Multiwavelength Photoacoustic Breath Analysis Sensor for the Diagnosis of Lung Diseases: COPD and Asthma.

Breath analysis is emerging as a universal diagnostic method for clinical applications. The possibility of breath analysis is being explored vigorously using different analytical techniques. We have designed and assembled a multiwavelength UV photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) sensor for the said application. To optimize laser wavelength for sample excitation, photoacoustic signals from disease and normal conditions are recorded with different laser excitations (213, 266, 355, and 532 nm) on exhaled breath samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the PA signals has shown that 213, 266, and 355 nm laser excitations are suitable for breath analysis, with reliable descriptive statistics obtained for 266 nm laser. The study has, therefore, been extended for breath samples collected from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and normal subjects, using 266 nm laser excitation. PCA of the PA data shows good classification among asthma, COPD, and normal subjects. Match/No-match study performed with asthma, COPD, and normal calibration set has demonstrated the potential of using this method for diagnostic application. Sensitivity and specificity are observed as 88 and 89%, respectively. The area under the curve of the ROC curve is found to be 0.948, which justifies the diagnostic capability of the device for lung diseases. The same samples were studied using a commercial E-Nose, and the measurement outcome strongly supports the PAS results.

Influence of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program among people with interstitial lung disease: A pre-post study.

INTRODUCTION: Access to interstitial lung disease programs may not be available in rural settings. Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs have been proposed as an alternative to hospital-based programs. METHOD: Forty participants with ILD underwent a structured unsupervised home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program from September 2020 to September 2022. Quality of life was assessed using St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and functional capacity using 6-minute walk test (6MWT). The outcome measures were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks post-unsupervised home-based PR program. RESULT: We recruited 40 participants with ILD. There was statistically significant improvement in the 6-minute walk distance (353.8 m and 368 m, effect size - 0.5, p ≤ .001) and quality of life using SGRQ total score (38.6 and 42.35, effect size - 2.5, p ≤ .001) between before and after receiving home-based PR among all 40 participants with ILD. CONCLUSION: Four weeks of home-based PR program, using minimal resources, deliver short-term improvements in functional exercise capacity and quality of life among ILD participants. Our home-based PR program resulted in a quarter percentage improvement in functional capacity, and we believe that if consistency is maintained, it will result in similar changes corresponding to the already established Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) of 35 m.

Etiology and Clinical Profile of Patients with a Tree-in-bud Appearance on High-resolution Computed Tomogram of the Thorax.

We read with great interest the article "the deadly duo of hypertension and diabetes in India: further affirmation from a new epidemiological study" by Metri et al.1 They rightly pointed out that the prevalence of hypertension in Indian patients with type 2 diabetes patients is high and therefore early screening and management of hypertension should be included in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. We wish to share our study findings on the prevalence of hypertension in newly onset diabetes mellitus (DM). We find that the prevalence of hypertension in all males and females with DM was 44.59, 44.34, and 45.16%, respectively.2.

Effect of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program on functional capacity and health-related quality of life in people with interstitial lung disease - A randomized controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Centre-based pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective, non-pharmacological intervention in improving outcomes for people with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a lower-cost rehabilitation alternative for people with chronic respiratory diseases. The aims of this study are to evaluate the efficacy of home-based PR on functional capacity and health-related quality of life in people with ILD, as well as to assess changes in dyspnea and fatigue, muscle strength, activities of daily living, depression, and anxiety after completing a home-based PR program. METHODS: Ninety-six individuals with ILD will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group (home-based PR exercise training program) or a control group (usual care). An assessor blind to group allocation will measure the 6-min walk distance, peripheral muscular strength, health-related quality of life, dyspnoea, anxiety and depression, fatigue, activities of daily living, upper limb and lower limb endurance at baseline, at program completion one month, and three months after the intervention. DISCUSSION: If home-based PR programs are proven to be beneficial over time, they will address a critical gap by giving a readily accessible and viable choice of rehabilitation to people with ILD, enabling more people to participate in an exercise program.

Post-COVID syndrome screening through breath analysis using electronic nose technology.

There is an urgent need to have reliable technologies to diagnose post-coronavirus disease syndrome (PCS), as the number of people affected by COVID-19 and related complications is increasing worldwide. Considering the amount of risks associated with the two chronic lung diseases, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is an immediate requirement for a screening method for PCS, which also produce symptoms similar to these conditions, especially since very often, many COVID-19 cases remain undetected because a good share of such patients is asymptomatic. Breath analysis techniques are getting attention since they are highly non-invasive methods for disease diagnosis, can be implemented easily for point-of-care applications even in primary health care centres. Electronic (E-) nose technology is coming up with better reliability, ease of operation, and affordability to all, and it can generate signatures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath as markers of diseases. The present report is an outcome of a pilot study using an E-nose device on breath samples of cohorts of PCS, asthma, and normal (control) subjects. Match/no-match and k-NN analysis tests have been carried out to confirm the diagnosis of PCS. The prediction model has given 100% sensitivity and specificity. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) has been plotted for the prediction model, and the area under the curve (AUC) is obtained as 1. The E-nose technique is found to be working well for PCS diagnosis. Our study suggests that the breath analysis using E-nose can be used as a point-of-care diagnosis of PCS.Trial registrationBreath samples were collected from the Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal (IEC 60/2021, 13/01/2021) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) (CTRI/2021/02/031357, 06/02/2021) Government of India; trials were prospectively registered.

Predictors of treatment outcomes in drug resistant tuberculosis-observational retrospective study.

Background: In this study, we evaluate the predictors of treatment outcomes in drug resistant tuberculosis. Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted by using the medical records of patients confirmed for TB at Kasturba Medical College from January 2015 to December 2018. Results: Four hundred and sixty-two TB patients were included in this study. Of the total TB-confirmed patients, about 85.1% are diagnosed with pulmonary TB (PTB) (n = 393), 11.7% were extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) (n = 54), and 3.2% (n = 15) cases had both PTB and EPTB. Among the 462 cases, the frequency of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) was 25% (n = 117), extensively drug-resistant TB was 1% (n = 3), and non-MDR cases were 74% (n = 342). The frequency of unsuccessful treatment outcome was 92.9% (n = 429) and successful outcome was 7.1% (n = 33). There were 68.2% of new and 31.8% retreatment cases of TB. HIV co-infection was found in 2.3% (n = 14) of TB cases, and among them, 64.3% (n = 9) were found in PTB cases. The major comorbidities found were diabetes (21.2%), weight loss (12.6%), and anemia (12.6%). There was a difference in rate of PTB cases across years decreasing in the year 2017, whereas ETB cases were increasing in the year 2017. The TB treatment success rate was increased from 2015 (4.8%) to 2018 (8.3%). Conclusion: The higher rate of poor treatment outcome emphasizes the need of improvement in TB surveillance, treatment, more stringent follow-up, monitoring, and patient education to ensure complete and successful treatment.

Effect of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation on functional capacity in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis-a systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the common types of interstitial lung disease having high prevalence and mortality worldwide. As a result of patient-centred hindering factors of adherence to centre-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), home-based PR is an alternate mode of rehabilitating individuals with IPF. This systematic review will evaluate the effectiveness of unsupervised home-based PR on functional capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with IPF. METHODS: Clinically stable, high resolution computed tomography and physician diagnosed IPF participants having modified Medical Research Council score below 5 will be considered for the systematic review. Studies involving home-based PR as an intervention to treat individuals with IPF will be considered. Randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised studies (with two groups followed up) are eligible to be included. Outcomes of our interest are functional capacity (6-min walk distance, shuttle walk test and incremental shuttle walk test) and secondary outcome measure would include assessment of quality of life and adverse effects of intervention. Electronic databases such as SCOPUS, Medline (PubMed and Web of Science), PEDRo and CINAHL will be searched using database specific terms. Additionally, forward and backward citations of included studies will be searched to identify potential records. Two review authors, independently, will conduct the screening, data extraction using a customised standard tool, and critical appraisal using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool of included studies. If data permits, meta-analysis will be conducted. In case of substantial heterogeneity, we will do a narrative synthesis. Subgroup analysis will be undertaken based on various contextual and interventional factors. DISCUSSION: This review will provide comprehensive evidence on the effectiveness of unsupervised home-based PR to physiotherapists, policy makers and researchers who are interested in IPF management. Findings from this review may guide the development and evaluation of more robust evidence based home-based PR that aimed to improve functional capacity among people with IPF. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020213883.

Psychological stress and health-related quality of life among tuberculosis patients: a prospective cohort study.

Economic, social and psychological distress is common in individuals affected by tuberculosis (TB). However, the magnitude of distress, psychological interventions and their effect on the treatment outcomes are often under-evaluated. We examined the level of psychological stress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of such patients and the effect of antituberculosis therapy on them. Our prospective cohort study included newly diagnosed adult pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB patients. Assessment of psychological stress was done using the seven-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder questionnaire for anxiety and the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire for depression. HRQoL was assessed by using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Of the 86 patients studied, 21 (24.4%) had anxiety symptoms at the baseline, which reduced to 5.8% and 1.2% at 2 months and treatment completion, respectively (p<0.001). Among the subjects, 18 (20.9%) patients had depression, which reduced to 7% and 2.3% at 2 months and treatment completion, respectively (p<0.001). All the mean domain scores of HRQoL were poor at the baseline, which showed improvement at treatment completion (p<0.001). Anxiety and depression were common among TB patients, and there was significant progressive reduction during and after treatment. TB had remarkable negative impacts on HRQoL, with the physical domain being the most affected, and all the domain scores showed significant improvement at treatment completion. Routine screening for depression and anxiety and timely referral to a psychiatrist are required in TB patients to improve the outcome of the disease and quality of life.

A review on human body fluids for the diagnosis of viral infections: scope for rapid detection of COVID-19.

Introduction: The unprecedented outbreaks of corona virus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) have highlighted the necessity of readily available, reliable, precise, and faster techniques for its detection. Nasopharyngeal swab has been the gold standard for the diagnosis of COVID-19. However, it is not an ideal screening procedure for massive screening as it implicates the patient's stay in the hospital or at home until diagnosis, thus causing crowding of the specimen at the diagnostic centers. Present study deal with the exploration of potential application of different body fluids using certain highly objective techniques (Optical and e-Nose) for faster detection of molecular markers thereby diagnosing viral infections.Areas covered: This report presents an evaluation of different body fluids, and their advantages for the rapid detection of COVID-19, coupled with highly sensitive optical techniques for the detection of molecular biomarkers.Expert opinion: Tears, saliva, and breath samples can provide valuable information about viral infections. Our brief review strongly recommends the application of saliva/tears and exhaled breath as clinical samples using technics such as high-performance liquid chromatography-laser-induced fluorescence, photoacoustic spectroscopy, and e-Nose, respectively, for the fast diagnosis of viral infections.

Comparison of reaction time and functional balance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and healthy participants.

BACKGROUND: Reaction time is one of the components of functional balance and could contribute to balance impairment. Information regarding this relationship is scant among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) participants. OBJECTIVES: To compare stepping reaction time between participants with COPD and age; gender-matched healthy individuals to find out whether reaction time in COPD population is affected. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 41 COPD participants and 41 age and gender-matched healthy individuals. All the participants underwent measurements of stepping reaction time (SRT) and timed up and go test (TUG). RESULTS: SRT was significantly higher in COPD participants compared to healthy individuals [median of difference- 350 milliseconds (110, 830), p < 0.001]. TUG was significantly higher in COPD participants compared to healthy individuals [median of difference = 2.82 seconds (0.34 and 4.5), p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with COPD exhibit marked increase in SRT and demonstrate a deficiency in functional balance compared to the healthy participants.

Power of BODE Index in Predicting Future Exacerbations of COPD: A Prospective Observational Study in Indian Population.

BACKGROUND: BODE index is a multidimensional measure of survival in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is composed of body mass index (B), the degree of airflow obstruction (O), dyspnoea (D), and exercise capacity (E). Studies have shown that BODE index can predict future exacerbations, but similar data in Indian population is unavailable. This study was aimed at evaluating the power of BODE index to predict the frequency of exacerbations of COPD in Indian cohort. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study that included stable COPD subjects aged above 40 years. We assessed the BODE index at baseline and recorded the number of exacerbations at the end of 12 months. Spearman's Rho and Poisson regression model were used to correlate the BODE index with the frequency of exacerbations. RESULTS: We analysed 78 COPD patients. A significant correlation was seen between BODE index at baseline and number of exacerbations at 12 months (Spearman's Rho 0.738). A unit change in BODE index at baseline would have 1.25 times higher number of exacerbations at 12 months (95% CI: 1.17-1.33). CONCLUSIONS: BODE index has significant power to predict the frequency of future exacerbations in Indian COPD patients.

Effects of home-based exercise training on functional outcomes and quality of life in patients with pulmonary hypertension: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of home-based exercise training (HBET) on function and quality of life (QoL) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS: A prospective, nonblinded, randomized clinical trial was carried out on 84 medically stable patients with PH belonging to any functional class or etiology and of either sex. Patients were randomized to either standard care or HBET. Both groups also received education using the Pulmonary Hypertension Manual (PulHMan). Outcomes included functional capacity from 6-min walk distance (6MWD), QoL using the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form - 36, functional class (FC), and right heart indices (right ventricular systolic pressure [RVSP] and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE]) and were assessed at entry and after 12 weeks. RESULTS: HBET improved 6MWD by 48.5 m and 13 m in the experimental and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001). QoL showed statistical improvements after HBET between the groups for the physical and mental components and for the various subdomains (except body pain). Furthermore, FC improved by one grade with HBET (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HBET program improved functional capacity, QoL, and FC in patients with PH.

Serum magnesium levels and its correlation with level of control in patients with asthma: A hospital-based, cross-sectional, prospective study.

CONTEXT: Magnesium (Mg) is an intracellular cation which takes part in various functions including smooth muscle contractility. Studies have shown that serum Mg level has no significant effect on asthma severity. There are only sparse data on the effect of serum Mg level on asthma control. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of serum Mg level on asthma control. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Our participants were adult asthma patients over 18 years of age. Asthma control was assessed using a questionnaire. Serum Mg level was estimated. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee, and informed consent was obtained from the participants. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Welch's ANOVA test was used to analyze the correlation between serum Mg level and level of control of asthma. RESULTS: We screened 256 patients who met the inclusion criteria. After 96 patients were removed based on exclusion criteria, 160 patients were grouped into three based on the level of symptom control. Forty-eight patients belonged to the "well controlled" group, 59 in "partly controlled" group, and the remaining 53 in "uncontrolled" group. The mean serum Mg level (mg/dl) was 2.08 ± 0.37, 2.07 ± 0.28, and 1.83 ± 0.34 in well, partly, and uncontrolled groups, respectively. As the level of control of asthma decreased from well controlled to uncontrolled, the level of mean serum Mg also decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Serum Mg levels have a positive correlation with the level of symptom control in asthma. In uncontrolled asthma, serum Mg is significantly low. Hence, it might be useful as a biomarker in assessing control or severity of asthma.

Glaucoma and its association with obstructive sleep apnea: A narrative review.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the systemic risk factors for glaucoma which causes irreversible visual field (VF) damage. We reviewed the published data of all types of studies on the association between these two conditions and papers regarding functional and structural changes related to glaucomatous damage using Scopus, web of science, and PubMed databases. There is evidence that the prevalence of glaucoma is higher in OSA patients, which independent of intraocular pressure (IOP). Studies have reported thinning of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), alteration of optic nerve head, choroidal and macular thickness, and reduced VF sensitivity in patients of OSA with no history glaucoma. A negative correlation of apnea-hypopnea index with RNFL and VF indices has been described in some studies. Raised IOP was noted which is possibly related to obesity, supine position during sleep, and raised intracranial pressure. Diurnal fluctuations of IOP show more variations in OSA patients before and after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy when compared with the normal cases. The vascular factors behind the pathogenesis include recurrent hypoxia with increased vascular resistance, oxidative stress damage to the optic nerve. In conclusion, comprehensive glaucoma evaluation should be recommended in patients with OSA and should also periodically monitor IOP during CPAP treatment which may trigger the progression of glaucomatous damage.

Effects of Exercise Training on Exercise Capacity in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) causes profound functional limitations and poor quality of life. Yet, there is only a limited literature available on the role of exercise training. This paper systematically reviews the effects of exercise training on exercise capacity in PAH. METHODS: A systematic search of databases (PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science and PEDRo) was undertaken for English language articles published between 1(st) January 1980 and 31(st) March 2015. Quality rating for all articles was done using the Downs and Black scoring system. RESULTS: Fifteen articles of good (n=4), moderate (n=6) and poor (n=5) quality were included in the review. Exercise interventions included aerobic, resistance, inspiratory muscle training or a combination, for 6-18 weeks. Improvements were seen in exercise capacity (six minute walk distance (6MWD) and peak VO2) by 17-96m and 1.1-2.1ml/Kg/min, functional class by one class and quality of life, with minimal adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence to recommend the use of exercise training as an adjunct to medical treatment in PAH. More clinical trials and research are required to assess the effects of different types of exercise programs in patients with PAH, while focussing on strong exercise endpoints to quantify the improvements seen with exercise training.

Ethionamide: Unusual Cause of Hypothyroidism.

Multidrug-Resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is major health hazard to the people living in developing countries. As incidence rate of MDR TB has gone up, its therapy has become crucial. MDR TB therapy is known to cause multiple adverse effects however the data related to them is minimal. Hypothyroidism is one of the important adverse effects which usually manifests with vague symptoms and is frequently missed. We present a case of 24-year-old woman who was diagnosed to have MDR TB and started on ethionamide based regimen for same. After 6 months of therapy the patient had clinical symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism, laboratory investigations confirmed it. As ethionamide is an integral component of MDR TB therapy it was continued and thyroxine replacement therapy was given with which she improved. Hypothyroidism completely resolved after 2 months of stoppage of MDR TB therapy suggesting the reversible aetiology of ethionamide.

Study of drug resistance in pulmonary tuberculosis cases in south coastal Karnataka.

The present cross-sectional study was conducted for the first time from the Udupi district of coastal Karnataka to know the prevalence of drug resistance and comparative analysis of MDR and non-MDR cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Details of 862 smear positive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis with age ⩾15 years from 12 designated microscopy centres of the Udupi district were studied. Initially 2 sputum samples trailed by one follow-up sample were collected from each patient and processed for culture and drug sensitivity on the Lowenstein-Jensen medium. A total resistance of 33.4% was observed that includes the mono-resistance of 22.5%, multidrug resistance (MDR) of 6.3% and extensive drug resistance (XDR) of 0.3%. Significant odds ratio (OR) was observed in category 2 cases (OR 3.9) for the development of MDR tuberculosis. A significant statistical association was observed using Fisher's exact test while comparing mortality rate (19.3% vs. 1.8%), treatment failure (8.8% vs. 3.8%) and cure rate (68.4% vs. 85.4%) between MDR and non-MDR cases (p<0.001). Category 2 patients are important risk factors for the development of MDR in pulmonary tuberculosis. Due to high mortality and low cure rate in MDR cases it is imperative to know the drug sensitivity report before institution of anti-tubercular treatment.