Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly recognized as a major comorbidity in chronic respiratory diseases, particularly asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The coexistence of OSA with asthma or COPD significantly complicates the clinical course, leading to poorer disease control, more frequent exacerbations, reduced lung function, impaired sleep quality, and increased cardiovascular and overall mortality. In asthma, OSA exacerbates airway inflammation, enhances bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and decreases responsiveness to standard therapies. In COPD, the “overlap syndrome” is associated with profound nocturnal hypoxemia, chronic hypercapnia, pulmonary hypertension, and a markedly elevated risk of hospitalization and death. Underlying mechanisms include chronic airway inflammation, oxidative stress induced by intermittent hypoxia, instability of ventilatory control (high loop gain), structural upper-airway alterations, and the burden of obesity and metabolic dysfunction. These interactions highlight the urgent need for integrated and proactive management strategies. Thus, we propose an Asthma–COPD–OSA Outpatient Unit (ACOSOU)—a care-delivery model, not a disease entity—designed to integrate systematic screening, diagnosis, treatment initiation, and long-term follow-up of OSA in patients with asthma and COPD. Optimal care requires systematic screening in respiratory outpatient settings, appropriate diagnostic pathways using polysomnography or home sleep apnea testing, and individualized treatment approaches. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the cornerstone therapy for OSA–asthma and OSA–COPD overlap, improving gas exchange, reducing exacerbations, and enhancing disease control. Comprehensive management also includes optimization of inhaled therapies, pulmonary rehabilitation, weight reduction, sleep hygiene, and multidisciplinary collaboration. This review proposes an integrated ACOSOU model to streamline screening, diagnosis, CPAP titration, and long-term follow-up. However, implementation in low- and middle-income countries faces challenges including limited trained sleep-medicine personnel, unequal access to diagnostic tools, and high CPAP costs without insurance coverage. Strengthening infrastructure, training, and policy support will be essential to improve outcomes for patients with chronic respiratory diseases and OSA comorbidity.

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) impairs quality of life. When conservative measures fail, surgery is indicated. We evaluated laparoscopic anterior perineal suspension with bilateral pectineal ligament fixation (LAPSPL), which reconstructs the anterior suspension axis to support the bladder and uterus. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort of women with stage III–IV POP who underwent LAPSPL at Hanoi Medical University Hospital (May 2022–March 2025) was included. A mesh shaped to mimic the pubocervical fascia was fixed to the anterior cervico-vaginal wall; lateral arms were anchored to the bilateral pectineal (Cooper’s) ligaments. Primary outcomes were anatomical correction (Baden–Walker stage; cystocele grade). Secondary outcomes included operative metrics, complications, pelvic floor symptoms (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory [PFDI]-20), quality of life (Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire [PFIQ]-7), and recurrence. Results: Ninety-three patients (mean age 66.4 years; parity 3.5; BMI 21.6) were included. Preoperatively, 41.9% had stage III and 58.1% stage IV POP. Postoperatively, stages 0, I, II, and III were 44.1%, 48.4%, 4.3%, and 3.2%, respectively; no stage IV. Cystocele improved from 57.0% grade III/2.2% grade IV to 1.1% grade III/0% grade IV. Mean operative time was 90.7 minutes. One intraoperative bladder seromuscular injury occurred (1.1%). Postoperative events were urinary dysfunction 4.3%, bowel dysfunction 2.2%, and chronic pain 3.2%; no mesh rejection. PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 declined to 16.4 and 14.2, respectively, at 6 months. Over 14.4 months’ mean follow-up, recurrence was 3.2%. Conclusions: LAPSPL is a safe, minimally invasive option for advanced POP that achieves anatomical restoration, symptom relief, and quality-of-life gains with low complications and early recurrence. Comparative studies with longer follow-up are needed.

This study explores comparative policy approaches to promoting equity in access to basic and higher education in four developed countries: Finland, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. Using qualitative content analysis and comparative policy analysis, the research identifies four core elements of successful systems: strong legal guarantees for educational rights, needs-based funding mechanisms, inclusive institutional strategies, and transparent monitoring frameworks. The results show that equity is best achieved through an integrated and coherent policy structure that combines legislation, financial support, and institutional accountability. Drawing from international experience, the study proposes key policy directions for Vietnam, focusing on strengthening legal foundations, reforming funding systems, improving institutional inclusion, and applying digital transformation to ensure fairness in educational access and outcomes.

To determine morbidity, mortality, and risk factors of severe disease requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in neonates with pneumonia in rural Vietnam. A retrospective study was conducted and included all neonates (<28 days) admitted with pneumonia between January and December 2024. Demographics, clinical features, and laboratory results were extracted from standardized patient charts. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify independent risk factors for IMV. Of 1,034 admissions, 612 (59.2%) met pneumonia criteria; mortality rate was 0.2%. Median age at admission was 17 days (IQR 12-23), and 61.6 % were boys. Preterm birth and low birth weight occurred in 4.6% and 6.4% of cases, respectively. Tachypnoea (96.1%), wheeze (93.0%), and signs of respiratory distress (37.7%) were predominant. Abnormal neutrophil counts were observed in 30.2%, and 5.2% had C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥10 mg/L. Independent risk factors for IMV were younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.88 per day; 95% CI 0.85-0.92), neurological symptoms (aOR 24.0; 95% CI 4.07-141.67), and CRP ≥10 mg/L (aOR 3.23; 95% CI 1.22-8.52). Pneumonia remains a major cause of neonatal morbidity in rural Vietnam, though mortality is low. Younger age, neurological compromise, and elevated CRP identify neonates at greatest risk for requiring IMV. Incorporating these factors into admission triage may streamline escalation of care and optimize resource allocation in neonatal units.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the accuracy of the arterial oxygen partial pressure/inspired oxygen fraction (PaO2/FiO2) ratio in predicting mortality among acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients in Vietnam.DesignA retrospective observational study.SettingA central hospital in Vietnam.ParticipantsAdult patients diagnosed with ARDS based on the Berlin definition and admitted to Bach Mai Hospital between August 2015 and August 2023. ARDS severity was converted from descriptive categories to the Berlin score, ranging from 1 (PaO2/FiO2>300 mm Hg) to 4 (PaO2/FiO2≤100 mm Hg).Primary outcomeAll-cause hospital mortality.ResultsOf 345 patients, 67.5% were male, and the median age was 55.0 years (IQR: 39.0–66.0). Hospital mortality was 61.2% (211/345). On the first day of admission, the PaO2/FiO2 ratio (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC): 0.585 (95% CI 0.522 to 0.649)) showed limited predictive ability for hospital mortality. Incorporating the PaO2/FiO2 ratio into the Berlin score did not substantially improve accuracy (AUROC: 0.578 (95% CI 0.516 to 0.641)). Both measures were less accurate than Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) (AUROC: 0.650 (95% CI 0.590 to 0.711)), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) (AUROC: 0.685 (95% CI 0.628 to 0.742)) and Confusion, Urea >7 mmol/L (20 mg/dL), Respiratory rate ≥30 breaths/min, Blood pressure (systolic <90 mm Hg or diastolic ≤60 mm Hg) and Age ≥65 years (CURB-65) (AUROC: 0.689 (95% CI 0.617 to 0.762)). Higher PaO2/FiO2 values (adjusted OR, AOR: 0.988 (95% CI 0.979 to 0.996)) were independently associated with lower mortality risk, while higher Berlin (AOR: 2.477 (95% CI 1.190 to 5.156)), SOFA (AOR: 1.278 (95% CI 1.102 to 1.482)), APACHE II (AOR: 1.236 (95% CI 1.108 to 1.379)) and CURB-65 (AOR: 7.142 (95% CI 2.581 to 19.763)) scores were associated with increased mortality risk.ConclusionsIn this study of ARDS patients in Vietnam, the PaO2/FiO2 ratio demonstrated limited discriminatory ability for hospital mortality, and incorporating it into the Berlin score did not meaningfully improve performance. While less accurate than SOFA, APACHE II and CURB-65 scores, the PaO2/FiO2 ratio and Berlin score remained independently associated with mortality risk. These findings should be interpreted cautiously, given the retrospective design, single-centre setting and potential selection bias; further validation in larger, multicentre studies is warranted.

ABSTRACTAs Vietnam’s population has been aging, dementia is becoming more prevalent. This study aims to identify the prevalence of dementia and its related factors among older adults in Thaibinh Province, Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 762 older adults living in two communes of Thaibinh Province, Vietnam. The Revised Hasegawa’s Dementia Scale (HDS-R) Vietnamese version was used as a screening instrument for dementia. Participants were interviewed using face-to-face method. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses were calculated in this study. The overall rate of dementia among older adults was 22.7%. Female were more likely to develop dementia than male participants (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.5; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 2.71–15.64). Participants aged 70 or older, who had personal income of 3 million Vietnam Dong and higher (AOR = 5.7; 95% CI, 3.01–10.77), who smoke or used to smoke, who had poor vision ability (AOR = 8.9; 95% CI, 1.77–44.77), who had hypertension (unadjusted odds ratio [UOR] = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.24–3.38), and who with less ability of self-eating (UOR = 10.6; 95% CI, 3.31–33.73) were more likely to have dementia. Participants who had education levels of primary school and higher and who self-rated health as healthy (AOR = 0.5; 95% CI, 0.23–0.95) were less likely to have dementia. The prevalence of dementia among older adults was quite high in Vietnam. Associated factors including education level and smoking should be considered in future studies to prevent dementia among aging population.

Một nghiên cứu cắt ngang được thực hiện trên 224 người cao tuổi nhằm mô tả tỷ lệ suy giảm cơ ởngười cao tuổi và một số liên quan tại xã Đông Hoàng, huyện Đông Hưng, tỉnh Thái Bình. Suy giảm cơ(sarcopenia) được chẩn đoán theo tiêu chuẩn của Hiệp hội Sarcopenia Châu Á AWGS 2019. Tỷ lệ suygiảm cơ mức độ vừa là 52/224 (23,2%; KTC 95%: 17,9 - 29,3) và mức độ nặng là 99/224 (44,2%; KTC95%: 37,6 - 51,0). Tuổi ≥ 80 (OR = 5,2; KTC 95%: 2,3 - 12,2), trình độ học vấn thấp (OR = 2,5; KTC 95%:1,4 - 4,5), suy dinh dưỡng theo BMI (OR = 1,6; KTC 95%: 1,4 - 1,8); suy dinh dưỡng theo MNA (OR = 6,2;KTC 95%: 2,1 - 18,1), liên quan có ý nghĩa thống kê (p &lt; 0,05). Kết quả này nhấn mạnh sự cấp thiết củaviệc triển khai các chương trình sàng lọc sớm, can thiệp dinh dưỡng và khuyến khích hoạt động thể lựccho người cao tuổi tại cộng đồng.

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess rice farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding the prevention of occupational accidents, along with identifying related factors.MethodsAn analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in six rural communes in Thai Binh province, targeting rice farmers aged 18 and older. A structured KAP questionnaire on occupational accident prevention was developed and pilot-tested with 168 participants. Knowledge scores ranged from 0–20 (1 point per correct answer), attitudes from 9–45 (5-point Likert scale), and practices from 17–85 (5-point frequency scale). Higher scores indicated better outcomes. Tobit regression was used to examine factors influencing KAP, accounting for the bounded nature of these scores.ResultsAmong the 1,171 rice farmers surveyed, 17.5% had experienced an occupational accident in the six months prior to the study, most commonly involving cuts from sharp tools, falls during fieldwork, or injuries from handling machinery. The average knowledge score on accident prevention was 13.82 ± 4.58 points. The average attitude score regarding accident prevention was 34.47 ± 4.73 points, with the highest scores reflecting a strong emphasis on personal safety in rice farming. Conversely, the lowest scores were related to the perceived importance of seeking immediate medical aid after an accident. The average score for practices related to accident prevention was 63.63 ± 2.22 points. The study found that better KAPwere associated with a lower incidence of occupational accidents.ConclusionThis study highlights the need for comprehensive health education programs to enhance rice farmers’ KAP in preventing occupational accidents, thereby reducing the risk and impact of such incidents in this population.

Trong bài báo này, một đánh giá tổng quát về tính chất cơ học và điện tử của cấu trúc đơn lớp XO2 (X là Ge hoặc Sn) được thực hiện bằng tính toán nguyên lý đầu. Kết quả phân tích về động lực học và tĩnh học đã xác nhận khả năng tồn tại của cấu trúc vật liệu. Cả hai vật liệu GeO2 và SnO2 đều thể hiện tính linh hoạt cơ học, trong đó GeO2 có ứng suất tới hạn kéo lên đến 16,15 N/m và SnO2 đạt 12,90 N/m. Ở trạng thái cân bằng, hai vật liệu đều thể hiện tính chất bán dẫn gián tiếp với khoảng trống năng lượng lớn. Khi chịu biến dạng, khoảng trống trong cấu trúc vùng năng lượng của cả hai cấu trúc giảm tuyến tính lên tới 80%. Các kết quả nghiên cứu không chỉ phân tích chi tiết mối tương quan giữa biến dạng và đặc tính điện tử đồng thời cho biết khả năng ứng dụng cấu trúc đơn lớp XO2. Những thông tin này cung cấp nền tảng khoa học để tối ưu hóa hiệu năng thiết bị trong tương lai.