Sleep Habits and Disturbances Among Tunisian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey.

Background: Sleep quality and disturbances have gained heightened scholarly attention due to their well-established association with both mental and physical health. This study aims to assess sleep-wake habits and disturbances in Tunisian adults. Methodology: This cross-sectional study employed an online questionnaire to assess 3074 adults ≥ 18 years. Primary outcomes, including sleep quality, daytime vigilance, mood, and subjective well-being, were measured using validated questionnaires [the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, and the World Health Organisation-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5)]. Results: Less than two-thirds (n= 1941; 63.1%) of participants were females and the mean age was 36.25±13.56. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 53.8% when defined as a PSQI > 5. The prevalence of insomnia, short sleep duration, long sleep duration, EDS, severe depression, and poor well-being were 14.5%, 34.7%, 12.3%, 32.4%, 7.4%, and 40.2%, respectively. Some factors were associated with an increased likelihood of poor sleep quality, including female gender, chronic hypnotics use, internet use close to bedtime, daily time spent on the internet >3 hours, smoking, university- level education, nocturnal work, severe depression, impaired well-being status, insomnia, and EDS. Conclusion: The high prevalence of sleep-wake disturbances among Tunisian adults emphasizes the need for an appropriate screening strategy for high-risk groups. Individuals with unhealthy habits and routines were significantly more likely to experience these kinds of disturbances. Consequently, there is a pressing need for educational programs on sleep to foster healthier sleep patterns.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare affection in general population. Only few cases have been reported during this ongoing global pandemic of Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). The ethipathogeny of this complication is poorly understood. OBSERVATIONS: we reported ten cases of SPM complicating coronavirus pneumonia. There were six me and four women. Age varies from 32 to 66 years. Pneumonia was severe for all cases defined by a bloo oxygen saturation < 90% on admission. All patients were hospitalized in intensive care unit and treated by high-flow oxygen for nine patients and non-rebreather masks for one patient. Repeated chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed resolution of the pneumomediastinum and appearance of signs of pulmonary fibrosis for four cases. CONCLUSIONS: Chest CT scan must be performed in front of any sudden deterioration in respiratory status of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia to not miss mechanical complication such as SPM. This complication seems to be associated with severe forms of COVID-19.

A rare case of gastric metastasis originating from primary lung adenocarcinoma: a case report.

Unlike liver and lung, the stomach is rarely a metastatic location for cancers. We report a case of a 62-year-old man known to have lung adenocarcinoma poorly differentiated presented with melena 1 month after diagnosis. Upper endoscopy revealed an ulcerated tumor in the prepyloric antrum. The diagnosis of gastric metastasis from pulmonary cancer was confirmed by the immunohistochemical staining for the thyroid transcriptional factor-1 and the pattern cytokeratine CK7+/CK20-. In conclusion, gastric metastasis from primary lung cancer is a rare phenomenon that every clinician must keep in mind.

A 62-year-old man known to have lung adenocarcinoma poorly differentiated presented with melena 1 month after diagnosis. Upper endoscopy revealed an ulcerated tumor in the prepyloric antrum. The diagnosis of gastric metastasis from pulmonary cancer was confirmed by histology.

Middle lobe syndrome revealing Broncholithiasis: A Case Report.

Middle lobe syndrome is a rare but important clinical entity worth investigating in local obstructive or inflammatory cause. One of its rare etiologies is broncholithiasis. We report the observation of a young female patient who presented with recurrent hemoptysis. Chest CT scan showed atelectasis of the middle lobe and suggested the diagnosis of broncholithiasis by objectifying, within the collapsed lobe, a calcification located in the bronchial lumen. Bronchial fibroscopy was of little help. Recurrent hemoptysis and doubt about pulmonary neoplasia led to a diagnostic and therapeutic lobectomy. In front of MLS, broncholithiasis should be suspected in the presence of calcifications on imaging. Surgery may be required in case of uncertain cases to not ignore an underlying tumor.

Outcomes of bronchial artery embolization for the management of hemoptysis.

INTRODUCTION:   Hemoptysis is an alarming symptom that requires immediate investigation and management. Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that has become the treatment of choice of recurrent and massive hemoptysis. AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of BAE for management of recurrent and/or massive hemoptysis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out of the medical records of 46 patients who were hospitalized in our department of pneumology in Mohamed Taher Maamouri hospital for hemoptysis and who underwent bronchial arteriography (BA) for the purpose of transarterial embolization. RESULTS: The most frequent causes of hemoptysis included idiopathic bronchiectasis (32.6%), pulmonary tumors (26%) and tuberculosis (8.6%) Embolization was successfully performed in 97.5% of cases. Immediate cessation of haemoptysis was achieved in 95%. Recurrence of haemoptysis was noted in 12% of cases. No major complication involving the vital or the functional prognosis, related to BAE was noted.   Conclusions: Our study confirms the safety and the efficacy of the BAE for management of massive and/or recurrent hemoptysis.

Yellow nail syndrome: a genetic Disorder?

BACKGROUND: Yellow nail syndrome is a very rare disorder. The classic clinical presentation includes a triad involving yellow nail discoloration, chronic pulmonary manifestations and lower limb lymphedema. Its etiology remains unknown and the genetic disorder is still controversial. OBSERVATION: We report a case of a young man diagnosed with this syndrome and for who the same affection was found in several members of his family Conclusion: The diagnosis of yellow nail syndrome in several members of the same family supports the fact that it is a genetic disorder.

Do inhaled corticosteroids increase the risk of Pneumocystis pneumonia in people with lung cancer?

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients. It is relatively uncommon in patients with lung cancer. We report a case of PCP in a 59-year-old man with a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated with formoterol and a moderate daily dose of inhaled budesonide. He had also advanced stage non-small lung cancer treated with concurrent chemo-radiation with a cisplatin-etoposide containing regimen. The diagnosis of PCP was suspected based on the context of rapidly increasing dyspnea, lymphopenia and the imaging findings. Polymerase chain reaction testing on an induced sputum specimen was positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii. The patient was treated with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and systemic corticotherapy and had showed clinical and radiological improvement. Six months after the PCP diagnosis, he developed a malignant pleural effusion and expired on hospice care. Through this case, we remind the importance of screening for PCP in lung cancer patients under chemotherapeutic regimens and with increasing dyspnea. In addition, we alert to the fact that long-term inhaled corticosteroids may be a risk factor for PCP in patients with lung cancer. Despite intensive treatment, the mortality of PCP remains high, hence the importance of chemoprophylaxis should be considered.