National expert consensus on short-acting beta-agonist overreliance in asthma care in Malaysia.

Objective: Inappropriate use of short-acting beta2-agonists (SABA) in asthma has been associated with undesired outcomes. This national expert consensus was developed to increase awareness of SABA overuse and provide recommendations on the ways to eliminate SABA overprescription and overreliance in Malaysia.

Data Sources: This expert consensus was developed by searching the PubMed database, using index terms to identify SABA overuse-related burden and recommendations made in asthma guidelines.

Protocol for a systematic review of the associations between inflammatory markers and lung function, muscle force and exercise capacity in people with COPD.

Introduction: The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been on the rise, with acute exacerbation of COPD associated with the highest burden and multiple pulmonary and systemic consequences. People with COPD have been found to have an abnormal response of systemic inflammation. To date, although limited, there are studies that suggest negative associations between inflammatory markers and important clinical outcomes such as exercise capacity and muscle force.

Short-acting β-agonist prescription patterns and clinical outcomes in Malaysia: A nationwide cohort of the SABINA III study.

Introduction: SABINA III assessed short-acting β-agonist (SABA) prescription patterns and their association with asthma-related outcomes globally. Herein, we examined SABA prescription and clinical outcomes in the Malaysian cohort of SABINA III.

Method: In this observational, cross-sectional study, patients (≥12 years) were recruited between July and December 2019 from 15 primary and specialty care centres in Malaysia.

Dearth of influenza among older adults admitted with respiratory symptoms in Malaysia during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in 2021.

Introduction: Influenza is a common respiratory virus which leads to over 400,000 annual deaths globally. Mortality from influenza is highest among those aged 75 years and over living in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Objective: To determine the burden of influenza among older adults presenting to public hospitals with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Managing Post COVID-19 Patient with Breathlessness.

Background: Chronic respiratory disease may be associated with severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We review a case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient who developed acute breathlessness post COVID-19 infection, also focusing on the diagnostic approach.

Case: A 69-year-old gentleman with background history of COPD GOLD D and ischemic heart disease was admitted with severe COVID-19 infection.

Development of bullous lung disease with pneumothorax following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Cystic lung formation secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was described during coronavirus disease pandemic, but with relatively low prevalence. A rare yet under-recognized complication is that these cystic areas may progress to bullae, cavities and pneumothorax. We reported two cases of ruptured bullae with pneumothorax following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

polymorphism and clinical factors that increase antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity.

Hepatotoxicity is a known adverse effect of antituberculosis drugs. The gene polymorphism has been associated with an increased risk of antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ATDIH). This study investigates the association of polymorphism and clinical risk factors that may contribute to the development of ATDIH.

Primary Systemic Amyloidosis With Cardiac and Renal Involvement.

Systemic amyloidosis is a life-threatening disorder with a poor prognosis. Accurate and early diagnosis of the condition is of paramount importance as early initiation of therapy improves the prognosis and survival rate. A 49-year-old gentleman presented with recurrent right exudative pleural effusion.

Bronchoscopic Features and Morphology of Endobronchial Tuberculosis: A Malaysian Tertiary Hospital Experience.

The diagnosis of endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) is difficult as it is not well visualized radiologically, and bronchoscopy is not routinely performed for tuberculosis (TB) patients. Bronchoscopic characterization via endoscopic macroscopic features can speed up the diagnosis of EBTB and prompt immediate treatment. In this study, we identified the clinical and bronchoscopic morphology of 17 patients who were diagnosed with EBTB from 2018 to 2020.

Linguistic validation of stigmatisation degree, self-esteem and knowledge questionnaire among asthma patients using Rasch analysis.

Background And Objective: The stigmatisation degree, self-esteem and knowledge either directly or indirectly influence the control and self-management of asthma. To date, there is no valid and reliable instrument that can assess these key issues collectively. The main aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the newly devised and translated "Stigmatisation Degree, Self-Esteem and Knowledge Questionnaire" among adult asthma patients using the Rasch measurement model.

Pregnancy with hypoplastic left lung complicated by pneumothorax and pulmonary embolism.

We report a case of a 34-year-old lady with past history of asthma and pulmonary tuberculosis, who presented 5 weeks pregnant with acute dyspnea. Her chest X-ray showed left-sided complete lung collapse and concomitant right-sided pneumothorax. The pneumothorax was initially managed conservatively with a chest tube but due to its persistence despite suction, was subsequently changed to a Pneumostat(TM), with which she was later discharged.