The demographic, laboratory and genetic factors associated with long Covid-19 syndrome: a case-control study.

Long Covid-19 syndrome (LCS) manifests with a wide range of clinical symptoms, yet the factors associated with LCS remain poorly understood. The current study aimed to investigate the relationships that demographic characteristics, clinical history, laboratory indicators, and the frequency of HLA-I alleles have with the likelihood of developing LCS. We extracted the demographic characteristics and clinical histories from the medical records of 88 LCS cases (LCS+ group) and 96 individuals without LCS (LCS- group). Furthermore, we evaluated the clinical symptoms, serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, laboratory parameters, and the frequencies of HLA-I alleles. Following this we used multiple logistic regression to investigate the association these variables had with LCS. Subjects in the LCS+ group were more likely to have experienced severe Covid-19 symptoms and had higher body mass index (BMI), white blood cell, lymphocyte counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), and IL-6 levels than those in the LCS- group (for all: P < 0.05). Moreover, the frequencies of the HLA-A*11, -B*14, -B*38, -B*50, and -C*07 alleles were higher in the LCS+ group (for all: P < 0.05). After adjusting for the most important variables, the likelihood of suffering from LCS was significantly associated with BMI, CRP, IL-6, the HLA-A*11, and -C*07 alleles, as well as a positive history of severe Covid-19 (for all: P < 0.05). Our study showed that a history of severe Covid-19 during the acute phase of the disease, the HLA-A*11, and -C*07 alleles, higher BMI, as well as elevated serum CRP and IL-6 levels, were all associated with an increased likelihood of LCS.

The clinical manifestation and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with a history of ischemic heart disease; a retrospective case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is considered an independent risk factor for COVID-19. However, no study has specifically examined the clinical manifestations and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study between 20 March 2020 to 20 May 2020, the medical record of 1611 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was reviewed. IHD was defined as a history of an abnormal coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), or chronic stable angina. Demographic data, past medical history, drug history, symptoms, vital signs, laboratory findings, outcome, and death were investigated from medical records. RESULTS: 1518 Patients (882 men (58.1%)) with a mean age of 59.3 ± 15.5 years were included in the study. Patients with IHD (n = 300) were significantly less likely to have fever (OR: 0.170, 95% CI: 0.34-0.81, P < 0.001), and chills (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.45-0.91, P < 0.001). Patients with IHD were 1.57 times more likely to have hypoxia (83.3% vs. 76%, OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.13-2.19, P = 0.007). There was no significant difference in terms of WBC, platelets, lymphocytes, LDH, AST, ALT, and CRP between the two groups (P > 0.05). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, comorbidities and vital signs, the risk factors for mortality of these patients were older age (OR: 1.04 and 1.07) and cancer (OR: 1.03, and 1.11) in both groups. In addition, in the patients without IHD, diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.50), CKD (OR: 1.21) and chronic respiratory diseases (OR: 1.48) have increased the odds of mortality. In addition, the use of anticoagulants (OR: 2.77) and calcium channel blockers (OR: 2.00) has increased the odds of mortality in two groups. CONCLUSION: In comparison with non-IHD, the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection such as fever, chills and diarrhea were less common among patients with a history of IHD. Also, older age, and comorbidities (including cancer, diabetes mellitus, CKD and chronic obstructive respiratory diseases) have been associated with a higher risk of mortality in patients with IHD. In addition, the use of anticoagulants and calcium channel blockers has increased the chance of death in two groups without and with IHD.

Evaluation of the Effects of Noninvasive Ventilation on Blood Gas and Depression Levels of Patients with Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome.

Background: Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is associated with increased mechanical load on respiratory system. Here, we aimed to investigate and evaluate the effects of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) on physical and mental status of patients with OHS. Materials and Methods: The current study is an observational study that was performed in 2020 on 50 patients with OHS in Isfahan, Iran. Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires were also filled for all patients assessing their depression levels that were confirmed by psychiatrists. PO2 and PCO2 of patients were evaluated using venous blood gas (VBG) before interventions. Patients with a definite diagnosis of OHS and depression entered the study and underwent treatments with NIV. One month after the interventions with NIV, the blood gases of patients were evaluated using VBG and BDI-II, and HADS questionnaires were also filled for all patients, evaluating their depression. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 63.5 ± 13.5. The mean blood oxygen after the use of NIV in patients with OHS increased significantly (P = 0.001). The mean of carbon dioxide after using NIV in patients with OHS decreased significantly (P = 0.001). Based on the BDI-II and HADS scales, the mean score of depression after using NIV decreased significantly (P = 0.001 for both). Conclusion: NIV therapies are associated with improvements in blood oxygen and CO2 of patients with OHS. The levels of depression also decreased after treatments that were confirmed by psychiatrists.

25-Hydroxy vitamin D and body composition are associated with pulmonary function in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have emphasized the effects of vitamin D on the lung function of cystic fibrosis (CF) adult patients. The main aim of the present study sought to determine the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) concentration and clinical outcomes in non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis subjects. Secondary, we assessed the possible relationship between body composition and respiratory dysfunction in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two non-CF bronchiectasis patients (24 male/38 female), aged 18-72, were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric indices, lung function tests, and bronchiectasis severity valuations were determined. Body composition, including Mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC, cm) was calculated using triceps skinfold (TSF,mm) and mid-arm circumference (MAC,cm) under the reference formula. Then serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and C-reactive protein level were measured. The correlation between vitamin D level and pulmonary function and disease exacerbation tests was primarily assessed. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between body composition and lung function tests. RESULTS: Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D status positively was correlated with lung function tests, including FEV1 (r = 0.30, p value = 0.035) and FVC (r = 0.36, p value = 0.011), and also be associated with the extent of pulmonary involvement (r = -0.34, p value = 0.03). There was a significant negative correlation between percentage body fat and respiratory function, FEV1/FVC ratio (r = -0.43, p value < 0.001). In contrast, there was a strong correlation between skeletal muscle mass and pulmonary function tests (r = 0.26, p value = 0.04). CONCLUSION: There is a positive association between low 25-hydroxyvitamin D status and lung dysfunction in participants with non-CF bronchiectasis. The pulmonary dysfunction also correlated with more percentage body fat and low skeletal muscle mass in these patients. Therefore, the evaluation of body composition and serum vitamin D are suggested in the disease management of the patients with non-CF bronchiectasis. However, these associations should be interpreted with caution due to the likelihood of reverse causation. More high-quality prospective studies are warranted to confirm our observations and determine the mechanisms underlying these findings.

Clinical Determinants of the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) in Stable Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Patients.

BACKGROUND: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a suitable tool for the assessment of functional capacity in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases. This study aimed to assess the clinical determinants of the six-minute walk distance (6MWD), exercise-induced desaturation (EID), and pretest saturation of arterial oxygen (SataO2) in patients with diffuse non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 57 clinically stable patients with diffuse non-CF bronchiectasis were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index [BMI], mid-arm muscle circumference [MAMC], and triceps skinfold thickness [TSF]), spirometric indices (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], and FEV1/FVC ratio), imaging assessment (CT scan), and bacteriological sputum studies were performed, and then, 6MWT was carried out. RESULTS: The mean 6MWD was measured to be 447.11±94.59 m. The average walked distance in patients with severe, moderate, and mild bronchiectasis was 427.73±92.07, 439.63±102.65, and 485.87±80.47 m, respectively, with no significant difference. The pretest SataO2 was 88.92±5.59%, 93.75±3.36%, and 94.87±2.88% in the severe, moderate, and mild bronchiectasis groups (P<0.001). A significant inverse correlation was observed between the distance walked and BMI (r=-0.434, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The predictors of 6MWD in stable non-CF bronchiectasis patients were FVC, SataO2 at rest, BMI, and MAMC. The FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and BMI were independent predictors of SataO2 at rest. The extension of bronchiectasis was the only predictor of EID during the test.

Adult onset still disease associated with endogenous lipoid pneumonia.

Cholesterol pneumonia or endogenous lipid pneumonia (ELP) is a rare disease that can occur in the context of a systemic disease or following a bronchial obstruction. It is characterized by a wide range of diverse symptoms and various disease course. The present report introduces a young woman diagnosed with adult onset still disease three years ago, who has been referred with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). She underwent biopsy due to dyspnea and a crazy paving pattern in HRCT of the lungs, leading to the diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia based on the interstitial lymphocytic inflammation and cholesterol granulomas. So far, there has been no report indicating MAS associated with cholesterol pneumonia. This is the second case reporting ELP in the adult onset still disease.

Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia in a young man with hypoxia: a case report and review of the literature.

Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is a rare lung disease, which usually affects older women. This disease is often asymptomatic. For patients who are symptomatic, symptoms usually include cough and dyspnea. In this paper, we reported a 38-year-old man who suffered from chest pain for 3 months. CT scan findings revealed scattered nodules that were less than 1 cm. Spirometry was normal and the arterial oxygen saturation at room air was 85%. Open lung biopsy revealed DIPNECH. Patients with DIPNECH are mainly elderly women with symptoms including cough and dyspnea. However, we reported a young man with chest pain and hypoxia without dyspnea. DIPNECH can occur in male and female individuals at any age. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Crazy-Paving Pattern Due to Herpetic Pneumonia in a Patient with Mycosis Fungoides: A Case Report.

Herpetic pneumonia in immune deficient patients could be fatal if not treated. Considering the low prevalence of this disease, computed tomography (CT) scan findings of this condition are not well elucidated. This report describes the CT scan findings of a patient with immune system deficiency due to mycosis fungoides, and pneumonia caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Bilateral alveolar infiltration with crazy-paving pattern was observed on CT scan of the lungs. The scattered crazy-paving pattern noted in the CT scan of the lungs could be suggestive of herpetic pneumonia in immunocompromised patients presenting with lung infections.

Hemophagocytic [corrected] lymphohistiocytosis associated with nephrotic syndrome and multi-organ failure.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is still an important elusive and misdiagnosed condition despite of improved knowledge. Nephrotic syndrome associated with HLH is not a common feature and has been rarely reported in hemophagocytic syndrome. We report a 27-year-old man with HLH who progressed to multi-organ failure as well as nephrotic-range proteinuria, generalized edema, and hypoalbuminemia.

Different protocols for cryobiopsy versus forceps biopsy in diagnosis of patients with endobronchial tumors.

INTRODUCTION: Forceps biopsy is the standard procedure to obtain specimens in endobronchial lesions. New studies have proposed flexible cryoprobe as an accepted alternative method for this technique. Although diagnostic use of the cryobiopsy is confirmed in few studies, there is paucity of data with regard to an optimum protocol for this method since one of the main considerations in cryobiopsy is the freezing time. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate diagnostic yield and safety of endobronchial biopsies using the flexible cryoprobe. Moreover, different freezing times were assessed to propose an optimized protocol for this diagnostic modality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For each patient with a confirmed intrabronchial lesion, diagnostic o value of forceps biopsy, cryobiopsy in three seconds, cryobiopsy in five seconds and combined results of cryobiopsy in both timings were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients (39 males and 21 females; Mean age 56.7 +/- 13.3) were included. Specimens that were obtained by cryobiopsy in five seconds were significantly larger than those of forceps biopsy and cryobiopsy in three seconds (p < 0.001). We showed that the achieved diagnostic yields for all three methods were not statistically different (p > 0.05). Simultaneous usage of samples produced in both cryobiopsies can significantly improve the diagnostic yield (p = 0.02). Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences in case of bleeding frequency among the three sampling methods. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed safety and feasibility of cryobiopsy. Additionally, combination of sampling with two different cold induction timings would significantly increase sensitivity of this emerging technique..

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis with splenomegaly and pancytopenia.

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LG) is an angiocentric lymphoproliferative disease. It usually involves lung, skin, and central nervous system, but splenomegaly and pancytopenia are the rare manifestations of the disease. We report a 15-year-old boy presented with fever, dry cough and dyspnea from two months ago, after admission patient had nodular lesions on the left leg and hepatosplenomegaly. Then he manifested neurologic signs such as seizure, aphasia and right-sided hemiplegia. Chest X-ray and CT scan revealed bilateral pulmonary nodules predominantly in lower lobes and peripheral lung fields. Laboratory exams showed pancytopenia. Skin biopsy was done, and histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry evaluation confirmed lymphomatoid granulomatosis. He was treated with steroid and cyclophosphamide but succumbed by neurologic involvement.