Malaysia
Search
Sign In
Change Password
Points
Sign Out
Top Medical News
Use of electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes) may result in bronchial epithelial apoptosis and macrophage efferocytosis dysfunction through the reduced expression of apoptotic cell recognition receptors, a study has shown. Additionally, nicotine alone appears to influence efferocytosis and some cytokines.
The COVID-19 pandemic has, and continues to have, a significant effect on the lives of individuals worldwide. Published reports suggest an elevated risk of COVID-19 among patients with cancer. As such, oncologists globally have had to adapt their management of cancer patients to minimize the risk of infection, while ensuring optimal care for this population.
Use of corticosteroid is not associated with improved outcomes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients admitted to the hospital with acute exacerbation (AE), reveals a recent study. In addition, corticosteroids may even contribute to reduced overall survival following exacerbation.
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic which has taken the world by storm, the lack of approved treatments targeted towards coronavirus has left physicians worldwide grappling with the situation. To help them navigate the black box of COVID-19 management, the ACP* has released a behemoth 28-chapter guide to arm physicians in the virus-infested battle field.
Use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV), similar to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), appears to lessen mortality but may increase the risk for transmission of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in healthcare workers, suggest the results of a study.
Individuals with underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) may be at an increased risk of dying from COVID-19 while in hospital, according to a recent study.
Adults do not need booster shots for tetanus or diphtheria if they have already completed their vaccination course against these diseases during childhood, a study suggests.
Special Reports
Oral H1-antihistamines are the initial treatment of choice for allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic urticaria in the primary care setting. However, in a diverse population of patients with AR and urticaria, primary care physicians are faced with the challenge of prescribing the best therapy amid a wide armamentarium of antihistamines available.
Macrolide antibiotics are derived from the Streptomycesspecies. These contain either 14-membered (erythromycin [ERM],clarithromycin [CAM], roxithromycin [RXM]), 15-membered(azithromycin [AZM]) or 16-membered (spiramycin, josamycin,midecamycin) macrocyclic lactone rings. They inhibit proteinsynthesis by reversibly binding to the 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA)in the 50s subunit of the bacterial ribosome. Traditionally,macrolides are used as first-line agents in respiratory, skin,soft tissue, and urogenital infections, and they are also activeagainst gram-positive cocci and atypical pathogens.
Pneumonia is a common infection– affecting around 3,200 people inSingapore in 2016 – making it the thirdmost common cause of hospitalisation inthe country. Its common complications,especially with delayed or inappropriatetreatment, include bacteraemia andseptic shock, lung abscesses, pleuraleffusions, empyema, pleurisy, respiratoryfailure and renal failure.
The prevalence of allergic diseases in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to rise over the next 20 years, driven by rapid economic development and urbanization. Allergic diseases have high socioeconomic impact by impairing productivity and quality of life, and the impact may be greater in Asia-Pacific than in Europe due to the presence and predominance of perennial allergens.
At a dinner symposium at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur, Professor Dato’ Prepageran Narayanan presented the data concerning allergic rhinitis (AR) in Malaysia, and he discussed the role of intranasal corticosteroids (INCSs) in managing AR.
Hypertension guidelines differ in their recommendation to use beta-blockers as first-line agents. At a Menarini-sponsored symposium held during the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Congress 2018 in Taipei, Taiwan, Professor Giuseppe Mancia from the University of Milano-Bicocca in Milan, Italy and Professor Jong-Won Ha from the Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, Korea discussed the rationale behind these recommendations, and reviewed the role of beta-blockers in hypertension management, particularly the role of vasodilatory beta-blocker nebivolol (Nebilet®, Menarini). Professor Lin Jiunn-Lee, APSC 2018 chairman and president of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology, chaired the symposium.
Airway diseases – such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnoea – have a significant impact on one’s health, quality of life and daily functioning. This article discusses how technological advancements in non-invasive ventilation and home sleep testing systems help to improve patient care and outcomes.
Conference Reports
Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) provided sustained improvements in patients with severe asthma, according to the results of the BT10+* study presented at ERS 2019.
As-needed budesonide–formoterol (ICS* + LABA**) reliever therapy was more effective than maintenance low-dose budesonide plus as-needed terbutaline (maintenance ICS + as-needed SABA***) for preventing severe exacerbations in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, according to the PRACTICAL study presented at ERS 2019.
Antibiotic prophylaxis with azithromycin in individuals with primary antibody deficiencies (PAD) may lead to a reduced risk of respiratory exacerbations, according to a phase II trial presented at ERS 2019.
Treatment without antibiotic medication does not appear to be inferior to moxifloxacin therapy as regards treatment failure or length of stay (LOS) among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring hospitalization for nonpurulent exacerbation, according to the results of a study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2019.
About one-third of patients with severe asthma who are on high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are also receiving excessive doses of oral corticosteroids (OCS), reveals a study presented at the ERS 2019 Meeting.
Use of the Zephyr endobronchial valve (EBV) led to significant improvements in a range of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) including multiple domains of respiratory symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in patients with severe emphysema, according to the post hoc results of the LIBERATE* trial presented at ERS 2019.
Dr Helene Kobbernagel expounds on the role of azithromycin in primary ciliary dyskinesia in the BESTCILIA trial.
Multimedia
