RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The etiology of lung cancer is multifactorial. Exposure to tobacco smoke and the role played by the carcinogenic compounds that it contains would explain the common association between lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is closely linked to tobacco use. In both diseases, sustained inflammation is caused by increased oxidative stress (for example, lipid peroxidation). This generates low molecular weight substances called volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are excreted during breathing. VOC metabolomics provides an indirect measure of oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish the relative influence of COPD on the VOC profile in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), by first studying the possible variation of VOC associated with lung cancer histology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Exhaled air was tested in 107 NSCLC patients, who were divided into 2â¯groups: NSCLC with COPD and non-COPD with NSCLC. The exhaled air sample was obtained with the BIOVOC® sampler, and transferred to desorption tubes for later analysis by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The VOC analysis showed lineal aldehydes and carboxylic acids. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant differences were found in VOC associated with histology. NSCLC and COPD patients present a 1.7-fold (1.1-2.7) greater probability of detection of propionic acid (95% CI: 1.22-6.2) than patients without COPD or NSCLC (pâ¯=â¯0.013).
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The reason why there is a higher hospitalization rate due to asthma exacerbations amongst women is unclear. The objective of this study is to explore the possible causes that may explain this fact. METHODS: A multi-center, prospective study including asthma patients hospitalized in the pulmonary medicine departments during a two-year period. By means of a questionnaire, the following data were collected: demographic characteristics and treatment compliance, anxiety-depression, hyperventilation and asthma control, both prior to and during the hospitalization. RESULTS: 183 patients were included, 115 (62.84%) of whom were women. The women were older (52.4 ± 18.3/43.4 ± 18.7; P=.02), were more frequently prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (63.2%/47.1%; P=.03) and had a higher rate of hyperventilation syndrome (57.3/35.9; P=.02) and a longer mean hospital stay (7.3 ± 3.4/5.9 ± 3.6; P=.02). The percentage of smokers among the women was lower (21.2%/38.8%; p=0.01) and the FEV(1) was lower at admittance (58.2% ± 15.9/67.5% ± 17.4; P=.03). In the 40 to 60-year-old age range, an association was demonstrated between being female and the 'previous hospitalizations' variable (OR, 16.1; 95% CI, 1.6-156.7); sex and obesity were also independently associated (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.06-22). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, the rate of hospitalization for asthma was higher in women than in men. Being a woman between the ages of 40 and 60 is associated with previous hospitalizations and is a risk factor for asthma-related hospitalization. This situation could partially be explained by the hormonal changes during menopause, where polyposis and obesity are independent risk factors.