Rapid On-site Evaluation and Final Cytologic Diagnoses Correlation During Endobronchial Ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: The cost-effectiveness and low rate of inadequate sampling with the use of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) along with endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) is well established. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the correlation of ROSE during EBUS and final cytologic diagnosis and also to see if ROSE might predict the subtype of lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All consecutive subjects who attended our clinic between January 2016 and January 2019 for the evaluation of pathologic mediastinal and/or hilar lymph nodes (LNs)/mass using EBUS were enrolled into our prospective study. ROSE was performed in the same operating room with EBUS. ROSE results during EBUS were recorded. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of ROSE compared with the final cytologic diagnosis were evaluated. RESULTS: We enrolled 684 LN/mass lesions belonging to 328 patients into this study. When we compared ROSE results and final cytologic diagnosis, these procedures agreed on 91.6% of the LNs (P<0.001). The sensitivity of ROSE and final cytologic diagnosis for granulomatous inflammation was 72.5%, and for lung cancer, it was 89.2% (P<0.001). The sensitivity of ROSE for the adenocarcinoma subtype of lung cancer was 67.7%, and it was 70% for small cell lung cancer. CONCLUSION: ROSE may help to recognize non-small cell lung cancer during EBUS, especially the adenocarcinoma subtype of lung cancer, which will help ensure having sufficient material for molecular analysis.

The role of endobronchial ultrasonography elastography for predicting malignancy.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the role of endobronchial ultrasonography elastography in predicting malignancy. METHODS: Between January 2016 and December 2016, a total of 221 lymph nodes were biopsied using the endobronchial ultrasonography-guided transbronchial needle aspiration from 119 consecutive patients (69 males, 50 females; mean age 63.2±12.4 years; range, 16 to 86 years) were included. Lymph nodes were scored by elastography according to their colors in four categories before the procedure. The strain ratio was calculated based on the region of interest after three measurements. RESULTS: Of the patients, 93 were diagnosed with a malignancy through endobronchial ultrasonography-guided transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy. The mean lymph node score of benign versus malignant lesions was 2.2±1.0 and 3.2±1, respectively (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the lymph node scores and lymph node diameter, strain ratio, ≥3 of lymph node scoring, the sensitivity for malignancy was 79% and specificity was 60%. The mean strain ratio for malignant and benign lymph nodes was 22.2±30.1 and 5.2±1.7, respectively (p<0.001). With a cut-off value of ≥2.47 of strain ratio, the sensitivity for malignancy was 75% and specificity was 65%. The combined use of positron emission tomography and lymph node score or strain ratio yielded 80.4% and 61.2% sensitivity and 80% and 70.3% specificity for malignancy, respectively. CONCLUSION: Endobronchial ultrasonography elastography is useful in predicting malignancy of the lymph nodes. When combined with positron emission tomography, specificity and positive predictive value for malignancy increase.

Level of pleural invasion effects on prognosis in lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the extent of visceral pleural invasion (VPI) and its effect on survival along with its place in determining the T descriptor in TNM staging in our patients. METHODS: A total of 233 patients underwent lung resection. The data were retrospectively analyzed in terms of sex, age, histopathologic type, stage of the tumor, extent of VPI, and survival. Patients who had neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, distant metastasis, parietal pleural invasion, and operative mortality were excluded. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 59 months (range 4-126). The extent of VPI was PL0 in 119 (65.7%) patients, PL1 in 47 (26%) patients, and PL2 in 15 (8%) patients. The median survival rates were 65 (range 43-96) months for PL0, 54 (range 37-72) months for PL1, and 39 (range 12-69) months for PL2. The 5-year overall survival rates were 74.7% for PL0, 77.8% for PL1, and 53.3% for PL2. There were statistically significant differences in overall survival among PL0, PL1, and PL2 ( p = 0.03). In subgroup analysis, the difference was insignificant in PL0 vs PL1 ( p = 0.81), but significant in PL0 vs PL2 ( p = 0.02) and PL1 vs PL2 ( p = 0.04) groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes that the presence of VPI is related with poor prognosis independent of lymph node positivity, histologic subtypes, and tumor size. As the study shows, PL0 and PL1 have similar survival rates and these two groups may be considered as VPI (-) patients whereas PL2 disease affects survival outcomes.

The Adverse Effects and Treatment Results of Smoking Cessation Pharmacotherapy During Fasting/Non-Fasting State.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is one of the most common addictions worldwide. Muslim smokers reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke during Ramadan due to the long fasting hours. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to share our experience in a smoking cessation clinic during Ramadan by analyzing the efficacy and adverse effects of once-daily dosing of bupropion or varenicline in a fasting group compared with conventional dosing in a non-fasting group. METHODS: We analyzed 57 patients who attended our smoking cessation clinic during Ramadan of 2014 and 2015, and at least one follow-up visit. For the fasting patients, we prescribed bupropion or varenicline after dinner (once daily) as the maintenance therapy. We recorded demographic characteristics of the patients, fasting state, drugs taken for smoking cessation, and the dosage of the medication. At the first follow-up visit, adverse effects seen with the treatment were recorded. We conducted telephone interviews 6 months after the first visits of the patients to learn the current smoking status of the groups. RESULTS: Of the total 57 patients, 20 (35.1%) were fasting and 37 (64.9%) were not fasting. Fasting and non-fasting patients were similar for sex, age, smoking pack-years, marital status, educational status, and mean Fagerström scores (p >.05). Adverse effects and quit rates after 6 months of follow-up were similar between the fasting and non-fasting groups (p >.05). CONCLUSION: Although our sample size was small, we found no difference in the rates of adverse effects or smoking cessation using a single daily oral dose of bupropion or varenicline between a fasting group and a non-fasting group that received conventional dosing.

Our Experience on Silicone Y-Stent for Severe COPD Complicated With Expiratory Central Airway Collapse.

BACKGROUND: Expiratory central airway collapse (ECAC) is abnormal central airway narrowing during expiration. ECAC involves 2 different pathophysiological entities as tracheobronchomalacia and excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC). Although the exact cause is unknown, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently accompanied by ECAC. Although there are various publications on the relationship between COPD and ECAC, there are very few data for stent placement in patients with tracheobronchomalacia accompanied severe COPD. We share our results for stenting in ECAC among patients with severe COPD. METHODS: The data in this case series were collected retrospectively. The ECAC diagnosis was made during flexible bronchoscopy with severe COPD. Silicone Y-stents were placed via rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. RESULTS: A total of 9 patients' (7 men) data were evaluated with an average age of 67±10.73 years. One patient experienced stent migration on the second day of stenting prompting stent removal. Another patient died 1 month after stenting. Consequently, we evaluated the follow-up data of remaining 7 patients. The changes in forced expiratory volume 1 was not significant for these 7 cases (P=0.51). The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) score improvement was statistically significant (P=0.03). Functional status improvement was observed in 4 of 7 patients. Of the 7 patients, mean additional follow-up bronchoscopic interventions requirement was 2.2 times. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed significant decrease in mMRC score with stenting for ECAC in severe COPD. For 2 patients, we experienced severe complications during short-term follow-up period after stenting. Additional follow-up bronchoscopic interventions were required.

Does Short Message Service Increase Adherence to Smoking Cessation Clinic Appointments and Quitting Smoking?

BACKGROUND: Using innovative and scientific methods increases the rate of quitting in smokers. Short message service (SMS) is a communication tool widely used and well integrated in many people's daily lives. To increase adherence to appointments in smoking cessation clinics (SCC), it is thought that increased compliance could be achieved by falling outside the traditional methods. SMS has been shown to increase the compliance of patients with SCC appointments. AIMS: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of SMS in the compliance of patients with SCC follow-up visits and smoking cessation success. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: Our study was a controlled, open, prospective study. We enrolled 436 cases applied to SCC of Yedikule Training and Research Hospital between 01.10.2013-30.06.2014 and agreed to follow-up with SMS. SMS was sent to the patients to remind them of appointments at the SCC and to query their smoking state. RESULTS: Two hundred-and-eighty seven (65.8%) of the patients were male and 149 (34.2%) were female. The mean age was 45±12 years. In this study, 296 (67.9%) patients had graduated from primary school. Our patients' smoking state was queried by telephone at the 6-month follow-up and we contacted 348 patients. According to this, 88 (25.3%) patients were not smoking, and 260 (74.7%) patients were smokers. Therefore, the smoking cessation rate was 24% (n=60) in patients who did not respond to SMS reminders at all, and 28.6% (n=28) in patients answering any SMS at least once (p=0.377). Smoking cessation rate of the patients invited by SMS but who did not attend any control visits was 19.1%, and it was 34.5% in patients coming to a control visit at least once. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, there was increased success of smoking cessation in patients coming to control visits. We think that this may result from the possibly increased compliance to SCC appointments following reminders by SMS, and that this may also increase smoking cessation success.

An outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis among a family.

Tuberculosis is a major public health problem and it may be complicated by multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Wide transmission among immunocompetent contacts of the index case is possible. If you detect tuberculosis in two contacts of the index case, it is called an outbreak. The aim of our paper is to evaluate the characteristics of a MDR-TB outbreak affecting 7 people in a family treated during 2012-2014 in Istanbul Yedikule Training and Research Hospital for Chest Disease and Thoracic Surgery, Turkey. The cultures, spoligotyping, and DNA fingerprinting revealed the same Mycobacterium tuberculosis species as T1 genotype and ST53 subtype. All patients were negative for human immunodeficiency virus and free of other underlying diseases.

Are neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio reliable parameters as prognostic indicators in malignant mesothelioma?

BACKGROUND: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive asbestos-related pleural tumor. The incidence is increasing with intensive use of asbestos in developing countries. We need an easily accessible, inexpensive, and reliable method for determining the low survival time prognosis of this tumor. The aim of our study was to investigate the viability of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as prognostic indicators in MM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with MM, whose histopathologic diagnosis and follow-up were performed by our clinic and whose complete archive data were accessible, were included in this retrospective study. The patients' histopathologic disease types and stages, complete blood count parameters at diagnosis, and survival were recorded. RESULTS: Eighteen of the patients with MM were male and the remaining 18 of them were female; the average follow-up period was 24.83±3.61 months. The PLR levels of the patients were statistically significant (P<0.05). The NLR and PLR area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values were 0.559 and 0.749, respectively (P=0.631 and P=0.044, respectively). CONCLUSION: PLR was a significant prognostic indicator of MM at diagnosis on complete blood count parameters; however, NLR was not a significant prognostic indicator. A large number of prospective studies are needed to prove the reliability of the parameters.

Does gastroesophageal reflux increase chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations?

BACKGROUND: The relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been investigated less than asthma-GER. We aimed to evaluate the presence of GER in patients with COPD and its impact on exacerbations. METHODS: We included 24 patients with stable mild-moderate stage COPD and 19 volunteers as the control group. We conducted a gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptom questionnaire, gastroscopy, manometry, and an ambulatory 24-h pH-impedance study. RESULTS: According to the GERD questionnaire, only 5 (20.8%) patients with COPD had typical GER symptoms. According to the 24-h pH-impedance study, the mean DeMeester score (DMS) was 38.1 ± 34.6 in the COPD group and 13.3 ± 16.8 in the control group (p = 0.01). The acid reflux (DMS > 14.7) rate was higher in patients with COPD than in controls (73.9% vs 26.3%, p = 0.01). The symptom association probability positivity rate was 17.4% (n = 4) in the COPD group, which was similar to the controls (p = 0.11). The mean proximal extension rate of reflux (Z 17 cm) was 26.4 ± 12.9% in the COPD group. The proximal extent of reflux was positively correlated with the number of COPD exacerbations per year (p = 0.03, r = 0.448). In the motility results, only 2 (20%) patients in the control group had a minor motility disorder. Seventeen (70.8%) patients in the COPD group had a minor motility disorder, and 4 (16.7%) had major motility disorders (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, gastroesophageal reflux was frequent in patients with COPD, but only a quarter had typical reflux symptoms. The proximal extent of reflux may trigger frequent exacerbations of COPD.

Factors affecting dropout in the smoking cessation outpatient clinic.

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of discontinuation in the smoking cessation outpatient clinic (SCC) and to examine the features of noncompliance. We retrospectively included 1324 smokers into the study. Patients were divided into two groups, as those who discontinued (dropped out) follow-up (group 1) and those who stayed in follow-up (group 2). Of the total 1324 smokers, 540 (40.8%) patients were in group 1. The mean age, smoking pack-years, and Fagerstrom scores of group 1 were lower than group 2 (p = 0.001, p = 0.008, and p = 0.007, respectively). In addition, the choice of treatment was also different between groups (p < 0.001). Motivational/behavioral therapy and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) were more common in group 1 compared with group 2. There was no difference among groups in gender, having household smokers, history of antidepressant treatment, previous quit attempts, and educational status (p > 0.05). Almost 40% of our patients did not come to their follow-up SCC visit. Younger age, lower Fagerstrom score, low amount of daily cigarette consumption, and being treated only with behavioral therapy or NRT were detected as the characteristics of the dropout group. Awareness of the characteristics of smokers who drop out of SCC programs may provide for the implementation of personalized treatment at the first appointment.

Diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in various lung diseases.

OBJECTIVE: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a new method for the diagnosis and staging of lung disease, and its use is increasing worldwide. It has been used as a means of diagnosing lung cancer in its initial stages, and there are data supporting its use for the diagnosis of benign lung disease. The aim of this study was to share our experience with EBUS-TBNA and discuss its diagnostic value. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the results related to 159 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA at our pulmonary medicine clinic between 2010 and 2013. We recorded the location and size of lymph nodes seen during EBUS. Lymph nodes that appeared to be affected on EBUS were sampled at least twice. We recorded the diagnostic results of EBUS-TBNA and (for cases in which EBUS-TBNA yielded an inconclusive diagnosis) the final diagnoses after further investigation and follow-up. RESULTS: We evaluated 159 patients, of whom 89 (56%) were male and 70 (44%) were female. The mean age was 54.6 ± 14.2 years among the male patients and 51.9 ± 11.3 years among the female patients. Of the 159 patients evaluated, 115 (84%) were correctly diagnosed by EBUS. The diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA was 83% for benign granulomatous diseases and 77% for malignant diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic value of EBUS-TBNA is also high for benign pathologies, such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. In patients with mediastinal disorders, the use of EBUS-TBNA should be encouraged, primarily because it markedly reduces the need for mediastinoscopy.

Diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in various lung diseases / Valor diagnóstico da punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico em diferentes doenças pulmonares

Objective: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a new method for the diagnosis and staging of lung disease, and its use is increasing worldwide. It has been used as a means of diagnosing lung cancer in its initial stages, and there are data supporting its use for the diagnosis of benign lung disease. The aim of this study was to share our experience with EBUS-TBNA and discuss its diagnostic value.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the results related to 159 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA at our pulmonary medicine clinic between 2010 and 2013. We recorded the location and size of lymph nodes seen during EBUS. Lymph nodes that appeared to be affected on EBUS were sampled at least twice. We recorded the diagnostic results of EBUS-TBNA and (for cases in which EBUS-TBNA yielded an inconclusive diagnosis) the final diagnoses after further investigation and follow-up.Results: We evaluated 159 patients, of whom 89 (56%) were male and 70 (44%) were female. The mean age was 54.6 ± 14.2 years among the male patients and 51.9 ± 11.3 years among the female patients. Of the 159 patients evaluated, 115 (84%) were correctly diagnosed by EBUS. The diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA was 83% for benign granulomatous diseases and 77% for malignant diseases.Conclusions: The diagnostic value of EBUS-TBNA is also high for benign pathologies, such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. In patients with mediastinal disorders, the use of EBUS-TBNA should be encouraged, primarily because it markedly reduces the need for mediastinoscopy.

Objetivo: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA, punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico) é um novo método para o diagnóstico e estadiamento das doenças pulmonares e seu uso está aumentando em todo o mundo. Ela tem sido utilizada como um método diagnóstico de câncer de pulmão em estágios iniciais, e há dados que apoiam sua utilização para o diagnóstico de doenças pulmonares benignas. O objetivo deste estudo foi compartilhar a nossa experiência com EBUS-TBNA e discutir seu valor diagnóstico.Métodos: Analisamos, retrospectivamente, os resultados relacionados a 159 pacientes submetidos a EBUS-TBNA em nossa clínica de medicina pulmonar entre 2010 e 2013. Registramos a localização e o tamanho dos linfonodos visualizados durante EBUS. Os linfonodos suspeitos durante o procedimento foram puncionados ao menos duas vezes. Foram registrados os resultados diagnósticos por EBUS-TBNA e, para os casos com diagnóstico indefinido após EBUS-TBNA, os diagnósticos finais após investigação aprofundada e acompanhamento.Resultados: Avaliamos 159 pacientes, dos quais 89 (56%) eram homens e 70 (44%) eram mulheres. As médias de idade foram de 54,6 ± 14,2 anos nos homens e de 51,9 ± 11,3 anos nas mulheres. Dos 159 pacientes avaliados, 115 (84%) foram diagnosticados corretamente por EBUS. A acurácia diagnóstica de EBUS-TBNA foi de 83% para doenças granulomatosas benignas e de 77% para doenças malignas.Conclusões: O valor diagnóstico de EBUS-TBNA também é alto para patologias benignas, como sarcoidose e tuberculose. Em pacientes com alterações no mediastino, o uso de EBUS-TBNA deve ser incentivado, principalmente devido à redução significativa da necessidade de mediastinoscopia.

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence.

INTRODUCTION: The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), modified from Fagerström Tolerance Questionnairre (FTQ), is used to determine whether a smoker trying to quit will need nicotine replacement therapy to treat with drawal symptoms. The FTND has been translated into many languages and has been referred to in the smoking literature worldwide. However, only a few studies have examined the psychometric propertiesof the non-English FTND versions. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the FTND. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the factor structure of the Turkish version of the questionnaire using a large sample from two smoking cessation clinics in Istanbul, Turkey. Our study comprised 502 smokers who entered one of these smoking cessation clinics between October 1 and December 31, 2011. All subjects gave informed consent to the study. We assessed the validity of the FTND using CFA, and we calculated Cronbach's alpha coefficients to determine reliability. RESULT: One-factor CFA included all of the items on the FTND. All items loaded on this factor with a score of 0.40 or higher. The goodness of fit statistics were adequate, with a Comparative Fit Index (CFI) of 0.922, a Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) of 0.902, and a root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) of 0.081. Two-factor CFA comprised the three "morning smoking" items, and the three "smoking pattern" items. The factor loadings and the goodness-of-fit statistics confirmed that the FTND has a two-factor structure. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses confirmed that the Turkish version of the FTND has a two-factor structure with moderate reliability. This study found that using a total score as an estimate of nicotine dependence may limit the assessment of specific smoking dependency and tailoring intervention approaches. We suggest that a two-factor FTND in clinical practice would more accurately determine the nicotine dependence of patients.

Value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis and tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION: The differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis creates a challange due to tuberculosis also having lung and lymph node involvement. Because both diseases show granulomatous inflammation, it may not be possible to distinguish tuberculosis and sarcoidosis in pathological specimens. As a result of the complexity in the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, new markers for differentiation are being investigated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to investigate the value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a possible marker in differentiating sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, 51 acid-fast bacilli (AFB) positive and/or culture-positive patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, ​​40 patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis and a control group consisting of 43 patients were included. In our study, information was collected retrospectively based on hospital records. RESULTS: Leukocyte and neutrophil counts, NLR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher, and albumin was significantly lower in the tuberculosis group compared with sarcoidosis (for all parameters P < 0.001). The most appropriate cut-off value of NLR to distinguish tuberculosis from sarcoidosis was determined as 2.55. For this cut-off value of NLR there was 79% sensitivity, 69% specificity, 73% positive predictive value (PPV), 75% negative predictive value (NPV), and area under the curve (AUC) was 0.788. For differentiation of sarcoidosis from tuberculosis, accuracy of the NLR test according to this cut-off value was found as 76%. CONCLUSION: NLR as a little known marker in respiratory medicine was found to be supportive in differentiation of tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. More studies on this issue is needed.