Development process of the Practical Approach to Lung Health in Kyrgyzstan.

The Practical Approach to Lung Health (PAL) strategy was adopted by the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan to improve the quality of case management of priority respiratory illnesses, including tuberculosis (TB). The process of development and implementation of the strategy is described in the present study. The World Health Organization stepwise framework was adapted and used to initiate the PAL strategy within the Kyrgyzstan primary health care (PHC) system.

Long-term follow-up study of pulmonary findings in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: In a previous study pulmonary hyperinflation was observed frequently in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) and elevated serum beta-2 microglobulin (beta2m) concentrations were associated with hyperinflation.

Objective: To evaluate the significance of baseline serum beta2m concentration and to identify other possible risk factors for pulmonary involvement in long-term follow-up of patients with pSS.

Methods: Nineteen pSS patients whose pulmonary function tests (PFTs) had been previously studied were reexamined after a median follow-up of 10 years.

Add-on therapy options in asthma not adequately controlled by inhaled corticosteroids: a comprehensive review.

Many patients with persistent asthma can be controlled with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). However, a considerable proportion of patients remain symptomatic, despite the use of ICS. We present systematically evidence that supports the different treatment options.