion, waist/hip ratio were measured and BMI was calculated along with PEFR of each child.Results: Out of the 1760 children included in the study 933 (53%) were boys and 827 (47%) were girls. The stepwise regression analyses were carried out using age, height, weight and waist/hip ratio as predictor variables.Conclusions: Final regression equation was derived using height. Approximately 80% of the data was used for prediction of regression equation and remaining 20% data was used as a control group to validate the derived equation. The regression equation formulated shall offer a predicted PEFR value as guideline for healthcare workers in Pune city, Maharashtra, India.

Impacto de un Programa de Recuperación Funcional en Músculos Ventilatorios y Apendiculares en Pacientes Post-ventilación Mecánica por COVID-19 / Impact of a Functional Recovery Program on Ventilatory and Appendicular Muscles in Patients Post-mechanical Ventilation for COVID-19

Los pacientes con COVID-19 subsidiarios de ventilación mecánica (VM), evolucionan con consecuencias funcionales en la musculatura ventilatoria y apendicular que no necesariamente se abordan de manera diferenciada. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el impacto de un programa de recuperación funcional en estos pacientes y determinar si las intervenciones afectan de manera diferenciada a las funciones ventilatorias y musculatura apendicular, utilizando pruebas de bajo costo. Se evaluaron 47 pacientes con COVID-19 que estuvieron en VM. Posterior a una espirometría basal se les realizó; presión inspiratoria máxima (PIMáx), fuerza de prensión palmar (FPP), prueba de pararse y sentarse (PPS) y Prueba de caminata en 6 minutos (PC6m), antes y después del plan de intervención. Este programa incluyó ejercicios aeróbicos y de fuerza supervisados por dos sesiones semanales de 60 minutos durante 3 meses. Después del programa, se observaron mejoras significativas en la capacidad vital forzada (CVF), el volumen espiratorio en el primer segundo (VEF1) y la PIMáx. Se encontraron relaciones significativas entre estas mediciones y la distancia recorrida de la PC6m, la FPP y la PPS. En conclusión, el programa de recuperación funcional en pacientes con COVID-19 que requirieron VM, beneficia tanto la función ventilatoria como la fuerza muscular apendicular. Las pruebas de fuerza muscular apendicular pueden ser útiles para evaluar la recuperación ya que pueden entregar información diferenciada de sus rendimientos. Por último, se necesita más investigación para comprender mejor la respuesta de estos pacientes a la rehabilitación.

SUMMARY: Patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) evolve with functional consequences in the ventilatory and appendicular muscles that are not necessarily addressed in a differentiated manner. The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of a functional recovery program in these patients and determine if the interventions differentially affect ventilatory functions and appendicular muscles, using low- cost tests. 47 patients with COVID-19 who were on MV were evaluated. After a baseline spirometry, they were performed; maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), handgrip strength (HGS), sit to stand test (STST) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT), before and after the intervention plan. This program included supervised aerobic and strength exercises for two weekly 60-minute sessions for 3 months. After the program, significant improvements were observed in forced vital capacity (FVC), expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and MIP. Significant relationships were found between these measurements and the distance traveled of the 6MWT, the HGS and the STST. In conclusion, the functional recovery program in patients with COVID-19 who required MV benefits both ventilatory function and appendicular muscle strength. Appendicular muscle strength tests can be useful to evaluate recovery since they can provide differentiated information about your performances. Finally, more research is needed to better understand the response of these patients to rehabilitation.

Association of lung function by spirometry with serum ferritin in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients in a tertiary care centre

Background: ?-thalassemia major is an inherited, transfusion-dependent chronic anemia which is caused by decreased production of ?-globin chains required for formation of hemoglobin. Regular blood transfusion is most important factors that help in improving the survival of patients with TM; however, it leads to iron deposition in many organs such as lung. Most studied concerned about effect of iron on lung functions, revealed abnormalities, but limited data were observed. The aim of our study was to determine pulmonary function abnormalities in children with thalassemia major and assess the relation between these abnormalities and iron overload.Methods: This study had included 51 children in each group, aged between 6 and 18 years (28 males and 23 females) with TM. All included children were subjected to full clinical examination and laboratory investigations including complete blood counts and serum ferritin. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were assessed in all included children using spirometry.Results: 31.4% patients had restrictive lung functions. Spirometer parameters i.e., FEF25-75% (p value?0.0001) and PEFR (%pred) (p value?0.0001) had significant difference in both groups. FEF25-75% and PEFR had no effect of serum ferritin.Conclusions: The lung may be considered a site for organ damage, and alteration of pulmonary function may be expected in transfusion-dependent patients in spite of no pulmonary symptoms or normal chest X-ray.

Lung Function Tests in Infants and Children

Lung function testing is an essential modality of investigation in children as it provides objective evidence of lung disease/ health. With advances in technology, various tests are available that can aid in the diagnosis of lung disease, assess the progression and response to therapy and document the lung development and evolving lung diseases in infants. This narrative review discusses lung function tests in infants and children. Currently, lung function tests can be performed in every age group, from neonates to the elderly. Spirometry and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) are the most employed tests in children more than six years of age. Spirometry helps diagnose and monitoring of both obstructive and restrictive diseases. There is a need for expertise to perform and interpret spirometry correctly. The forced oscillation technique (FOT) or impulse oscillometry (IOS) is done with tidal volume breathing and is feasible even in preschool children. Their utility is mainly restricted to asthma in children at present. Lung function tests can be performed in neonates, infants and children using infant pulmonary function test (PFT) equipment, although their availability is limited. Diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is a valuable tool in restrictive lung diseases. Lung volumes can be assessed by body plethysmography and multiple washout technique. The latter can also assess lung clearance index. It is essential to perform and interpret the lung function test results correctly and correlate them with the clinical condition for optimum treatment and outcome.

Pediatric Pulmonology Training in India: Current Status and Future Directions

Respiratory illnesses are common causes of morbidity and mortality in children. Postgraduates in Pediatrics spent significant time in learning to manage respiratory disorders. Improved survival of preterm neonates, improved diagnosis and survival of chronic respiratory problems, and advances in diagnosis and therapeutics have increased the need for specialists trained in managing these patients. Training programs in Pediatric Pulmonology are evolving over the past few decades. In India, super-specialty training in Pediatric Pulmonology has grown over the past few years. There is a need to modify the training structure used in industrialized countries due to differences in patient population, priorities, and limited available resources and expertise. Formal training courses have been started in a limited number of institutions. There is a large gap between the need for a trained workforce and the available specialists in the limited number of institutions. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics National Respiratory Chapter (IAPNRC) has initiated a fellowship program to bridge the gap. Comprehensive training involving academic and hands-on training may go a long way to improve the care of children with acute and chronic respiratory problems. For sustainable development of the super specialty, there is a need to work towards creating Pediatric Pulmonology service departments in various institutions that may be responsible for comprehensive training and research activities to answer common research questions.

Clinico-epidemiological profile and disease severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among patients in a primary care centre at central Kerala

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic disease usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles and are not fully reversible. COPD represents an important public health challenge that is both preventable and treatable. The aim of this study was to describe the clinico-epidemiological profile of COPD patients and to assess the disease severity using spirometry among respiratory symptomatic in a primary care centre. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the COPD patients attending monthly pulmonology clinic in Urban Health centre, Ettumanoor, Kottayam from June to August 2019. The study comprised of 120 patients with symptoms suggestive of COPD attending the monthly respiratory clinic. Severity of airflow limitation assessed using spirometry results based on GOLD criteria. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected using a semi structured interview schedule. Results: The mean age of the participants were 64� and 51.7% were males. The median duration of COPD symptoms for the study participants was 10 (IQR 11) years and 62.5% were having productive cough with dyspnoea as the major symptom. All males except two were smokers and the mean packyears were 42�years. As per GOLD guidelines 44 (36.7%) had severe disease, 11 (9.2%) had mild, 39 (32.5%) had moderate and 26 (21.7%) had very severe disease. The average forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in study subjects was 54.8�5. Conclusions: In view of the emerging public health risk, COPD need to be diagnosed and managed at the earliest to slow down the progression.

Pulmonary function tests in compressed natural gas pump workers in Surat city

Background: Various studies have known abatements in lung function and several other health problems associated with longstanding air pollution exposure. One of the most cost-effective and environmental alternative of conventional fuels (petrol and diesel) is compressed natural gas (CNG). The increasing use of CNG as a fuel (as it is safe and cheap as compare to the conventional fuels) can add one more bug to the list of work-related disease. Aims and Objectives: This study is to evaluate the respiratory functions of CNG pump workers. Materials and Methods: The present study was held on 82 male subjects. The study group included of non-smoking healthy adult males, age group of 20–40 years working in different CNG stations in Surat city for >6 months and 8 h per day. The control group included of non-smoking healthy adult males, age group of 20–30 years working or studying in the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER). Results: Out of 82 male subjects, 30 subjects were control and 52 subjects were CNG station workers. The study group comprised of 52 healthy non-smokers in the age group of 20–40 years working in different CNG station in Surat city for >6 months and 8 h/day. The control group comprised of 30 healthy non-smokers males between the age group of 20–30 years working or studying in the SMIMER. Conclusion: In this study, we have not found statistically significant deterioration in pulmonary functions of CNG pump workers when compared to controls.

Correlation of glycemic control and BMI with pulmonary function test in Type-2 diabetes mellitus – A cross-sectional case–control study

Background: Type-2 diabetes mellitus is related to decreased lung function. Prolonged inadequate control of glucose levels may alter regulation of inflammatory pathways that are implicated in pulmonary function complications. Aim and Objectives: The objjectives of the study were to assess the relationship of pulmonary function test (PFT) with factors influencing glycemic status in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: A total of 110 diabetic cases with uncontrolled blood sugar levels and similar number age- and gender-matched control subjects above 30 years of age were recruited. Sociodemographic details were collected and participants underwent laboratory ad radiological investigations. PFTs including Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expired volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced expiratory flow (FEF 25–75%), and FEV1/FVC ratio were assessed. Results: The comparison of PFTs with levels of HbA1c (<7 and >7) showed that the levels of FVC, PEFR, FEV1, and FEF 25–75% were higher in diabetics with HbA1c <7 and FEV1/FVC ratio was high in diabetic cases with HbA1c >7. The mean difference of PFT with HbA1c and body mass index (BMI) was statistically not significant in diabetics (P > 0.05). The person’s correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between FVC, FEV1 with HbA1c, and BMI in diabetics. Conclusion: Uncontrolled glycemic status and increased BMI were associated with functional impairment of lungs. Organized glycemic control and duly checking the PFTs may reduce the risk of onset of respiratory complications and lung function.