Clinical characteristics and healthcare resource utilization in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Hong Kong.

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant cause of mortality, with its prevalence projected to rise in Asia. The primary objective of this study was to describe clinical characteristics, maintenance treatment, and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) among patients with COPD in Hong Kong. Secondary objectives were to assess patient demographics and clinical characteristics by eosinophil (EOS) levels, and compare the demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment patterns of patients on multiple-inhaler triple therapy (MITT).

Comparison of the 12-month impact of COVID-19 and SARS on physiological capacity and health-related quality of life.

Background: Little is known about the differences in medium to long-term recovery on spirometry, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between COVID-19 and SARS.

Methods: We performed a 12-month prospective study on COVID-19 survivors. The changes in dynamic lung volumes at spirometry (%predicted FEV, %predicted FVC), 6MWD and HRQoL at 1-3, 6 to 12 months were compared against a historical cohort of SARS survivors using the same study protocol.

1-Year Prospective Study of the Relationship of Serial Exhaled Nitric Oxide Level and Asthma Control.

Background And Objective: Previous studies found that the fractional nitric oxide concentration in exhaled breath (FeNO) levels in healthy Chinese adults was higher than in White adults. More understanding of serial changes of FeNO levels with asthma control in a real-life clinical setting would be important to explore the utility of this biomarker in routine asthma management. This study assessed the FeNO levels of Chinese asthma subjects with different levels of asthma control and the serial changes with respect to the changes in asthma control over 1 year.

Hospital Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Hong Kong - The Trend from 2006 to 2014.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common cause for hospital admission. This study aims to review the hospital burden of COPD in Hong Kong (HK) and the trend from year 2006 to 2014.

Methods: A multi-center, retrospective study of the characteristics of COPD patients discharged from the public hospitals of HK from year 2006 to 2014.

Phenotyping empyema by pleural fluid culture results and macroscopic appearance: an 8-year retrospective study.

Background: The clinical impact of phenotyping empyema is poorly described. This study was designed to evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes based on the two readily available parameters, pleural fluid culture status and macroscopic fluid appearance.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with empyema hospitalised between 2013 and 2020.

A Multi-Center Study of the Prevalence and Characteristics of Eosinophilic Phenotype and High IgE Levels Among Chinese Patients with Severe Asthma.

Background: Patients with severe asthma have higher total- and asthma-related health burden than those whose disease is not severe. Recent medical advances in biologic therapies allow better control of asthma characterized by type 2 inflammation.

Objective: To study the prevalence of eosinophilic phenotype and IgE levels in Chinese with severe asthma, and the relationship of these type 2 characteristics with asthma control, exacerbations and lung function.

Respiratory admissions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic with mediation analysis of air pollutants, mask-wearing and influenza rates.

Background And Objective: Decline in hospitalizations for various respiratory diseases has been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic, but what led to such an observation is uncertain.

Methods: This was a territory-wide, retrospective cohort study involving all public hospital admissions in Hong Kong from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020. Hospital admissions for respiratory diseases, including asthma, COPD and non-COVID pneumonia, were assessed.

Sensitisation to recombinant allergens and clinical outcomes in COPD.

Background: Variable clinical outcomes are reported with fungal sensitisation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and it remains unclear which fungi and what allergens associate with the poorest outcomes. The use of recombinant as opposed to crude allergens for such assessment is unknown.

Methods: A prospective multicentre assessment of stable COPD (n=614) was undertaken in five hospitals across three countries: Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

A territory-wide study on the factors associated with recurrent asthma exacerbations requiring hospitalization in Hong Kong.

Background: The real-world relationships between the demographic and clinical characteristics of asthma patients, their prehospitalization management and the frequency of hospitalization due to asthma exacerbation is poorly established.

Objective: To determine the risk factors of recurrent asthma exacerbations requiring hospitalizations and evaluate the standard of baseline asthma care.

Methods: A territory-wide, multicentre retrospective study in Hong Kong was performed.

Effect of short-course exercise training on the frequency of exacerbations and physical activity in patients with COPD: A randomized controlled trial.

Background And Objective: Previous studies have suggested that early pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes post-AECOPD are an effective and safe intervention for reducing hospital admissions and improving quality of life. This study assessed whether a short course of exercise training post-AECOPD with periodic reinforcement exercise training and phone call reminders reduces readmissions and increases physical activity in COPD patients.

Methods: Subjects were randomized into either the (i) intervention group (IG), consisting of 4-8 weeks of training supervised by a physiotherapist and phone contact every 2 weeks by a case manager providing support and reinforcement of continuous exercise at home or (ii) usual care group (UG), which had no input by a physiotherapist or case manager.

Environmental fungal sensitisation associates with poorer clinical outcomes in COPD.

Introduction: Allergic sensitisation to fungi such as are associated to poor clinical outcomes in asthma, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis; however, clinical relevance in COPD remains unclear.

Methods: Patients with stable COPD (n=446) and nondiseased controls (n=51) were prospectively recruited across three countries (Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong) and screened against a comprehensive allergen panel including house dust mites, pollens, cockroach and fungi. For the first time, using a metagenomics approach, we assessed outdoor and indoor environmental allergen exposure in COPD.

"High-Risk" Clinical and Inflammatory Clusters in COPD of Chinese Descent.

Background: COPD is a heterogeneous disease demonstrating inter-individual variation. A high COPD prevalence in Chinese populations is described, but little is known about disease clusters and prognostic outcomes in the Chinese population across Southeast Asia. We aim to determine if clusters of Chinese patients with COPD exist and their association with systemic inflammation and clinical outcomes.