The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 has presented multiple challenges to global healthcare services, dictating changes in almost every aspect of daily medical practice. Performing aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) in the field of interventional pulmonology can lead to profound formation of aerosols, leading to a high risk of infection among healthcare workers (HCWs). We share our experiences on performing AGPs in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on changes in AGP practices. In a pandemic, HCWs ought to adapt to the ever-changing situation and use available resources to provide the best possible healthcare to patients, ensure safety of staff, and continue medical education of future pulmonologists.
Aerosols ; Bronchoscopy/trends* ; COVID-19/transmission* ; COVID-19 Testing ; Humans ; Infection Control/trends* ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional/prevention & control* ; Malaysia ; Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends* ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thoracoscopy/trends*

Introduction: It is widely recognised that health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is impaired in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Most previous studies were conducted among the younger adult population and there is limited information on the elderly population. This study aimed to determine the COPD assessment test (CAT) score in the elderly with COPD. Methods: This was a crosssectional study involving 140 elderly patients who had been diagnosed with COPD at two selected government institutions. Data on socio-demographic and health status were collected by interviewing patients and reviewing their medical records. The HRQOL was measured using CAT. The independence sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were conducted to compare the CAT scores with socio-demographic and health status. Results: The socio-demographic and health characteristics of the patients were as follows: majority (54%) were aged 60-70 years, male (97%), Malay (59%), married (75%), ex-smokers (72%), had attained primary education (48%), had co-morbidities (54%), no history of hospitalisation or visits to the emergency department due to COPD (57%), and were in moderate stage of airflow obstruction (53%). The mean of CAT score was 21.87±6.85 and the majority of the patients were classified as having worst symptoms of COPD (93%) as they had high CAT score which was ≥ 10. Conclusion: Majority of the patients in this study had high scores of CAT, which indicated poor HRQOL. Ex-smokers had higher scores compared to non-smokers. More attention need to be given to these subgroups in order to increase their quality of life.

Spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum is defined as presence of free air or gas in the pleural cavity and mediastinal structures respectively. Spontaneous pneumothorax seems to be associated with anatomical abnormalities such as subpleural blebs or bullae, however not for spontaneous pneumomediastinum which may developed without an apparent precipitating cause. Both usually may occur in young healthy adults without serious underlying lung disease. We report a case of spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum after a trivial injury. He was initially presented with dyspnea after two weeks of initial trivial trauma. Chest radiograph showed left apical pneumothorax with pneumomediastinum with no evidence of rib fracture. His condition was deemed non-traumatic by surgical colleague, thus admitted to medical ward for observation and eventually discharged well.

Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease affecting exocrine glands with known properties to cause chronic systemic multi-organ disease involvement. It produced the typical features of sicca syndrome, but due to insidious onset of the disease, patient may present with complications of the condition at the initial presentation. We present a case of primary Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) who first presented with pulmonary manifestations and was subsequently diagnosed as Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia (LIP). The patient was extensively investigated and received appropriate treatment modalities.

Sarcomas usually frequented in the head and neck region of young adults. Trachea is a rare site, and due to scarce clinical data, its clinical outcome is unclear. We reported a case of 60-year old patient presented with progressive worsening shortness of breath, cough, and progressive worsening dysphagia. Computer tomography scan revealed extensive 2 lobulated soft tissue lesions within and surrounding the trachea at the T4 level. Rigid bronchoscopy with mass cryo-debulking was performed and ultimately synovial sarcoma was diagnosed. Shortness of breath was completely relieved post-procedure.

Objective: This study aimed to determine prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among medical students and tuberculosis exposure at the health facilities. Methods: A cross-section of study year 1 (n=68) and year 5 (n=75) medical students in a local university were recruited for latent tuberculosis infection testing using QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus and a questionnaire analyzed for multivariate risk. Results: The majority of the study were vaccinated with BCG. None of year 1 medical students were positive for latent tuberculosis infection, however, six (8.0%) year 5 students were tested positive for latent tuberculosis infection. A higher incidence of year 5 medical students claimed to be exposed to tuberculosis at health facility (65.3% vs. 4.4%) and a higher percentage reported contact with tuberculosis case over the preceding year compared to year 1 students (30.7% vs. 8.8%). Conclusion: We observed a higher incidence of latent tuberculosis infection and higher exposure to tuberculosis in health facilities among year 5 medical students. Baseline screening and monitoring for progression to tuberculosis infection may benefit tuberculosis management programs.

A patient presents with jaundice three weeks into commencement of anti-tuberculosis therapy (ATT). Tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury (TB-DILI) is a main concern in patients commencing ATT. Studies have reported various risk factors associated with TB-DILI, urging vigilance in monitoring liver enzymes in these patients. We aim to review the causes of jaundice in a patient with transfusion dependent thalassaemia commenced on ATT and highlight the risk factors associated with TB-DILI.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients usually have dietary problems leading to malnutrition issues. Therefore, this study aimed to determine macro and micronutrient intakes and meal-related situations among outpatients COPD elderly and its adequacy according to their requirements. Methods: 140 patients were included in this cross-sectional study at Respiratory Clinics of Hospital Serdang and Institut Perubatan Respiratori. Socio-demographic and health status data were collected by interviewing patients and reviewing their medical records. A three-day diet history (two-day on weekdays, one day on weekend) was analysed using Nutritionist Pro and compared against their requirements. Meal-related situation was assessed using three open-ended questions that related to food shopping, cooking and eating and analysed using content analysis. Results: Patients were 70±7 years old, 97% male, 59% Malay, 48% had primary education, 75% married, 72% ex-smokers and 54% presented with comorbidities. Majority of them had no episode of exacerbation for the past one year and in moderate stage of the COPD severity. Mean energy intake was 916±221 kcal/day with 98% of them have under-reported their intake. Almost all patients had inadequate macro and micronutrient intake; energy (97%), protein (97%), carbohydrate (86%), fat (99%), vitamin A (95%), C (86%), D (99%) and E (99%). The meal-related situation reported patients had difficulties with food shopping and preparation and problems during mealtime. Conclusion: COPD elderly reported inadequate intake of macro and micronutrients and had problems during mealtime. This indicates the need for Malaysian nutrition guidelines specific to COPD patients and nutrition intervention in the primary setting.