Evidence of seasonal changes in airborne particulate matter concentration and occupation-specific variations in pulmonary function and haematological parameters among some workers in Enugu Southeast Nigeria: a randomized cross-sectional observational study.

BACKGROUND: Upsurge in cardiopulmonary dysfunctions in Enugu, Nigeria, involved mainly cement workers, automobile spray painters, woodworkers, and Cleaners and was worsened in the dry season, suggesting the need for an occupation-specific characterization of the disease features and seasonal evaluation of air quality for prevention and management. METHODS: We conducted a randomized cross-sectional study of eighty consenting participants (in Achara Layout, Enugu), comprising 20 cement workers (39.50 ± 14.95 years), 20 automobile spray painters (40.75 ± 9.85 years), 20 woodworkers (52.20 ± 9.77 years), and 20 cleaners (42.30 ± 9.06 years). The air quality, some haematological (fibrinogen-Fc, and C-reactive protein-CRP), and cardiopulmonary parameters were measured and analyzed using ANCOVA, at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The dry season particulate matter (PM) in ambient air exceeded the WHO standards in the New layout [PM10 = 541.17 ± 258.72 µg/m3; PM2.5 = 72.92 ± 25.81 µg/m3] and the University campus [PM10 = 244 ± 74.79 µg/m3; PM2.5 = 30.33 ± 16.10 µg/m3], but the former was twice higher. The PM differed significantly (p < 0.05) across the sites. Forced expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1) (F = 6.128; p = 0.001), and Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (F = 5.523; p = 0.002), differed significantly across the groups. FEV1/FVC% was < 70% in cement workers (55.33%) and woodworkers (61.79%), unlike, automobile spray painters (72.22%) and cleaners (70.66%). FEV1 and work duration were significantly and negatively related in cement workers (r = -0.46; r2 = 0.2116; p = 0.041 one-tailed). CRP (normal range ≤ 3.0 mg/L) and Fc (normal range-1.5-3.0 g/L) varied in cement workers (3.32 ± 0.93 mg/L versus 3.01 ± 0.85 g/L), automobile spray painters (2.90 ± 1.19 mg/L versus 2.54 ± 0.99 mg/L), woodworkers (2.79 ± 1.10 mg/L versus 2.37 ± 0.92 g/L) and cleaners (3.06 ± 0.82 mg/L versus 2.54 ± 0.70 g/L). CONCLUSION(S): Poor air quality was evident at the study sites, especially in the dry season. Cement workers and automobile spray painters showed significant risks of obstructive pulmonary diseases while woodworkers had restrictive lung diseases. Cement workers and cleaners recorded the highest risk of coronary heart disease (CRP ≥ 3.0 mg/L). The similarity in Fc and CRP trends suggests a role for the inflammation-sensitive proteins in the determination of cardiovascular risk in cement workers and cleaners. Therefore, there are occupation-specific disease endpoints of public health concern that likewise warrant specific preventive and management approaches among the workers.

Effectiveness of mobile text reminder in improving adherence to medication, physical exercise, and quality of life in patients living with HIV: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Mobile text reminder (SMS) system is considered a viable strategy for targeting/facilitating healthy behavioural change including adherence to prescribed physical exercises (PE) and medication (antiretroviral therapy-ART) which should improve the quality of life (Qol) in people living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHA). Thus, the literature was appraised for evidence of SMS effectiveness in improving ART and PE adherence behaviours and QoL in PLWHA. METHODS: Eight databases-AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, EMCARE, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and PubMed-were searched up to December 2020, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol.This review included only randomised control trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness of SMS in improving QoL or PE or ART adherence behaviour or a combination of these variables in PLWHA >18 years. Two independent reviewers determined the eligibility of the studies. Data were extracted and the quality of the study was assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) tool. The primary outcomes were ART and PE adherence behaviours while the secondary outcome was QoL. RESULT: A pooled estimate of effect was not calculated due to the heterogeneity of methods and outcome measures. Therefore, a narrative synthesis of ten studies that met the inclusion criteria (n = 1621 participants at study completion) comprising males/females, aged ≥ 18 years, was done. There was a significant improvement in ART adherence behaviour except in three underpowered studies. Only the SMS interventions that were developed using the Starks 3-steps Adherence model was associated with positive outcome. The only study that evaluated QoL was underpowered and reported no significant change while there were no RCTs on PE. CONCLUSION: Effects of SMS intervention trends towards a significant improvement in ART adherence behaviour in PLWHA. It is plausible that SMS reminders developed using the broader framework of the interpersonal health behaviour theory(ies) may have positive outcome. Nevertheless, the observed heterogeneity in the methods/outcome measures warrants a cautious interpretation of the findings. There is a lack/paucity of RCTs and therefore no evidence in support of the effectiveness of SMS intervention in improving PE adherence and QoL. Registration number NPLASY202060016.

Effects of physical exercises on inflammatory biomarkers and cardiopulmonary function in patients living with HIV: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pro-inflammatory cytokines expressed in human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection, may induce oxidative stress likely to compromise the patency of the airways or damage the lung tissues/cardiac function. However, physical (aerobic and/or resistance) exercise-induced release of heat shock protein, immune function alteration or reduced tissue hypoxia, have been highlighted as possible mechanisms by which increasing physical activity may reduce plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines in uninfected individuals and should be appraised in the literature for evidence of similar benefits in people living with HIV (PLWH). Therefore, we evaluated the effects of physical exercises on 1) inflammatory biomarkers and 2) cardiopulmonary function (VO2 Max) in PLWH. METHOD: A systematic review was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration protocol. Searching databases, up to January 2018. Only randomized control trials investigating the effects of either aerobic or resistance or a combination of both exercise types with a control/other intervention(s) for a period of at least 4 weeks among adults living with HIV, were included. Two independent reviewers determined the eligibility of the studies. Data were extracted and risk of bias (ROB) was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration ROB tool. Meta-analyses were conducted with random effect models using the Review Manager (RevMan) computer software. RESULT: Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria (n = 1073 participants at study completion) comprising male and female with age range 18-65 years. Three meta-analyses across three sub-groups comparisons were performed. The result showed no significant change in biomarkers of inflammation (IL-6 and IL-1ß) unlike a significant (Z = 3.80, p < 0.0001) improvement in VO2 Max. Overall, the GRADE evidence for this review was of moderate quality. CONCLUSION: There was evidence that engaging in either aerobic or resistance exercise, or a combination of both exercises, two to five times per week can lead to a significant improvement in cardiopulmonary function but not biomarkers of inflammation (IL-6 and IL-1ß). However, this should not be interpreted as "No evidence of effect" because the individual trial studies did not attain sufficient power to detect treatment effects. The moderate grade evidence for this review suggests that further research may likely have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effects and may change the estimate.

Impact of physical exercises on immune function, bone mineral density, and quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Compromised immune function, associated with human immune deficiency virus(HIV) infection, is improved by antiretroviral therapy(ART) which also decreases bone mineral density(BMD), and possibly the quality of life(QoL). However, physical(aerobic/resistance) exercises, were reported to induce reverse effects in uninfected individuals and were appraised in the literature for evidence of similar benefits in people living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHA). The main study objective was to evaluate the impact of physical (aerobic and resistance) exercises on CD4+ count, BMD and QoL in PLWHA. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration protocol. Searching databases, up to June 2017, only randomized control trials investigating the effects of either aerobic, resistance or a combination of both exercise types with a control/other intervention(s) for a period of at least 4 weeks among adults living with HIV, were included. Two independent reviewers determined the eligibility of the studies. Data were extracted and risk of bias(ROB) was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration ROB tool. Meta-analyses were conducted using random effect models using the Review Manager(RevMan) computer software. RESULTS: Nineteen studies met inclusion criteria(n = 491 participants at study completion) comprising male and female with age range 22-66 years. Two meta-analyses across 13 sub-group comparisons were performed. However, there were no RCTs on the impact of physical exercises on BMD in PLWHA. The result showed no significant change in CD4+ count unlike a significant effect of 5.04 point(95%CI:-8.49,-3.74,p = 0.00001) for role activity limitation due to physical health(QoL sub-domain). Overall, the GRADE evidence for this review was of moderate quality. CONCLUSIONS: There was evidence that engaging in moderate intensity aerobic exercises (55-85% Maximum heart rate-MHR), for 30-60 min, two to five times/week for 6-24 weeks significantly improves role activity limitation due to physical health problems, otherwise physical(aerobic or/and resistance) exercises have no significant effects on CD4+ count and other domains of QoL. Also, there is lack of evidence on the impact of exercises on BMD in PLWHA due to the paucity of RCTs. The moderate grade evidence for this review suggests that further research may likely have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effects and may change the estimate.