ABSTRACT
Chest pain (CP) has been reported in 20% to 40% of patients 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), though rates of post-PCI health-care utilization (HCU) for CP in nonclinical trial populations are unknown. Furthermore, the contribution of noncardiac factors - such as pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and psychological - to post-PCI CP HCU is unclear. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to describe long-term trajectories and identify predictors of post-PCI CP-related HCU in real-world patients undergoing PCI for any indication. This retrospective cohort study included patients receiving PCI for any indication from 2003 to 2017 through a single integrated health-care system. Post-PCI CP-related HCU tracked through electronic medical records included (1) office visits, (2) emergency department (ED) visits, and (3) hospital admissions with CP or angina as the primary diagnosis. The strongest predictors of CP-related HCU were identified from >100 candidate variables. Among 6386 patients followed an average of 6.7 years after PCI, 73% received PCI for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 19% for stable angina, and 8% for other indications. Post-PCI CP-related HCU was common with 26%, 16%, and 5% of patients having ≥1 office visits, ED visits, and hospital admissions for CP within 2 years of PCI. The following factors were significant predictors of all 3 CP outcomes: ACS presentation, documented CP >7 days prior to the index PCI, anxiety, depression, and syncope. In conclusion, CP-related HCU following PCI was common, especially within the first 2 years. The strongest predictors of CP-related HCU included coronary disease attributes and psychological factors.
Subject(s)
Chest Pain/epidemiology , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Office Visits/statistics & numerical data , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention , Acute Coronary Syndrome/surgery , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Angina Pectoris , Angina, Stable/surgery , Angina, Unstable/surgery , Anxiety/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Depression/epidemiology , Female , Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Ischemic Stroke/epidemiology , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction/surgery , Proportional Hazards Models , Retrospective Studies , ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/surgery , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Lung diseases such as asthma and COPD are major public health issues and related to occupational exposures. While therapies to limit the development and progression of these diseases are limited, nutrition interventions could offer potential alternatives to mediate the inflammation associated with these diseases. This is a narrative review of the current state of relevant nutrients on inflammation and respiratory outcomes associated with occupational exposures. RECENT FINDINGS: Relevant nutrients that have been investigated in recent years include omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, zinc, vitamin D, dairy products, and antioxidants. These nutrients have demonstrated the potential to prevent or modify the adverse outcomes associated with occupational exposures, primarily in preclinical studies. Current therapies for respiratory consequences associated with occupational exposures are limited; therefore, addressing strategies for reducing inflammation is important in improving quality of life and limiting health care costs. More human studies are warranted to determine the effectiveness of nutrition as an intervention.
Subject(s)
Fatty Acids, Omega-3 , Lung Diseases , Occupational Diseases , Animals , Antioxidants/therapeutic use , Dairy Products , Dietary Supplements , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/therapeutic use , Humans , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Lung Diseases/etiology , Lung Diseases/therapy , Milk , Nutritional Status , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Occupational Diseases/therapy , Phytochemicals/therapeutic use , Quality of Life , Vitamin D/therapeutic use , Zinc Compounds/therapeutic useABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Management of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD) can be encumbered by difficult diagnostic criteria and complex treatment decisions. As prevalence of this debilitating, often refractory, progressive lung disease increases globally, management must evolve beyond antimicrobials to encompass holistic and customized treatments coordinated by practitioners across various specialties. AREAS COVERED: This review aims to complement the recently updated NTM-LD treatment guidelines and expand current approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and disease management in a multidisciplinary dimension. The foundation of effective long-term management of NTM-LD is awareness of diagnostic criteria, individual patient risk factors, and the importance of managing underlying pulmonary and nonpulmonary comorbidities. The value of adopting all available pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment modalities with a patient-centered approach to address the needs of long-term patient care cannot be minimized. EXPERT OPINION: This section, while acknowledging the limited advances in understanding of NTM-LD and the availability of newer diagnostic and therapeutic tools over the last decade, underscores the need for a programmatic approach to this chronic, debilitating pulmonary infection. This will not only lead to more comprehensive patient care with better outcomes, but will also inspire and activate robust networks of research and public health initiatives in this field.
Subject(s)
Lung Diseases , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous , Pneumonia , Humans , Lung , Lung Diseases/diagnosis , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Lung Diseases/therapy , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/diagnosis , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/drug therapy , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/epidemiology , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Occupational and environmental exposures contribute to the development and progression of most lung diseases, yet their impact is greatly under-recognized in clinical practice. Clinicians caring for patients with respiratory diseases should maintain a high index of suspicion for occupational and environmental contributing factors. Mastering occupational and environmental medicine clinical decision making requires specialized clinical skills. These skills include obtaining an appropriate work and exposure history; making an assessment of the magnitude and relevance of exposures and their contribution to a patient's respiratory disease; utilizing appropriate resources for evaluation and management of exposure-related disease; and considering socioeconomic and public health factors.
Subject(s)
Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Health Personnel/organization & administration , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Public Health/standards , HumansABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify associated factors of highly frequent use of outpatient services and explore how they were impacted to provide policy references for government and medical institutes in their efforts to seek provision of reasonable medical services, continuous care and integrated outpatient services. METHODS: The Taiwanese national health insurance database was used and 661,125 patients were identified in 2009. The patients with ≥100 internal medicine outpatient (IMO) visits were defined as the highly frequent group and they were matched at a ratio of 1:4 with patients of 1-99 IMO visits based on demographic characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Among 1 million patients in the outpatient department, 0.05% had at least 100 visits. These patients with highly frequent IMO visits had significantly higher rates of emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalization, psychiatric disorders and possession of a catastrophic illness card as well as a significantly lower level of continuity of care index (COCI). Multivariate analysis showed that ED visits (adjusted OR [AOR] = 1.63), psychiatric disorders (AOR = 7.13), low COCI (AOR = 1.69), and several comorbidities including peripheral vascular diseases (AOR = 4.33), dementia (AOR = 0.04), chronic pulmonary disease (AOR = 3.02), peptic ulcer diseases (AOR = 3.70), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 3.45) and renal disease (AOR = 2.43) were significant associated factors. CONCLUSIONS: To rationalize use and distribution of medical resources, we suggest proper regular care and health education to those with mental disabilities and multiple chronic conditions, which may not only improve the situation of highly frequent hospital visits but also effectively control incidence of acute conditions and reduce their ED visits. In addition, improving the continuity of care is vital, and the best way to do this is to promote family medicine as the primary form of healthcare.
Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Comorbidity , Continuity of Patient Care/statistics & numerical data , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Facilities and Services Utilization/statistics & numerical data , Female , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Kidney Diseases/epidemiology , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Male , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Morbidity , National Health Programs , Taiwan/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Information is scarce about the occupational health effects of exposure to alumina dust. This study examines the respiratory effects of inspirable alumina dust exposure in alumina refineries. METHODS: An inception cohort study at three alumina refineries in Western Australia recruited 416 participants (351 males, 65 females) between 1995 and 2000 who were followed up annually until 2008 or until exit from study. At each health interview a respiratory questionnaire and lung function test was undertaken, measuring forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1 ) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Participants provided job histories which were combined with air monitoring data to calculate cumulative exposure to inspirable alumina dust (mg/m3 -years). Generalized estimating equations with Poisson distribution and mixed effects models were used to examine the effects of alumina exposure. RESULTS: The number of exposed participants was relatively small (n = 82, 19.7%). There was no association between alumina dust exposure and prevalence of cough, wheeze or rhinitis. No associations were found between measures of lung function and tertiles of alumina exposure in the first two follow-ups, or the whole follow-up period, though there was a suggestive dose-response trend across exposed groups for decline in absolute FEV1 (p for trend = .06). For mean annual change in FEV1 and FVC based on the first three follow-ups it was not possible to rule out an effect above a threshold level of exposure. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence of an association between exposure to alumina and the reporting of respiratory symptoms but some evidence for an effect on lung function.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants, Occupational/toxicity , Aluminum Oxide/toxicity , Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Adult , Cough/epidemiology , Cough/etiology , Dust , Extraction and Processing Industry , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Lung Diseases/etiology , Male , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Prevalence , Respiratory Function Tests , Respiratory Sounds/etiology , Rhinitis/epidemiology , Rhinitis/etiology , Skin Tests , Western Australia/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Background: Pulmonary mycosis (PM) poses a great diagnostic challenge due to the lack of pathognomonic and radiological features, especially in the absence of mycology laboratory tests. This study was aimed to isolate, phenotypically identify, determine the prevalence of pulmonary fungal pathogens and antifungal susceptibility pattern of isolates of presumptive tuberculosis (PTB) patients attending Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Gombe, Nigeria. Methods: After ethical approval, three consecutive early morning sputa were collected from 216 participants with presumptive of PTB attending FTH Gombe, between May 2, 2017 and May 30, 2018. Samples were processed using standard mycological staining, microscopy, sugar biochemistry, and antifungal susceptibility test protocols. Sociodemographic variables and risk factors of pulmonary fungal infection were assessed through structured questionnaires. Pulmonary fungal infection was defined by the positive culture in at least two sputa. PTB was defined by Genexpert® nested polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of the 216 participants, 19.9% had PTB and 73.6% had pulmonary fungal pathogens. Among the isolated pulmonary fungal pathogens, Aspergillus fumigatus made the highest occurrence, while 6.5% had PTB-fungal co-infection. No significant association existed between the prevalence of PM with age and sex of participants (P < 0.05). Cigarette smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 15.9 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9-268.8]), prolong antibiotic use (aOR = 77.9 [95% CI: 4.7-1283]) and possession of domestic pet (aOR = 77.9 [95% CI: 4.7-1283]) were significant risk factors of PM (P < 0.05). Penicillium citrinum, Mucor spp. and Aspergillus flavus are more susceptible to voriconazole, and Candida albicans was found to be more susceptible to Nystatin. Of the 159 fungal isolates, 92.5% were resistant to fluconazole. Conclusion: Findings from this study revealed high level pulmonary fungal pathogens, especially among PTB patients. A majority of fungal isolates were resistant to fluconazole. It's recommended that persons should do away with or minimize risk factors for pulmonary fungal pathogens identified in this study.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Fungi/classification , Fungi/drug effects , Lung Diseases/microbiology , Mycoses/epidemiology , Tuberculosis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Coinfection/epidemiology , Coinfection/microbiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Fungi/pathogenicity , Humans , Lung Diseases/drug therapy , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Male , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Middle Aged , Mycoses/drug therapy , Mycoses/microbiology , Nigeria/epidemiology , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Sputum/microbiology , Tuberculosis/diagnosis , Tuberculosis/microbiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
As a cause of lung disease (LD), Mycobacterium kansasii is regarded as a highly virulent species among nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Both the frequency of M. kansasii isolates and global prevalence of M. kansasii-LD have increased gradually over recent decades. Treatment of M. kansasii-LD is recommended because of the disease's poor prognosis and fatal outcome. The decision on the optimal time point for treatment initiation should be based on both the benefits and risks posed by multiple antimicrobial agents. For treatment-naïve patients with M. kansasii-LD, rifampin-containing multiple antimicrobial regimens for ≥12 months after culture negative conversion are effective. However, some challenges remain, such as determining the precise length of treatment duration as well as addressing intolerable adverse effects, the uncertain effectiveness of isoniazid and ethambutol in treatment, the uncertain correlation between in vitro drug susceptibility testing and clinical outcomes, and the increasing prevalence of clarithromycin-resistant M. kansasii isolates. Short-course and effective therapies must be developed. New candidate drugs, such as tedizoid and clofazimine, exhibit excellent antimycobacterial activity against M. kansasii in vitro, but in vivo studies of their clinical applications are lacking. This paper reviews the treatment, outcomes and future directions in patients with M. kansasii-LD.
Subject(s)
Lung Diseases , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous , Mycobacterium kansasii , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Humans , Lung Diseases/drug therapy , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/drug therapy , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The recent outbreak of COVID-19, which continues to ravage communities with high death tolls and untold psychosocial and catastrophic economic consequences, is a vivid reminder of nature's capacity to defy contemporary healthcare. The pandemic calls for rapid mobilization of every potential clinical tool, including phototherapy-one of the most effective treatments used to reduce the impact of the 1918 "Spanish influenza" pandemic. This paper cites several studies showing that phototherapy has immense potential to reduce the impact of coronavirus diseases, and offers suggested ways that the healthcare industry can integrate modern light technologies in the fight against COVID-19 and other infections. The evidence shows that violet/blue (400-470 nm) light is antimicrobial against numerous bacteria, and that it accounts for Niels Ryberg Finsen's Nobel-winning treatment of tuberculosis. Further evidence shows that blue light inactivates several viruses, including the common flu coronavirus, and that in experimental animals, red and near infrared light reduce respiratory disorders, similar to those complications associated with coronavirus infection. Moreover, in patients, red light has been shown to alleviate chronic obstructive lung disease and bronchial asthma. These findings call for urgent efforts to further explore the clinical value of light, and not wait for another pandemic to serve as a reminder. The ubiquity of inexpensive light emitting lasers and light emitting diodes (LEDs), makes it relatively easy to develop safe low-cost light-based devices with the potential to reduce infections, sanitize equipment, hospital facilities, emergency care vehicles, homes, and the general environment as pilot studies have shown.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/therapy , Phototherapy , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Heliotherapy , Humans , Infrared Rays , Light , Low-Level Light Therapy , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Lung Diseases/therapy , Lung Diseases/virology , Pandemics , Phototherapy/methods , Pneumonia, ViralABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Compared to the general population, patients with alcohol and drug addiction have an increased risk of additional hazardous lifestyles and suffer from more chronic diseases, adding to their already significantly higher morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of the Very Integrated Program (VIP) on treatment and health outcomes for patients diagnosed with alcohol and drug addiction. METHODS: Parallel randomized clinical trial with intervention as add-on to addiction care as usual. A total of 322 patients aged 18 years or older were identified, and the study requirements were fulfilled by 219 patients, 7 of whom participated in a pilot. The intervention was a 6-week intensive, tailored, educational program that included motivational interviewing, a smoking cessation program, dietary and physical activity counseling, and patient education. The main outcome measures were substance-free days, time to relapse, and treatment adherence assessed after 6 weeks and 12 months. Secondary outcomes were lifestyle factors, symptoms of comorbidity, and quality of life. Missing data were imputed conservatively by using data closest to the follow-up date and baseline values in patients with no follow-up. RESULTS: The 212 patients (intervention, n = 113; control, n = 99) were randomized, and 202 had complete data for primary outcomes. After 6 weeks, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding primary or secondary outcomes. At the 12-month follow-up, the patients in the control group had significantly more total substance-free days (139 days; ranging 0 to 365 vs. 265; 0 to 366, p = 0.021)-specifically among the patients with drug addiction-and higher physical and mental quality of life (45 vs. 58, p = 0.049 and 54 vs. 66, p = 0.037), but not in the per-protocol analysis (60 vs. 46, p = 0.52 and 70 vs. 66, p = 0.74). The sensitivity analyses did not support significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Overall, adding VIP intervention did not improve outcome of the alcohol or drug addiction care or the lifestyle compared to the addiction care alone. This patient group is still in need of effective programs, and new intervention research is required to develop that.
Subject(s)
Alcoholism/rehabilitation , Diet , Exercise , Health Promotion/methods , Motivational Interviewing , Patient Education as Topic , Smoking Cessation , Substance-Related Disorders/rehabilitation , Adult , Aged , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Comorbidity , Counseling , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Female , Heart Diseases/epidemiology , Humans , Liver Diseases/epidemiology , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Overweight/epidemiology , Overweight/therapy , Pilot Projects , Quality of Life , Recurrence , Smoking/epidemiology , Smoking/therapy , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Thinness/epidemiology , Thinness/therapy , Treatment Adherence and Compliance , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
Hospital readmission following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) contributes considerably to the costs of care. Readmission rates following TAVR have been reported to be as high as 17.4% at 30 days and 53.2% at 1 year. Patient and procedural factors predict an increased likelihood of readmission including non-transfemoral access, acute and chronic kidney impairment, chronic lung disease, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, major bleeding and prolonged index hospitalisation. Recent studies have also found the requirement for new pacemaker implantation and the severity of paravalvular aortic regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation to be novel predictors of readmission. Post-TAVR readmission within 30 days of discharge is more likely to occur for non-cardiac than cardiac pathology, although readmission for cardiac causes, especially heart failure, predicts higher mortality than readmission for non-cardiac causes. To combat the risk of readmission and associated mortality, the routine practice of calculating and considering readmission risk should be adopted by the heart team. Furthermore, because most readmissions following TAVR occur for non-cardiac reasons, more holistic approaches to readmission prevention are necessary. Familiarity with the most common predictors and causes of readmission should guide the development of initiatives to address these conditions proactively.
Subject(s)
Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery , Patient Readmission/statistics & numerical data , Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement , Acute Kidney Injury/epidemiology , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Aortic Valve Insufficiency/epidemiology , Atrial Fibrillation/epidemiology , Cardiac Pacing, Artificial/statistics & numerical data , Chronic Disease , Hospitals , Hospitals, Teaching/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Pacemaker, Artificial , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Stroke Volume , Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency/epidemiology , Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/epidemiology , Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/physiopathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies have reported conflicting findings on the infection risk posed by intravenous iron supplementation among hemodialysis (HD) patients. We used a novel study design to assess associations between intravenous iron and infectious diseases. METHODS: Patients initiating HD between 1998 and 2008 were extracted from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Their first infectious disease in the period between 1.5 years after dialysis initiation and 2010 was identified and defined as the index date. Through the case-crossover design, the odds of exposure to intravenous iron within the 1-month period immediately preceding the index date (i.e., the case period) were compared with iron exposure in three different matched control periods for the same enrollee, thus possibly reducing some unmeasured confounders. RESULTS: A total of 1410 patients who met our enrollment criteria were extracted from incident HD patients. The odds of intravenous iron exposure during the case period versus total control periods exhibited no significant difference (odds ratio: 1.000, 95% confidence interval: 0.75-1.33). In subgroup analyses, this association remained nonsignificant across patients with diabetes mellitus, heart failure, chronic lung disease, venous catheter for HD, and higher iron load. CONCLUSIONS: We found that intravenous iron supplementation did not increase short-term infection risk among HD patients.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections/etiology , Hematinics/adverse effects , Iron/adverse effects , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy , Renal Dialysis/adverse effects , Administration, Intravenous , Adult , Aged , Bacterial Infections/microbiology , Cohort Studies , Cross-Over Studies , Databases, Factual/statistics & numerical data , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Epidemiologic Methods , Female , Ferric Compounds/administration & dosage , Ferric Compounds/adverse effects , Ferric Oxide, Saccharated/administration & dosage , Ferric Oxide, Saccharated/adverse effects , Heart Failure/epidemiology , Hematinics/administration & dosage , Humans , Iron/administration & dosage , Iron-Dextran Complex/administration & dosage , Iron-Dextran Complex/adverse effects , Kidney Failure, Chronic/epidemiology , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Multimorbidity , National Health Programs/statistics & numerical data , Taiwan/epidemiology , Time Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular stroke is a common critical complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). Angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T gene polymorphism is associated with risk of ischemic stroke and cardiovascular disease. AIM: We investigated the potential association between angiotensinogen M235T gene polymorphism and susceptibility to cerebrovascular and cardiopulmonary complications in adolescents with SCD. METHODS: Forty-six patients with SCD in steady state were studied stressing on history of stroke, hydroxyurea/chelation therapy, hematological profile, and echocardiographic findings. Polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to detect AGT M235T gene polymorphism. Fifty sex- and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled for assessment of M235T gene polymorphism pattern. RESULTS: The distribution of AGT M235T gene polymorphism was similar between SCD patients and healthy controls. The frequency of T allele of AGT M235T gene polymorphism (TT and MT genotypes) was significantly higher among patients with history of manifest stroke (P < .001). Patients with TT and MT genotypes had higher incidence of cardiopulmonary complications (Pâ¯=â¯.041) as well as higher percentage of HbS (P < .001) and lower hemoglobin level (Pâ¯=â¯.008) compared with those with MM genotype. Serum ferritin, liver iron concentration, and cardiac T2* were not related to T alleles or genotypes. Logistic regression analysis revealed that M235T genotype was a significant independent factor related to the occurrence of stroke among patients with SCD (Odds Ratio 14.05, 95% confidence interval 3.82-28.91; Pâ¯=â¯.001). CONCLUSION: AGT M235T gene polymorphism may represent a genetic modifier to vascular morbidities in Egyptian patients with SCD.
Subject(s)
Anemia, Sickle Cell/genetics , Angiotensinogen/genetics , Cerebrovascular Disorders/genetics , Genes, Modifier , Heart Diseases/genetics , Lung Diseases/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Adolescent , Age Factors , Anemia, Sickle Cell/diagnosis , Anemia, Sickle Cell/epidemiology , Case-Control Studies , Cerebrovascular Disorders/diagnosis , Cerebrovascular Disorders/epidemiology , Egypt/epidemiology , Female , Gene Frequency , Genetic Association Studies , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Heart Diseases/diagnosis , Heart Diseases/epidemiology , Humans , Lung Diseases/diagnosis , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Male , Phenotype , Risk Factors , Young AdultSubject(s)
Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Lung Neoplasms/epidemiology , Mining , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Uranium/adverse effects , Aged , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced/epidemiology , New Mexico/epidemiology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The Chars Tobacco Assessment Project 2018 is a holistic survey conducted in the chars (riverine islands) of Gaibandha in Northern Bangladesh, covering 985 households over 24 clusters. The survey was conducted with two objectives: (1) to assess levels of tobacco consumption and evaluate prevailing socio-economic, behavioral and health status of the chars population, and (2) to look at the effectiveness of advocacy campaigns to reduce tobacco consumption through behavioral nudges via randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in rural Bangladesh. The study site was purposively chosen due to its high tobacco consumption rate, and the geographical segregation of the chars aided in reducing spillovers for RCT design. DATA DESCRIPTION: In addition to detailed information on tobacco (smoking and smokeless) consumption and perception, data was collected on: household composition, housing and plot ownership, consumption, risks and shocks coping, dowry, farm production, loans, savings and lending, labor income, asset holdings, migration and remittance, anthropometry, respiratory diseases, co-morbidities, reproductive history, risk and time preference. Unique to the dataset are carbon monoxide readings for accurate short term smoking measurement and FEV1 and PEF values for identification of long term lung damage. The data is representative only for the chars of Gaibandha.
Subject(s)
Health Status , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Socioeconomic Factors , Tobacco Use/epidemiology , Adult , Bangladesh/epidemiology , Child , Comorbidity , Health Surveys/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: South Africa's mineral resources have produced, and continue to produce, enormous economic wealth; yet decades of colonialism, apartheid, capital flight, and challenges in the neoliberal post-apartheid era have resulted in high rates of occupational lung disease and low rates of compensation for ex-miners and their families. Given growing advocacy and activism of current and former mine workers, initiatives were launched by the South African government in 2012 to begin to address the legacy of injustice. This study aimed to assess developments over the last 5 years in providing compensation, quantify shortfalls and explore underlying challenges. METHODS: Using the database with compensable disease claims from over 200,000 miners, the medical assessment database of 400,000 health records and the employment database with 1.6 million miners, we calculated rates of claims, unpaid claims and shortfall in claim filing for each of the southern African countries with at least 25,000 miners who worked in South African mines, by disease type and gender. We also conducted interviews in Johannesburg, Eastern Cape, Lesotho and a local service unit near a mine site, supplemented by document review and auto-reflection, adopting the lens of a critical rights-based approach. RESULTS: By the end of 2017, 111,166 miners had received compensation (of which 55,864 were for permanent lung impairment, and another 52,473 for tuberculosis), however 107,714 compensable claims remained unpaid. Many (28.4%) compensable claims are from Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana and elsewhere in southern Africa, a large proportion of which have been longstanding. A myriad of diverse systemic barriers persist, especially for workers and their families outside South Africa. Calculating predicted burden of occupational lung disease compared to compensable claims paid suggests a major shortfall in filing claims in addition to the large burden of still unpaid claims. CONCLUSION: Despite progress made, our analysis reveals ongoing complex barriers and illustrates that the considerable underfunding of the systems required for sustained prevention and social protection (including compensation) needs urgent attention. With class action suits in the process of settlement, the globalized mining sector is now beginning to be held accountable. A critical rights-based approach underlines the importance of ongoing concerted action by all.
Subject(s)
Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Mining , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Social Justice , Workers' Compensation/economics , Female , Humans , Insurance Claim Review , Male , South Africa/epidemiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To identify the primary reasons for term admissions to neonatal units in England, to determine risk factors for admissions for jaundice and to estimate the proportion who can be cared for in a transitional setting without separation of mother and baby. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study using neonatal unit admission data from the National Neonatal Research Database and data of live births in England from the Office for National Statistics. SETTING: All 163 neonatal units in England 2011-2013. PARTICIPANTS: 133 691 term babies born ≥37 weeks gestational age and admitted to neonatal units in England. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Primary reasons for admission, term babies admitted for the primary reason of jaundice, patient characteristics, postnatal age at admission, total length of stay, phototherapy, intravenous fluids, exchange transfusion and kernicterus. RESULTS: Respiratory disease was the most common reason for admission overall, although jaundice was the most common reason for admission from home (22% home vs 5% hospital). Risk factors for admission for jaundice include male, born at 37 weeks gestation, Asian ethnicity and multiple birth. The majority of babies received only a brief period of phototherapy, and only a third received intravenous fluids, suggesting that some may be appropriately managed without separation of mother and baby. Admission from home was significantly later (3.9 days) compared with those admitted from elsewhere in the hospital (1.7 days) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Around two-thirds of term admissions for jaundice may be appropriately managed in a transitional care setting, avoiding separation of mother and baby. Babies with risk factors may benefit from a community midwife postnatal visit around the third day of life to enable early referral if necessary. We recommend further work at the national level to examine provision and barriers to transitional care, referral pathways between primary and secondary care, and community postnatal care.
Subject(s)
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal/statistics & numerical data , Jaundice, Neonatal/epidemiology , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Patient Admission/statistics & numerical data , England/epidemiology , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Term BirthABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if outcomes at our neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) since we began using calcium chloride (CaCl2) as our preferred calcium additive in order to reduce aluminum (Al) exposure are within expected outcome ranges for NICUs in the U.S. where calcium gluconate in glass vials (CaGlu-Gl) has been the preferred additive. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of very low birth weight infants born between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2014. Outcomes in two intensive care units (NICUs) using CaCl2 were compared to all U.S. NICUs in the Vermont Oxford Network. Primary outcomes were chronic lung disease (CLD), percent requiring supplemental oxygen at 28 days, and mortality excluding early deaths (MEED). The incidence of IV infiltrates of all admissions to the study NICUs in 2013-2014 was compared to the literature. RESULTS: The incidence of CLD and those requiring oxygen at 28 days were 24.0% vs 28.6% and 46.2% vs 51.8% for the study NICUs compared to all U.S. NICUs, respectively (both pâ<â0.0001). The MEED was 8.7% vs 10.3% (pâ<â0.002). All major morbidities were lower at the study NICUs. The incidence of infiltrates was lower than that in the literature. CONCLUSION: The use of CaCl2 was not associated with any detectable adverse effects. Calcium chloride appears to be a safe alternative to the use of CaGlu-Gl based upon studies of clinical outcomes.
Subject(s)
Calcium Chloride/therapeutic use , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Mortality , Parenteral Nutrition/methods , Calcium Gluconate/therapeutic use , Case-Control Studies , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Incidence , Infant, Extremely Premature , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature , Infant, Very Low Birth Weight , Lung Diseases/therapy , Male , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index , United StatesABSTRACT
La Sección de Neumología y Alergia Infantil del Hospital 12 de Octubre ofrece atención integral al niño con patología alérgica y/o respiratoria ya desde su diagnóstico y aborda también el tratamiento y el seguimiento, tanto clínico como funcional con las técnicas más novedosas disponibles en la actualidad. Además de las patologías más prevalentes en la infancia, como el asma, atendemos también múltiples patologías complejas, de especial prevalencia en un hospital terciario como el 12 de Octubre, como la fibrosis quística, malformaciones broncopulmonares, displasia broncopulmonar, esofagitis eosinofílica, alergias alimentarias graves, ofreciendo la experiencia de especialistas en estos cuadros, de referencia en nuestra Comunidad y también en nuestro país (AU)
The Pneumology and Child Allergy Section of the Hospital 12 de Octubre offers comprehensive care to the child with allergic and/or respiratory condition from the time of their diagnosis and also approaches the treatment and follow-up, both clinical and functional with the newest techniques available at present. In addition to the most prevalent conditions in childhood, as asthma, we also attend to multiple complex conditions, of special prevalence in a tertiary hospital such as the 12 de Octubre, such as cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary malformations, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, eosinophilic esophagitis, severe food allergies, offering the experience of specialists in this pictures, of reference in our Community and also in our country (AU)