Outcome differences between recanalized malignant central airway obstruction from endoluminal disease versus extrinsic compression.

We compared the outcome of Nd:YAG laser therapy with stent placement for malignant central airway obstruction (CAO) at our center over a 10-year period. This is a retrospective review of patients undergoing Nd:YAG laser therapy or self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement for malignant CAO between November 2007 and October 2017. Seventy-two patients were recanalized for malignant CAO.

Evaluation of a disease management program for COPD using propensity matched control group.

Background: Disease management programs (DMPs) have proliferated recently as a means of improving the quality and efficiency of care for patients with chronic illness. These programs include education about disease, optimization of evidence-based medications, information and support from case managers, and institution of self-management principles. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Singapore and worldwide.

Evaluation of pulmonary nodules in Asian population.

Background: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) provides guidelines to manage pulmonary nodules. Pulmonary nodules however can be malignant or benign. Similar incidence of tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer in Asian countries raises concern over the relevance of suggested guidelines in Asian population.

Polymorphisms in inflammatory pathway genes, host factors and lung cancer risk in Chinese female never-smokers.

Inflammation appears to be important in lung carcinogenesis among smokers, but its role among never-smokers is not well established. We hypothesized that inflammatory medical conditions and gene polymorphisms interact to increase lung cancer risk in never-smokers. We interviewed 433 Singaporean female never-smoker lung cancer patients and 1375 hospital controls, and evaluated six polymorphisms in the interleukin 1-β, interleukin 6 (IL6), cyclooxygenase-2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and interleukin 1-β receptor antagonist (IL1RN) genes.

Lung cancer in Chinese women: evidence for an interaction between tobacco smoking and exposure to inhalants in the indoor environment.

Background: Epidemiologic data suggest that Chinese women have a high incidence of lung cancer in relation to their smoking prevalence. In addition to active tobacco smoke exposure, other sources of fumes and airborne particles in the indoor environment, such as cooking and burning of incense and mosquito coils, have been considered potential risk factors for lung cancer.

Objectives: We used a case-control study to explore effects of inhalants from combustion sources common in the domestic environment on lung cancer and their modification by active tobacco smoking.

An Audit of medical thoracoscopy and talc poudrage for pneumothorax prevention in advanced COPD.

Objectives: To prospectively study all patients with COPD and spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) who underwent thoracoscopic talc poudrage (TP) under local anesthesia to determine its efficacy and safety in recurrence prevention.

Methods: Data on clinical measurements, complications, duration of chest tube drainage, length of hospital stay, and outcome were collected.

Results: Forty-one patients (38 men and 3 women) with a mean (+/- SD) age of 70.