Existence and pattern of sleep-related breathing disorders in patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma.

Asthma and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are commonly prevalent diseases, and both can co-exist to result in an alternate overlap syndrome, where a bidirectional relationship can adversely affect each other. This study aimed to determine the existence and pattern of sleep-related breathing disorders in subjects with bronchial asthma. It was prospectively conducted at the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, New Delhi, in diagnosed cases of bronchial asthma. A subjective assessment of sleepiness was done using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG) in the Sleep Laboratory of the Institute. A total of 70 subjects were screened, and among them, finally, 30 were enrolled. The mean age of the subjects was 37.53±11.21 years, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.4±5.58 kg/m2, the mean ESS score was 3.1, and 80% of the subjects were male. After PSG, OSA (apnea hypopnea index >5/hour) was found in 63% (19/30) of the patients, of whom 43% had mild OSA, 10% had moderate OSA, and 10% had severe OSA. 10% (3/30) had nocturnal oxygen desaturation, while none had sleep hypoventilation. Patients with OSA compared to those without OSA had a higher BMI, more co-morbid allergic rhinitis, severe bronchial asthma, and a worse percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second. The study showed high detection rates of OSA in bronchial asthma patients. Hence, asthma patients should be evaluated for OSA.

Prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in asthmatic patients: A prospective institutional study.

BACKGROUND: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is characterized by an allergic inflammatory response to colonization by Aspergillus species, most commonly Aspergillus fumigatus. AIM: To study the prevalence of ABPA in asthmatic patients presenting to our institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive asthma patients attending our allergy clinic Out Patient Department (OPD) over a period of 20 months were tested with skin prick test (SPT) for Aspergillus antigens and those who were found positive were further evaluated for ABPA using Greenberger's criteria. RESULTS: Seventy consecutive asthmatic patients were screened by SPT using Aspergillus antigens. Thirteen patients (18.57%) were found to be SPT positive, out of which nine patients (12.9%) were diagnosed as having ABPA using Greenberger's criteria. ABPA was common among 25-35 age group with no gender predilection. ABPA patients had longer duration of illness, predominantly mixed pattern in PFT, higher mean absolute eosinophil count (AEC) and serum total IgE compared to non-ABPA asthmatic patients. Specific IgE for A. fumigatus was positive in all ABPA patients and serum precipitins were positive in seven patients (77.58%). Chest X-ray abnormalities were seen in five patients (55.6%) and HRCT showed central bronchiectasis in eight patients (88.9%) with varying other radiological features. None were sputum fungal culture positive and five patients (55.6%) have been misdiagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis in the past. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ABPA is significantly higher in bronchial asthma patients presenting to tertiary care centers and hence awareness is required among physicians for early diagnosis and management of ABPA to achieve better asthma control and to avoid permanent lung damage.

Clinical profile and diagnosis of extrapulmonary tb in HIV infected patients: routine abdominal ultrasonography increases detection of abdominal tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical profile and assess the utility of the procedures performed for the diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) in HIV patients. DESIGN: Prospective observational study of HIV patients suspected to have EPTB. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty HIV-infected patients were enrolled over 18 months. Of them, 87 cases had active TB, 60 (69%) of whom were of EPTB. Major presenting symptoms were fever (93.3%), weight loss (80%) and cough (61.6%). The most common site of active EPTB was the abdomen (70%), which could be detected due to routine use of abdominal ultrasonography, followed by CT scans in inconclusive cases. Peripheral lymph node (22%), pleura (15%), CNS involvement (3%) and one case each of psoas abscess and mediastinal lymphadeopathy were the other extra-pulmonary sites seen. Diagnosis of peripheral lymph node and pleural TB was based on cytological and mycobacterial examinations. Direct smear examinations were positive for AFB in 11 of 24 samples and mycobacterial cultures were positive in five of 18 samples. The median CD4 cell count in our HIV-EIPTB cases was 126 cells/micro1 (IQR=79.5-205.75). There was no statistical difference in the baseline CD4 cell counts in patients with PTB vs EPTB (p=0.70), single vs multiple extra-pulmonary site involvement (p=0.57), and AFB positive vs AFB negative EPTB cases (p=0.51). CONCLUSIONS: EPTB is the most common form of TB in HIV patients with low CD4 cell counts. Fever, weight loss and cough are common presenting symptoms of EPTB. Routine abdominal ultrasonography followed by an abdominal CT scan in inconclusive cases can significantly increase the detection of abdominal TB.