Can blood eosinophil count be used as a predictive marker for the severity of COPD and concomitant cardiovascular disease? The relationship with the 2023 Version of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Staging.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between eosinophil count and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the correlation between eosinophil count and the risk of exacerbations in COPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 405 patients who met the study inclusion criteria. Of the participants, 100 (25%) were classified as Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) A, 105 (26%) as GOLD B, and 200 (49%) as GOLD E. Routine blood tests (including leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and platelet count) were carried out using an automated hematology analyzer. RESULTS: The eosinophil count and eosinophil percentage were significantly higher in 158 patients with COPD and concurrent CVD than in the COPD patients without concurrent CVD [2.95 (2.4), p=2.309e-11, 1.9 (2), p=5.02e-08, respectively). The prevalence of CVD was higher in the GOLD E group that experienced prominent exacerbations, and while the eosinophil count was also higher (p=.03) in this group, the eosinophil percentage did not differ significantly in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate a strong relationship between eosinophils and cardiovascular events in COPD subjects, particularly in subjects at high risk of exacerbations and cardiovascular complications.

Comparison of inflammation biomarkers among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease groups: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The Global Initiative classification (GOLD) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which relies on the practical issues of treatment of this complex and heterogeneous disease, may not be reliable in predicting disease severity and prognosis as the term of inflammation is excluded from the definition. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine systemic inflammatory markers in GOLD ABCD groups and to compare these parameters according to clinical and functional features. METHODS: The study included 60 COPD patients and 59 healthy subjects. Comparisons were made with the pulmonary function test, transthoracic echocardiography and the six-minute walk test (6MWT). The COPD assessment test (CAT), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), and index scores of body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) were recorded. The systemic inflammatory state was assessed using C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-18. RESULTS: The levels of all serum inflammatory markers were higher in the COPD group than in the control group. TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly higher in the symptomatic groups (B and D) than in the less symptomatic groups (A and C) (P < 0.05). Spirometric parameters were more severe in Group D, followed by groups C, B and A, respectively. The 6MWT and the BODE scores were worst in Group D, followed by groups B, C and A. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that bronchodilator treatment alone might be insufficient in Group B patients, as the systemic inflammatory markers in addition to exercise capacity and mortality predictors were at the worst level in Groups D and B.

Resultados de LEOCH con o sin catéter para el tratamiento de cálculos en la pelvis renal: un estudio aleatorizado / Effect of JJ stent on outcomes of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy treatment of moderate sized renal pelvic stones: A randomized prospective study

Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la colocación del catéter doble J en el tratamiento con LEOCH de los cálculos en la pelvis renal de tamaño moderado (15-25 mm). Materiales y métodos: Entre enero de 2016 y diciembre de 2017, se incluyó en el estudio a un total de 152 pacientes adultos que serían tratados con LEOCH por un solo cálculo radiopaco localizado en la pelvis renal. Se excluyeron los pacientes con riñón solitario, anomalía congénita, anomalía del sistema esquelético, cirugía previa del tracto urinario, hidronefrosis (grado 2 o superior), infección del tracto urinario sin tratar, trastorno hemorrágico y sospecha de embarazo. Los 114 pacientes restantes se dividieron aleatoriamente en 2 grupos: cateterizados y no cateterizados. Veintidós pacientes cuyo cálculo no pudo fragmentarse después de 3 sesiones consecutivas también fueron excluidos del estudio. Un total de 92 pacientes (54 no cateterizados y 38 cateterizados) se incluyeron en el análisis final. Resultados: No hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos respecto a edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal, grosor parenquimal renal, hidronefrosis, distancia piel-cálculo, unidades Hounsfield y tamaño del cálculo. El éxito fue significativamente mayor en el grupo cateterizado que en el grupo no cateterizado (71 vs. 39%; p = 0,002). En pacientes libres de cálculos, el número de visitas al servicio de urgencias y el consumo de analgésicos fue significativamente menor en el grupo cateterizados que en el grupo no cateterizados (p < 0,001 y p < 0,001, respectivamente). En pacientes no libres de cálculos, el consumo de analgésicos fue significativamente menor en el grupo cateterizados que en el grupo no cateterizados (p = 0,004). Conclusiones: La colocación de catéter antes del tratamiento con LEOCH para cálculos en la pelvis renal de tamaño moderado tiene algunas ventajas en términos de éxito, visitas al servicio de urgencias y consumo de analgésicos

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of JJ stents on SWL treatment of moderate (15-25mm) renal pelvic stones. Materials and methods: Between January 2016 and December 2017, a total of 152 adult patients who were planned to undergo SWL for a single radiopaque renal pelvic stone were included in the study. Patients with solitary kidney, congenital abnormality, skeletal tract abnormalities, previous urinary system surgery, hydronephrosis (grade 2 or more), untreated urinary tract infection, bleeding disorder, and suspected pregnancy were excluded. The remaining 114 patients were randomly divided into two groups; non-stented and stented. Twenty-two patients whose stone could not be fragmented despite 3 consecutive sessions were also excluded from the study. A total of 92 patients (54 non-stented and 38 stented) were included in the final analysis. Results: There was no significant difference in terms of age, sex, body mass index, renal parancyhimal thickness, hydronephrosis, skin-to-stone distance, Hounsfield units, and stone size between the groups. Success was significantly higher in the stented group than in the non-stented group (71% vs. 39%, P = .002). In stone-free patients, the number of emergency department visits and analgesic tablet consumption was significantly lower in the stented group than in the non-stented group (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). In non- stone-free patients, analgesic tablet consumption was significantly lower in the stented group than in the non-stented group (P = .004). Conclusions: Pre-stenting before SWL treatment of moderate sized renal pelvic stones has some advantages in terms of success, emergency service visits, and analgesic tablet consumption

Effect of JJ stent on outcomes of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy treatment of moderate sized renal pelvic stones: A randomized prospective study. / Resultados de LEOCH con o sin catéter para el tratamiento de cálculos en la pelvis renal: un estudio aleatorizado.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of JJ stents on SWL treatment of moderate (15-25mm) renal pelvic stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2016 and December 2017, a total of 152 adult patients who were planned to undergo SWL for a single radiopaque renal pelvic stone were included in the study. Patients with solitary kidney, congenital abnormality, skeletal tract abnormalities, previous urinary system surgery, hydronephrosis (grade 2 or more), untreated urinary tract infection, bleeding disorder, and suspected pregnancy were excluded. The remaining 114 patients were randomly divided into two groups; non-stented and stented. Twenty-two patients whose stone could not be fragmented despite 3 consecutive sessions were also excluded from the study. A total of 92 patients (54 non-stented and 38 stented) were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of age, sex, body mass index, renal parancyhimal thickness, hydronephrosis, skin-to-stone distance, Hounsfield units, and stone size between the groups. Success was significantly higher in the stented group than in the non-stented group (71% vs. 39%, P=.002). In stone-free patients, the number of emergency department visits and analgesic tablet consumption was significantly lower in the stented group than in the non-stented group (P<.001 and P<.001, respectively). In non- stone-free patients, analgesic tablet consumption was significantly lower in the stented group than in the non-stented group (P=.004). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-stenting before SWL treatment of moderate sized renal pelvic stones has some advantages in terms of success, emergency service visits, and analgesic tablet consumption.

Evaluation of quality of life, anxiety, and depression in the spouses of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Impaired quality of life can be seen in the spouses of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. The main aim of the study is to assess the quality of life, anxiety, and depression in the spouses of the OSAS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 OSAS patients and their spouses were included in the study. The demographic features of patients and the findings related to their disease and relevant clinical conditions were recorded. The quality of life of the spouses was evaluated by Short Form-36, their depression levels by Beck's depression inventory (BDI), anxiety levels by Beck's anxiety inventory, and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). RESULTS: About 33% and 26% of patients' spouses showed depression by BDI and HADS, respectively; 14% of them showed anxiety by hospital anxiety scale. Among the subparameters of quality of life in spouses of patients who receive PAP (positive airway pressure) treatment, scores of physical condition, physical role restrictions, and role restrictions due to emotional problems were significantly higher than the ones in spouses of nontreated patients (P < 0.05). Depression scores of spouses of patients who use PAP were significantly lower than the ones who do not use the device (P < 0.05). A significant difference was not found between the two groups by means of anxiety scores (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of continuous PAP improves not only the quality of life for OSAS patients but also for their spouses and reduces the spouses' depression risk.

Preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio is a predictor of prognosis in patients with ampullary carcinoma.

AIM: To emphasize the significance of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in estimating the postoperative prognosis or survival measures in patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 82 patients, who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary carcinoma between July 2001 and April 2014. We investigated the predictive significance of the preoperative PLR for disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS). The possible correlations between the PLR and clinical or pathological features were also evaluated. RESULTS: The 5-year DFS and OS rates of the patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater after pancreaticoduodenectomy were 51 % and 64 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed a significantly worse OS in patients with a PLR ≥ 212 [hazard ratio (HR): 3.446; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-8.43; p = 0.007], lymphovascular invasion (HR: 2.973; 95% CI: 1.25-7.03; p = 0.013), or pathological stage pT3/4 (HR: 2.761; 95% CI: 1-7.1; p = 0.035). Similarly, DFS was significantly worse in patients with lymphovascular invasion (HR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.1-4.56; p = 0.025) or stage pT3/4 (HR: 2.243; 95% CI, 1.03-4.84; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The preoperative PLR shows a predictive significance for the prognosis of postoperative patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. We suggest that because of its predictive value, the PLR can be used in the development of further approaches to monitor and manage patients with poor prognosis Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 45).

Accessory spleen hypertrophy mimicking colon cancer metastasis.

Accessory spleen is a congenital form of an ectopic splenic tissue. In this report, we present a case of a patient who was followed with the diagnosis of rectal and sigmoid colon cancer and an accessory spleen hypertrophy, which was thought to be colon cancer metastasis in the left hypochondriac region. After colectomy and splenectomy, accessory spleen that mimics cancer metastasis was diffrentially diagnosed using scintigraphy.

Effectiveness and safety of cabazitaxel chemotherapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostatic carcinoma on Turkish patients (The Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology).

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in males. Prostate cancer is androgen dependent in the beginning, but as time progresses, it becomes refractory to androgen deprivation treatment. At this stage, docetaxel has been used as standard treatment for years. Cabazitaxel has become the first chemotherapeutic agent which has been shown to increase survival for patients with metastatic Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) that progresses after docetaxel. Phase 3 TROPIC study demonstrated that cabazitaxel prolongs survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, we evaluated a total of 103 patients who took cabazitaxel chemotherapy for mCRPC diagnosis in 21 centers of Turkey, retrospectively. This study included patients who progressed despite docetaxel treatments, had ECOG performance score between 0-2, and used cabazitaxel treatment. Patients received cabazitaxel 25 mg/m2 at every 3 weeks, and prednisolone 5 mg twice a day. RESULTS: Median number of cabazitaxel cures was 5.03 (range: 1-17). Cabazitaxel response evaluation detected that 34% of the patients had a partial response, 22.3% had stable disease and 32% had a progressive disease. Grade 3-4 hematological toxicities were neutropenia (28.2%), neutropenic fever (14.5%), anemia (6.7%), and thrombocytopenia (3.8%). In our study, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.7 months and overall survival (OS) was 10.6 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study reflects toxicity profile of Turkish patients as a Caucasian race. We suggest that cabazitaxel is a safe and effective treatment option for mCRPC patients who progress after docetaxel. Moreover, ethnicity may play important roles both in treatment response and in toxicity profile.

Unusual metastases of lung cancer: bulbus oculi and maxillary sinus.

Lung adenocarcinoma often makes metastasis to the brain, liver, kidneys, bone, bone marrow and adrenal glands. It can also make metastasis to other parts of the body rarely for example eye, nose, parotid gland and paranasal sinus. We did not encounter with combined ocular bulbus and the maxillary sinus metastases of lung cancer in the accessible literature. In this case report, a patient who was combined ocular bulbus and the maxillary sinus metastases of lung adenocarcinoma will be discussed.

Capecitabine/cisplatin doublet in anthracycline and taxane pretreated and HER-2 negative metastatic breast carcinoma patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the activity and toxicity of the combination of capecitabine and cisplatin (CapCisp) in anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated HER-2 negative metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) female patients. METHODS: Patients with HER-2 negative MBC pretreated with anthracycline and taxane and who were then treated with CapCisp combination were retrospectively evaluated. All patients received Cap 1000 mg/m(2) on days 1-14, and Cisp 60 mg/m(2) on day 1, repeated every 3 weeks. In case of disease control without severe toxicity, single agent Cap was continued until progression or unacceptable toxicities after Cisp cessation. RESULTS: Sixty-four MBC patients with median age 43 years (range 20-66) were included the study. Infiltrative ductal carcinoma prevailed (85.9%). Ten percent of the patients had grade I, 42% grade II, and 48.0% grade III tumors. Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were positive in 48.4 and 51.6% of the patients, respectively. Twenty-eight percent of the patients had triple negative tumors. Almost the entire patient group had this regimen as a third-line treatment. The median combination chemotherapy cycles were 6 (range 2-8). Twenty-seven non-progressive patients continued treatment with single-agent Cap. Median single-agent Cap cycles after the combination chemotherapy were 4 (range 1-38). Disease control rate was 81.3% (complete response 6.3%; partial response 48.4%, stable disease 26.6%, progressive disease 18.8%). Median follow-up time was 10.6 months. Median time to disease progression was 7 months, median overall survival (OS) was 17 months (95% CI, 6.9-16.1) measured from the start of CapCisp chemotherapy. There were no treatment-related deaths. The most frequent grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia (8.1%), nausea - vomiting (7.8%) and thrombocytopenia (6.3%). CONCLUSION: CapCisp doublet has an encouraging antitumor activity with acceptable and manageable toxicity in anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated HER-2 negative metastatic breast carcinoma patients.

An individualised treatment algorithm for tumour stage 1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To report and discuss the outcome of a treatment algorithm for patients with tumour stage 1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma. METHOD: A retrospective outcome analysis study was performed using data from a tertiary referral centre. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were treated with radiotherapy and 26 with surgery, in accordance with the treatment algorithm. Five-year overall survival rates were the same for both treatment groups (92 per cent). Five-year disease-specific survival rates were 100 per cent for surgery, 98 per cent for radiotherapy and 99 per cent overall. The overall 5-year laryngeal preservation rate was 89.1 per cent, being 95.7 per cent for surgery patients and 86.7 per cent for radiotherapy patients (p = 0.502). There was no significant association between laryngeal preservation rates and age (p = 0.779), anterior commissure involvement (p = 0.081), tumour stage (1a or 1b) (p = 0.266) or treatment modality (surgery or radiotherapy; p = 0.220). There was no significant difference in local recurrence rates between the two treatment groups (19.3 per cent for radiotherapy vs 10.0 per cent for surgery; p = 0.220). The overall 5-year regional recurrence rate was 1.2 per cent. CONCLUSION: Tumour stage 1 glottic carcinoma can be managed with different treatment modalities, following an individualised treatment algorithm, with results comparable to published outcomes.

Evaluation of the renal function using cystatin C level in the patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: There are some data regarding the role of cystatin C, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, in determining the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) more accurately. We aimed to evaluate the correlation of serum cystatin C levels with the serum creatinine levels and GFR calculated by Cockcroft-Gault and modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formulations in the patients who received cisplatin-based chemotherapy. We also intended to demonstrate its potential use in the early prediction of the renal function changes in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study, 34 patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy with various malignancies were included. The levels of cisplatin were determined prior to the chemotherapy and at the end of cisplatin infusion during the therapy. GFR was calculated by Cockcroft-Gault and MDRD formulations prior to the therapy and at the end of the third course. RESULTS: A statistically significant linear correlation was found between the serum levels of cystatin C and creatinine prior to the chemotherapy (r = 0.42, p = 0.013). However, there was no correlation among the level of cystatin C subsequent to the cisplatin infusion and serum creatinine level following the third course and MDRD and creatinine clearance-Cockcroft-Gault formulations. CONCLUSION: Even though the serum cystatin C levels were correlated with the serum creatinine levels in our study, it was concluded that it was not an appropriate parameter to predict the potential impairments in the renal function during the chemotherapy.

A rare coincidence: facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and breast cancer.

AIM: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomally inherited neuromuscular disorder and may be associated with increased cancer risk. PATIENT: A 69-year old female admitted to hospital with complaint of left axillary mass who had diagnosis of FSHD in her adulthood period. RESULTS: Bilateral breast cancer diagnosis was made and the patient underwent bilateral mastectomy. Following the operation, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy performed and hormonal therapy started. CONCLUSION: The patients with congenital muscular dystrophy might have an increased risk of malignancy. We consider that some genetic alterations in FSHD might have contributed to the development of bilateral breast cancer in our patient.

Impact of psychotic features on morbidity and course of illness in patients with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical features and response patterns to the long-term prophylaxis of bipolar patients with or without psychotic features. METHOD: The life charts of patients with bipolar I disorder were evaluated. Two hundred and eighty-one patients who suffer with bipolar disorder for at least 4 years and who had at least three mood episodes were included to the study. The patients whose all episodes are psychotic (psychotic group) and the patients who never experienced psychotic episode (non-psychotic group) were assigned as comparison groups. The clinical features and the response to long-term prophylaxis were compared across the groups. RESULTS: The psychotic group consists of 43 patients; non-psychotic group consists of 54 patients. The history of bipolar disorder among the first-degree relatives was remarkably more prevalent in non-psychotic group (p=0.032). The predominance of manic/hypomanic episodes was significantly higher in psychotic group than non-psychotic group; and the rate of depressive episodes were higher in non-psychotic group than psychotic group (p=0.013). Episodes were more severe (p<0.001) and hospitalization rates were higher (p=0.023) in psychotic group. The response to lithium monotherapy was better in non-psychotic group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The well identified psychotic subtype of bipolar patients may give important predictions about long term course and prophylaxis of bipolar disorder.

Predictors of lithium prophylaxis in bipolar patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the demographical and clinical factors and their predictive powers before and at the end of the 6th and 12th month of lithium prophylaxis. METHODS: Subjects meeting the following criteria were included in the investigation: (1) bipolar patients (DSM-IV); (2) having at least a 3-year lithium prophylaxis; (3) being in either the 'definite poor' or 'definite good' response groups. Both groups were compared regarding sociodemographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: At the pretreatment point of the prophylaxis, four variables that could predict poor response with 74.1% power were severe episodes, higher ratio of mania/depression, psychotic index episode and being unmarried. At the end of the 6th month, the five variables having 84.89% predictive power for poor response were again the previous three variables and additionally bipolar I diagnosis and poor response to the first 6 months of lithium. At the end of the 12th month, the three variables for poor response had 91.37% predictive power and these were again the previous first two variables and a poor response to the first 12 months of lithium. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective study; psychosocial stress was not evaluated by standardized criteria; and the predictive value of personality disorders could not be tested thoroughly. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that it is possible to predict, rather reliably, the response to prophylactic lithium regarding clinical variables.

Comorbidity of personality disorders with bipolar mood disorders.

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of personality disorders in a group of outpatients with bipolar I disorder. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders (SCID-II) was administered to 90 bipolar outpatients who met the DSM-III-R criteria and 58 control subjects. Of the patients and controls, 47.7% and 15.5%, respectively, had at least one personality disorder. At least one personality disorder in clusters A, B, and C and obsessive-compulsive, paranoid, histrionic, and borderline personality disorders were significantly more prevalent in bipolars. Suicide attempts were more frequent in patients with a history of personality disorder.

Noradrenergic and serotoninergic depression?

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of noradrenergic and serotoninergic depressive subtypes. For this purpose, the correlation between three variables was investigated: urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), dexamethasone suppression test (DST), and clinical response profiles to clomipramine and maprotiline, the effects of which are relatively selective on the uptake of noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT). Our results showed no correlation between these measures. Therefore, the hypothesis of two subtypes of depression was not supported. The only significant finding in this study was the obvious decrease in MHPG excretion during the antidepressant treatment in the group with high pretreatment MHPG.

Spontaneous improvement of tardive dystonia during mania.

Two cases of bipolar affective disorder with tardive dystonic symptoms seemed to improve only with mood elevation, whether the latter occurred spontaneously or was 'induced' pharmacologically. Such cases could prove an interesting locus for the investigation of both affective disorders and tardive dyskinesias.