Elderly and aged asthma have different characteristics: results of a multicenter study.

Background/aim: Characteristics of asthma in the elderly population is not well-known. The aim of the present study was to evaluate asthma in the elderly population, to compare disease characteristics between patients diagnosed <60 (aged asthma) and ≥60 (elderly asthma) years of age. Materials and methods: The study was a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional type. A questionnaire was filled out to patients 60 years of age and over, that have been followed for asthma for at least 3 months. Asthma Control Test (ACT), eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was filled out, inhaler device technique was assessed. Results: A total of 399 patients were included from 17 tertiary care centers across the country. Mean age was 67.11 years and 331 (83%) were female. The age at asthma diagnosis was ≥60 in 146 (36.6%) patients. Patients diagnosed ≥60 years were older (p < 0.001), had higher education level (p < 0.001), more commonly had first-degree relative with asthma (p = 0.038), asthma related comorbidities (p = 0.009) and accompanying rhinitis/rhinosinusitis (p = 0.005), had better asthma control (p = 0.001), were using less controller medications (p = 0.014). Inhaler technique was correct in 37% of the patients with no difference in between the groups. Treatment compliance was better in elderly asthma patients (p < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, having well-controlled asthma (odds ratio = 1.61, CI = 1.04-2.51), and high medication adherence rate (odds ratio = 2.43, CI = 1.48-4.0) were associated with being in the elderly asthma group. Conclusion: The characteristics of asthma are different among patients aged 60 years and over which seems to be related to onset age of asthma. In our cohort, the elderly asthma patients had higher education level, and treatment adherence and asthma control was better. Patients diagnosed ≥60 years of age did not have more severe disease.

Can the ADO Index Be Used as a Predictor of Mortality from COVID-19 in Patients with COPD?

Background: Several studies have shown that the risk of mortality due to COVID-19 is high in patients with COPD. However, evidence on factors predicting mortality is limited. Research Question: Are there any useful markers to predict mortality in COVID-19 patients with COPD?. Study Design and Methods: A total of 689 patients were included in this study from the COPET study, a national multicenter observational study investigating COPD phenotypes consisting of patients who were followed up with a spirometry-confirmed COPD diagnosis. Patients were also retrospectively examined in terms of COVID-19 and their outcomes. Results: Among the study patients, 105 were diagnosed with PCR-positive COVID-19, and 19 of them died. Body mass index (p= 0.01) and ADO (age, dyspnoea, airflow obstruction) index (p= 0.01) were higher, whereas predicted FEV1 (p< 0.001) and eosinophil count (p= 0.003) were lower in patients who died of COVID-19. Each 0.755 unit increase in the ADO index increased the risk of death by 2.12 times, and each 0.007 unit increase in the eosinophil count decreased the risk of death by 1.007 times. The optimum cut-off ADO score of 3.5 was diagnostic with 94% sensitivity and 40% specificity in predicting mortality. Interpretation: Our study suggested that the ADO index recorded in the stable period in patients with COPD makes a modest contribution to the prediction of mortality due to COVID-19. Further studies are needed to validate the use of the ADO index in estimating mortality in both COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections in patients with COPD.

Long-acting B-2 agonists (LABA) or long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA): which one may be the first option in group A COPD patients?

INTRODUCTION: Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) or beta-2 agonists (LABA) have been recommended for symptom control in group A COPD patients as a first-line bronchodilator treatment in GOLD guidelines. However, there is no mention of priority/superiority between the two treatment options. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of these treatments in this group. METHODS: The study cohort was formed of all subjects from six pulmonology clinics with an initial diagnosis of COPD who were new users of a LAMA or LABA from January 2020 to December 2021. Seventy-six group A COPD patients, in whom LABA or LAMA therapy had been started in the last 1 month as a first-line treatment, were included in our study. Participants were evaluated with spirometry, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), mMRC scale, and St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) for three times (baseline, 6-12th months). RESULTS: There were 76 group A COPD patients with LAMA (67.1%) and LABA (32.9%). The number of patients who improved in CAT score at the end of the first year was significantly higher in patients using LAMA than those using LABA (p = 0.022); the improvement at minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in CAT score of LAMA group at 1st year was also significant (p = 0.044). SGRQ total and impact scores were found to be statistically lower at 1st year compared to baseline in patients using LAMA (p = 0.010 and 0.006, respectively). Significant improvement was detected in CAT and SGRQ scores at the 6th month visit in the LAMA group having emphysema (p = 0.032 and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: According to significant improvements in CAT and SGRQ score, LAMA may be preferred over LABA as a bronchodilator agent in group A COPD patients, especially in emphysema-dominant phenotype.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease phenotypes in Turkey: the COPET study-a national, multicenter cross-sectional observational study.

BACKGROUND: While mortality rates decrease in many chronic diseases, it continues to increase in COPD. This situation has led to the need to develop new approaches such as phenotypes in the management of COPD. We aimed to investigate the distribution, characteristics and treatment preference of COPD phenotypes in Turkey. METHODS: The study was designed as a national, multicenter, observational and cross-sectional. A total of 1141 stable COPD patients were included in the analysis. RESULTS: The phenotype distribution was as follows: 55.7% nonexacerbators (NON-AE), 25.6% frequent exacerbators without chronic bronchitis (AE NON-CB), 13.9% frequent exacerbators with chronic bronchitis (AE-CB), and 4.8% with asthma and COPD overlap (ACO). The FEV1 values were significantly higher in the ACO and NON-AE than in the AE-CB and AE NON-CB (p < 0.001). The symptom scores, ADO (age, dyspnoea and FEV1 ) index and the rates of exacerbations were significantly higher in the AE-CB and AE NON-CB phenotypes than in the ACO and NON-AE phenotypes (p < 0.001). Treatment preference in patients with COPD was statistically different among the phenotypes (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis was performed in terms of emphysema, chronic bronchitis and ACO phenotypes of 1107 patients who had thoracic computed tomography. A total of 202 patients had more than one phenotypic trait, and 149 patients showed no features of a specific phenotype. DISCUSSION: Most of the phenotype models have tried to classify the patient into a certain phenotype so far. However, we observed that some of the patients with COPD had two or more phenotypes together. Therefore, rather than determining which phenotype the patients are classified in, searching for the phenotypic traits of each patient may enable more effective and individualized treatment.

Characteristics of our hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia patients receiving corticosteroids and mortality-associated factors.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a disease associated with diffuse lung injury that has no proven effective treatment yet. It is thought that glucocorticoids may reduce inflammation-mediated lung injury, disease progression, and mortality. We aimed to evaluate our patient's characteristics and treatment outcomes who received corticosteroids for COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study and reviewed 517 patients admitted due to COVID-19 pneumonia who were hypoxemic and administered steroids regarding demographic, laboratory, and radiological characteristics, treatment response, and mortality-associated factors. RESULTS: Of our 517 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who were hypoxemic and received corticosteroids, the mortality rate was 24.4% (n = 126). The evaluation of mortality-associated factors revealed that age, comorbidities, a CURB-65 score of ≥ 2, higher SOFA scores, presence of MAS, high doses of steroids, type of steroids, COVID-19 treatment, stay in the intensive care unit, high levels of d-dimer, CRP, ferritin, and troponin, and renal dysfunction were associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Due to high starting and average steroid doses are more associated with mortality, high-dose steroid administration should be avoided. We believe that knowing the factors associated with mortality in these cases is essential for close follow-up. The use of CURB-65 and SOFA scores can predict prognosis in COVID-19 pneumonia.

Altered Cardiac Repolarization in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Altered cardiac repolarization is an important mechanism in the development of malignant cardiac arrhythmia and in the occurrence of sudden cardiac death. It is known that the risk of cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death is increased in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Evaluating the measurements of repolarization in the electrocardiogram may provide useful information to determine potential risks for lethal arrhythmias in the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the present study, we investigated the possible relationships between repolarization parameters in the electrocardio and demographic, clinical, and biochemical findings in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present study, 35 patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease A-B constituted group 1 and 35 patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease C-D constituted group 2. Cardiac repolarization and dispersion (QTc interval and QT dispersion) were measured on 12-lead electrocardiogram. QTc interval, QT dispersion, TP-e, and Tp-e/ QTc were evaluated in order to determine the patients at risk of sudden cardiac death. QTc interval >440 ms in men and >460 ms in women was considered as prolonged QTc interval. RESULTS: QTc and QTd values were found to be statistically significantly prolonged in the group of GOLD C-D compared to the group of GOLD A-B (P < .001). QTc value showed negative correlation with the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity and partial pressure of oxygen (P = .030, r = -0.260; P = .006, r = -0.332, respectively). No significant difference was in Tp-e and Tp-e/QTc between the groups (P = .73, P = .12, respectively). CONCLUSION: QTc and QTd are non-invasive markers reflecting arrhythmogenicity, and our findings were found to be related to prolonged QTc and QTd in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Prolongation in the dispersion of repolarization and altered cardiac repolarization in the population with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be related to hypoxemia and airway obstruction. Alterations in the cardiac repolarization may put these patients at high risk for malignant ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death.

Carotid intima-media thickness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and survival: A multicenter prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a noninvasive method assessing atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: It was aimed to determine relationship and survival between COPD and CIMT. METHODS: CIMT was measured using Doppler ultrasound (USG) in 668 stable COPD patients at 24 centers. Patients were followed-up for 2 years. RESULTS: There were 610 patients who completed the study. There were 200 patients CIMT with <0.78 mm (group 1), and 410 with CIMT ≥ 0.78 mm (group 2). There was a significant difference at the parameters of age, gender, smoking load, biomass exposure, GOLD groups and degree of airway obstruction (FEV1) between groups 1 and 2. Our results revealed positive correlations between mean CIMT and age, smoking load (pack-years), biomass exposure (years), exacerbation rate (last year), duration of hypertension (years) and cholesterol level; negative correlations between CIMT and FEV1 (P < 0.05). According to logistic regression model, compared with group A, risk of CIMT increase was 2.2-fold in group B, 9.7-fold in group C and 4.4-fold in group D (P < 0.05). Risk of CIMT increase was also related with cholesterol level (P < 0.05). Compared with infrequent exacerbation, it was 2.8-fold in the patients with frequent exacerbation (P < 0.05). The mean survival time was slightly higher in group 1, but not significant (23.9 vs 21.8 months) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study is the first regarding CIMT with combined GOLD assessment groups. It has revealed important findings supporting the increase in atherosclerosis risk in COPD patients. We recommend Doppler USG of the carotid artery in COPD patients at severe stages.

Extracorporeal carbondioxide removal (ECCO2R): case series and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Ventilation treatment has proven success in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), while it still remains a challenge to utilize it with lower tidal volumes especially in subjects with respiratory acidosis. The concept of supporting conventional ventilation with extracorporeal carbondioxide removal (ECCO2R) may contribute in adjusting respiratory acidosis consequent to tidal volume reduction in protective ventilation setting. This method allows an easier management of ARDS due to its less invasive approach. As shown by recent studies, ECCO2R can be preferred in subjects with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are unresponsive to non-invasive ventilation (NIV). One of the most important aspects of this can be stated as the reduced rate of endotracheal intubation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects that were admitted to intensive care unit between March 2014 to November 2015 due to hypercapnic respiratory failure were treated using ECCO2R. RESULT: Over the study period, five patients received ECCO2R therapy. All subjects were managed with ECCO2R (Hemolung, A Lung Inc., Pittsburgh, USA) via a 15.5 FG percutaneously inserted cannula. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that ECCO2R is a promising method in the management of patients having COPD and can be used to protect lungs in patients with ARDS.

Does the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio have any importance between subjects with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with obesity and without obesity?

INTRODUCTION: An increase in the incidence of OSAS (obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome) has been seen due to the reported association between OSAS and obesity. Subjects are predisposed to cardiovascular disease due to systemic inflammation caused by the interactions between obesity and OSA. Inflammatory markers could be used to predict the degree of systemic inflammation, which could be a prognostic factor for future adverse events such as metabolic risks. One marker that has recently started being used as an indicator of systemic inflammation is neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim is to evaluate NLR, which is a easily measured parameter of systemic inflammation in OSAS subjects with and without obesity. 155 subjects were assigned to four different groups according to their body mass indices. Comparisons of white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, NLR values and anthropometric measurements were done for each group. RESULT: The NLR and neutrophil counts of group 4 were statistically significant and higher than those of groups 1, 2 and 3. The lymphocyte counts of group 4 were the lowest amongst all groups, these values were lower than the lymphocyte counts of groups 1, 2 and 3 with statistically significant differences (p< 001). A positive correlation was found between the body mass index and lymphocyte count values of obese OSAS subjects (r= 0.027, p= 353). CONCLUSIONS: The NLR ratio was found to be increasing by obesity grade and reveals that the associated inflammatory response also increases. The NLR ratio might be used as an inflammatory marker in obese OSAS subjects.

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased QT corrected interval dispersion: the effects of continuous positive airway pressure / Apneia obstrutiva do sono está associada a maior dispersão do intervalo QT corrigido: efeitos da pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas

Abstract Introduction: Severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased QT corrected interval dispersion and continuous positive airway pressure is thought to improve this arrhythmogenic marker. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the decrease of ratio of cardiovascular risk in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: The study included 65 patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea who had an apnea-hypopnea index score of >30. Each patient underwent 12-channel electrocardiogram monitoring and polysomnography. Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index score of <5 were used as the control group. The control group also underwent electrocardiogram monitoring and polysomnography testing. The QT corrected interval dispersion levels of both groups were calculated. Three months after continuous positive airway pressure treatment, electrocardiogram recordings were obtained from the 65 patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea again, and their QT corrected interval dispersion values were calculated. Results: There were 44 male and 21 female patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The age, gender, body mass index, initial saturation, minimum saturation, average saturation, and desaturation index were determined in both groups. The QT corrected intervals of the obstructive sleep apnea patients (62.48 ± 16.29 ms) were significantly higher (p = 0.001) than those of the control group (29.72 ± 6.30 ms). There were statistically significant differences between the QT corrected values before and after the continuous positive airway pressure treatment, with pretreatment QT corrected intervals of 62.48 ± 16.29 ms and 3-month post-treatment values of 41.42 ± 16.96 ms (p = 0.001). There was a positive and significant correlation between QT corrected interval dispersion periods and the apnea-hypopnea index and hypopnea index in obstructive sleep apnea patients (p = 0.001; r = 0.71; p = 0.001; r = 0.679, respectively). Conclusion: Continuous positive airway pressure treatment reduced the QT corrected interval dispersion in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, shortening the QT corrected interval dispersion periods in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea may reduce their risk of arrhythmias and cardiovascular disease.

Resumo Introdução: A apneia obstrutiva do sono grave está associada a uma maior dispersão do intervalo QT corrigido e acredita-se que a pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas melhore esse marcador arritmogênico. Objetivo: Determinar a diminuição da razão de risco cardiovascular em pacientes com apneia obstrutiva do sono. Método: O estudo incluiu 65 pacientes com apneia obstrutiva do sono grave que apresentavam índice de apneia-hipopneia > 30. Cada paciente foi submetido à monitoração por eletrocardiograma de 12 derivações e polissonografia. Os pacientes com escore de índice de apneia-hipopneia < 5 foram utilizados como o grupo de controle. O grupo de controle também foi submetido à monitoração por eletrocardiograma e teste de polissonografia. Os níveis de dispersão do intervalo QT corrigido dos dois grupos foram calculados. Três meses após o tratamento com pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas, os registros de eletrocardiograma foram novamente obtidos dos 65 pacientes com apneia obstrutiva do sono grave e seus valores de dispersão do intervalo QT corrigido foram calculados. Resultados: Havia 44 pacientes do sexo masculino e 21 do feminino com síndrome de apneia obstrutiva do sono grave. Idade, sexo, índice de massa corporal, saturação inicial, saturação mínima, saturação média e índice de dessaturação foram determinados em ambos os grupos. Os intervalos QT corrigido dos pacientes com apneia obstrutiva do sono (62,48 ± 16,29 ms) foram significativamente maiores (p = 0,001) do que os do grupo controle (29,72 ± 6,30 ms). Houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os valores de QT corrigido antes e após o tratamento com pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas, com intervalos QT corrigido pré-tratamento de 62,48 ± 16,29 ms e três meses pós-tratamento, de 41,42 ± 16,96 ms (p = 0,001). Houve uma correlação positiva e significativa entre os períodos de dispersão do intervalo QT corrigido e o índice de apneia-hipopneia e índice de hipopneia em pacientes com apneia obstrutiva do sono (p = 0,001; r = 0,71; p = 0,001; r = 0,679, respectivamente). Conclusão: O tratamento com pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas reduziu a dispersão do intervalo QT corrigido em pacientes com apneia obstrutiva do sono grave. Além disso, o encurtamento de dispersão do intervalo QT corrigido em pacientes com apneia obstrutiva do sono grave pode reduzir o risco de arritmias e doenças cardiovasculares.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase activity as a predictive marker for severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and concomitant hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Chronic intermittent hypia, inflammation and oxidative stress are involved in resultant obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), which may affect numerous regulatory mechanisms that play a role in the regulation of blood pressure. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a novel marker in the prediction of cardiovascular risk. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation of serum levels of GGT with hypertension and the degree of the upper airway obstruction in subjects with OSAS. METHODS: A total of 270 subjects that met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The subjects were divided into four separate groups according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores as the control group (AHI < 5), mild OSAS group (AHI 5-15), moderate OSAS group (AHI 16-30) and severe OSAS group (AHI >30). A further classification of the OSAS subjects was made in two groups based on the presence of hypertension. RESULTS: The study included 43 control individuals and 59 subjects with mild, 54 subjects with moderate and 114 subjects with severe OSAS. The serum levels of GGT were found to be significantly correlated with OSAS severity (control group: 18 ± 3.3, mild OSAS: 23.6 ± 7.3, moderate OSAS: 26.4 ± 7.5 and severe OSAS: 39.8 ± 12). Serum levels of GGT were found to be significantly higher in OSAS subjects with concomitant hypertension than in the group without associated hypertension (P < .05). The results showed that the adjusted mean GGT under OSA without hypertension (Madj  = 28.76, SE = 0.71) was significantly lower than in cases with OSA with hypertension (Madj  = 42.79, SE = 1.19). CONCLUSION: The present study indicated a strong correlation between high serum levels of GGT and concomitant hypertension in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea. This biomarker may be helpful in grading the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and correlated with hypertension in this population.

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased QT corrected interval dispersion: the effects of continuous positive airway pressure.

INTRODUCTION: Severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased QT corrected interval dispersion and continuous positive airway pressure is thought to improve this arrhythmogenic marker. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the decrease of ratio of cardiovascular risk in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS: The study included 65 patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea who had an apnea-hypopnea index score of >30. Each patient underwent 12-channel electrocardiogram monitoring and polysomnography. Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index score of <5 were used as the control group. The control group also underwent electrocardiogram monitoring and polysomnography testing. The QT corrected interval dispersion levels of both groups were calculated. Three months after continuous positive airway pressure treatment, electrocardiogram recordings were obtained from the 65 patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea again, and their QT corrected interval dispersion values were calculated. RESULTS: There were 44 male and 21 female patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The age, gender, body mass index, initial saturation, minimum saturation, average saturation, and desaturation index were determined in both groups. The QT corrected intervals of the obstructive sleep apnea patients (62.48±16.29ms) were significantly higher (p=0.001) than those of the control group (29.72±6.30ms). There were statistically significant differences between the QT corrected values before and after the continuous positive airway pressure treatment, with pretreatment QT corrected intervals of 62.48±16.29ms and 3-month post-treatment values of 41.42±16.96ms (p=0.001). There was a positive and significant correlation between QT corrected interval dispersion periods and the apnea-hypopnea index and hypopnea index in obstructive sleep apnea patients (p=0.001; r=0.71; p=0.001; r=0.679, respectively). CONCLUSION: Continuous positive airway pressure treatment reduced the QT corrected interval dispersion in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, shortening the QT corrected interval dispersion periods in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea may reduce their risk of arrhythmias and cardiovascular disease.

Serum telomerase levels in smokers and smokeless tobacco users as Maras powder.

INTRODUCTION: To the best of our knowledge, no previous study regarding the serum telomerase levels in Maras powder users (MPUs) has been founded. The aim of the current study was to investigate serum telomerase levels in smokers and MPUs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out with 98 patients (36 MPUs, 32 smokers and 30 non-smokers). Blood samples were collected, and after having measured the serum telomerase and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of the patients, comparison were made between the groups. RESULT: It has been observed that the serum telomerase and MDA levels of smokers (p< 0.001) and MPUs (p< 0.001) were significantly higher compared to those of the non-smoker control subjects. In addition, the levels of serum telomerase and MDA were observed to be higher in the MPU group compared to those of the smoker group (p< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The levels of serum telomerase and MDA were observed to be higher among MPUs and smokers. In this context, it may be useful to further measure and assess telomerase activity in such patients in order to better determine the harmful effects associated with these habits.

Can We Predict the Perioperative Pulmonary Complications Before Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Original Research.

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of obesity in worldwide is one of the most serious chronic public health problems and is considered to be a global epidemic. Bariatric surgical procedures have also been applied more often with increased prevalence of obesity. As a result, the incidence of surgical complications has increased. Preoperative evaluation is quite important for these patients. AIMS: The aim of our study is to determine the predictors of perioperative pulmonary complications of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. STUDY DESIGN: The study is a cross-sectional study. METHODS: One hundred eighty-three consecutive patients who received laparoscopic bariatric surgery were followed up during 3 months. Patients were divided into two groups A and B. Group A being the patients who had perioperative pulmonary complications (n = 28) and group B being patients who had not (n = 155). Pulmonary function test (PFT), body mass index (BMI), preoperative oxygen saturation, age, gender, comorbid diseases, and smoking history were compared between these groups. RESULTS: Mean age, size, weight, BMI, PFT parameters of groups A and B were close to each other. The strongest predictors of perioperative pulmonary complications were duration of smoking in current smokers and low baseline oxygen saturation. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative oxygen saturation and smoking history may help to predict perioperative complications of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

The Effect of Working in a Smoke-Free Workplace on use of Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether smokeless tobacco (Maras powder) use increased among smokers working at smoke-free workplaces or not. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In Kahramanmaras city, 242 male workers who were current or former smokers, working at strictly smoke-free workplaces were included in this study. A total of 21 questions, including the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, were asked. RESULTS: All the participants were male with a mean age of 29.33±6.66 years, and the age range was 17-55 years. Current smokers were 90 (37.2%) and former smokers were 152 (62.8%). Former smokers were asked the reason why they quit smoking; the predominant reasons were the health hazards of smoking and the financial burden of cigarettes. The quitting rate was significantly higher among married participants (p=0.023). Maras powder users were 184 (76%), users who never smoked were 54 (22.3%), and former users were 4 (1.7%). We asked the Maras powder users if they had been using it before the smoking bans, and 96 workers (51.1%) answered "no." The question "Did the use of Maras powder increase with smoking bans"? was asked, and 118 workers (62.8%) answered "yes." The level of education among Maras powder users was significantly lower than non-users (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Working in smoke-free workplaces is associated with increased rates of quitting smoking and also with increased use of Maras powder, a local form of oral smokeless tobacco.

A Case of Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis Diagnosed by Transbronchial Biopsy.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare infiltrative pulmonary disease, in which intraalveolar accumulation of small stones (microliths) consisting of calcium phosphatite occurs. It is an autosomal recessive disorder. The disease occurs as a result of the disruption of type IIb sodium phosphate cotransporter in type II alveolar cells after the mutation of SLC34A2. Majority of patients are diagnosed between age 20 and 40. Here, we present a case of alveolar microlithiasis that was diagnosed with transbronchial biopsy.

Microalbuminuria in Subjects With COPD: Relationship to the New Version of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Staging.

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria, used as a marker of endothelial dysfunction, is a predictor of mortality for any reason and of cardiovascular events. Recent research on the management of COPD has focused more on comorbidities, including cardiovascular events. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of microalbuminuria and whether it is associated with physiological and clinical features in a subject group that was classified in line with the new version of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stages. METHODS: The study included 105 stable subjects with mild to very severe COPD. The urinary albumin/creatinine ratio was calculated using a previously defined formula. The presence of microalbuminuria was accepted as a urinary albumin/creatinine ratio ≥20 in males and ≥30 in females. RESULTS: Urinary albumin/creatinine ratios were significantly higher in subjects grouped as having more symptoms and high future risk than in those with fewer symptoms and low future risk. In addition, significant differences were observed when the subjects were grouped based on PaO2 (≤65 mm Hg vs >65 mm Hg), PaCO2 (≤41 mm Hg vs >41 mm Hg), arterial oxygen saturation (≤92% vs >92%), and median split C-reactive protein (≤4.6 mg/L vs >4.6 mg/L). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio was significantly inversely correlated with percent-of-predicted FEV1 (r = -0.56, P = .001), percent-of-predicted SaO2 (r = -0.48, P = .001), and PaO2 (r = 0.60, P = .001). A positive correlation was also found between urinary albumin/creatinine ratio and COPD assessment test scores (r = 0.53, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate a strong relationship between microalbuminuria and cardiovascular events in subjects with COPD, particularly in subjects with more symptoms and high future risk. Therefore, microalbuminuria should be regularly monitored in this subgroup of subjects with COPD for risk of cardiovascular morbidity or mortality.

The effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and hypothyroidism to intima-media thickness of carotid artery.

AIM: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common disorder and in subjects with OSAS the prevalence of hypothyroidism is approximately 1.2-11 %. The episodes of hypoxia/reoxygenation associated with the respiratory disturbances observed in subjects with OSAS increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Hypothyroidism; primary or subclinical, has several effects on cardiovascular system. In our study, we investigated carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) which is an early sign of atherosclerosis, in OSAS subjects with hypothyroidism. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Subjects who admitted to Kahramanmaras Necip Fazil City State Hospital Chest Diseases out-patient clinic between May 2014 and January 2016 for snoring and had polysomnographic evaluation at the sleep laboratory were included in this study. Each subject was evaluated for serum thyroid function tests and carotid artery IMT was measured by a Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: Mean carotid artery IMT values in the isolated OSAS, OSAS plus hypothyroidism, and control groups were 0.67 ± 0.12, 0.8 ± 0.12, and 0.54 ± 0.08 mm, respectively; difference between groups was statistically significant (p < .05). A poXsitive correlation was found between thyroid stimulating hormone levels and IMT (r = 0.426, p = .002), while free T3 levels and IMT were negatively correlated (r = -0.463, p = .001). IMT and apnea-hypopnea index were also positively correlated (r = 0.403, p = .003). CONCLUSION: We suggest, physicians should be alert for hypothyroidism comorbidity in OSAS, and suspected subjects with OSAS should be screened for hypothyroidism considering the potential cardiovascular complications.

Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase Activity as a Potential Novel Cardiovascular Biomarker in COPD.

BACKGROUND: Gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) is an enzyme present in the cell membranes, which is used as a new biomarker in prediction of inflammation, myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiac death. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum levels of gamma-GT and cardiovascular disease in subjects with COPD and the correlation between serum gamma-GT level and degree of the limitation of air flow in COPD. METHODS: A total of 70 subjects (46.1%) with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) A-B and normal function of the liver and biliary tract (mean age [IQR] 59 [51.75-70] y; 77.1% men) and 82 subjects (53.9%) with GOLD C-D (mean age [IQR] 59 [56-66] y; 79.3% men) participated. Serum levels of gamma-GT and C-reactive protein were measured and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The serum level of gamma-GT was found to be significantly (P < .001) higher in the GOLD stage C and D group than in the GOLD stage A and B group. Mean values of C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease was statistically significantly higher in subjects in the GOLD stage C and D group than in the GOLD stage A and B group (P < .001). The serum level of gamma-GT was higher in subjects with COPD with coexisting cardiovascular disease than in those without cardiovascular disease (64 units/L [interquartile range 57-72.5] vs 17.5 units/L [interquartile range 10-25]). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that serum levels of gamma-GT may be helpful in grading the severity of COPD as the marker of oxidative stress, and there is a strong correlation between high serum levels of gamma-GT and cardiovascular events in subjects with COPD.

Removal of extracorporeal carbon dioxide in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

The use of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) procedures in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients suffering from episodes of acute exacerbation are associated with high rates of mortality. In this case study, we describe the use of a new device for extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) that can provide partial respiratory support for patients where noninvasive ventilation (NIV) proved insufficient. The case described in this manuscript represents the first clinical feasibility study for the Hemolung device, and was also the first use and application of the device at our department.