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ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the knowledge of first year health sciences students at a South African university regarding hearing loss and symptoms attributable to personal listening devices and their practices concerning the use of personal listening devices.MethodThis was a cross-sectional study carried out using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire.ResultsOf 336 students, 269 (80.1 per cent) completed the questionnaire. While most participants could identify symptoms that could be caused by extensive use of personal listening devices, almost 30 per cent did not know that it could cause permanent hearing loss. Personal listening devices were used by 90.7 per cent of participants, with 77.8 per cent having used them for more than five years. Use was at a high volume in 14.9 per cent of participants and for more than 2 hours per day in 52.7 per cent.ConclusionThe findings indicate the need for an educational programme to inform students as to safe listening practices when using personal listening devices.

Background. Poor pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) technique remains a challenge in the management of airway diseases. Objectives. To assess pMDI technique among respiratory outpatients and identify the main indications for pMDI use and factors associated with improper use. Methods. This was a prospective, quantitative descriptive study conducted at the adult respiratory clinic of Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa. A convenience sample of 100 participants was used. Each participant was interviewed and required to demonstrate the use of a placebo pMDI, either alone or with a large-volume spacer. Inhaler technique was evaluated according to the UK Inhaler Group standard for inhaler therapy. Results. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma were the most common indications for pMDI use. Of the 100 participants, 97 preferred a pMDI without a spacer (pMDI alone) and three preferred using the inhaler with a spacer. In the pMDI-alone group, 13 participants (13.4%) demonstrated correct technique and 65 (67%) made more than one error. Conclusion. Poor inhaler technique is common among respiratory outpatients. Every contact with the patient should be an opportunity to reinforce correct pMDI technique.

Diffuse pulmonary meningotheliomatosis is a rare condition of the lung that presents with nonspecific respiratory symptoms, and usually follows a benign course. It should, however, be considered in the differential diagnosis of a miliary pattern on chest-imaging studies, as illustrated in the case reported

Physicians are often asked to evaluate a patient prior to elective surgery for the purpose of risk identification and modification. Postoperative pulmonary complications are the most costly of the major postoperative medical complications, including cardiac, thromboembolic and infectious, and result in the lengthiest hospital stays. Therefore, estimation of respiratory risk should be a routine element of all preoperative medical evaluations. A diligent preoperative clinical evaluation, supplemented with appropriate preoperative pulmonary function testing, would identify the majority of important risk factors for postoperative complications. Risk reduction strategies can then be implemented to reduce complications, cost, and hospital stay.Peer reviewed.

South Afr J Epidemiol InfectOriginal Research: Clinical profile of patients diagnosed with primary lung cancer Lung cancer is regarded by the World Health Organization as a leading cause of death globally. Limited data are available on lung cancer epidemiology in South Africa. This study aimed to determine the profile of patients with lung cancer who were seen at a local pulmonology clinic. A retrospective audit was conducted on patients ≥ 18 years of age who were diagnosed with primary lung cancer at the Universitas Academic Hospital (Pulmonology Division) between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2011. Information was collected with regard to demographic variables, smoking status, performance status, histological subtype and stage of disease. Ninety-two patients' records were included in the study. The median age was 61.2 years (a range of 44-86 years). 57.6% of patients were black, 33.7% white and 8.7% coloured. The male to female ratio was 3:1. The largest group of patients was black men (46.7%). Most patients were current or previous smokers. 45.2% of white patients had a history of ≥ 30 smoking pack years (one pack year of smoking was defined as 20 cigarettes smoked every day for a year), compared to 26.4% of black and 37.5% of coloured patients. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma were diagnosed in 34.8% and 32.6% of patients, respectively. Adenocarcinoma occurred more commonly in white patients (38.7%), while SCC was diagnosed more frequently in black patients (34%). The majority of patients presented with advanced stage of disease. Thorough recordkeeping on the epidemiology of lung cancer in South Africa is necessary to enable the planning and implementation of a national strategy with regard to treatment options and prevention.Peer reviewed.

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