[Relationship between arterial stiffness and the severity of coronary artery disease in acute coronary syndrome]. / Relation entre la rigidité artérielle et la sévérité du statut coronaire après un syndrome coronaire aigu.

BACKGROUND: The association between arterial stiffness (AS) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has been previously demonstrated. Whether increased arterial stiffness is associated with severe CAD in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is less explored. AIM: We aim to investigate the relationship between AS parameters and the extent and severity of CAD in patients with ACS. METHODS: The study population consisted of 275 patients with ACS. We measured various AS parameters including pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and central pulse pressure (cPP). CAD extent and severity was evaluated by the number of vessels with greater than 70% stenosis. RESULTS: The study population was predominantly men (77, 5%) with an average age of 56, 4±10, 6 years. One hundred and fifteen patients were diabetic and 97 were hypertensive. One hundred fifty patients were admitted for ST elevation myocardial infarction (54, 5%) and 37, 5% for non ST elevation myocardial infarction. Thirty six percent of patients had single vessel disease and 47, 6% of the study population had multivessel disease. At the multivariate analysis, a positive correlation was observed between the number of coronary vessels disease and PWV. PWV (OR=1,272; IC95% [1,090; 1,483]; p=0,002) and cPP (OR=1,071; IC95% [1,024; 1,121]; p=0,003) were also independent predictors of multivessel disease. CONCLUSION: In patient with ACS, PWV is correlated with the extent of coronary artery disease, as measured by the number of vessels disease. PWV and cPP were also independent predictors of multivessel disease.

[Home non-invasive ventilation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / Ventilation non invasive à domicile au cours de la broncho-pneumopathie chronique obstructive.

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of long-term non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients remain controversial. AIM: To analyze the characteristics of COPD patients under home NIV and to evaluate its impact among this population. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study between January 2002 and April 2016 of COPD patients under long-term NIV at "la Rabta" and the Military Hospital. RESULTS: There were 27 patients with an average age of 64 and a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.92. Active smoking was reported in 96.3%. A persistent hypercapnia following an acute exacerbation of COPD with failure to wean the NIV was the main indication of long-term NIV. We noted a reduction in hospital admissions in the first year of 60% and in intensive care of 83.3% (P<10-3). There was no non-significant decrease of PaCO2 (4.5mmHg). There was no modification in FEV 1 and in FVC (P>0.05). The survival rate was 96.3% at 1 year, 83.3% at 2 years and a median survival of 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that home NIV contributes to the stabilization of some COPD patients by reducing the hospitalizations rates for exacerbation. More prospective studies are needed to better assess the impact of NIV on survival and quality of life and to better define the COPD patients who require NIV.

[Tuberculous pseudotumour, a challenging diagnosis]. / La tuberculose pseudotumorale, un diagnostic difficile.

INTRODUCTION: The pseudotumorous form of tuberculosis is a rare entity. Whatever its location, it can simulate neoplasia by its radiological and/or endoscopic appearances. We highlight the diagnostic difficulties associated with this type of presentation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of inpatient records from 2003 to 2016 in the pneumology department of La Rabta Hospital to identify cases of thoracic tuberculous pseudo-tumor. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were identified. The median age was 41 years and their symptomatology was dominated by cough and general debility. All had abnormal radiology with 10 cases of suspect lesions. Fibre-optic bronchoscopy revealed endobronchial abnormalities in 11 cases. The median overall diagnostic delay was 97 days. The diagnosis was confirmed bacteriologically in five cases, histologically in 14 cases and based on clinical presumption in one case. The progression was favourable: 13 patients have been declared cured and four patients are still undergoing treatment. CONCLUSION: Making a positive diagnosis of thoracic tuberculous pseudotumour can be difficult, as bacteriological samples are often negative. This can lead to a significant delay in diagnosis and treatment.

[Occupational asthma: Clinical and professional profile of the Tunisian asthmatic worker]. / Asthme professionnel : profil clinique et professionnel du travailleur asthmatique tunisien.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma takes up a great importance in occupational diseases but remains underestimated as it is insufficiently diagnosed. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to access the clinical and professional profile of the Tunisian asthmatic worker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a retrospective descriptive study in a professional pathology unit in a university hospital. All patients referred by their doctor for symptoms suggestive of occupational asthma, during a period from 2000 to 2008, were included. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were selected from 172. The mean age was 40 years, with a male predominance (56 %). In 2/3 of the cases, it was the textile workers, food and chemical industry. The etiological agents incriminated were textile dust in 18.8 % of cases followed by isocyanates and flour. Typical episodes of wheezing dyspnea were present in 52 % and atopy in 54.2 % of workers. In 2 % of cases, symptoms disappeared and worsened in 18.8 %. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of OA depends on early end accurate diagnosis. The physician's role is to initiate the appropriate diagnostic approach, which must comply with the Tunisian conditions.

[Night-to-night variability of the obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome]. / Variabilité inter-nuits du syndrome d'apnée-hypopnée obstructive du sommeil.

The apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) is the primary measurement used to characterize the obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS). Despite its popularity, there are limiting factors to its application such as night-to-night variability. AIM: To evaluate the variability of AHI in the OSAHS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was designed in our university hospital's sleep unit. Adults with clinical suspicion of OSAHS underwent 2 consecutive nights of polysomnographic recording. The population was divided in two groups according to an AHI>or<10. Patients with psychiatric disorders or professions that might result in sleep deprivation or an altered sleep/wake cycle were excluded. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled. The mean age was 50.6±9.3 years. OSAHS was mild in 4 cases, moderate in 6 cases and severe in 8 cases. AHI was less than 5 in two cases. AHI values were not significantly altered throughout both recording nights (33.2 vs. 31.8 events/h). A significant positive correlation was found between AHI measured on the first and the second night. However, a significant individual variability was noted. Comparison between both patient's groups showed a correlation between AHI and the body mass index. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the AHI in OSAHS patients is well correlated between two consecutive nights. However, a significant individual variability should be taken into consideration, especially when AHI is used in the classification of OSAHS or as a criterion of therapeutic success.