MyMedR

Displaying all 4 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext End-of-life care in patients with advanced lung cancer

Lim RB

Ther Adv Respir Dis, 2016 10;10(5):455-67.
PMID: 27585597 DOI: 10.1177/1753465816660925

Despite advances in the detection, pathological diagnosis and therapeutics of lung cancer, many patients still develop advanced, incurable and progressively fatal disease. As physicians, the duties to cure sometimes, relieve often and comfort always should be a constant reminder to us of the needs that must be met when caring for a patient with lung cancer. Four key areas of end-of-life care in advanced lung cancer begin with first recognizing 'when a patient is approaching the end of life'. The clinician should be able to recognize when the focus of care needs to shift from an aggressive life-sustaining approach to an approach that helps prepare and support a patient and family members through a period of progressive, inevitable decline. Once the needs are recognized, the second key area is appropriate communication, where the clinician should assist patients and family members in understanding where they are in the disease trajectory and what to expect. This involves developing rapport, breaking bad news, managing expectations and navigating care plans. Subsequently, the third key area is symptom management that focuses on the goals to first and foremost provide comfort and dignity. Symptoms that are common towards the end of life in lung cancer include pain, dyspnoea, delirium and respiratory secretions. Such symptoms need to be anticipated and addressed promptly with appropriate medications and explanations to the patient and family. Lastly, in order for physicians to provide quality end-of-life care, it is necessary to understand the ethical principles applied to end-of-life-care interventions. Misconceptions about euthanasia versus withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments may lead to physician distress and inappropriate decision making.
Fulltext Respiratory-tract infections among geriatrics: prevalence and factors associated with the treatment outcomes

Akhtar A, Hassali MAA, Zainal H, Ali I, Iqbal MS, Khan AH

Ther Adv Respir Dis, 2021 4 30;15:1753466620971141.
PMID: 33910420 DOI: 10.1177/1753466620971141

BACKGROUND: Geriatric individuals are more susceptible to different infections, especially respiratory-tract infections (RTIs) due to their compromised immune system. Hence, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence, medication regimen complexity and factors associated with the treatment outcomes of different RTIs among geriatrics.
METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study (5 years) was conducted at the respiratory department, Hospital Pulau Pinang. Patients aged ⩾65 years with confirmed diagnosis of RTI were included in the study.
RESULTS: A total of 474 patients were included, and the most prevalent RTIs were community-acquired pneumonia (65.6%) followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (20.7%), bronchitis (8.2%) and hospital-acquired pneumonia (5.5%). Amoxicillin/clavulanate (69.8%), ampicillin/sulbactam (9.1%) and cefuroxime (6.5%) are the most common antibiotics prescribed to treat RTIs among geriatrics. Smoking, alcohol consumption, polypharmacy and presence of other co-morbidities are statistically significant factors associated with treatment outcomes of RTIs among geriatrics.
CONCLUSION: Prevalence of community-acquired pneumonia (65.6%) among older patients aged 65 years and older higher than other RTIs. Smoking, alcohol use, presence of polypharmacy and other co-morbidities are important factors associated with the treatment outcomes of RTIs.The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells as strategical means for the treatment of COVID-19

Taufiq H, Shaik Fakiruddin K, Muzaffar U, Lim MN, Rusli S, Kamaluddin NR, et al.

Ther Adv Respir Dis, 2023;17:17534666231158276.
PMID: 37128999 DOI: 10.1177/17534666231158276

BACKGROUND: In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines from over stimulation of immune cells have become a concern due to the potential outburst of cytokine storm that damages the tissues and organs, especially the lungs. This leads to the manifestation of COVID-19 symptoms, such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple organ failure, and eventually death. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are currently one of hopeful approaches in treating COVID-19 considering its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions. On that account, the number of clinical trials concerning the use of MSCs for COVID-19 has been increasing. However, the number of systematic reviews and meta-analysis that specifically discuss its potential as treatment for the disease is still lacking. Therefore, this review will assess the safety and efficacy of MSC administration in COVID-19 patients.
OBJECTIVES: To pool evidence on the safety and efficacy of MSCs in treating COVID-19 by observing MSC-related adverse effects as well as evaluating its effects in reducing inflammatory response and improving pulmonary function.
DATA SOURCES AND METHODS: Following literature search across six databases and one trial register, full-text retrieval, and screening against eligibility criteria, only eight studies were included for data extraction. All eight studies evaluated the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (UC-MSC), infused intravenously. Of these eight studies, six studies were included in meta-analysis on the incidence of mortality, adverse events (AEs), and serious adverse events (SAEs), and the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6. Meta-analysis on pulmonary function was not performed due to insufficient data.
RESULTS: MSC-treated group showed significantly lower risk of mortality than the control group (p = 0.03). No statistical significance was observed on the incidence of AEs (p = 0.78) and SAEs (p = 0.44), and the levels of CRP (p = 0.06) and IL-6 (p = 0.09).
CONCLUSION: MSCs were safe for use, with lower risk of mortality and no association with AEs. Regarding efficacy, descriptive analysis showed indications of improvement on the inflammatory reaction, lung clearance, and oxygenation status despite the lack of statistical significance in meta-analysis of CRP and IL-6. Nevertheless, more studies are needed for affirmation.
REGISTRATION: This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered on the PROSPERO database (no. CRD42022307730).
Fulltext Early experience of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial nodal cryobiopsy: a case series from Sabah, Malaysia

Ramarmuty HY, Huan NC, Nyanti LE, Khoo TS, Renganathan T, Manoh AZ, et al.

Ther Adv Respir Dis, 2024;18:17534666241231122.
PMID: 38357899 DOI: 10.1177/17534666241231122

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is an established minimally invasive method for the diagnosis of benign and malignant conditions. Continuous efforts are underway to improve the material adequacy of EBUS-TBNA, including the introduction of a new technique called EBUS-guided transbronchial nodal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TBNC). This method allows for the retrieval of larger and well-preserved histologic samples from the mediastinum. We present a case series of four patients who underwent combined EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBNC procedures in our centre. All procedures were performed under general anaesthesia using a convex probe EBUS scope (Pentax EB-1970UK). Two patients were diagnosed with malignancy and two with benign disorders (silicosis and tuberculosis). In the malignant cases, both EBUS-TBNA/cell block and cryobiopsy provided a diagnosis but cryobiopsy yielded more material for ancillary tests in one patient. However, in the benign cases, there was discordance between EBUS-TBNA/cell block and cryobiopsy. Only cryobiopsy detected granuloma in the patient with TB (tuberculosis), and in the patient with silicosis, TBNC provided a better overall histological evaluation, leading to a definitive diagnosis. No complications were observed. This case series supports the potential diagnostic value of combining EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBNC, particularly in benign mediastinal lesions (granulomatous diseases), and in cases requiring additional molecular tests in cancer diagnosis.