Recovery from Respiratory Failure in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause hypoxic respiratory failure; long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) duration is unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The aim was to investigate which patients would need LTOT after COVID-19 pneumonia. This single-center, prospective study was conducted at the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases, between May 2021 and December 2021. The 70 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia and discharged with LTOT due to hypoxemic respiratory failure were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups as group I (LTOT requirement <3 months) and group II (LTOT requirement continued ≥3 months). RESULTS: The mean age was 64.4 ± 13.5 years, and 44 (62.9%) of them were male. The most frequently encountered comorbidities were cardiovascular disease (57.1%) and lung disease (22.9%). While PaO2 levels increased in both groups during the follow-up period, this increment was significantly higher in group I (PaO2: 66.6 ± 9.9 mm Hg, P < .001). The factors affecting the LTOT requirement were evaluated using binary logistic regression. On multivariate analyses of lymphocytes, ferritin, C-reactive protein, PaO2, SaO2, subpleural reticulation, and number of lobes affected (≥3 lobes), the SaO2 level and presence of subpleural reticulation were significantly different between the 2 groups [odds ratio (OR) (95% CI): 0.853 (0.749-0.971), P = .016] and [OR (95% CI): 0.171 (0.042-0.733), P = .017], respectively. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients who develop respiratory failure due to COVID-19 recover within the first 3 months. Factors determining the LTOT requirement for more than 3 months were SaO2 and the presence of subpleural reticulation.

IS FLEXIBLE BRONCHOSCOPY A SAFE PROCEDURE FOR CRITICAL CARE PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY FAILURE?

Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) plays an important role in critical care patients. But, critical care patients with respiratory failure are at an increased risk of developing complications. Considering the developments in intensive care unit care in recent years, we aimed to evaluate the use of FB in these patients. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent FB in critical care between 2014 and 2020. A total of 143 patients underwent FB during the study period. Arterial blood gas measurement on the FB day revealed a mean PaO2/FiO2 of 186.94±28.47. Eighty-one (56.6%) patients underwent an fiberoptic bronchoscopy procedure under conventional oxygen supplementation, 10 (7%) on noninvasive ventilation, 13 (9.1%) on high flow nasal cannula, and 39 (27.3%) on invasive mechanical ventilation. During and immediately after bronchoscopy, none of the patients experienced life-threatening complications. Fifty-five (38.5%) patients developed complications that could be controlled. Multivariate analysis indicated that increased Apache-II score and presence of cardiovascular disease were significantly associated with an increased complication risk. Although critical care patients with respiratory failure are more prone to complications, diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy may be performed following appropriate patient selection, without leading to major complications.

Evaluation of lung cancer biomarkers profile for the decision of targeted therapy in EBUS-TBNA cytological samples.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend performing biomarker tests for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), BRAF and ROS proto-oncogene-1(ROS1) genes and protein expression of programmed death ligand-1(PD-L1) in patients with non-small lung cell carcinoma (NSCLC). Studies reported that endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) can provide sufficient material for cancer biomarker analyses, but there are still concerns about the subject. AIM: The purpose of the study was to assess the adequacy of EBUS-TBNA for testing lung cancer biomarkers. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with NSCLC whose EBUS-TBNA was analysed for EGFR, ALK, ROS-1, BRAF and PD-L1 expression between December 2011 and December 2020. RESULTS: A total of 394 patients were enrolled in the study. EGFR mutation and ALK fusion were the most common studied biomarkers. EBUS-TBNA adequacy rate for biomarker tests was found 99.0% for EGFR, 99.1 for ALK, 97.2% for ROS1, 100% for BRAF and 99.3% for PD-L1 testing. Multivariate analysis revealed the histological type, history of treatment for NSCL, size, or 18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake of sampled lesion did not show any association with TBNA adequacy for biomarker testing. CONCLUSION: EBUS-TBNA can provide adequate material for biomarker testing for EGFR, ALK, ROS-1, BRAF and PD-L1 expression.

Is endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) reliable and safe procedure in geriatric patients?

BACKGROUND: Even though studies have indicated the usefulness and safety of endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), elderly patient data are limited due to the small sample sizes. AIM: We aimed to evaluate usage and safety of EBUS-TBNA in elderly population. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study was conducted with patients who underwent an EBUS-TBNA procedure between September 2011 and December 2019. The patients were categorized into two groups: those aged 65 years or older (elderly group) and those younger than 65 years (younger group). RESULTS: 2444 patient data, 1069 of which were in the elderly group, were analyzed. The cytological examination of EBUS-TBNA identified specimen adequacy in 96.8% of patients. One hundred and thirty patients (5.3%) experienced complications, with similar complication rates recorded in both the elderly and younger groups (5.4% vs 5.2%, p: 0.836). Logistic regression analyses revealed that age, and presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and malignancy are associated significantly with complication-related EBUS-TBNA. For the lymph nodes with a final diagnosis of malignancy, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of EBUS-TBNA revealed a diagnostic performance in excess of 90% except for metastasis and lymphoma. CONCLUSION: EBUS-TBNA can be considered a safe and effective technique in patients aged 65 years and over.

Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on diaphragm thickness and contractility in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Studies are showing that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) increases diaphragmatic excursion by decreasing hyperinflation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there is a lack of knowledge about its effects on the diaphragm thickness (dt) and contractility. This study aims to evaluate the dt and contractility before and after PR in patients with COPD. METHODS: All subjects participated in an out-patient PR of 6 weeks and 3 sessions per week prospectively. Dyspnea severity, the disease-specific quality of life (St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire-SGRQ), pulmonary function tests (PFT), exercise capacity, the dt at the end of the expiration and at maximal inspiration (B-mode ultrasound) were evaluated at baseline and after PR. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients with a mean age and FEV1 61.05 ± 8.22 years and 57.9 ± 20.4% predicted respectively showed improvements in exercise capacity and some items of PFT and SGRQ. Diaphragmatic thickness at the end of the expiration also significantly improved regardless of the disease severity and was positively correlated with functional performance. The 6-weeks of PR didn't result in a significant difference in diaphragm contractility.

Can diaphragm excursion predict prognosis in patients with severe pneumonia?

INTRODUCTION: Although thorax ultrasound has been used to diagnose pneumonia in recent years, the role of ultrasonic diaphragm evaluation in the prognosis of pneumonia is unknown. This study aimed to assess the impact of diaphragmatic excursion (Dex) measured by ultrasound on the prognosis of severe pneumonia in critical care patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively recruited patients with severe pneumonia who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2019 and July 2021. Patients' Dex values, vital signs, clinical features, laboratory parameters, APACHE-II scores on the first admission day of ICU, mortality and respiratory support status at follow-up were recorded. RESULT: There were 39 patients enrolled in the study. Mean Dex of the study patients was 30.66 ± 12.17 mm. Mean Dex was significantly lower in deceased patients than survivors (18.37 ± 8.12 vs 34.90 ± 10.36 p< 0.001). Dex was lower in patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation than those not (24.90 ± 10.93 vs 34.26 ± 11.70, p= 0.017). The cut-off value of Dex was found 19.0 mm for significantly predicted (p≤ 0.001) survival with the sensitivity of 96.6% and specificity of 70%. Among the study group, diaphragm excursion was negatively correlated with APACHE-II score (r= -0.688, p≤ 0.001) and respiratory rate (r= -0.531, p= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Dex measured on the day of ICU admission can be used to evaluate the prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia.

A novel measure to analyze protein structures: Aspect ratio in protein alpha shapes.

Proteins' three-dimensional (3D) structures are analyzed traditionally using geometric descriptors such as torsional angles and inter-atomic distances. In this study a measure that is borrowed from computational geometry, aspect ratio of each tetrahedron in alpha shapes of proteins, is utilized. This geometric descriptor differentiates alpha and beta structural classes of proteins when combined with principal components analysis. The method converts the structures of individual proteins, 3D coordinates of the atoms, to points on a plane. It has a high degree of accuracy in differentiating R and T structures of hemoglobin. Therefore, it is anticipated that the geometric measure can be used successfully in a method that is extended to solve classification problems in machine learning.

[The distribution of microorganisms and antibiotic resistance profile in pulmonary critical care unit patients: A single-centre study]. / Gögüs hastaliklari yogun bakim ünitesinde mikroorganizmalarin dagilimi ve antibiyotik direnç profili: Tek merkezli çalisma.

INTRODUCTION: The patients in the intensive care unit have a higher risk of infections because of the poor general condition of these patients and the frequent application of invasive procedures with longer hospitalization length. Also, this group of patients tend to have resistant infections due to empirically widespread and uncontrolled use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Hence, data are needed to determine appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy in intensive care patients. In this study, it was aimed to assess the distribution of microorganisms and antibiotic resistance profile from the samples taken from the patients in the intensive care unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who were hospitalized in Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Chest Diseases Intensive Care Unit for more than 24 hours between December 2016 and December 2017 were included in our study. Demographic characteristics, comorbid diseases, clinical findings, results of sputum, tracheal aspirate, blood, urine, gaita and pus culture samples and antibiotic susceptibility test results were recorded prospectively. RESULT: A total of 287 patients, 150 males and 137 females, were included in the study. The mean age of all patients was 69.96 ± 14.4 years. Two hundred twenty-three positive cultures were detected in 1053 samples taken from 287 patients. Gram-negative bacilli constituted 55.1% of the 223 positive cultures. The most common microorganisms were Acinetobacter (16.6%), Staphylococcus (14.8%) and Klebsiella (10.8%). Colistin resistance was found to be 8.3% in the Acinetobacter strains and resistance rates of 97-100% were observed to other antibiotic groups. Thirty-three staphylococcus were isolated, 17 were S. aureus and 16 were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. While 29.4% of S. aureus were resistant to methicillin (MRSA), vancomycin resistance was not detected. Meanwhile, the MRSA ratio was 62.5%, there was no vancomycin resistance among the coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Klebsiella was the third most common microorganism and beta-lactamase producing Klebsiella strain was 62.5%. Gentamycin was found to be the most susceptible antibiotic in Klebsiella strains with a resistance rate of 20.8%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa constituted 9.4% of the cultures. While the resistance to colistin was not detected, resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam 42.8%, tobramycin, imipenem and meropenem 50% and ceftazidime 61.9%. The duration of hospitalization in patients with Acinetobacter isolated (23 [10-34] days vs 12.5 [5-24] days, p= 0.011) and the mortality rate (62.5% vs 37.5%, p= 0.008) were significantly higher than those who were not Acinetobacter isolated. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, gram-negative bacilli constitute the majority of the patients in intensive care unit. Acinetobacter, the most common microorganism, has a high resistance rate and has been associated with prolonged hospitalization and mortality.

Outcome of Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units due to Influenza-Related Severe Acute Respiratory Illness in 2017-2018 Flu Season: A Multicenter Study from Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Influenza can cause severe acute respiratory illness (SARI), which occurs as local outbreaks or seasonal epidemics with high intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality rates. Mortality is mainly due to SARI. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients admitted to ICU due to influenza-related SARI in 2017-2018 flu season in Turkey. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted in 13 ICUs with a total of 216 beds from 6 cities in Turkey. All adult patients (over 18 years) admitted to the ICUs in 2017-2018 flu season (between September 1, 2017, and April 30, 2018) because of SARI and with a positive nasopharyngeal swab for influenza were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 123 cases were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 64.5 ± 17.5 years, and 66 (53.7%) patients were older than 65 years. The ICU mortality was 33.9%, and hospital mortality was 35.6%. Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), acute kidney injury (AKI), hematologic malignancy, and >65 years of age were the factors affecting mortality in influenza. CONCLUSION: SARI due to influenza carries a high mortality rate, and IMV, AKI, presence of hematologic malignancy, and older age are independent risk factors for mortality.

Prone positioning in non-intubated patients with COVID-19.

Prone positioning is a well-known supportive maneuver to improve oxygenation for patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although this technique is usually performed to sedated patients on invasive mechanical ventilation, it has been used in non-intubated patients frequently during the coronavirus diseases-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Favorable outcomes have been reported mainly in combining the prone positioning with high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) or non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Due to limited data, a standard approach for the awake prone positioning has not yet been defined. In this manuscript, we reviewed the literature data about prone positioning in non-intubated patients with COVID-19. According to available literature data, we concluded that prone positioning in non-intubated COVID-19 patients may improve oxygenation and prevent the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. But the efficacy is still controversial in the early stage of the disease due to pulmonary mechanics. Further studies are needed to the defined optimal approach of awake prone positioning in COVID-19 patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure.

High flow nasal cannula in COVID-19: a literature review.

In recent years, high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a respiratory support system that has become prominent in the treatment of respiratory failure. HFNC provides higher concentration and flow of oxygen, resulting in decreasing anatomic dead space by preventing rebreathing and ensure positive end-expiratory. However, in COVID-19, the usage of HFNC is much controversial due to concerns about the benefits and risk of aerosol-dispersion. Considering the debates about the use of HFNC, we reviewed the literature related to the usage of HFNC in COVID-19. The available reports suggest that HFNC provides high concentrations of oxygen to the patients, who can not reach with conventional devices. HFNC can reduce the requiring of intubation in patients with COVID-19, and it can decrease the length of intensive care unit stay, and complications related to mechanical ventilation. Also HFNC can in achieving apneic oxygenation in patients during airway management. Besides that, the use of high-flow oxygen cannulas can produce aerosols. So, HFNC treatment should be carried out in a negative pressure room; when it is not possible, devices should be undertaken in a single room.

The effects of home noninvasive ventilation on the quality of life and physiological parameters of patients with chronic respiratory failure.

INTRODUCTION: Home noninvasive mechanical ventilation (HNIV) in patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF) may improve the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and reduce hospitalizations. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of HNIV on HRQoL, sleep quality and hospitalization rates in restrictive thoracic diseases (RTD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with CHRF. METHODS: In this prospective, single center study patients divided into two groups; the COPD and the RTD groups. HRQoL assessed by The Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-form Health Survey (SF-36) and Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI); the sleep quality was assessed by Epworth and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaires. The patients were reevaluated first month, third months, sixth months and 1 year following HNIV establishment, during which time, hospitalization rates were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety (COPD n = 50, RTD n = 40) out of 102 eligible patients completed the study. Significant improvements in blood gases and HRQoL were observed in the first month of HNIV establishment and remained stable. Mean ± SD SRI summary scale improved significantly from 30 ± 12 baseline to 65 ± 16 at 1 year in COPD group (P < 0.001) and from 39 ± 13 to 63 ± 18 in RTD group (P < 0.001). HNIV reduced hospitalization rates from a mean of 1.9 ± 1.1 to 0.5 ± 0.9 in COPD group (P < 0.001) and a mean of 1.9 ± 1 to 0.5 ± 0.7 in RTD group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HNIV improves HRQoL, sleep quality and gas exchange and reduces hospitalizations in patients with CHRF regardless of etiology.

Polysomnographic, demographic and clinic differences between male and female obstructive sleep apnea patients.

INTRODUCTION: The differences between both genders with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) which is often seen in males can be explained by means of certain polysomnographical parameters and demographical and clinical features. The aim of this research study is to research the gender differences in Turkish population in terms of polysomnographical parameters and demographical and clinical features, and to compare and contrast the results of this research with the results of literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study has been carried out by including 100 females and 116 males, 216 patients in total, who were diagnosed with OSAS in the Sleep Laboratory of the Medicine Faculty, Ankara University between the years of 2011 and 2014. The demographical information like the ages and the genders of all patients and the figures of the height, weight and body-mass index (BMI) have been recorded. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) of patients have also been recorded. Acquired by the polysomnography equipment, the polysomnographical data of all patients having the criteria of this study have been evaluated. RESULT: The average age of female patients, which is 57.2 ± 9.1 (the lowestthe highest), has been found to be meaningfully high (p<0.05) when compared to the average age of male patients (50.9 ± 11.8). The body-mass index (BMI) averages of female patients, which are 35.4 ± 9.2, have been determined to be high (p<0.05) when compared to the body-mass index (BMI) average of male patients (32.5 ± 6.7). The total Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) of male patients have been found to be meaningfully higher than of the female patients (p<0.05). Mild and moderate OSAS in female patients have been observed at a higher rate than males. On the other hand, severe OSAS has been observed at a higher rate than females (p<0.05). Likewise, while the average obstructive apnea time in male patients has been for 17 ± 5.8 seconds, the same figure has been for 14.5 ± 4.4 seconds (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a result, in this study, we have observed that females suffering from OSAS are older and obese at a more rate and they have lower Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) than the males with OSAS. We have also distinguished that the symptoms related to OSAS of both genders are similar despite the lower Apnea Hypopnea Index of females. Meanwhile we want to emphasize that clinicians need to take these factors into consideration while focusing on the diagnosis of OSAS in female patients.

Successful treatment of COVID-19 infection in a patient with tracheostomy.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been demonstrated to be the cause of emerging atypical pneumonia. In patients with tracheostomy, coronavirus hypothetically coexists with well-known bacterial agents. A 61-year-old male patient with tracheostomy was admitted to the hospital with dyspnea, fever and increased tracheal secretions. Laboratory findings revealed lymphopenia and elevated C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels. Chest computed tomography showed consolidation areas and ground-glass opacities more prominent in subpleural areas. Although; two consecutive RT-PCR analyses of combined nasopharengeal/oropharengeal swabs were found to be negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, positivity was reported for endotracheal aspirate (ETA) sample. Significant growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was detected in the bacterial culture of ETA sample. In conclusion, clinical samples for SARS-CoV-2 should be obtained through the lower respiratory tract, if possible and if upper airway samples are negative. To the best our knowledge, our paper is the first report of the patient with tracheostomy who was treated successfully for COVID-19.

Does exercise capacity, dyspnea level, or quality of life actually predict mortality in patients with COPD? 8-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: The goals of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment are to relieve dyspnea, increase exercise capacity, and improve quality of life. The relation of exercise capacity, dyspnea level, and quality of life with long-term mortality is unclear. Aim of the study was to assess the effect of exercise capacity, dyspnea level and quality of life on long-term mortality risk in patients with COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dyspnea level was assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), Borg and Baseline Dyspnea Index (BDI) and Body Obstruction Dyspnea Exercise (BODE), health-related quality of life with St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and exercise capacity with the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise test. At the end of 8-year follow-up period, the relation between these tests and mortality was examined. RESULT: A total of 42 patients with stable COPD were included in the study. Sixteen patients died during the approximately 8-year follow-up period. Univariate analysis revealed that VO2 peak [HR: 1.845; CI: (1.336-2.55); p<0.001], BODE index [HR: 0.787; CI: (0.703-0.880); p<0.001], and SGRQ [HR: 1.073; CI: (1.028-1.119); p= 0.001] were significantly correlated to mortality risk. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed VO2 peak [HR: 1.031; CI: (0.683-1.120); p= 0.01] as the single significant predictor of mortality. VO2 peak less than 22.5 had a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 80%, and area under the curve of 0.142 [95% CI: (0.027-0.257); p< 0.001] for mortality risk with ROC analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary disturbances during maximal exercise may be an important indicator of mortality risk.

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema: How does cohabitation affect respiratory functions?

PURPOSE: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) has emerged as a new syndrome with characteristics of both fibrosis and emphysema. We determined the impacts of radiologic emphysema severity on pulmonary function tests (PFTs), exercise capacity and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: IPF patients (n = 110) diagnosed at the Chest Diseases Clinic between September 2013 and January 2016 were enrolled in the study and followed up until June 2017. Visual and digital emphysema scores, PFTs, pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), 6-minute walking test, composite physiologic index (CPI), and survival status were recorded. Patients with emphysema and those with pure IPF were compared. RESULTS: The CPFE-group had a significantly greater ratio of men(p < 0.001), lower BMI (p < 0.001), lower mean PaO2 (p = 0.005), higher mean sPAP (p = 0.014), and higher exercise desaturation (p < 0.001). The CPFE group had a significantly higher FVC(L)(p = 0.016), and lower FEV1/FVC ratio (p = 0.002), DLCO, and DLCO/VA ratio(p = 0.03 and p = 0.005, respectively). Lung volumes of the CPFE group had significantly higher VC(p = 0.017), FRC (p < 0.001), RV(p < 0.001), RV/TLC(p < 0.001), and TLC(p < 0.001). There were significant correlations between emphysema scores and FVC (L)(p = 0.01), FEV1/FVC(p = 0.001), DLCO (p = 0.003), VC(p = 0.014), FRC (L)(p < 0.001), RV(p < 0.001), TLC(p < 0.001), and RV/TLC (p < 0.001). Mortality rates were comparable between the two groups. CPI (p = 0.02) and sPAP (p = 0.01) were independent predictors of mortality in patients with CPFE. CONCLUSIONS: The presence and severity of emphysema affects pulmonary function in IPF. Patients with CPFE have reduced diffusion capacity, more severe air trapping, worse muscle weakness, more severe exercise desaturation, and pulmonary hypertension. CPI and pulmonary hypertension are two independent risk factors for mortality in subjects with CPFE.

[The clinical and polysomnographic differences between obese and non-obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea]. / Obez ve non-obez obstrüktif uyku apneli hastalar arasinda klinik ve polisomnografik farkliliklar.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity has been considered to be one of the important risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We aimed to investigate the clinical and polysomnographic differences of obese and non-obese OSA patients and how these differences, if any, can be reflected in our daily clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The polysomnographic data of 157 consecutive patients that underwent a sleep study were analyzed. Ninety-nine adult patients with a diagnosis of OSA [apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5/hour] were retrospectively assesed in two groups in respect of obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) or non-obese (BMI <30 kg/m2) according to body mass index (BMI). The clinical and polysomnographic results of the patients in both groups were compared. RESULT: Between 2010 and 2011, 99 (31 K/68 M) of 157 patients underwent polysomnography were diagnosed with OSA (AHI ≥ 5/hour). Thirthy six patients with OSA (36.4%) were non-obese and 63 patients (63.6%) were obese. There were no differences in the symptoms related to OSA between two groups (p> 0.05). Although there was no statistical significance, the age of the obese patients (50.5 ± 12.7 years) was lower than those of the non-obese (54.9 ± 10.0 years) in polysomnography their total sleep time was shorter and sleep latency later, and sleep efficiency, arousal index, N3%, and REM% were lower and N1% was higher (p> 0.05). While in the obese OSA patients the AHI and Epworth Sleepiness sclae were higher (respectively; p= 0.028, p= 0.01), average oxygen saturation at sleep was lower (p<0.001). While obese OSA patients had similar ratio of hypertension and atherosclerotic heart disease with non-obese OSA patients, whereas diabetes mellitus was higher in obese OSA group (p= 0.036). The use of antidepressant drug was more common in the non-obese patients than the obese patients (p= 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Although obese OSA patients have a more severe disease compared to nonobese OSA patients, there were no significant differences in clinical and polysomnographics findings between two groups. Should be noted that OSA may occur in non-obese patients.

The diagnostic role of pentraxin-3 in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusions

Background/aim: Discrimination of pleural effusion etiology is not always easy in clinical practice. Pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) is a new acute- phase protein. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PTX-3 in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusions. Materials and methods: This prospective study enrolled all consecutive patients from two tertiary hospitals who underwent diagnostic or therapeutic thoracentesis. In a cohort of 149 subjects with pleural effusion, including transudates and malignant (MPE), tuberculous (TPE), and parapneumonic effusion (PPE), serum and pleural effusion PTX-3 concentration measurements were performed using ELISA. Serum and pleural effusion protein, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein (CRP), and adenosine deaminase levels were also assessed. Results: Of these patients, 34 had transudates, 29 had PPE, 63 had MPE, and 23 had TPE. There was a weak correlation between pleural effusion PTX-3 level and serum CRP (P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in pleural PTX-3 levels between the exudative effusion groups (P < 0.01). The median pleural effusion PTX-3 was significantly higher in patients with PPE (11.2 ng/mL, 2­17.8) than MPE (4.7 ng/mL, 1.8­13.9) and TPE (3.1 ng/mL, 2.0­4.1). At a cut-off point of 5.89 ng/mL, PTX-3 had the best discriminatory power for PPE versus other exudative effusions (sensitivity: 86.2%, specificity: 87.7%). The exudative effusion group had a significantly different pleural effusion/serum PTX-3 ratio (P = 0.03). Conclusion: PTX-3 concentration in pleural effusion was elevated without a significant correlation with serum PTX-3 in PPE. These results may suggest that PTX-3 is a local acute-phase reactant and may allow discrimination of PPE from other exudative effusions.

Smoking attitudes of the patients with allergic rhinitis: a comparison with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Are there differences when only upper airways are involved?

INTRODUCTION: Despite the well documented relationship between lower airway diseases and smoking, there are limited data about smoking and allergic rhinitis (AR). In this study, we aimed to document the smoking behaviour and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure of the patients with AR in comparison with patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and healthy controls (HC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographics and disease characteristics were recorded from case files whereas smoking history, childhood and current exposures to ETS, as well as the smoking behaviors were investigated by a self reported questionnaire. RESULT: A total of 937 subjects comprising patients with AR (n= 252), asthma (n= 249), COPD (n= 188) and HCs (n= 248) were enrolled in the study. The rates of active smokers were 35% (HCs), 26% (COPD), 21% (AR), and 11% (asthma). Exposure to ETS while with friends was significantly higher among HCs and AR groups (p< 0.0001). The rate of willingness to quit smoking is high in AR patients (73%) but they did not determined about date of quiting. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that a significant number of patients with AR actively smoke and neither the patients with AR nor the people in their surroundings were sufficiently aware of the health hazards of smoking with AR. It seems necessary to inform patients with about the health effects of smoking on all respiratory tract diseases.