Comparison of oxidant/antioxidant balance in COPD and non-COPD smokers.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking is the leading source of oxidants in lungs. However, it is currently unknown why some individuals are more resistant to the detrimental effects of smoking and do not develop COPD. The aim in this study is to measure and compare the oxidant/antioxidant balance between in non-COPD individuals who smoke and COPD patients who smoke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included in the study were 137 patients with COPD and 102 healthy individuals. Participants were divided into groups as COPD patients (former and current smokers), non-COPD individuals who smoke and non-smokers healthy persons. In the following stage, the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels were measured in serum for all participants. RESULTS: In the current-smoker COPD group, the level of oxidant status were significantly higher than the former-smoker COPD group (p < 0.001). Similarly, oxidant levels were significantly high in current-smoker healthy group than never smoker healthy group. According to these results TOS was associated with especially smoking status rather than COPD. Antioxidant status were similar between former-smoker COPD group and current-smoker COPD group. The antioxidant levels were found significantly low in current-smoker COPD patients, compared to the current-smoker non-COPD individuals (p = 0.007). Nevertheless, no significant difference was found in OSI levels between two groups. Briefly, high TOS and OSI values were correlated with only smoking, independently from COPD. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that there are complex pathogenetic mechanisms, including genetic and individual variations other than oxidant/antioxidant balance, involved in the development of smoking-related COPD. TOS and OSI values are not predictive parameters for the development of COPD, but high level of TAS in non-COPD smokers is promising for future studies.

Evaluation of central and peripheral neuropathy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency and characteristics of peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) involvement in COPD. Methods: The study included 41 COPD patients and 41 healthy volunteers. Electrophysiological studies were carried out: electromyography (EMG) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs). The median nerve, ulnar nerve, common peroneal nerve, and tibial nerve were evaluated for latency, amplitude, and conduction velocity. Results: The mean age of patients with COPD was 61.8 years and disease duration 10.3 years. There was no difference between patient and control groups in terms of age, BMI, smoking status, or biochemical parameters. Upon VEP examination, latencies were significantly prolonged and amplitudes shortened in the patient group compared to the control group. In EMG measurements, conduction velocity and amplitudes in all nerves were low in the patient group. Similarly, latencies in all nerves were higher in patients with COPD. Conclusion: Central and peripheral nervous system involvement could develop in patients with moderate-severe COPD, and these patients should be monitored for neuropathic changes in combination with neurological examination.

The Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Premature Ventricular Contractions and Ventricular Wall Stress in Patients with Heart Failure and Sleep Apnea.

Background: We aimed to investigate the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on electrocardiography (ECG), premature ventricular contraction load on 24-hour Holter recordings, and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and heart failure. Methods: Patients with heart failure and ICD and patients with newly diagnosed OSAS were divided into two groups according to CPAP treatment. To compare the impact of CPAP on ECG parameters, both baseline and 6-month ECG, 24-hour Holter ECG, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiography, polysomnography, and laboratory parameters were collected. Results: CPAP treatment significantly reduced the frequency of premature ventricular contractions, T-peak to T-end, corrected QT, corrected QT dispersion, and T-peak to T-end/corrected QT ratio in the study group (p < 0.001 for all). Although the baseline NT-pro-BNP levels were similar between study and control groups, after six months, the NT-pro-BNP levels of the study group were significantly lower than that of the control group (39.18 ± 7.57 versus 46.11 ± 7.65; p < 0.001). Conclusions: CPAP treatment in patients with heart failure and ICD and in patients with newly diagnosed OSAS may have beneficial effects on premature ventricular contractions and electrocardiographic arrhythmia indices and NT-pro-BNP levels. However, these results are needed to be clarified with further studies.

The relationship between restless legs syndrome and bronchial asthma.

INTRODUCTION: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is associated with sleep disorders. However, although sleep disturbance is prevalent in people with asthma, an insufficient number of studies have investigated the relationship between asthma and RLS. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the extent of the presence of RLS, and the factors related to RLS, in people with asthma. METHODS: A total of 84 people with asthma and 51 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The diagnosis of RLS was made according to the criteria determined by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group, and the Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety scales were used to assess both groups. The Asthma Control Test™(ACT) was carried out to determine asthma control status. RESULTS: RLS was detected in 27 (32.1%) of the asthma group and in 8 (15.7%) of the control group. The frequency of RLS was significantly higher in the asthma group than in the control group (P = .034). Although no significant relationship was observed between the presence of RLS and the use of an inhaled steroid, use of a ß2 agonist and age; a significant relationship was found between the presence of RLS and, ACT score, symptoms of depression and anxiety and gender (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: RLS was more frequent in people with asthma than in healthy individuals, and as asthma control decreased, frequency of RLS increased. It was concluded that it would be useful to evaluate people with asthma, particularly those with symptoms of depression and anxiety, with regard to RLS in order to address, and ultimately improve, their quality of life.

Clinical effects of cognitive impairment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of cognitive impairment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A total of 91 patients with stable moderate to very severe COPD were included in this study. Cognitive functions of the patients were evaluated using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) tool and clock-drawing test. The Brody's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Questionnaire; COPD assessment test (CAT); body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE); and Charlson comorbidity index were assessed. The patients were divided into two groups as those who were diagnosed with cognitive impairment (group 1, n = 16) and those with normal cognitive functions (group 2, n = 75). Group 1 had a lower arterial partial pressure of oxygen , shorter 6-min walking distance, and higher arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) than group 2 ( p = 0.01, p = 0.024, p = 0.018, respectively). In group 1, the IADL score was lower, and CAT and BODE scores were higher than group 2 ( p = 0.002, p = 0.037, p = 0.012, respectively). When we considered all the patients, there was an independent correlation between the IADL score and MMSE score ( p = 0.03). This study revealed that COPD patients with cognitive impairment may have more hypoxemia and limited activities of daily living.

Is There a Correlation between New Scoring Systems and Systemic Inflammation in Stable Bronchiectasis?

Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the relation between FACED and BSI scores, which were developed to measure the severity of bronchiectasis, and systemic inflammation in patients with stable bronchiectasis. Methods: FACED and BSI scores of 117 patients with stable bronchiectasis were calculated. The correlations between mean scores and CRP levels, leukocyte count, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were investigated. Findings: Mean BSI and FACED scores were 7.2 ± 5.2 and 2.1 ± 1.8, respectively. The severity of bronchiectasis as determined based on BSI and FACED increased significantly with increasing levels of CRP in patients with stable bronchiectasis (p=0.001 and p=0.027, resp.). No significant changes were found in leukocyte count (p=0.72 and p=0.09, resp.) and N/L ratio (p=0.45 and p=0.71, resp.). BSI and FACED scores were significantly correlated with CRP but not with leukocyte count or N/L ratio. Conclusion: In patients with stable bronchiectasis who are evaluated based on FACED and BSI scores, CRP can be a useful biomarker as a direct indicator of the severity of systemic inflammation.

The effects of depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances on cognitive impairment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances on cognitive functions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. In this prospective case-control study, demographic data, smoking history, depression, anxiety, sleep quality and cognitive status of 48 COPD patients and 36 healthy volunteers aged 40-90 years were recorded. The Beck depression inventory (BDI), the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess depression, anxiety and sleep quality, respectively in COPD patients. Cognitive performance was studied by the mini-mental state examination. The mean age of patients with COPD was 65.3 ± 9.4 years, and disease duration was 9.6 ± 7.8 years. Male sex ratio, smoking, BDI score, BAI score, total PSQI score, sleep latency, sleep duration, average use of sleep aids and sleep disturbances in patients with COPD were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). When cognitive impairment was compared by age, FVC, FEV, FEV/FVC, PEF values and smoking, no statistically significant relationship was found (p > 0.05). A statistically significant relationship was established between cognitive impairment and severity of disease, presence of anxiety, presence of depression and sleep quality. In our study, we found that sleep disorders, depression and anxiety comorbid with COPD increased cognitive impairment as well as the severity of disease. We believe that this finding is important in terms of reducing the risk of cognitive impairment, preventing misdiagnosis and treatment of the aforementioned comorbid diseases.

Effects of aspiration pneumonia on the intensive care requirements and in-hospital mortality of hospitalised patients with acute cerebrovascular disease.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the development of aspiration pneumonia (AP) on the intensive care unit (ICU) requirements and in-hospital mortality of patients hospitalised in the neurology ward due to an acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five hundred and three patients hospitalised in the neurology ward following an acute CVA were retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into two groups: those with AP (group 1) and those without AP (group 2). Demographic characteristics and physical and radiological findings, including the localisation, lateralisation and aetiology of the infarction, in addition to ICU requirements and mortality, were evaluated. RESULTS: Aspiration pneumonia was detected in 80 (15.9%) patients during the in-hospital stay. Transfer to the ICU for any reason was required in 37.5% of the patients in group 1 and 4.7% of those in group 2 (p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality occurred in 7.5% and 1.4% of the patients in group 1 and group 2, respectively (p = 0.006). The incidence of AP was highest in patients with an infarction of the medial cerebral artery (MCA) (p < 0.001). The AP was associated with older age (p < 0.001), hypertension (p = 0.007), echocardiography findings (p = 0.032) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the requirement rate for transfer to the ICU and the mortality rate appear to be significantly higher in patients with a diagnosis of AP. Precautions should be taken, starting from the first day of hospitalisation, to decrease the incidence of AP in patients with acute CVA, focusing especially on older patients and those with a severe mRS score.

Predictors of intensive care unit admission and mortality in patients with ischemic stroke: investigating the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality among stroke patients and the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program on stroke patients. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 181 acute ischemic stroke patients aged between 40 and 90 years. Demographical characteristics, laboratory tests, diffusion-weighed magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) time, nutritional status, vascular risk factors, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and modified Rankin scale (MRS) scores were recorded for all patients. One-hundred patients participated in the pulmonary rehabilitation program, 81 of whom served as a control group. RESULTS: Statistically, one- and three-month mortality was associated with NIHSS and MRS scores at admission and three months (p<0.001; r=0.440, r=0.432, r=0.339 and r=0.410, respectively). One and three months mortality- ICU admission had a statistically significant relationship with parenteral nutrition (p<0.001; r=0.346, r=0.300, respectively; r=0.294 and r=0.294, respectively). Similarly, there was also a statistically significant relationship between pneumonia onset and one- and three-month mortality- ICU admission (p<0.05; r=0.217, r=0.127, r=0.185 and r=0.185, respectively). A regression analysis showed that parenteral nutrition (odds ratio [OR] =13.434, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.148-157.265, p=0.038) was a significant predictor of ICU admission. The relationship between pulmonary physiotherapy (PPT) and ICU admission- pneumonia onset at the end of three months was statistically significant (p=0.04 and p=0.043, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study showed that PPT improved the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients. We believe that a pulmonary rehabilitation program, in addition to general stroke rehabilitation programs, can play a critical role in improving survival and functional outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03195907 . Trial registration date: 21.06.2017 'Retrospectively registered'.

Assessment of Headache in Asthma Patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Headache is a common health problem, which may present with neurological diseases and other chronic diseases, and has an adverse effect on the emotional status. We think that headache is a common disease in asthmatic patients. This study aims to evaluate the presence of headache and risk factors in patients with asthma. METHODS: Ninety-three patients with asthma and 58 healthy control subjects were included in the study. The presence of headache was evaluated according to the revised criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition (ICDH-II). Asthma control test (ACT) was performed to determine asthma control status. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were performed in all participants. Demographic features, used medications, and presence of headaches were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients with asthma (62.4%) had headaches, whereas only 19 control subjects (32.8%) had headaches. Thirty-two patients (34.4%) had tension-type headache, 19 patients (20.3%) had migraine-type headache, and 7 patients (7.5%) had other types of headaches. The frequency of headaches was significantly higher in patients with asthma, compared to healthy control subjects (p=0.001). There was a significant correlation between migraine-type headache and inhaled steroid use, and presence of allergies. CONCLUSION: Migraine-type and tension-type headaches are more common in patients with asthma, compared to the overall population. The frequency of migraine-type headache is higher in patients with asthma who have allergies and low respiratory function test scores.

Lung cancer in patients diagnosed with silicosis should be investigated.

Silicosis is an interstitial lung disease developing as a result of inhalation of inorganic silica particles. In silicosis cases developing as a result of environmental and occupational exposure, an increase is observed in Turkey especially depending upon denim sandblasting. We present a 35-year-old female case who was applied to our hospital due to complaint of progressive dyspnea, had a history of working in denim sandblasting for 18 months, were diagnosed with silicosis as a result of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma as a result of transbronchial lung biopsy made due to clinical deterioration and radiological progression within three months. The purpose of this report was to point out that lung cancer can develop in patients followed up with diagnosis of silicosis or radiologic findings in silicosis can be confused with lung cancer.

Consider Behcet's disease in young patients with deep vein thrombosis.

Behcet's disease is a multi-systemic and chronic inflammatory vasculitis of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, uveitis, arthritis, arterial aneurysms, venous thrombosis, skin lesions and GIS lesions. Although pulmonary artery aneurysms are rare, it is a critical condition due to high risk of rupture. Venous involvement of Behcet's disease primarily occurs in the lower extremities. In the presence of deep vein thrombosis(DVT) and pulmonary embolism, the mainstay of treatment in Behcet's disease is immunosuppressant therapy. Anticoagulants can be used only after initiation of immunosuppressant therapy and suppression of the disease. Anticoagulant therapy alone may lead to fatal hemoptysis. We report the case of a 24 year-old patient who presented to the emergency service with complaints of shortness of breath, general condition disorder and hemoptyhis while using warfarin for DVT and whose thoracic CT angiography showed pulmonary embolism and pulmonary artery aneurysm and diagnosed with Behcet's disease.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by the broom grass (Calluna vulgaris).

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), is an inflammatory disease that represents one possible response of the interstitial and parenchymal tissue to the intensive and repeated inhalation of organic dusts or reactive chemicals substances. In this case report, for the first time in the literature as we know, acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a patient who working in broom grass manufacturing were presented. Broom manufacturer employee 35 years old female patient was admitted with dyspnea, fever and cough, beginning the three months before. Physical examination, there were bilateral basal crackles. On Thorax CT bilateral diffuse ground-glass opacity and mosaic perfusion were observed. Patient was hospitalized, IV prednisolone therapy was started. Almost complete clinical improvement was achieved. We would like to emphasize that detailed occupational history should be questioned; because; diagnosis of acute HP, due to the mixing with the viral infection or atypical pneumonia, easily skipped.