Implication of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2023 report for resource-limited settings: tracing the G in the GOLD.

https://bit.ly/3zusjOd

Prioritising primary care respiratory research needs: results from the 2020 International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) global e-Delphi exercise.

Respiratory diseases remain a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality and primary care plays a central role in their prevention, diagnosis and management. An e-Delphi process was employed to identify and prioritise the current respiratory research needs of primary care health professionals worldwide. One hundred and twelve community-based physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals from 27 high-, middle- and low-income countries suggested 608 initial research questions, reduced after evidence review by 27 academic experts to 176 questions covering diagnosis, management, monitoring, self-management and prognosis of asthma, COPD and other respiratory conditions (including infections, lung cancer, tobacco control, sleep apnoea).

Previous tuberculosis disease as a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional analysis of multicountry, population-based studies.

Background: Risk factors for COPD in high-income settings are well understood; however, less attention has been paid to contributors of COPD in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as pulmonary tuberculosis. We sought to study the association between previous tuberculosis disease and COPD by using pooled population-based cross-sectional data in 13 geographically diverse, low-resource settings.

Methods: We pooled six cohorts in 13 different LMIC settings, 6 countries and 3 continents to study the relationship between self-reported previous tuberculosis disease and lung function outcomes including COPD (defined as a postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV)/forced vital capacity (FVC) below the lower limit of normal).

Strategies for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COPD in low- and middle- income countries: the importance of primary care.

Introduction: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear a high proportion of the global morbidity and mortality caused by COPD. Increased exposure to risk factors throughout life (e.g.

Publisher Correction: Implementing a context-driven awareness programme addressing household air pollution and tobacco: a FRESH AIR study.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Implementing a context-driven awareness programme addressing household air pollution and tobacco: a FRESH AIR study.

Most patients with chronic respiratory disease live in low-resource settings, where evidence is scarcest. In Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam, we studied the implementation of a Ugandan programme empowering communities to take action against biomass and tobacco smoke. Together with local stakeholders, we co-created a train-the-trainer implementation design and integrated the programme into existing local health infrastructures.

Training needs for Ugandan primary care health workers in management of respiratory diseases: a cross sectional survey.

Background: Respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Uganda, but there is little attention and capacity for management of chronic respiratory diseases in the health programmes. This survey assessed gaps in knowledge and skills among healthcare workers in managing respiratory illnesses.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among primary care health workers, specialist physicians and healthcare planners to assess gaps in knowledge and skills and, training needs in managing respiratory illnesses.

Lack of an Association Between Household Air Pollution Exposure and Previous Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Context: Observational studies investigating household air pollution (HAP) exposure to biomass fuel smoke as a risk factor for pulmonary tuberculosis have reported inconsistent results.

Objective: To evaluate the association between HAP exposure and the prevalence of self-reported previous pulmonary tuberculosis.

Design: We analyzed pooled data including 12,592 individuals from five population-based studies conducted in Latin America, East Africa, and Southeast Asia from 2010 to 2015.

Effects and acceptability of implementing improved cookstoves and heaters to reduce household air pollution: a FRESH AIR study.

The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of locally tailored implementation of improved cookstoves/heaters in low- and middle-income countries. This interventional implementation study among 649 adults and children living in rural communities in Uganda, Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan, was performed after situational analyses and awareness programmes. Outcomes included household air pollution (PM and CO), self-reported respiratory symptoms (with CCQ and MRC-breathlessness scale), chest infections, school absence and intervention acceptability.

The complications of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in low income countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

In most low and middle-income countries, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is on the rise. Areas covered: Unfortunately, COPD is a neglected disease in these countries. Taking sub-Saharan Africa as an example, in rural areas, COPD is even unknown regarding public awareness and public health planning.

Socio-economic factors, gender and smoking as determinants of COPD in a low-income country of sub-Saharan Africa: FRESH AIR Uganda.

In Uganda, biomass smoke seems to be the largest risk factor for the development of COPD, but socio-economic factors and gender may have a role. Therefore, more in-depth research is needed to understand the risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of socio-economic factors and gender differences on the COPD prevalence in Uganda.

The State of Ambient Air Quality in Two Ugandan Cities: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Spatial Assessment.

Air pollution is one of the leading global public health risks but its magnitude in many developing countries' cities is not known. We aimed to measure the concentration of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm (PM2.

The minimal clinically important difference of the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT): cross-cultural validation and relation with pollen counts.

Background: The Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) monitors control of asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Aims: To determine the CARAT's minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch CARAT.

Methods: CARAT was applied in three measurements at 1-month intervals.

Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and associated risk factors in Uganda (FRESH AIR Uganda): a prospective cross-sectional observational study.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about the damage to respiratory health caused by biomass smoke and tobacco smoke. We assessed the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and related risk factors in a rural region of Uganda.

Methods: We did this prospective observational cross-sectional study in rural Masindi, Uganda.

A woman with breathlessness: a practical approach to diagnosis and management.

Worsening breathless in a patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common diagnostic and management challenge in primary care. A systematic approach to history-taking and examination combined with targeted investigation of pulmonary, cardiovascular, thromboembolic and systemic causes is essential if co-morbidities are to be identified and managed. Distinguishing between heart failure and COPD is a particular challenge as symptoms and signs overlap.

Impact of chronic respiratory symptoms in a rural area of sub-Saharan Africa: an in-depth qualitative study in the Masindi district of Uganda.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), once regarded as a disease of developed countries, is now recognised as a common disease in low- and middle-income countries. No studies have been performed to examine how the community in resource poor settings of a rural area in sub-Saharan Africa lives with chronic respiratory symptoms.

Aims: To explore beliefs and attitudes concerning health (particularly respiratory illnesses), use of biomass fuels, tobacco smoking, and the use of health services.

The impact of asthma and COPD in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have the highest risk of developing chronic diseases and are the least able to cope with them.

Aims: To assess the current knowledge of the prevalence and impact of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in sub- Saharan Africa.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using Medline (1995-2010) and Google Scholar.