The prevalence, characteristics, and associated factors of pain in individuals with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The coexistence of pain and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is acknowledged, yet the pain prevalence and associated factors of the common pain area in the COPD population are unknown.

Objective: This study aims to examine the prevalence of pain in individuals with and without COPD and to explore the connections between common pain areas and related factors.

Methods: Data was gathered through spirometry tests and surveys, including demographics, pain characteristics, Shoulder Pain and DisabilityIndex (SPADI), Neck Disability Index (NDI), COPD assessment test, and dyspnea score.

Pulmonary Function, Functional Capacity, Respiratory, and Locomotor Muscle Strength after Severe to Critically Ill COVID-19: A Long-Term Study.

Background: The sequelae of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia on lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life were observed in both shortterm and long-term. However, the study about the respiratory and locomotor muscle strength in severe and critically ill COVID-19 survivors are still limited. Therefore, we aimed to examine long-term pulmonary function, functional capacities, and respiratory and locomotor body muscle strength in severe to critically ill post-COVID-19 survivors.

Effect of particulate matter on continuous positive airway pressure adherence in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Background: Sleep quality could be affected by air pollution, especially for particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 microns (PM) and particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns (PM). However, no direct study demonstrates the relationship and impact of air pollution especially PM and PM on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence.

The National Early Warning Score 2 with Age and Body Mass Index (NEWS2 Plus) to Determine Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia.

(1) Background: Early identification of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia at the initial phase of hospitalization is very crucial. To address this, we validated and updated the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) for this purpose. (2) Methods: We conducted a study on adult patients with COVID-19 infection in Chiang Mai, Thailand, between May 2021 and October 2021.

Impact of the new European respiratory (ERS)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) pulmonary function test interpretation guidelines 2021 on the interpretation of bronchodilator responsiveness in subjects with airway obstruction.

Background: The impact of the new 2021 European Respiratory Society (ERS)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) pulmonary function test interpretation guidelines on the interpretation of bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) in subjects with airway obstruction is still required. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the agreement between the 2005 and 2021 ERS/ATS criteria regarding the interpretation of the BDR. Moreover, we explore the factors that influenced the discordance of positive bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR+) between these two criteria.

The long-term impact of COVID-19 pneumonia on pulmonary function and exercise capacity.

Background: The sequelae of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been widely reported. However, the time point of the follow-up time in the previous studies varied ranging from 3-24 months and the interval time of the follow-up time was too long (6 or 12 months). Thus, a shorter interval time during recovery for assessment of the sequelae of post COVID-19 on lung function and exercise capacity is still required.

Neutralizing antibody and T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants by heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 vaccination in elderly subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Data on humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 after receiving heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 (CoVac/ChAd) vaccination in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are still limited. Therefore, we determined the neutralizing antibody (NAb) and T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 wild type (WT) and variants of concern (VOCs) in COPD patients.

Methods: The levels of NAb as well as specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 WT and VOCs were determined in COPD patients before and after vaccination.

Long-Term Impacts of COVID-19 Pneumonia on Quality of Life: A Single Institutional Pilot Study.

Many studies have demonstrated poor quality of life (QoL) at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, these studies were limited due to cross-sectional design, a longer gap between visits, and lack of controls for comparison. Therefore, the aim of our prospective study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 pneumonia on QoL in both physical and mental health.

Factors influencing continuous positive airway pressure adherence in elderly with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most effective treatment for symptomatic obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The identification of actual predictors of CPAP adherence in real-world practice is essential since it enhances more individualized management for the patient. CPAP acceptance and adherence in elderly patients with OSA have the same challenges but the conclusion remains unclear.

Comparative assessment of small airway dysfunction by impulse oscillometry and spirometry in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma with and without fixed airflow obstruction.

Background: Small airways play a major role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. More data on small airway dysfunction (SAD) using spirometry and impulse oscillometry (IOS) in these populations are required. The objective of this study was to compare the two methods, spirometry and IOS, for SAD detection and its prevalence defined by spirometry and IOS in subjects with COPD and asthma with and without fixed airflow obstruction (FAO).

Levels and durability of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and other variants after ChAdOx-1 or BNT162b2 booster in CoronaVac-primed elderly individuals.

The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant raised the need for vaccine boosting. We evaluated the efficiency of the third booster vaccine, ChAdOx-1 or BNT162b2, in causing a neutralizing antibody (NAb) response and its durability against the Omicron and other variants in elderly individuals previously vaccinated with 2-dose CoronaVac inactivated vaccine. After receiving 2-dose CoronaVac, only 2.

Validation of the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index Risk Classification and the 2019 European Society of Cardiology Risk Stratification in the Southeast Asian Population with Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Aim: To date, no studies representing the Southeast Asian population have validated the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) and 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) risk stratification. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the PESI score, simplified PESI (sPESI), PESI risk classification, and 2019 ESC risk stratification in Southeast Asian patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Methods: The present study is a 10-year cross-sectional study.

Predictive Ability of the National Early Warning Score in Mortality Prediction of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in the Southeast Asian Population.

Background: The National Early Warning Scores (NEWS) easily and objectively measures acute clinical deterioration. However, the performance of NEWS to predict mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is still required. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the NEWS in predicting the mortality of patients with APE.

Humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern induced by heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 versus homologous ChAdOx-1 vaccination in the elderly.

Background: The concept of heterologous vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection has been adopted in Thailand with limited data on the induction of humoral and cellular immunity, particularly the CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 (CoVac/ChAd) regimen in the elderly.

Objective: In this study, the immune responses of the elderly induced by heterologous CoVac/ChAd and homologous ChAdOx-1 (ChAd/ChAd) vaccinations were demonstrated.

Methods: A prospective observational study involving healthy participants aged ≥ 60 years who received heterologous CoVac/ChAd or homologous ChAd/ChAd vaccination was conducted.

Neutralizing Antibody and T-Cell Responses against SARS-CoV-2 Wild-Type and Variants of Concern in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Subjects after ChAdOx-1/ChAdOx-1 Homologous Vaccination: A Preliminary Study.

Data on immunogenicity of adenovirus-vectored vaccine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is limited. Therefore, we aimed to determine the humoral and cellular immune responses after homologous ChAdOx-1 vaccination in subjects with COPD. COPD subjects and age- and sex-matched healthy elderly receiving ChAdOx-1 homologous vaccination were included.

Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Asian Population.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a common condition with increasing worldwide incidence. However, the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of APE in the Asian population especially in the Thai population are still limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of APE in the Asian population.

Correlation of Air Pollution and Prevalence of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Northern Thailand.

Background: The relationship between the level of air pollution and acute pulmonary embolism (APE) has had inconsistent results.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the high level of air pollution exposure and APE.

Methods: A ten-year retrospective cohort, single-center study was performed on patients diagnosed with APE from October 2010 to December 2020.

Bradycardia and Heart Rate Fluctuation Are Associated with a Prolonged Intensive Care Unit Stay in Patients with Severe COVID-19.

Background and Objective: Bradycardia has been observed among patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is suspected to be associated with poorer outcomes. Heart rate (HR) fluctuation has been found to be correlated with a greater mortality rate in critically ill patients. The association of bradycardia and HR fluctuation with the outcome of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients has not been clarified.

Correlation Analysis of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG and Neutralizing Antibody against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants after Vaccination.

Various vaccines have been developed to control the COVID-19 pandemic, but the available vaccines were developed using ancestral SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (WT) strains. Commercial anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody assays have been established and employed for validation of vaccine efficacy. However, these assays were developed before the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) emerged.

Reference equations of the impulse oscillatory in healthy Thai adults.

Background: The ethnicity is significantly under-reported and this may limit the applicability of current impulse oscillometry (IOS) equations to heterogeneous patient populations. Establishing predictive equations for the IOS in the Thai adult population is still required. Therefore, this study aimed to establish reference equations for the IOS in the Thai adult population.

Neutralizing antibody and T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern following ChAdOx-1 or BNT162b2 boosting in the elderly previously immunized with CoronaVac vaccine.

Background: The existence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) in association with evidence of breakthrough infections despite vaccination resulted in the need for vaccine boosting. In elderly individuals, information on the immunogenicity of booster vaccinations is limited. In countries where the CoronaVac inactivated vaccine is the primary vaccine, the appropriate boosting regimen is not clear.

The effectiveness of large group demonstration training method on the use of pressurized metered-dose inhaler in elderly with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) is the most commonly used inhaler devices in community hospitals in Thailand. However, the research work on large group demonstration training method in the use of pMDI and pMDI with spacer in cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is very limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this training method in elderly with COPD patients.

The comparative effect of Leukotriene receptor antagonist add on therapy and step up inhaled Corticosteroid in partially controlled asthma: An open-labeled randomized controlled trial.

Background: No studies are comparing the impact of the add-on leukotriene-receptor antagonist (LTRA) with a step-up dose of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in partly controlled asthma patients with asthma control test (ACT) score ˂ 23.

Objective: To study the effect of LTRA add-on therapy in comparison to a step-up to medium dose of ICS in partially controlled asthma.

Methods: An open-labeled randomized controlled trial was conducted in asthma subjects with partly controlled asthma who had been in regular receipt of low dose ICS.

Short-term effects of air pollutant exposure on small airway dysfunction, spirometry, health-related quality of life, and inflammatory biomarkers in wildland firefighters: a pilot study.

Study ID: TCTR20200828005.