Determining host factors contributing to disease severity in a family cluster of 29 hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients: Could genetic factors be relevant in the clinical course of COVID-19?

In this study, we report a large family cluster consisting of 29 genetically related patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). We sought to determine the clinical characteristics relevant to the clinical course of COVID-19 by comparing the family cluster to unrelated patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection so that the presence of potential determinants of disease severity, other than traditional risk factors previously reported, could be investigated. Twenty-nine patient files were investigated in group 1 and group 2 was created with 52 consecutive patients with COVID-19 having age and gender compatibility. The virus was detected for diagnosis. The clinical, laboratory and imaging features of all patients were retrospectively screened. Disease course was assessed using records regarding outcome from patient files retrospectively. Groups were compared with respect to baseline characteristics, disease severity on presentation, and disease course. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of comorbidity and smoking history. In terms of inhospital treatment, use differed not significantly between two groups. We found that all 29 patients in the group 1 had severe pneumonia, 18 patients had severe pneumonia. Hospitalization rates, length of hospital stay, and transferred to intensive care unit were found to be statistically significantly higher in the group 1. In the present study, COVID-19 cases in the large family cluster were shown to have more severe disease and worse clinical course compared with consecutive patients with COVID-19 presenting to the same time. We believe further studies into potential genetic mechanisms of host susceptibility to COVID-19 should include such family clusters.

Does the COVID-19 seroconversion in older adults resemble the young?

High antibody titers have been found to correlate with the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. Therefore, antibody titers may be higher in older adults, whose disease is known to have a more severe course than younger ones. This study aimed to compare the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody level in the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to test positive older adults with young. Patients aged ≥18 with positive RT-PCR and checked serum IgG antibodies between November 1, 2020 and January 13, 2021 were included. The IgG antibody levels and the time between RT-PCR positivity with the antibody levels were recorded. A total of 1071 patients were divided into two groups as Group 1 <60 years old (n = 902) and Group 2 ≥60 years old (n = 169). The SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers were higher in Group 2 (p = 0.001). This height was present in the first 3 months after positive RT-PCR. While the antibody titers were compared by dividing Group 2 into the three groups according to age ranges (60-69, 70-79, and ≥80 years), the antibody titer was higher in ≥80 years patients (p = 0.044). High COVID-19 IgG antibody levels may be associated with the severity of the disease. Also, the humoral immunity advantage was seen in the first 3 months in the older patients, which suggests that older adults with COVID-19 may develop reinfection in the long term.

The Diagnostic and Predictive Roles of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio for Severity of Disease in COVID-19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are inflammation markers in inflammatory, cardiovascular, and malignant diseases and are important to assess prognosis. The aim of the study is to show the correlation between the inflammation markers of NLR, LMR, and PLR identified in total blood count of patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with the disease severity. METHODS: A total of 409 patients attending hospital with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 and with positive quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test were divided into two groups as 61 severe patients and 348 non-severe patients. The levels of inflammation markers NLR, LMR, PLR, and c-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed. RESULTS: The mean age of 409 patients was 49.9 ± 18.3 years and 48.7% of all patients were female. In the severe patient group, NLR 8.94 ± 13.24, LMR 2.24 ± 1.46, and PLR 248 ± 254 were identified. NLR exhibited the largest area under the curve at 0.698, with the highest specificity (67%) and sensitivity (67.3%) among the other inflammation markers such as LMR and PLR. Consistent with the severity of disease in severe COVID-19 patients, NLR, PLR, CRP and other inflammation markers increase, while LMR is observed to reduce. CONCLUSIONS: NLR and PLR, calculated with the simple, cheap, and easily accessible hemogram test requested for diagnosis and follow-up of COVID-19 disease, were correlated with the total score for radiological findings and duration of hospitalization, and we observed NLR and LMR may predict disease severity.

Tocilizumab challenge: A series of cytokine storm therapy experiences in hospitalized COVID-19 pneumonia patients.

To recognize the period of exaggerated cytokine response in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, and to describe the clinical outcomes of using tocilizumab as a treatment option. The data of 12 adult COVID-19 pneumonia patients who were followed in the inpatient clinics of Biruni University Medical Faculty Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey) were retrospectively analyzed. Diagnostic tests, laboratory examinations, clinical findings, and computed tomography of the thorax imaging results were evaluated. A dramatic laboratory and clinical improvement was observed in 83% (10 out of 12) of patients after tocilizumab. In 17% (2 out of 12) of our patients, short-term ventilator support was required in the intensive care unit. The longest hospital stay was 18 days. However, in the end, all of our patients were discharged home with good health. Although arterial oxygen saturations (87.58 ± 3.12%) dropped in room air in the pre-tocilizumab period, post-tocilizumab they normalized in all patients (94.42 ± 1%). None of them had fever after tocilizumab treatment and the levels of C-reactive protein (13.08 ± 12.89) were almost within normal limits. Eosinophil values were quite low at the time of diagnosis (10 ± 17.06), but increased significantly post-tocilizumab (155.33 ± 192.69). There is currently no proven treatment for COVID-19 induced by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Based on our experience with twelve adult COVID-19 pneumonia patients, we can say that tocilizumab, an IL-6 inhibitor, is more beneficial in preventing the damage caused by excessive cytokine response in the body if administered at the right time and provides clinical and radiological recovery.

Case Report: Two Cases of Persistent Hiccups Complicating COVID-19.

Two cases are presented with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)-related hiccups: one during initial presentation and one 10 days after COVID-19 diagnosis. Hiccups in both patients were resistant to treatment and responded only to chlorpromazine. COVID-19 patients may present with hiccups and also may have hiccups after treatment. Resistant hiccups without any underlying disease other than COVID-19 should be considered in association with COVID-19 and may respond well to chlorpromazine.

COVID-19 seroconversion in the aircrew from Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading rapidly all over the world and air travel is the leading transmission route of the virus among countries. The aim of the study is to determine the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in aircrew, to determine occupational exposure, and to understand the spread of immunity in social groups. METHOD: The study was designed as a cross-sectional retrospective study. SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were measured in patients who applied to between December 1, 2020 and January 13, 2021. Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positivity was investigated before December 1, 2020. RESULTS: The patients were divided into three groups according to their jobs such as 313 aircrew; 451 healthcare workers; 4258 other patients. The PCR positivity rate was found to be 39% in the aircrew group, 32% in the healthcare workers and %20 other patient group (p < 0.001). The IgG antibody positivity rate was 46% in the aircrew, 41% in healthcare workers, and 35.3% in the other patient group (p < 0.001).The group with the highest IgG antibody titer is in the aircrew; there was a significant difference between the groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, it was observed that aircrew, similar to healthcare workers, are at serious risk against SARS-CoV-2. In this process, it is suggested that the vaccination processes included repeated doses of aircrew should be accelerated and protective measures and equipment should be increased in terms of reinfection.

The relationship between positivity for COVID-19 RT-PCR and symptoms, clinical findings, and mortality in Turkey.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the correlation between nucleic acid amplification test (real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR) positivity of patients presenting with suspected COVID-19 and pneumonic infiltration consistent with COVID-19-specific pneumonia diagnosis on thoracic computed tomography (CT), with symptoms, laboratory findings, and clinical progression.Methods: The study included 286 patients (female:male 131:155; mean age, 53.3 ± 17.9 years) who were divided into two groups according to their RT-PCR test results. The symptoms, laboratory examinations, clinical findings, and thoracic CT imaging of the patients were evaluated.Results: While the physical examination, comorbidities, and total CT scores were similar between the groups, taste/smell abnormalities were observed more frequently in the PCR-positive group. The use of moxifloxacin, lopinavir/ritonavir, and tocilizumab was higher in the PCR-positive group (p = 0.016, p < 0.001, and p = 0.002, respectively). The duration of hospitalization, intensive care requirement, and mortality rate of the studied groups did not differ between the groups.Conclusions: Among patients presenting with suspected COVID-19 and pneumonic infiltration consistent with COVID-19 on thoracic CT, the symptoms, physical examination, total CT scores, duration of hospitalization, intensive care requirement, and mortality rate were similar between RT-PCR-positive and RT-PCR-negative patients. However, PCR-positive patients appeared to require more specific treatments.

Relationship between Antibody Levels and SARS-Cov-2 Reinfection.

OBJECTIVE: In this period when mutant strains are increasing all over the world, studies on how much humoral immunity will protect against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are quite limited. The aim of our study is to investigate the positivity and antibody levels of the COVID-19 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 re-infection, and the protective antibody level against re-infection. METHODS: Patients who were positive for COVID-19 IgG antibody between 1 July and 31 August were included in our study. The COVID-19 RT-PCR test positivity, age, gender and comorbidities of these patients were recorded before this date. The COVID-19 RT-PCR test positivity of these patients was followed from the National COVID-19 Database between September 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. RESULTS: 1665 patients (female: male 683: 982, mean age 40.6±13.4 years). Among all patients, 14 patients had reinfection and the frequency of reinfection was 0.8%. It was observed that the frequency of reinfection was more frequent in patients with PCR negative (p<0.001). The IgG cut-off value causing reinfection was found to be 11.9 (AUC: 0.844, 79.2% sensitivity, 78.6% specificity) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Humoral antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were protective against COVID-19 reinfection, 0.8% of the patients had reinfection and the resultant reinfection was mostly seen in PCR negative patients who were asymptomatic.

The value and safety of specific nasal provocation in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in mild persistent asthma under inhaled steroid therapy.

Although specific nasal provocation is an objective diagnostic test for allergic rhinitis, it can also increase the lower airway responsiveness in asthmatic patients. Our goal was to determine the value and safety of specific nasal provocation test for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in mild persistent asthmatic patients under low-dose inhaled steroid therapy. The study was performed on 32 mild persistent, stable, mite-sensitive allergic asthmatics (group 1), 9 mild persistent nonallergic asthmatics (group 2) and 9 healthy non-smokers (group 3). Nasal symptoms were noted, paranasal sinus computerized tomography (PNCT) and rhinoscopic evaluations were performed. Cases with pathologic-anatomic changes in PNCT and rhinoscopy were excluded. Symptom scoring, flow-volume, peak expiratory flow (PEF), serum and nasal lavage eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and nasal lavage eosinophil counts were performed before mite specific nasal provocation test and at the 0th, 4th and 24th hours following the test. No adverse effects were observed in all diagnostic procedures. Total diagnostic value of nasal symptoms were found to be at 92%, while being 70% for rhinoscopy and 88% for specific nasal provocation test respectively in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in group 1. Statistically significant differences were found between basal nasal lavage eosinophil values (p < 0.001) and ECP levels (p < 0.05) when group 1 was compared with both group 2 and group 3. In the remaining measured values between three groups, no statistically significant differences were found. Specific nasal provocation test is a safe method for mild house dust mite allergic asthma cases under low-dose inhaled steroid therapy, but history of rhinitis might be sufficient for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.

Case Report: A COVID-19 Patient Presenting with Mild Rhabdomyolysis.

The news was reported from the Wuhan region of China about a novel corona virus in the end of 2019. After spreading around the world, a pandemic was declared by the WHO. Depending on the different involvement of the disease, the most common symptoms are fever, cough, and dyspnea. However, some indeterminate symptoms that make diagnosis difficult, such as myalgia and fatigue, can also be seen alone, without the typical clinical picture. We describe a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia, the only complaint of which is myalgia, and the first diagnosis is mild rhabdomyolysis. The patient had no evidence or history other than viral infection that could explain muscle pain and also increased level of muscle enzymes. When mild rhabdomyolysis lack of myoglobinuria and complications was diagnosed, treatment-related rhabdomyolysis was also avoided as no treatment related to COVID-19 was initiated yet. Apart from the typical symptoms leading to the typical diagnosis of COVID-19 at the first admission, SARS-CoV-2 related with rhabdomyolysis should also be kept in mind.

Effect of oral l-Glutamine supplementation on Covid-19 treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of oral l-Glutamine supplementation on hospitalization time, need for intensive care unit and Coronavirus Disease-19 (Covid-19) mortality. METHODS: The study included 30 Covid-19 patients using l-Glutamine and 30 Covid-19 patients who did not use l-Glutamine with similar age, gender and clinical status. Diagnostic tests, laboratory examinations, clinical findings and computed thorax tomography imaging of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Hospitalization time was 10.4 ± 1.9 days in Covid-19 without L-Glutamine group and 8.9 ± 1.8 days in Covid-19 with L-Glutamine group (p = 0.005). In Covid-19 without the L-Glutamine group, four patients require the ICU though no one in the other group required that (p = 0.038). Only one mortality was observed in Covid-19 without the L-Glutamine group (p = 0.999). CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional supplements such as L-Glutamine boost immune system especially by inhibition of inflammatory responses. Our results suggest adding enteral L-glutamine to the normal nutrition in the early period of Covid-19 infection may lead to a shortened hospital stay and lead to less need for ICU. Larger-scale studies are needed to evaluate the effect of adding enteral L-Glutamine to the currently used treatments in the infectious diseases especially like Covid-19.

Pleural Effusion in End Stage Renal Failure Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the causes of pleural effusion in patients who experienced end-stage renal failure and did not demonstrate any regression of effusion with dialysis treatment. METHODS: Patients with pleural effusion that did not regress though they attained dry weight with dialysis and those with 2 years of follow-up were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 48.16±14.5 years. Thirty-five patients were receiving hemodialysis treatment and 8 (18%) were continuous peritoneal dialysis patients. Ascites Ascites (n=6), pleural effusion (n=13), both ascites and pleural effusion (n=5), and pleural effusion that was bilateral (n=22, 51%), right-sided (n=13, 30%), and left-sided (n=8:18%) were detected. According to Light's criteria, the pleural effusion was classified as exudate in 40 (93%) cases and transudate in 3 (7%). Microbiological examination did not identify any pathological agent in any case, and cytological examinations did not reveal atypical cells. The causes of pleural effusion were infection (tuberculosis: n=20, 46%), pneumonia (n=3, 7%), empyema (n=1, 2%), malignancy (lung cancer: n=3, 7%; renal carcinoma: (1, 2%), collagen diseases (n=1, 2%), hepatic abscess (n=1, 2%), pulmonary thromboembolism (n=2, 4%), and idiopathic causes (n=11, 25%). RESULTS: The causes of pleural effusion were infection (tuberculosis: n=20, 46%), pneumonia (n=3, 7%), empyema (n=1, 2%), malignancy (lung cancer: n=3, 7%; renal carcinoma: n=1, 2%), collagen disease (n=1, 2%), hepatic abscess (n=1, 2%), pulmonary thromboembolism (n=2, 4%), and idiopathic cases (n=11, 25%). CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis was the most common cause of pleural effusion that did not regress with dialysis treatment.

Pulmonary function in multiple sclerosis without any respiratory complaints.

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary complications in severe multiple sclerosis (MS) are often seen secondary to respiratory muscle dysfunction. The development of respiratory muscle dysfunction and its association with disability during the course of MS is unknown. In our study, we investigated the predictive value of respiratory muscle functions and the change in forced vital capacity (Delta forced vital capacity [FVC]; FVC upright-FVC supine) to detect deterioration of respiratory muscle functions in the early phase of MS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one MS patients with a median age of 34.5+/-9.45 years were enrolled. Fourteen cases were relapsing-remitting, six were secondary progressive, one was primary progressive type. The mean duration of disease was 10.76+/-6.6 years. Seventeen healthy subjects with a median age of 40.7+/-7.6 years were chosen as a control group. Smoking habit was similar in both groups. Pulmonary function tests (PFT), lung volumes, diffusion, respiratory muscle function ( P(Imax) , P(Emax)), mouth occlusion pressure, and indirect sign of respiratory center function (P(0.1)) tests were performed. PFT were repeated in supine and upright positions. RESULTS: Our results in the MS group and the control group, respectively, were: diffusion (DL(CO): 18.8+/-4.2 vs. 26.4+/-7.3 mL/mmHg/min), P(I(max) (82.1+/-26.3 vs. 109.1+/-23.3 cm H(2)O), P(E(max) (119.2+/-42 vs. 171.8+/-50.2 cm H(2)O), P(0.1) (2.6+/-0.7 vs. 4.2+/-0.7). All parameters were lower in the MS group compared with the control group (p<0.05). In the MS group, FVC values in the upright position were higher than FVC values in the supine position. The difference in FVC values in MS patients between the upright and supine positions (Delta FVC) was also found to be significantly higher than in the control group (Delta FVC 262.3+/-247.6 (MS), 98.8+/-179.1 mL (CONTROL)) (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate the presence of pulmonary dysfunction in MS even in the absence of any respiratory symptoms.

Relationship Between Abnormalities on High-Resolution Computerized Tomography, Pulmonary Function, and Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Progressive Systemic Sclerosis.

 Introduction and aim: Progressive systemic sclerosis (pSS) is a multisystemic connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs including lung. The mechanisms that leads to progressive lung fibrosis in scleroderma remain obscure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between HRCT findings and patients' clinical and functional status and the degree of alveolitis based on the BAL resultsMaterials and methods: 65 patients with pSS were evaluated. Thoracic HRCT, pulmonary function tests, and dyspnea measurements were applied, and BAL was performed. The parenchymal abnormalities identified on HRCT were coded, and  scored according to Warrick et al. RESULTS: Among parameters investigated, a correlation was found between the number of segments with subpleural cysts and the duration of disease. Also there was a correlation between the HRCT score and patient age whereas no correlation was detected between the duration of the disease, manifestation of the symptoms, and the x-ray findings. A correlation was found between the percentage of neutrophils detected in BAL and the extent of the honeycombing on HRCT. CONCLUSION: This study showed a strong correlation between the extent of x-ray abnormalities and FVC, RV, and DLCO, as well as an increase in the percentage of BAL fluid neutrophils in patients with SSc-PI.

The role of FEV6 in the detection of airway obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: There are recent reports regarding the use of forced expiratory volume in 6 s (FEV6) in place of forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC) in the detection of airway obstruction. We aimed to investigate the role of FEV6 in comparison with FVC in the evaluation of airway obstruction. METHODS: The pulmonary function tests (PFT) results of all 5114 patients, who had been tested in the pulmonary function laboratory between 1998 and 2003, were retrospectively analyzed to investigate the relationship between FEV6 and FVC. RESULTS: We have found a mean difference of 95.35+/-121.7 (min=0, max=1050) ml (3.37%) when FVC and FEV6 values (FVC-FEV6) of all cases were compared. This difference was found to be higher (180 ml, 7.3%) in patients with airway obstruction. When FEV1/FVC is taken as the gold standard, FEV1/FEV6 had negative predictive value of 92.24% and a sensitivity of 86.09% in the detection of airway obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is easier to use FEV6 in place of FVC, relatively low sensitivity in that setting may result in the underestimation of airway obstruction. This drawback should be kept in mind when FEV6 is utilized to detect airway obstruction.

The relationship between pulmonary function tests, thorax HRCT, and quantitative ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

We have evaluated the relationship between pulmonary function tests (PFT), thorax high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images and quantitative ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphic studies in 16 male patients (mean age 65.6 +/- 5.5 years) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The mean forced vital capacity (FVC) value of the patient group was 2352 +/- 642 mL (65.4 +/- 15.8%), whereas mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) was found to be 1150 +/- 442 mL (40.8 +/- 14.9%). The ratio of carbon monoxide diffusion capacity to alveolar ventilation (DLCO/VA) was 3.17 +/- 0.88 mL/min/mmHg/L, and the mean partial oxygen (PaO(2)) and carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)) pressures were 68.5 +/- 11.04 mmHg and 38.9 +/- 5.8 mmHg respectively. For each patient, thorax HRCT and V/Q scintigraphic images of both lungs were divided into upper, mid and lower zones during examination. Visual scoring for the assessment of emphysema on thorax HRCT were used and images were graded from mild to severe (< or = 25% - > or = 76%). Emphysema scores were found to be higher on upper zones with accompanying lowest V/Q ratios. DLCO/VA, DLCO, total emphysema scores, and individual emphysema scores of the upper, mid and lower zones were found to be correlated. As a conclusion, it can be stated that emphysematous changes in COPD patients are more apparent in the upper lung zones, which also have the lowest V/Q ratios.

[Videothoracoscopic lung biopsy in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease]. / Interstisyel akciger hastaliginin tanisinda VATS: Bes olgu sunumu.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a diagnostic method, used with increasing frequency in recent years, in the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases. There are significant differences in the diagnosis of diseases which are diagnosed with clinical, biochemical and radiological investigation and with pathological evaluation of material obtained by VATS. In our study, five patients with different clinical and VATS guided pathological diagnosis, were analyzed. VATS was applied to four patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (two patients) at the beginning and to another patient with pulmonary tuberculosis (Tbc) who was ARB positive and no regression could be achieved with anti-Tbc treatment at the third month. Clinical and pathological diagnosis was different in all patients. In a 22 year old female, who was thought to be lymphangioleiomyomatosis, was pathologically diagnosed as histiocytosis-X; in a 55 year old female, who was thought to be hypersensitivity pneumonitis, was diagnosed as sarcoidosis; in a 58 year old male, who was thought to be IPF, was diagnosed as nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. Sixty-two year old patient with ARB positive pulmoner Tbc who had no clinical and radiological regression with three month anti-Tbc therapy, and 65 year old male patient who was thought to be IPF were diagnosed by VATS as bronchoalveolar carcinoma. In conclusion; VATS is one of the most important methods for definite diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases, in patients with interstitial involvement.

The oxidant-antioxidant balance in systemic sclerosis cases with interstitial lung involvement.

We aimed to assess the plasma oxidant and antioxidant levels in systemic sclerosis (SS) patients with interstitial lung involvement. Twenty-seven female SS patients and 17 healthy female volunteers were included in the study. Plasma levels of oxidants and antioxidants levels were studied of two groups. The median oxidant and antioxidant levels in study and control groups were, MDA 5.2 +/- 0.4/3.7 +/- 0.5 nmol/ml (P < 0.001), NO 45.4 +/- 3.7/34.2 +/- 2.9 nmol/l (P < 0.001), SOD 25.6 +/- 2.3/24.6 +/- 2.0 U/ml (P > 0.05), catalase 99.9 +/- 9.9/140.0 +/- 10.0 U/ml (P < 0.001), vitamin E 20.5 +/- 1.3/22.6 +/- 2.0%mg (P < 0.001), vitamin C 70.6 +/- 8.7/83.5 +/- 7.3 mg/dl (P < 0.001), respectively. There was also no correlation between plasma levels of oxidants-antioxidants levels and disease duration, duration of pulmonary signs, pulmonary function test values, HRCT scores in SS patients (P > 0.05). In our study, the oxidant burden in SS patients with interstitial lung involvement was found to be increased; however no correlation was detected between the severity of lung involvement and oxidant-antioxidant levels.