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Fulltext Setting research priorities for global respiratory medicine within the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Unit in Respiratory Health (RESPIRE)

Rudan I, Agrawal D, Hussein N, Cheong AT, Cunningham S, Dockerell D, et al.

J Glob Health, 2018 Dec;8(2):0201314.
PMID: 30603076 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.08.020314
Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/prevention & control*
Fulltext House dust mites, our intimate associates

Nadchatram M

Trop Biomed, 2005 Jun;22(1):23-37.
PMID: 16880751

House dust mites have lived in human contact from time immemorial. Human dander or dead skin constitutes the major organic component of the house dust ecosystem. Because the mites feed on dander, dust mites and human association will continue to co-exist as part of our environment. Efficient house-keeping practice is the best form of control to reduce infestation. However, special precautions are important when individuals are susceptible or sensitive to dust mites. House dust mites are responsible for causing asthma, rhinitis and contact dermatitis. The respiratory allergies are caused by the inhalation of dead or live mites, their faecal matter or other byproducts. Immune factors are of paramount importance in the development of dust related or mite induced respiratory diseases. House dust mites were found in some 1,000 samples of dust taken from approximately 330 dwellings in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Mattresses, carpets, corners of a bedroom, and floor beneath the bed are favourable dust mite habitats. The incriminating species based on studies here and elsewhere, as well as many other species of dust mites of unknown etiological importance are widely distributed in Malaysian homes. Density of dust mites in Malaysia and Singapore is greater than in temperate countries. Prevention and control measures with reference to subjects sensitive to dust mite allergies, including chemical control described in studies conducted in Europe and America are discussed. However, a cost free and most practical way to remove mites, their faecal matter and other products is to resort to sunning the bedding and carpets to kill the living mites, and then beaten and brushed to remove the dust and other components.

Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/prevention & control*
Fulltext RESPIRE: The National Institute for Health Research's (NIHR) Global Respiratory Health Unit

Sheikh A, Campbell H, Balharry D, Baqui AH, Bogaert D, Cresswell K, et al.

J Glob Health, 2018 Dec;8(2):020101.
PMID: 30603074 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.08.020101
Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/prevention & control*
Effect of Influenza Vaccination on Acute Respiratory Symptoms in Malaysian Hajj Pilgrims

Hasan H, Deris ZZ, Sulaiman SA, Abdul Wahab MS, Naing NN, Ab Rahman Z, et al.

J Immigr Minor Health, 2015 Aug;17(4):1114-9.
PMID: 24946936 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-014-0059-y

Respiratory illness were a major problem and caused high hospital admission during hajj seasons. One of the contributing cause to this illness is infection. Various measures had been implemented to reduce respiratory infections. The aim on the study is to determine the effect of influenza vaccination against acute respiratory illness among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims. This is an observational cohort study. Influenza vaccination was given to pilgrims at least 2 weeks prior to departure. The occurrence of symptoms for respiratory illness such as cough, fever, sore throat and runny nose was monitored daily for 6 weeks during pilgrimage using a health diary. A total of 65 vaccinated hajj pilgrims and 41 controls were analyzed. There was no significant difference in pattern of occurrence of symptoms of respiratory illness by duration of pilgrimage as well as the number of symptoms between both groups. Hajj pilgrims have frequent respiratory symptoms. We were unable to document benefit from influenza vaccination, but our study was limited by a small sample size and lack of laboratory testing for influenza.

Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/prevention & control
Noncommunicable Diseases of Major Public Health Interest and Prevention

Bueno-de-Mesquita HB

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Nov;27(8 Suppl):110S-115S.
PMID: 26155799 DOI: 10.1177/1010539515594445

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs; mainly cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases) are now responsible for more than 35 million deaths per annum in the world; more than 80% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Dramatic worldwide changes in lifestyle and in the prevalence and incidence of major chronic diseases lends credence to the causative role of modifiable risk factors. For the elucidation of modifiable risk factors, large-scale prospective cohort studies with biobanks often combined in consortia are of paramount importance. Associations between selected risk factors and development of NCDs will be reviewed. In addition to the contribution of treatment, even larger proportions of NCDs can be prevented had risk factors been reduced to the optimum levels or eliminated. Individual-based approaches should be complemented by administrative regulations.

Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/prevention & control
Fulltext The association between pre-morbid conditions and respiratory tract manifestations amongst Malaysian Hajj pilgrims

Deris ZZ, Hasan H, Ab Wahab MS, Sulaiman SA, Naing NN, Othman NH

Trop Biomed, 2010 Aug;27(2):294-300.
PMID: 20962728 MyJurnal

In a very closed and overcrowding environment, influenza transmission during Hajj season is almost inevitable. The aim of this study was to determine the association between pre-morbid conditions and influenza-like illness (ILI) amongst Hajj pilgrims. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst Malaysian Hajj pilgrims in year 2007. Survey forms were distributed at Madinatul-Hujjaj, Jeddah and Tabung Haji Clinic, Medina, Saudi Arabia where pilgrims stay on transit before returning to Malaysia. Allergic rhinitis was significantly associated with sore throat (p=0.047), longer duration of cough (p=0.017) and runny nose (p=0.016). Pilgrims who suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) had significant association with longer duration of cough (p=0.041) and those with diabetes mellitus had significant association with longer duration of sore throat (p=0.048). Underlying asthma was significantly associated with severe influenza like illness requiring admission to hospital for further treatment of respiratory symptoms (p=0.016). Based on these findings, we suggest those with underlying asthma should be discouraged from participating in the hajj and they should seek early treatment if they develop respiratory symptoms.

Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/prevention & control*
Implementation of smoke-free legislation in Malaysia: are adolescents protected from respiratory health effects?

Zulkifli A, Abidin NZ, Abidin EZ, Hashim Z, Rahman AA, Rasdi I, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2014;15(12):4815-21.
PMID: 24998546

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the relationship between respiratory health of Malaysian adolescents with secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and smoke-free legislation (SFL) implementation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 898 students from 21 schools across comprehensive- and partial-SFL states were recruited. SHS exposures and respiratory symptoms were assessed via questionnaire. Prenatal and postnatal SHS exposure information was obtained from parental-completed questionnaire.
RESULTS: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was: 11.9% ever wheeze, 5.6% current wheeze, 22.3% exercise-induced wheeze, 12.4% nocturnal cough, and 13.1% self-reported asthma. SHS exposure was most frequently reported in restaurants. Hierarchical logistic regression indicates living in a comprehensive-SFL state was not associated with a lower risk of reporting asthma symptoms. SHS exposure in public transport was linked to increased risk for wheeze (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 16.6; 95%confidence interval (CI), 2.69-101.7) and current wheezing (AOR 24.6; 95%CI, 3.53-171.8).
CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents continue to be exposed to SHS in a range of public venues in both comprehensive- and partial-SFL states. Respiratory symptoms are common among those reporting SHS exposure on public transportation. Non-compliance with SFL appears to be frequent in many venues across Malaysia and enforcement should be given priority in order to reduce exposure.

Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/prevention & control
Fulltext The prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms and role of protective measures among Malaysian hajj pilgrims

Deris ZZ, Hasan H, Sulaiman SA, Wahab MS, Naing NN, Othman NH

J Travel Med, 2010 Mar-Apr;17(2):82-8.
PMID: 20412173 DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2009.00384.x

BACKGROUND: Respiratory symptoms including cough, runny nose, sore throat, and fever are the most common clinical manifestations faced by hajj pilgrims in Mecca. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among Malaysian hajj pilgrims and the effect of a few protective measures taken by hajj pilgrims to reduce respiratory symptoms.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing survey forms to Malaysian hajj pilgrims at transit center before flying back to Malaysia. The recruitment of respondents to the survey was on a voluntary basis.
RESULTS: A total of 387 survey forms were available for analysis. The mean age was 50.4 +/- 11.0 years. The common respiratory symptoms among Malaysian hajj pilgrims were: cough 91.5%, runny nose 79.3%, fever 59.2%, and sore throat 57.1%. The prevalence of hajj pilgrims with triad of cough, subjective fever, and sore throat were 40.1%. The symptoms lasted less than 2 weeks in the majority of cases. Only 3.6% did not suffer from any of these symptoms. Seventy-two percent of hajj pilgrims received influenza vaccination before departure and 72.9% wore facemasks. Influenza vaccination was not associated with any of respiratory symptoms but it was significantly associated with longer duration of sore throat. Wearing masks was significantly associated with sore throat and longer duration of sore throat and fever.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was high among Malaysian hajj pilgrims and the current protective measures seemed inadequate to reduce it. Beside standardization of the term used in hajj studies, more collaborative effort should be taken to reduce respiratory symptoms. The hajj authority should prepare for the challenge of pandemic influenza by providing more healthcare facilities and implementation of more strict measures to reduce the transmission of pandemic influenza strain among hajj pilgrims.

Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/prevention & control*