Inhaled Marijuana and the Lung.

Although vaping has recently increased as a mode of inhaling marijuana and has been associated with numerous and sometimes fatal cases of acute severe lung injury, smoking remains the most common method of inhaling marijuana and has been studied more extensively. Smoking marijuana has been shown to produce modest but significant short-term bronchodilation both in healthy subjects and in those with asthma. Long-term effects of habitual marijuana smoking include the following: (1) symptoms of chronic bronchitis (increased cough, sputum production, and wheezing); (2) modest effects on lung function in cross-sectional studies (no significant decrease in FEV but mild reductions in FEV/forced vital capacity ratio, an increase in forced vital capacity and other lung volumes, reductions in specific airway conductance, and variable effects of maximal midexpiratory flow rates and diffusing capacity); and (3) variable effects on age-related decline in FEV in longitudinal studies.

Sleep Quality and Nocturnal Symptoms in a Community-Based COPD Cohort.

Small studies have suggested that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have poor sleep quality. Our aim was to examine the prevalence of subjective sleep-related complaints and predictors of poor sleep quality in a large community-based COPD cohort. We analyzed cross-sectional data on sleep questionnaire responses from the Canadian Cohort of Obstructive Lung Disease (CanCOLD) study, a population-based, prospective longitudinal cohort study across Canada.

The impact of comorbidities on productivity loss in asthma patients.

Background: Health-related productivity loss is an important, yet overlooked, component of the economic burden of disease in asthma patients of a working age. We aimed at evaluating the effect of comorbidities on productivity loss among adult asthma patients.

Methods: In a random sample of employed adults with asthma, we measured comorbidities using a validated self-administered comorbidity questionnaire (SCQ), as well as productivity loss, including absenteeism and presenteeism, using validated instruments.

Dietary and supplemental antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrient intakes and pulmonary function.

Objective: A limited but growing body of evidence supports a significant role of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory micronutrients in pulmonary health. We investigated the associations of dietary and supplemental intakes of vitamins A, C, E and D, Se and n-3 PUFA with pulmonary function in a population-based study.

Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study and data analysis of fruits and vegetables, dairy products and fish, vitamins A, C, E and D, Se and n-3 PUFA supplemental intakes, pulmonary risk factors and spirometry.

Sex-related differences in respiratory symptoms: results from the BOLD Study.

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Curcumins-rich curry diet and pulmonary function in Asian older adults.

Background: Research on the effects of dietary nutrients on respiratory health in human populations have not investigated curcumin, a potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compound present principally in turmeric used in large amounts in Asian curry meals.

Objectives: To examine the association of curry intake with pulmonary function among smokers and non-smokers.

Design: The frequency of curry intake, respiratory risk factors and spirometry were measured in a population-based study of 2,478 Chinese older adults aged 55 and above in the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Studies.

Co-morbid association of depression and COPD: a population-based study.

Objectives: Depression occurs commonly among patients with COPD, but the independent association of depression and COPD and the effect of depression on COPD outcomes are not well established.

Method: A population sample of 2402 Chinese aged >or=55 with and without COPD (characteristic symptoms of chronic cough, sputum or breathlessness and airflow obstruction and FEV(1)/FVC<0.70) was assessed on Geriatric Depression Scale (score>or=5), dependence on basic activities of daily living (ADL), SF-12 health status, smoking and medication behaviour.

Depressive symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: effect on mortality, hospital readmission, symptom burden, functional status, and quality of life.

Background: Depressive symptoms are common among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but depression's impact on COPD outcomes has not been fully investigated. We evaluated the impact of comorbid depression on mortality, hospital readmission, smoking behavior, respiratory symptom burden, and physical and social functioning in patients with COPD.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 376 consecutive patients with COPD hospitalized for acute exacerbation were followed up for 1 year.

Trends and ethnic differences in COPD hospitalization and mortality in Singapore.

Study Objective: COPD mortality alone among major causes of diseases continues to rise in most countries worldwide. We examine trends, and gender and ethnic differences in COPD hospitalization and mortality in Singapore from 1991 to 1998, and examine possible explanations.

Design: Analysis of population-based health administrative data.

Frequent hospital readmissions for acute exacerbation of COPD and their associated factors.

Objective: The factors that determine frequent hospital readmissions for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to ascertain rates of re-hospitalizations for AECOPD patients and evaluate factors associated with frequent readmissions for acute exacerbations.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 186 patients with moderate to severe COPD with one or more admissions for acute exacerbations to two large general hospitals.

Prevalence and determinants of excessive daytime sleepiness in an Asian multi-ethnic population.

Background And Purpose: To investigate the prevalence and determinants of daytime sleepiness in an Asian multi-ethnic population. Cross-sectional survey based on a questionnaire in multi-ethnic Asian adult population of Singapore (2.4 million).

Craniofacial morphology, head posture, and nasal respiratory resistance in obstructive sleep apnoea: an inter-ethnic comparison.

The aim of this study was to measure craniofacial morphology and nasal respiratory resistance (NRR) in Malay, Indian and Chinese subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The sample consisted of 34 male subjects, 27-52 years of age (Malay n = 11, which included five mild and six moderate-severe OSA; Indian n = 11, which included six mild and five moderate-severe OSA; and Chinese n = 12, which included six mild and six moderate-severe OSA) diagnosed using overnight polysomnography. After use of a decongestant, NRR was recorded using anterior and posterior rhinomanometry.

The E237G polymorphism of the high-affinity IgE receptor beta chain and asthma.

Background: The beta chain of high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI beta) has been proposed as a candidate gene for asthma and atopic diseases.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of the E237G polymorphism of the FcepsilonRI beta gene and to investigate its association with asthma and total IgE levels in 3 Asian populations.

Methods: A total of 291 asthmatic patients (141 Chinese, 68 Malay, and 82 Indian) and 355 asymptomatic blood donors (157 Chinese, 100 Malay, and 98 Indian) were recruited.

Diet, reproductive factors and lung cancer risk among Chinese women in Singapore: evidence for a protective effect of soy in nonsmokers.

The factors associated with risk of lung cancer among nonsmokers have not been fully elucidated, but dietary factors have consistently been shown to play a role. Chinese women are unique in having a high incidence of lung cancer despite a low smoking prevalence. This population is also known to have a high intake of soy, a dietary source of phytoestrogens.