Comparison between the effects of generic and original salmeterol/fluticasone combination (SFC) treatment on airway inflammation in stable asthmatic patients.

Background: Little is known about the effect of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)/long-acting beta2 agonists (LABA) in combination on inflammatory markers in asthma. In addition, therapeutic equivalence of generic salmeterol/fluticasone combination (SFC) and original SFC is as yet unknown.

Objective: To determine the effects of SFC and the effects of generic and original SFC on airway inflammation in patients with mild-to moderate stable asthma.

Bronchodilator effect of Ipraterol on methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients.

Background: The addition of ipratropium, a synthetic cholinergic antagonist, to beta2-agonist therapy provides an additive improvement in adult with acute severe asthma and COPD because of increased vagal tone in the airways. We asked whether ipratropium in combination with fenoterol (Ipraterol) improved pulmonary function in comparison with original Berodual.

Material And Method: In order to determine the effects of nebulized a single dose of Ipraterol, the study was conducted in a double-blind, randomized and crossover manner by comparing the effect of nebulized a single dose of Berodual on methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction.

IgE production in allergic asthmatic patients with different asthma control status.

Background: Although much is known about the fact that IgE-mediated allergic inflammatory response contributes to airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and asthma severity, little is known about the degree of IgE response in allergic asthmatics during treatment.

Objective: To determine the amount of total serum IgE among allergic asthmatic patients with various asthma controls.

Material And Method: A total of 190 non-smoking patients with allergic asthma were divided into three groups by using the asthma control definition according to the GINA 2006 criteria.

Occurrence and protective level of influenza infections using serology in patients with COPD in vaccination study.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, occurrence and protective level of influenza infections using serology in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during a one-year influenza vaccination study.

Material And Method: A total of 123 patients with COPD were enrolled during the period of 1997 to 1998. There were 61 patients in the vaccine group and 62 patients in the placebo group with a mean age +/- SD of 67.

The most cost-effective screening method for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among the Bangkok elderly.

Our previous studies demonstrated the high prevalence and incidence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among the Bangkok elderly, as well as the cost-effectiveness of a questionnaire, chest radiography, and mini peak expiratory flow rate (miniPEF) as screening tools. This final study aimed to identify the most cost-effective screening method among individual, serial and parallel combinations of the above tools, based on the guidelines for diagnosing COPD of the Thoracic Society of Thailand. There were 3,094 elderly aged 60 years and over in 124 urban communities around Siriraj Hospital who participated and completed all the tests.

The cost-effectiveness of mini peak expiratory flow as a screening test for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among the Bangkok elderly.

This study aims to explore the cost-effectiveness of Mini Peak Expiratory Flow (miniPEF) as a screening test for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among the elderly in 124 urban communities around Siriraj Hospital, using the gold standard of diagnosis based on the guidelines of the Thoracic Society of Thailand. There were 3,094 subjects who participated and completed all the tests. The results showed that the cut-off miniPEF percentage of predicted value of highest average accuracy was 62 per cent.

The cost-effectiveness of chest radiography as a screening test for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among the Bangkok elderly.

Regular screening with chest radiography (CXR) in an annual physical check up of the elderly is most frequently practiced. This study aimed to identify the CXR indices and the cost-effectiveness of CXR as a screening test for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among the elderly in 124 urban communities of Bangkok around Siriraj Hospital. The gold standard for diagnosing COPD followed the guidelines of the Thoracic Society of Thailand.

The cost-effectiveness of a questionnaire as a screening test for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among the Bangkok elderly.

This study aimed to explore the cost-effectiveness of using a questionnaire as a screening test for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among the Bangkok elderly residing around Siriraj Hospital. The gold standard used for diagnosing COPD followed the guidelines of the Thoracic Society of Thailand. The questionnaire consisted of 10 questions on smoking status, respiratory symptoms and previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis.

The prevalence and incidence of COPD among urban older persons of Bangkok Metropolis.

COPD substantially affects the national healthcare resource and healthcare cost especially among the older persons. Identifying the accurate prevalence and incidence reflects the scale of problem posed by COPD. This epidemiological study using the criteria for diagnosing COPD based on ratio of FEV1.