Progression from GOLD A/B to GOLD E: a claims analysis of patients with COPD newly initiating inhaled therapy.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Acute COPD exacerbations are a primary driver of significant burden and contribute to disease progression.

Methods: This retrospective, observational cohort study used the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart database to identify patients with COPD who were classified as Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) A/B0 or A/B1 based on exacerbation history (i.

A multi-stage 3D convolutional neural network algorithm for CT-based lung segment parcellation.

Background: Current approaches to lung parcellation utilize established fissures between lobes to provide estimates of lobar volume. However, deep learning segment parcellation provides the ability to better assess regional heterogeneity in ventilation and perfusion.

Purpose: We aimed to validate and demonstrate the clinical applicability of CT-based lung segment parcellation using deep learning on a clinical cohort with mixed airways disease.

Pilot Evaluation of Functional Lung Imaging via X-Ray Velocimetry for the Assessment of Regional Ventilation in Severe Lung Disease.

Introduction: Standard methods for diagnosing lung diseases are sub-optimal in detecting regional disease. X-ray velocimetry (XV), a novel functional lung imaging technology, holds the potential to uncover unique patterns of regional lung ventilation. This study aims to explore the application of XV in subjects with severe respiratory diseases to determine if there are regional ventilation differences and to compare the regional ventilation metrics with pulmonary function tests (PFT).

X-ray velocimetry provides temporally and spatially-resolved biomarkers of lung ventilation in small airways disease.

Background: Small airways disease is a feature of many respiratory conditions. Currently available methods of diagnosing small airways lack sensitivity and/or cannot evaluate spatial heterogeneity. New diagnostic strategies for diagnosing small airways disease are needed.

Burden of Exacerbations in Patients Newly Initiating an Inhaled Regimen for COPD: A Claims Analysis.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease that has a great impact on healthcare resource utilization (HRU). Large-scale real-world evidence studies evaluating the clinical and economic impact of current maintenance inhaler therapies are scarce.

Objective: To assess annual exacerbation rate and COPD-related HRU in patients with COPD before and after initiation of an inhaled treatment regimen.

Population-based Screening for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire in Resource-limited Settings.

Rationale: Spirometry, while necessary for the diagnosis of COPD, remains a scarce and costly resource worldwide. Screening questionnaires may help to bridge the diagnostic gap.

Objectives: We evaluated the performance of the St.

Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases is increasing globally. There is evidence that those with spirometric impairment and no signs of obstruction (termed preserved ratio impaired spirometry [PRISm]) have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality compared with those with normal lung function. Several gaps remain in characterizing PRISm.

Veterans Affairs Military Toxic Exposure Research Conference: Veteran-centric Approach and Community of Practice.

The U.S. Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act expands benefits and services to U.

Overcoming challenges of managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in low- and middle-income countries.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ranks among the top three global causes of death, with 90% of fatalities concentrated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The projected rise in COPD burden, especially in LMICs, emphasizes the need to address the challenges for effective control and reversal of this trend. We aimed to provide an overview, and propose potential solutions to these challenges.

Assessing the prevalence and impact of preserved ratio impaired spirometry in low-income and middle-income countries: a post-hoc cross-sectional analysis.

Background: More than 90% of the morbidity and mortality from chronic respiratory disease occurs in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), with substantial economic impact. Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) is a prevalent lung function abnormality associated with increased mortality in high-income countries. We aimed to conduct a post-hoc analysis of a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of, the risk factors for, and the impact of PRISm in three diverse LMIC settings.

Health-related quality of life and hypertension in people with HIV on long-term antiretroviral therapy in Uganda.

Introduction: The presence of hypertension could reduce the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with HIV (PWH). Yet, literature describing the HRQoL of PWH who have hypertension in Uganda is scarce making the design of locally adapted interventions cumbersome. In our study, we compared HRQoL scores of people with HIV with and without hypertension on long term antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda.

Validation of Lung Ultrasound for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Prognostication in an International Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: Despite many studies evaluating lung ultrasound (LUS) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognostication, the generalizability and utility across clinical settings are uncertain.

Methods: Adults (≥18 years of age) with COVID-19 were enrolled at 2 military hospitals, an emergency department, home visits, and a homeless shelter in the United States, and in a referral hospital in Uganda. Participants had a 12-zone LUS scan performed at time of enrollment and clips were read off-site.

Coping strategies of school-going adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in the climate vulnerable Manafwa watershed, Uganda.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life, economies, and health, prompting strict government measures, including nationwide lockdowns and school closures in Uganda, resulting in significant academic setbacks for adolescents. The coping strategies employed by school-going adolescents in Uganda amidst the COVID-19 pandemic remain inadequately understood. This study aimed to assess the coping strategies adopted by school-going adolescents (early, middle and late adolescents) in the Manafwa watershed, recognized as one of Uganda's most vulnerable regions, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity among community-dwelling Peruvian adults: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) have emerged as significant contributors to negative health outcomes in the past decade. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of probable sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and SO in a community-dwelling population of 1151 adults aged ≥55 years in Lima, Peru.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and 2020.

Characteristics and phenotypes of a COPD cohort from referral hospital clinics in Uganda.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous condition with varied clinical and pathophysiological characteristics. Although there is increasing evidence that COPD in low-income and middle-income countries may have different clinical characteristics from that in high-income countries, little is known about COPD phenotypes in these settings. We describe the clinical characteristics and risk factor profile of a COPD population in Uganda.

The effect of biomass smoke exposure on quality-of-life among Ugandan patients treated for tuberculosis: A cross-sectional analysis.

More than half the global population burns biomass fuels for cooking and home heating, especially in low-middle income countries. This practice is a prominent source of indoor air pollution and has been linked to the development of a variety of cardiopulmonary diseases, including Tuberculosis (TB). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between current biomass smoke exposure and self-reported quality of life scores in a cohort of previous TB patients in Uganda.

The Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Acute Exacerbations Among Patients With COPD in Uganda.

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inexpensive biomarker that potentially predicts acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPDs). We evaluated the association of baseline NLR and respiratory hospitalization risk within one year among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in Uganda, a low- and middle-income country.

Methods: A total of 312 COPD patients were followed for one year.

Patient level barriers to accessing TB care services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, a mixed methods study.

Introduction: Lockdown measure has been utilized widely to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic transmission and recently during the 2022 Sudan Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Uganda. These have setback effects on the continuity of essential health services such as tuberculosis (TB) care, reversing progress made in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) over the past decade. We set out to understand patient-reported barriers to accessing TB care services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for obstructive sleep apnoea: comparing adherence to active and sham therapy.

Background: Mild obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common disorder associated with daytime sleepiness and impaired quality of life. Given that adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in OSA is suboptimal, alternative strategies are needed particularly for patients with mild OSA. Daytime neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the tongue is a new therapeutic modality for mild OSA.