Prevalence Of Respiratory Infections Research Articles

Malnutrition in Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease accounts for nearly twenty-eight percent of all the major congenital malformations, posing a significant global health problem. Prevalence of both cyanotic and acyanotic varies from 0.7 to 5.3/1000 patients in community-based study while hospital-based study statistics range between 3.9 and 26.4/1000 live births. The increase in birth rate and the requirement of surgical and non-surgical intervention makes it a high and challenging need task for emerging nations like India, where the framework isn't created at the root level. In this population a high prevalence of malnutrition is seen especially in infants. In the era of high survival rates, nutrition provides opportunity for development, growth optimization and a better standard of living. The morbidity & mortality associated malnutrition in infant with congenital heart disease can be reduced by early diagnosis / optimum treatment. Approximately half of the pediatric age population suffering from Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) are found to be malnourished where the most of the affected factor is found to be weight worse than height. The various contributory factors for malnutrition in CHD patients are cyanosis, heart defects, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, anemia, and delayed corrective surgery. Early and Timely diagnosis is crucial as most congenital heart disorders can be corrected if apt intervention is provided, leading to better prognosis. Decreased caloric requirement , reduction in prevalence of respiratory tract infection, and better absorption will lead to early normalization of their malnourishment. The major studies done in the recent past have focused on the mechanism of failure of growth in patients suffering from congenital heart malformation or on the modalities for improvement of growth of children with congenital heart disease. The severity and frequency of malnutrition associated with congenital heart diseases has not been focused on in the past decades.

Association Between Serum Vitamin A Levels and Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections in Children.

To evaluate the association between serum vitamin A levels and the prevalence of recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) in children and adolescents and to provide evidence that would help decrease the prevalence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children. This cross-sectional study included 8034 children and adolescents in Beijing aged 6 months to 17 years. RRTI and RTI symptoms were diagnosed according to the Clinical Concept and Management of Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections in Children. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between serum vitamin A levels and RRTIs after adjusting for potential confounders. Among the included children, 721 (8.97%) were diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency, whereas 3,073 (38.25%) were diagnosed with subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Only 28.8% (208/721) of children with vitamin A deficiency and 53.1% (1,631/3,073) of children with subclinical vitamin A deficiency had no RRTI and RTI symptoms, respectively. Compared with children with normal vitamin A levels, those with vitamin A deficiency and subclinical vitamin A deficiency had a greater risk for RRTIs, with an odds ratio (OR) of 6.924 [95% confidence interval (CI): 5.433–8.824] and 2.140 (95% CI: 1.825–2.510), respectively]. Vitamin A levels were also positively associated with RTI symptoms, with those having vitamin A deficiency and subclinical vitamin A deficiency showing an OR of 1.126 (95% CI: 0.773–1.640) and 1.216 (95% CI: 1.036–1.427), respectively. The present cross-sectional study found that low serum vitamin A levels were significantly associated with RRTI or RTI prevalence in children and adolescents.

Essential Oil Blends: The Potential of Combined Use for Respiratory Tract Infections.

This study investigated the potential efficacy of 369 commercial essential oil combinations for antimicrobial, anti-toxic and anti-inflammatory activity with the aim of identifying synergy among essential oils commonly used in combination by aromatherapists for respiratory purposes. Essential oil combinations were assessed for their antimicrobial activities using a panel of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and yeast strains associated with respiratory tract infections. The antimicrobial activity was measured by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of microbial growth. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (ΣFIC) was calculated to determine the antimicrobial interactions between the essential oils in the combination. The toxicity of the essential oil combinations was tested in vitro using the brine shrimp lethality assay, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells and A549 lung cancer cell lines. In addition, an inflammatory response was evaluated measuring nitric oxide production. The essential oils, when in combination, demonstrated an increased antimicrobial effect, a reduction in toxicity and provided improved anti-inflammatory outcomes. Five distinct combinations [Cupressus sempervirens (cypress) in combination with Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop) in combination with Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Origanum marjorana (marjoram) in combination with M. alternifolia, Myrtus communis (myrtle) in combination with M. alternifolia and Origanum vulgare (origanum) in combination with M. alternifolia] were found to be the most promising, demonstrating antimicrobial activity, reduced cytotoxicity and improved anti-inflammatory effects. With the increased prevalence of respiratory tract infections and the growing antimicrobial resistance development associated with antimicrobial treatments, this study provides a promising complementary alternative for the appropriate use of a selection of essential oil combinations for use in the respiratory tract.

Agricultural contribution to the nutritional status of children: A comparative study of annual crop, agroforestry, and mixed‐farming type in Buol, Indonesia

AbstractThis study investigated the agriculture contribution to the nutritional status of children from farming families by comparing situation of the annual crop with agroforestry and mixed farming systems. A survey was conducted from December 2015 to January 2016 in Buol, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Household socioeconomic and agricultural data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The dietary intake information of the oldest under‐five children was gathered using a 24‐hour recall of food intake, and the results were converted into food groups and nutrient contents. Focus group discussions among male and female farmers were performed to complement the survey's results. The prevalence of respiratory infection and diarrhea in children in the last 2 weeks was assessed. Furthermore, the weight and height of the children were measured. In total, 200 female/male farmers and their under‐five children from annual food crop (n = 79), agroforestry (n = 53), and mixed (n = 68) farming systems were recruited. A very high prevalence of stunted children (above 30%) was recorded in all the groups, whereas the proportion of wasted children was above 5%. The children's nutritional status indicated that an immediate intervention was needed to prevent further deterioration. The results of the binary logistic regression revealed that yearly food expenditure per capita was negatively and significantly correlated with the risk of being stunted (p = 0.047), whereas nonbreastfed children had a 2.9‐fold higher risk of wasting at the time of the survey (p = 0.014). Of all the farmer groups, mixed farming farmers tended to benefit the most from having high cash revenue and food production, leading to a slightly better nutritional status compared to farmers managing annual crop production or agroforestry systems only. Notably, actions need to be undertaken to improve the resilience of all smallholders as well as promote the provision and spending on nutrient‐dense food for children in all the farmer groups.

Biological Sex and Its Impact on Clinical Characteristics in Patients Presenting with Myocarditis

Introduction: Biological sex has a paramount influence on the pathophysiology of diseases, and thus on clinical presentation. In this study, we provide a comprehensive analysis of sex-specific differences in patients with myocarditis. Materials and Methods: Patients with myocarditis who were admitted to our study center in the time-period of 2009–2019 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Clinical data, laboratory parameters, and measurements from transthoracic echocardiography were extracted from hospital records. Follow-up was acquired for 2 years after admission. Results: Two hundred twenty-four patients with myocarditis were enrolled in this study. Of these, 78% were men and 22% women. Female patients were older (median 50 years vs. 35 years, p < 0.0001), had a higher prevalence of respiratory tract infections, and had less frequently ST-segment elevations on electrocardiogram (ECG) (28% vs. 59%, p = 0.003). Furthermore, C-reactive protein was lower in women (median 0.60 mg/dL vs. 3.90 mg/dL, p < 0.0001), but showed a less pronounced decrease within 3 days when compared to men (fold-change 1.00 vs. 0.80, p = 0.002). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was conducted less often in women, whereas time to coronary angiography was significantly longer. We found no difference in left ventricular systolic function or all-cause-mortality between the 2 sexes. Conclusion: We observed sex-specific differences in laboratory parameters, abnormalities on ECG, and diagnostic procedures conducted in patients with myocarditis. Understanding these differences, both at the cellular level and in regard to the clinical presentation of patients, could be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, and could further expand our understanding of its pathophysiology.

Етіологічна терапія бактеріальних пневмоній сьогодні та в майбутньому. 1. Антибактеріальна терапія позалікарняних пневмоній

Прогресуюче збільшення частоти інфекцій респіраторного тракту, викликаних мультирезистентними формами патогенів, є серйозною проблемою, що вимагає чітких показань до призначення антибактеріальних препаратів під час лікування пневмоній. У терапевтичному алгоритмі позалікарняних пневмоній у дітей із нетяжким і неускладненим перебігом препаратом вибору є амоксицилін. Наявність у пацієнта алергії на β-лактами або ймовірність мікоплазменної чи хламідійної природи захворювання спонукає до призначення макролідів. Лабораторне підтвердження або клінічна підозра, що пневмонія спричинена патогенами, які продукують β-лактамази, обґрунтовує вибір амоксициліну/клавуланату або цефалоспоринових препаратів для перорального застосування. На даний час активно розробляється напрямок лікування антибіотикоасоційованих захворювань неантибіотичними засобами.

Impact of concomitant respiratory infections in the management and outcomes acute myocardial infarction-cardiogenic shock

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence and impact of respiratory infections in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS). MethodsUsing the National Inpatient Sample (2000–2017), this study identified adult (≥18 years) admitted with AMI-CS complicated by respiratory infections. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality of AMI-CS admissions with and without respiratory infections, hospitalization costs, hospital length of stay, and discharge disposition. Temporal trends of prevalence, in-hospital mortality and cardiac procedures were evaluated. ResultsAmong 557,974 AMI-CS admissions, concomitant respiratory infections were identified in 84,684 (15.2%). Temporal trends revealed a relatively stable trend in prevalence of respiratory infections over the 18-year period. Admissions with respiratory infections were on average older, less likely to be female, with greater comorbidity, had significantly higher rates of NSTEMI presentation, and acute non-cardiac organ failure compared to those without respiratory infections (all p < 0.001). These admissions received lower rates of coronary angiography (66.8% vs 69.4%, p < 0.001) and percutaneous coronary interventions (44.8% vs 49.5%, p < 0.001), with higher rates of mechanical circulatory support, pulmonary artery catheterization, and invasive mechanical ventilation compared to AMI-CS admissions without respiratory infections (all p < 0.001). The in-hospital mortality was lower among AMI-CS admissions with respiratory infections (31.6% vs 38.4%, adjusted OR 0.58 [95% CI 0.57–0.59], p < 0.001). Admissions with respiratory infections had longer lengths of hospital stay (127–20 vs 63–11 days, p < 0.001), higher hospitalization costs and less frequent discharges to home (27.1% vs 44.7%, p < 0.001). ConclusionsRespiratory infections in AMI-CS admissions were associated with higher resource utilization but lower in-hospital mortality.

Epidemic process of respiratory infections and particulate matter as a route for transmission of multidrug-resistant microorganisms in medical organisations

Aim. To study the trends in the prevalence of respiratory tract infections in the population of Kemerovo Region and to interrogate the particulate matter as a possible route for the transmission of multidrug-resistant microorganisms into medical organisations.Materials and Methods. We investigated the prevalence of acute respiratory infections and community-acquired pneumonia among the population of Kuzbass (Kemerovo Region) according to the offcial medical records collected from 2004 to 2020. The study included 10,320,384 cases of acute respiratory infections, 145,357 cases of community-acquired pneumonia, 344,703 hospitalisations of the adults (subjects ≥ 18 years of age) and 75,041 hospitalisations of children (&lt; 18 years of age). Collection of particulate matter samples (n = 97) was performed using sterile gloves and containers from ventilation grilles and adjacent air ducts of the exhaust ventilation systems in various healthcare settings. Bacterial composition of the dust was examined using a VITEK 2 Compact biochemical analyzer. Viral diversity was screened by polymerase chain reaction.Results. Over the study period, respiratory infections were common in Kemerovo Region (average prevalence 22,155.9 per 100,000 population) and showed an increasing incidence. Frequency of respiratory infections among the hospitalised patients was 207.14 per 1,000, being 1.63-fold higher in children than in adults (304.15 and 186.02, respectively). In 2020, the proportion of cefotaxime-resistant Klebsiella spp. was 26.20% that was strikingly high compared to 2019. Hospital particulate matter frequently (71.13% samples) harboured multidrug-resistant microorganisms.Conclusions. High prevalence and morbidity from respiratory infections in Kemerovo Region are combined with high prevalence and biodiversity of airborne microorganisms, in particular multidrug-resistant microbes contaminating the hospital particulate matter.

Specific Susceptibility to COVID-19 in Adults with Down Syndrome

The current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, which causes COVID-19, is particularly devastating for individuals with chronic medical conditions, in particular those with Down Syndrome (DS) who often exhibit a higher prevalence of respiratory tract infections, immune dysregulation and potential complications. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is much higher in DS than in the general population, possibly increasing further the risk of COVID-19 infection and its complications. Here we provide a biological overview with regard to specific susceptibility of individuals with DS to SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as data from a recent survey on the prevalence of COVID-19 among them. We see an urgent need to protect people with DS, especially those with AD, from COVID-19 and future pandemics and focus on developing protective measures, which also include interventions by health systems worldwide for reducing the negative social effects of long-term isolation and increased periods of hospitalization.

Prevalence of respiratory tract infections and influencing factors: A cross-sectional survey in Anhui Province, China.

This study used available data to analyze the prevalence and influencing factors of various Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), to better our understanding of the local and national epidemiology, and to inform future prevention and control programs. We used a structured questionnaire to solicit information about social demographics and symptoms of the last RTI administered with stratified clustered randomized sampling. Descriptive analysis was used to investigate the reported symptoms, and multivariate logistic regression models to identify relationships between the prevalence and influencing factors of common RTIs. The study documented a prevalence rate of 1.5% for common cold, 0.5% for influenza, and 0.9% for 9-AURTIs (nine acute upper RTIs, including acute pharyngitis, sore throat, acute tonsillitis, acute suppurative tonsillitis, acute laryngitis, acute bronchitis, acute pharyngitis, acute upper RTI, and viral upper RTI), adding up to 3.4% of overall RTIs in the past 2weeks. Results also revealed a L-shaped trend along age-axis for all the RTIs, and marginal to moderate associations between RTIs and other commonly researched factors (education, body mass index, sex, and annual income), as well as environmental and behavior factors. RTIs in Anhui, China are common and associated with a variety of socio-demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors. RTIs merit better epidemiological understanding and added interventions tailored to efforts in reducing their health and economic burden. These understandings and efforts are especially relevant for public health nurses since most RTI patients are treated in community settings.

EVALUASI PENGGUNAAN ANTIBIOTIK PADA PASIEN INFEKSI SALURAN PERNAFASAN DI PUSKESMAS RAWAT JALAN KECAMATAN SIULAK MUKAI KABUPATEN KERINCI TAHUN 2018

Respiratory infections a major health problem that is commonly found in Indonesia. The height prevalence of respiratory tract infections and their effects have consequences high consumption of over the counter medicines and antibiotics. This research aims to evaluating the use of antibiotics which includes the right patient, the right indication of the drug, the right dose, and the interaction of the drug in patients with respiratory infections in outpatien health centers in the district of Siulak Mukai in Kerinci District in 2018. This study is a observational research is descriptive in nature by collecting data on records medical outpatients retrospectively according to age inclusion criteria 25 years, patients with a diagnosis of respiratory tract infections in outpatient health centers in the district of Siulak Mukai, Kerinci Regency in 2018, complete medical record data and analyzed with the guidelines of Pharmaceutucal Care 2005 with descriptive methods. The results of evaluating the use of antibiotics in patients with respiratory tract infections in outpatient clinics in the district of Siulak Mukai in Kerinci Regency in 2018, showed that 100 % apporopriate treaments, as well as the incidence of antibiotic drug interactions by 2 events.

EVALUASI PENGGUNAAN ANTIBIOTIK PADA PASIEN INFEKSI SALURAN PERNAFASAN DI PUSKESMAS RAWAT JALAN KECAMATAN SIULAK MUKAI KABUPATEN KERINCI TAHUN 2018

Respiratory infections a major health problem that is commonly found in Indonesia. The height prevalence of respiratory tract infections and their effects have consequences high consumption of over the counter medicines and antibiotics. This research aims to evaluating the use of antibiotics which includes the right patient, the right indication of the drug, the right dose, and the interaction of the drug in patients with respiratory infections in outpatien health centers in the district of Siulak Mukai in Kerinci District in 2018. This study is a observational research is descriptive in nature by collecting data on records medical outpatients retrospectively according to age inclusion criteria 25 years, patients with a diagnosis of respiratory tract infections in outpatient health centers in the district of Siulak Mukai, Kerinci Regency in 2018, complete medical record data and analyzed with the guidelines of Pharmaceutucal Care 2005 with descriptive methods. The results of evaluating the use of antibiotics in patients with respiratory tract infections in outpatient clinics in the district of Siulak Mukai in Kerinci Regency in 2018, showed that 100 % apporopriate treaments, as well as the incidence of antibiotic drug interactions by 2 events.

Health Disparities in Communities of Color During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Health Disparities in Communities of Color During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Health Disparities in Communities of Color During the COVID-19 Pandemic

[ ]of this panel discussion only 12 states were collecting data on race Part of it is lack of trust of health professionals based upon infringements in the past, and I think another part of it, (which it has not given enough attention to in my opinion), is the health-seeking behavior and risk-taking behavior in some minority subgroups of the population as it relates to their knowledge base about the importance of adopting certain habits and avoiding certain risks [ ]to that extent, we already have data collected extensively on African-American communities corroborating the notion that vitamin D levels are indeed low in the majority of that population, but it does not mean by extrapolation that the prevalence of COVID-19 is higher for that reason or that the morbidity and mortality is higher for that reason, but is certainly, if that turns out to be the case, it is something that can easily be remedied by taking adequate doses of supplemental vitamin D and spending adequate time outside getting abundant sunlight for a limited period of time Both children and adults with Cystic fibrosis seem to be protected [ ]there is an interesting immunologic question here

Immune competence and respiratory symptoms in patients with ataxia telangiectasia: A prospective follow-up study

Ataxia telangiectasia is a multi-system disorder characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia, malignancies, chronic pulmonary disease and immunodeficiency. The aim of our study was to determine the immune competence and prevalence of respiratory infections and/or chronic cough in classical A-T patients compared to age-matched healthy controls. Study designWe recruited 20 classical A-T not treated by immunoglobulins and 21 healthy age-matched control patients. The caregivers were advised to keep a daily diary with the following items (daytime and nighttime cough, runny nose, fever), number of cold episodes, number of antibiotic treatments. ResultsPatients with A-T showed significant differences compared to healthy controls in symptom score, daytime and nighttime cough, days with symptoms and missed days in kindergarten/school. Severe infections with hospitalization occurred rarely. Respiratory symptoms did not correlate with immunoglobulin levels in A-T patients. ConclusionsMild symptoms like chronic cough were present in A-T patients, possibly indicating ongoing silent crippling disease.

Evaluation of respiratory complications in patients with X‐linked and autosomal recessive agammaglobulinemia

Congenital agammaglobulinemia is the first primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by a defect in B lymphocyte development and subsequently decreased immunoglobulin levels. These patients are prone to suffer from recurrent infections mostly involving the respiratory tract. In this study, we aimed to describe in detail respiratory tract complications as the most prominent clinical feature among agammaglobulinemic patients. A total number of 115 patients were included. Demographic, clinical, and genetic data were collected from the patients' medical records. Among the available patients, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and/or high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were performed. Respiratory tract complications (85.2%) especially pneumonia (62.6%) were the most prominent clinical features in our cohort. Among patients with abnormal PFT results (N=19), a mixed respiratory pattern was observed in 36.8%. HRCT was carried out in 29 patients; Bhalla scoring-based evaluation of these patients indicated excellent (44.8%), followed by good (34.5%) and mild (20.7%) results. Bronchiectasis was found in 13 patients undergoing HRCT (44.8%). We found significant inverse correlations between the Bhalla score and incidence rate of pneumonia, as well as the presence of bronchiectasis. Patients with abnormal PFT results had statistically significant higher bronchiectasis frequency and lower Bhalla scores compared to those with normal results. Forty-one patients were deceased, and here, respiratory failure was the most common cause of death (45.5%). High prevalence of respiratory tract infections among agammaglobulinemic patients and subsequent progression to permanent lung damage highlights the importance of implementing respiratory evaluation as part of routine follow-up program of agammaglobulinemic patients. Physicians should be aware of this and regularly monitor the respiratory function of these patients to allow for timely diagnosis and treatment initiation aiming to improve patients' prognosis and quality of life.

Development and validation of knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire for prevention of respiratory tract infections among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims

BackgroundHajj pilgrimage faces numerous challenges including a high prevalence of respiratory tract infection as well as its prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards respiratory tract infections (RTIs) prevention among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims.MethodsThis study was conducted among Malaysian Umrah pilgrims in Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan. The questionnaire then underwent a series of validation process that included content, face validity and exploratory part. Item response theory (IRT) analysis was utilized for the validation of the knowledge domain. The attitude and practice were validated using the exploratory factor analysis (EFA).ResultsThe validation process resulted in a questionnaire that comprised of four main sections: demography, knowledge, attitude, and practice. Following IRT analysis of the knowledge domain, all items analyzed were within the acceptable range of difficulty and discrimination. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy (KMO) was 0.72 and 0.84 for attitude and practice domain respectively and Bartlett’s test of Sphericity for both domains were highly significant (P < 0.001). The factor analysis resulted in two factors with total of 12 items in attitude domain, and 2 factors with total of 13 items in the practice domain with satisfactory factor loading (> 0.3). The Cronbach’s alpha for reliability of the knowledge, attitude and practice domains all showed acceptable values of > 0.6 (0.92, 0.77 and 0.85).ConclusionThe findings of this validation and reliability study showed that the developed questionnaire had a satisfactory psychometric property for measuring KAP of Malaysian Hajj pilgrims.

Evaluation of nasal mucociliary clearance time in children with celiac disease

ObjectivesCeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder that develops because of sensitivity to gluten-containing grains in genetically disposed individuals. Nasal mucociliary clearance is the most important protective factor that protects the upper and lower airways from foreign particulates. This study aimed to investigate the effect of celiac disease on nasal mucociliary clearance. MethodsThe study included patients with celiac disease and healthy children. Nasal mucociliary clearance time was measured using the saccharin test. The children's saccharin taste time was recorded in seconds. ResultsOverall, 65 children were included: 43 patients with celiac disease (66.2%) and 22 healthy children (33.8%). Of all the children, 42 (64.6%) were female, and the average age was 11.8 ± 4 years. Nasal mucociliary clearance time of patients with celiac disease (531 ± 155 s) was significantly prolonged in comparison to that of healthy children (448 ± 80 s) (p = 0.006). No relationships were found between the diagnosis age, celiac type, and histopathological phase and compliance with the gluten-free diet and nasal mucociliary clearance time of patients with celiac disease. ConclusionsThis study showed that nasal mucociliary clearance was prolonged in patients with celiac disease. A defect in nasal mucociliary clearance increases the risk of infection and inflammation in small airways. Studies reported a high prevalence of respiratory tract infection in patients with celiac disease, which was associated with malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, and hyposplenism. The findings of the present study indicated that impairment of nasal mucociliary clearance could play a role in the development of frequent lung infections in patients with celiac disease.

Comorbid infections in rheumatic diseases (according to FSBI RIR named after V.A. Nasonova)

Aim. Study of spectrum, frequency and risk factors of comorbid infections in rheumatic diseases (RD) in the stationary contingent of patients hospitalized in the FSBI RIR named after V.A. Nasonova within 1 year.Patients and methods. The study included 245 patients with RD: 122 patients suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, 62 - systemic lupus erythematosus, 61 - systemic scleroderma. All patients were interviewed by a doctor-researcher and filled in a questionnaire. If necessary, additional information was obtained during the analysis of medical records.Results. In the spectrum of infections in patients with RD, respiratory tract and ENT infections prevailed. The frequency of serious infections (SI) during RD in the studied cohort was 23.7–38.1%. The frequency of certain infections, including SI, is influenced by the duration and variant of RD, comorbid diseases and immunosuppressive therapy.Conclusions: the data obtained indicate the importance of infections in rheumatology. A high percentage of RD exacerbation against the background of infection, the prevalence of respiratory tract infections, including SI, dictate the need for vaccine prophylaxis at the early stages of RD.

Breathing with an enemy in the kitchen: a narrative review of the concepts on cleaner energy, respiratory effects of indoor air pollution due to cooking and the potential way forward

Indoor air pollution due to household cooking is a hidden public health problem especially in developing countries. This review article discusses global literature on the concepts on cleaner energy, effects of indoor air pollution due to cooking on the different aspects of the respiratory system and the potential way forward in dealing with them. We searched relevant articles published from year 2000 onwards in three electronic databases and in other publications using keywords. Two authors independently assessed the relevance of the articles based on the scope of review. Altogether, 56 articles and four webpages were cited. A narrative review was done. Primitive fuels mentioned in the energy ladder are still commonly used for cooking, especially in the developing world. Around 40% of people worldwide suffer from energy poverty. The choice of fuel energy is decided by multi-faceted influences. Primitive fuels including bio-mass fuels yield more pollutants than cleaner fuels. Cooking practices have an influence on the amount of pollution. Higher prevalence of respiratory infections is associated with cooking smoke especially among children. Most documented literature points toward a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, lung cancer and impaired lung functions with cooking smoke. Cleaner fuels seemingly cause less pollution though the literature is rare on kerosene. In conclusion, energy poverty is expected to worsen in future. The associations between cooking smoke and negative respiratory consequences have been well established in most research studies. Strategies of reducing household smoke due to cooking must be promoted.