The relation between insulin resistance and lung function: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Impaired lung function and insulin resistance have been associated and thereby have also been indicated to be powerful predictors of cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, the co-existence of insulin resistance and impaired lung function accompanied with cardiovascular risk factors should induce cardiovascular mortality even in patients without known respiratory disease in a cumulative pattern. It could be useful to determine the lung function of patients with insulin resistance in order to decrease cardiovascular mortality by means of taking measures that minimize the risk of decline in lung function. However, no prior studies have been done on association between insulin resistance and lung function in adults in Turkey. We aimed to determine if insulin resistance plays a detrimental role in lung function in outpatients admitted to internal medicine clinics in adults from Turkey. METHODS: A total of 171 outpatients (mean ± SD) age: 43.1 ± 11.9) years) admitted to internal medicine clinics were included in this single-center cross-sectional study, and were divided into patients with (n = 63, mean ± SD) age: 43.2 ± 12.5) years, 83.5 % female) or without (n = 108, mean ± SD) age: 43.0 ± 11.6) years, 93.5 % female) insulin resistance. All patients were non-smokers. Data on gender, age, anthropometrics, blood pressure, blood biochemistry, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and lung function tests were collected in each patient. Correlates of insulin resistance were determined via logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Insulin resistance was present in 36.8 % of patients. Logistic regression analysis revealed an increase in the likelihood of having insulin resistance of 1.07 times with every 1-point increase in waist circumference, 1.01 times with every 1-point increase in triglycerides, 0.93 times with every 1-point decrease in HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and 0.86 times with every 1-point decrease in percentage of FEV1/FVC pre (FEV1%pre: Forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration for predicted values; FVC%pre.: Forced vital capacity for predicted values). CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance should also be considered amongst the contributing factors for decline in lung function.

Pulmonary fibrosis developed secondary to methotrexate use in a patient with psoriasis vulgaris.

Methotrexate is the folic acid analogue drug that used in various dermatological disorders, especially in psoriasis. Cutaneous and systemic side effects can be seen during methotrexate treatment. A 58-year-old female patient presented with persistent cough last one month. The patients past medical history was remarkable for psoriasis, for which she was on follow up for the last 14 years and received systemic methotrexate (12.5 mg/week) within the last eight months. The patient was referred to pulmonology for persistent cough. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed pleural thickenning on the left lung, interlobular septal thickenning on the right lung and frosted glass areas in both lungs. Methotrexate induced pulmonary toxicity was considered and lung biopsy and bronchoscopy was performed to patient. The patient was diagnosed with methotrexate induced pulmonary toxicity based on the clinical, radiological and histopathological findings. Methotrexate treatment was stopped and a therapy with systemic corticosteroid 32 mg/day was initiated. Significant improvement was observed clinically and radiologically after one month of therapy. Methotrexate is a toxic drug to the lungs, but this condition is not common. All patients prescribed MTX should be advised for lung toxicity and to report the development of respiratory symptoms to their physician.

Does Helicobacter pylori infection play a role in lung cancer?

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection is a world-wide common disease and leads to many gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. It is suggested that one of these respiratory illnesses is lung cancer. METHODS: Forty-three patients with non-small cell lung cancer and 28 control subjects have been included to this study. H. pylori status of the patients and controls was determined by immunoblot for the detection of IgG (RIDA Blot Helicobacter). All subjects were examined to evaluate the presence of VacA and CagA gene. RESULTS: Seropositivity of anti H. pylori IgG was significantly higher in cancer patients than in control groups, 40 (93%) and 12 (42%), respectively (P<0.01). Although both VacA and CagA seropositivity was high in lung cancer patients, only VacA positivity was statistically significant when compared with control subjects, 35 (81%) and 11 (42%), respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection may be associated with development of lung cancer.