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Insights, attitudes and perceptions about asthma and its treatment: findings from a multinational survey of patients from 8 Asia-Pacific countries and Hong Kong

Thompson PJ, Salvi S, Lin J, Cho YJ, Eng P, Abdul Manap R, et al.

Respirology, 2013 Aug;18(6):957-67.

PMID: 23730953 DOI: 10.1111/resp.12137

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Asthma Insight and Management (AIM) survey was conducted in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America to characterize patients' insights, attitudes and perceptions about their asthma and its treatment. We report findings from the Asia-Pacific survey.
METHODS: Asthma patients (≥12 years) from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand were surveyed. Patients answered 53 questions exploring general health, diagnosis/history, symptoms, exacerbations, patient burden, disease management, medications/treatments and patient's attitudes. The Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines were used to assess asthma control. The survey was conducted by random digit telephone dialling (Australia, China and Hong Kong) or by random face-to-face interviews (India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand).
RESULTS: There were 80 761 households screened. Data from 3630 patients were collected. Wide disparity existed between objective measures of control and patient perception. Reported exacerbations during the previous year ranged from 19% (Hong Kong) to 67% (India). Reported unscheduled urgent/emergency visits to a doctor's office/hospital/clinic in the previous year ranged from 15% (Hong Kong) to 46% (Taiwan). Patients who reported having controlled asthma in the previous month ranged from 27% (South Korea) to 84% (Taiwan). Substantial functional and emotional limitations due to asthma were identified by 13% (South Korea) to 78% (India) of patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Asthma has a profound impact on patients' well-being despite the availability of effective treatments and evidence-based management guidelines. Substantial differences across the surveyed countries exist, suggesting unmet, country-specific cultural and educational needs. A large proportion of asthma patients overestimate their level of control.
Study site: random digit telephone dialling or by random face-to-face interviews at pre-selected locations.

A multicentre surveillance study on the characteristics, bacterial aetiologies and in vitro antibiotic susceptibilities in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

Hui DS, Ip M, Ling T, Chang SC, Liao CH, Yoo CG, et al.

Respirology, 2011 Apr;16(3):532-9.

PMID: 21299688 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2011.01943.x

Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem and the prevalence is high in many Asian countries.

Introduction: Avian influenza: from basic biology to pandemic planning

Loh LC, Hui DS, Beasley R

Respirology, 2008 Mar;13 Suppl 1:S1.

PMID: 18366520 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2008.01245.x

Sarcoidosis in Singapore: epidemiology, clinical presentation and ethnic differences

Anantham D, Ong SJ, Chuah KL, Fook-Chong S, Hsu A, Eng P

Respirology, 2007 May;12(3):355-60.

PMID: 17539838

The aim of this study is to better understand the epidemiological and clinical features of patients with sarcoidosis in Singapore and to ascertain if ethnic differences exist.

Snoring and breathing pauses during sleep in the Malaysian population

Kamil MA, Teng CL, Hassan SA

Respirology, 2007 May;12(3):375-80.

PMID: 17539841 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2007.01030.x

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of snoring and breathing pauses during sleep, and to assess associated factors, including morbidity and the impact on daytime functioning, in an adult Malaysian population.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling adults aged 30-70 years was conducted. Daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Physical examinations were limited to measurements of body habitus and blood pressure.
RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1611 adults (52.9% male). The prevalence of habitual snoring, breathing pauses and excessive daytime sleepiness were 47.3%, 15.2% and 14.8%, respectively. Seven per cent of respondents (8.8% male, 5.1% female) were clinically suspected to have obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The independent predictors of habitual snoring were older age, Chinese or Indian ethnicity (compared with Malays), smoking, obesity and use of sedatives. Clinically suspected OSAS and habitual snoring were significantly associated with difficulty in getting up in the morning, morning headache, driving and workplace accidents, hypertension, and ischaemic heart disease.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of habitual snoring is high in the Malaysian population. Sleep-related breathing disorders in Malaysian adults are associated with significant morbidity.

Pulmonary tuberculosis presenting as community-acquired pneumonia

Liam CK, Pang YK, Poosparajah S

Respirology, 2006 Nov;11(6):786-92.

PMID: 17052309

The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring hospitalization in Malaysia, and to define the clinical features of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) that distinguish it from non-TB CAP.

Epidermal growth factor receptor targeted therapy with gefitinib in locally advanced and metastatic primary lung adenocarcinoma

Liam CK, Pang YK, Leow CH

Respirology, 2006 May;11(3):287-91.

PMID: 16635086

To describe the efficacy of monotherapy with the epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib in patients with locally advanced and metastatic primary lung adenocarcinoma.

Extrinsic allergic alveolitis

Ismail T, McSharry C, Boyd G

Respirology, 2006 May;11(3):262-8.

PMID: 16635083

Extrinsic allergic alveolitis (also known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis) is caused by repeated inhalation of mainly organic antigens by sensitized subjects. This induces a hypersensitivity response in the distal bronchioles and alveoli and subjects may present clinically with a variety of symptoms. The aims of this review are to describe the current concepts of the immunological response, the diverse clinical presentation of this disease, the relevant investigations and management, and areas for future studies.

Asthma control in adults in Asia-Pacific

Zainudin BM, Lai CK, Soriano JB, Jia-Horng W, De Guia TS, Asthma Insights and Reality in Asia-Pacific (AIRIAP) Steering Committee

Respirology, 2005 Nov;10(5):579-86.

PMID: 16268910 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2005.00753.x

OBJECTIVE: The Asthma Insights and Reality in Asia-Pacific (AIRIAP) survey collected detailed information on asthma severity and management in the urban centres of eight areas of the Asia-Pacific region. This study compared asthma morbidity and management practices in these areas.
METHODOLOGY: Following recruitment, face-to-face interviews were completed with 2323 adults with diagnosed asthma, who had current symptoms or were using asthma medication. Comparisons between areas were made for asthma severity, asthma burden and management practices.
RESULTS Asthma severity varied significantly between areas (P < 0.01), with Vietnam and mainland China reporting the most cases with severe, persistent symptoms. Severity of asthma was significantly associated with advancing age and a lower level of education in a multivariate analysis (P < 0.001). The total use of acute healthcare for asthma was significantly associated with increased asthma severity. Work absence due to asthma was highest in the Philippines (46.6%) and lowest in South Korea (7.5%). The use of inhaled corticosteroids was associated with age in a non-linear manner. There was significant variation among countries in usage of inhaled corticosteroids, from 1.3% in South Korea to 29.0% in Taiwan (P < 0.00001). A peak flow meter was owned by a total of 7.7% of respondents, and overall, 17.9% of adults had a written action plan for asthma management.
CONCLUSIONS: Within the Asia-Pacific region, asthma in adults differs significantly in disease severity, management and treatment according to area of residence. International recommendations on the management of asthma are generally not being followed.
Study site: urban areas in several countries in Asia-Pacific region (via random street interception, random door-to-door recruitment, or telephone recruitment)

Gemcitabine and carboplatin in the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Leow CH, Liam CK

Respirology, 2005 Nov;10(5):629-35.

PMID: 16268917

The aim of the study was to evaluate the response, survival advantage and toxicity profile of gemcitabine-carboplatin combination cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Addition of macrolide in treating adult hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia

Loh LC, Quah SY, Khoo SK, Vijayasingham P, Thayaparan T

Respirology, 2005 Jun;10(3):371-7.

PMID: 15955152

Current clinical practice guidelines, including those in south Asia, recommend the addition of a macrolide to a broad-spectrum antibiotic for the treatment of severe hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The aim of this study was to observe the influence of macrolide addition on clinical outcomes of hospitalized adult patients with CAP.

Prevalence of asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis: two surveys, 6 years apart, in Kota Bharu, Malaysia

Quah BS, Wan-Pauzi I, Ariffin N, Mazidah AR

Respirology, 2005 Mar;10(2):244-9.

PMID: 15823193

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis in school children in Kota Bharu, Malaysia, and in so doing to determine the differences in symptom prevalence rates of asthma, and atopic diseases in Kota Bharu school children between 1995 and 2001.

Adult community-acquired pneumonia in Malaysia: prediction of mortality from severity assessment on admission

Loh LC, Khoo SK, Quah SY, Visvalingam V, Radhakrishnan A, Vijayasingham P, et al.

Respirology, 2004 Aug;9(3):379-86.

PMID: 15363012

Prediction of mortality in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can be assessed using clinical severity scores on admission to hospital. The clinical benefit of such tools is untested in Asian countries. The aim of this study was to determine the early adverse prognostic factors in patients hospitalized with CAP in Malaysia and to assess the usefulness of the British Thoracic Society (BTS) severity criteria.

The causes of haemoptysis in malaysian patients aged over 60 and the diagnostic yield of different investigations

Wong CM, Lim KH, Liam CK

Respirology, 2003 Mar;8(1):65-8.

PMID: 12856744

OBJECTIVE: In southeast Asia, pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is the most frequently presumed diagnosis for haemoptysis. This study was designed to assess the causes of haemoptysis, the diagnostic yield of causes in different diagnostic modalities and the distribution of older patients.

METHODS: All patients presenting to the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with haemoptysis were recruited prospectively and evaluated.

RESULTS: One hundred and sixty patients were evaluated for haemoptysis; 71 (44.4%) were aged 60 years or more. Significantly more patients smoked in the older age group (P = 0.002). The main causes of haemoptysis in the older patients were bronchogenic carcinoma (49.3%), pneumonia (11.3%), bronchiectasis (8.6%), cryptogenic (5.6%) and active TB (4.2%). Significantly more older patients had carcinoma (P < 0.001), while the younger patients more often had TB (P < 0.001). Chest pain was significantly more common in the older patients (P = 0.025), particularly in patients with carcinoma. Bronchoscopy alone or combined with CT of the thorax was significantly more diagnostic in the older patient (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION: Bronchogenic carcinoma is the commonest cause of haemoptysis in patients aged 60 years and above. Presumptive anti-TB therapy should not be encouraged despite the regional high prevalence of TB.

Metastatic lung cancer in pregnancy

Wong CM, Lim KH, Liam CK

Respirology, 2003 Mar;8(1):107-9.

PMID: 12856752

Pregnancy complicated by lung cancer has been rarely reported. The regional incidence of this complex situation is likely to increase in the future and optimal management needs to be established to better deal with this situation. We report two patients with metastatic lung cancer complicating pregnancy to highlight the evaluation and management difficulties associated with this problem and to contribute to the limited information in the literature.

Skin prick test reactivity to common aeroallergens in asthmatic patients with and without rhinitis

Liam CK, Loo KL, Wong CM, Lim KH, Lee TC

Respirology, 2002 Dec;7(4):345-50.

PMID: 12421243 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1843.2002.00409.x

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of skin prick test (SPT) reactivity to common aeroallergens among Malaysian asthmatic patients with and without rhinitis.
METHODOLOGY: An SPT using eight aeroallergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, cat fur, cockroach, Acacia sp., Bermuda grass, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger) was performed on 206 asthmatic patients.
RESULTS: One hundred and forty patients (68%) were reactive to at least one of the aeroallergens. Among the SPT-positive patients, a positive prick test reaction to the house dust mites, D. pteronyssinus (93.6%), and D. farinae (81.4%) was most common, followed by cat fur (20.0%), cockroach (7.9%), Bermuda grass (7.9%), Acacia sp. (7.9%), A. fumigatus (0.7%) and A. niger (0.7%). A history of rhinitis was elicited in 111 (53.9%) patients and 95 (85.3%) of these patients were SPT-positive compared with only 45 (47.4%) of 95 patients with asthma symptoms alone (P < 0.001). The presence of rhinitis and a young age of onset of asthma were independent factors for positive SPT reaction to at least one of the aeroallergens.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SPT reactivity to common aeroallergens is high among Malaysian asthmatics, particularly in those with an early age of onset and in those with coexisting rhinitis.
Study site: Asthma Clinic, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Community-acquired pneumonia in patients requiring hospitalization

Liam CK, Lim KH, Wong CM

Respirology, 2001 Sep;6(3):259-64.

PMID: 11555386

This study aimed to investigate the microbial aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in patients requiring hospitalization.

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction among Malay schoolchildren

Zainudin NM, Aziz BA, Haifa AL, Deng CT, Omar AH

Respirology, 2001 Jun;6(2):151-5.

PMID: 11422895

OBJECTIVE: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) may be demonstrated in 60-70% of asthmatic children in temperate climates. In areas of high humidity it is postulated to be low. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of EIB in a population of schoolchildren with wheezing, living in the humid tropical climate of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

METHOD: We performed a cross-sectional study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire to identify 7-12-year-old Malay children with asthma symptoms from a primary school in central Kuala Lumpur. Sixty-five of 76 children with 'ever wheeze' performed an exercise challenge test successfully in an uncontrolled environment. A random sample of 80 schoolchildren with no history of wheeze were similarly tested as controls. The relative humidity and temperature were recorded. A fall of > 15% was considered as clinically important.

RESULTS: The prevalence of EIB in schoolchildren with 'ever wheeze' was 47.7%. The prevalence of EIB in children with 'current wheeze' was 51.6%. The prevalence of EIB in controls was 7.5%. The relative humidity during the study ranged from 41 to 90%. There was no significant relationship between different humidity levels and EIB (P = 0.58, regression analysis).

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that EIB is present in asthmatic children despite the highly humid tropical environment.

Bronchiolitis obliterans in children: clinical profile and diagnosis

Chan PW, Muridan R, Debruyne JA

Respirology, 2000 Dec;5(4):369-75.

PMID: 11192548

The aim of the study was to determine the clinical profile, aetiology and radiological categories in children diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans (BO).

Lung cancer in patients younger than 40 years in a multiracial Asian country

Liam CK, Lim KH, Wong CM

Respirology, 2000 Dec;5(4):355-61.

PMID: 11192546

This study aimed to determine whether the clinicopathological features of lung cancer in patients younger than 40 years differ from that of older patients in an Asian country.

Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 51 in total