Pulmonary function tests in patients with Parkinson's disease: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: In Parkinson's disease (PD), morbidity and mortality are commonly caused by respiratory disorders from pulmonary function impairments. AIM: The study aims to evaluate pulmonary functions in a cohort of patients with PD in comparison with age- and sex-matched control. METHODS: Pulmonary function test (PFT) was conducted using the Spirolab Spirometry kit, and results of forced vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume 1 (FEV1), FEV1/VC, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were obtained from 78 PD patients and 78 healthy controls. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients and 78 age- and sex-matched control comprising 60 (76.9%) males and 18 (23.1%) females were evaluated. The mean age ± standard deviation of the patients were 62.32 ± 8.67 and 62.31 ± 8.66, respectively; the difference in their age was not statistically significant (P = 0.993). The majority (38.5%) of the patients was in stage II of Hoehn and Yahr of PD. Vital capacity (VC) in PD patients and control was 2.481 and 3.106; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The mean FEV1 in PD patients and control were 1.887 and 2.494; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The mean FEV1/VC percent in PD patients and control were 75.812 and 80.303; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The mean PEFR in PD patients and control were 45.58 and 67.46; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Considering PD arm of the study, with the exception of FEV1/VC, there was significant negative correlation between all the parameters of PFT and patients age (VC, FEV1, PEFR, r = -422 and P = 0.0001, r = -391 and P = 0.0001, and r = -0.244 and P = 0.031, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this study, the values of the evaluated PFTs (VC, FEV1, FEV1/VC, and PEFR) parameters were significantly lower in PD compared with age- and sex-matched control.

Assessment of respiratory symptoms and lung function among textile workers at Kano Textile Mills, Kano, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The number of textile industries in Nigeria with large work force is on the rise. There is thus the need to assess medical challenges of its workers, one of which is respiratory ailments. Although much has been written about the subject globally, only few studies have been done in Nigeria. This study aims to address this gap. OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary functions among Textile Workers in Kano, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was done, Two hundred male workers exposed to raw cotton dust and its end products in a Textile Company and 200 unexposed workers with similar age- and gender-matched were investigated. Their forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV11), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were determined with a flow-sensing spirometer and Wright's peak flow meter. RESULTS: Exposed workers generally complained of cough, phlegm production, rhinitis, wheezing, chest pain, and breathlessness. Unexposed worker has a significant lower frequency (P < 0.001) of symptoms as well as higher (P < 0.001) forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV11), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) than exposed workers. The reduction in ventilatory function of exposed from predicted values for Nigerian men was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than unexposed workers. The smokers among the exposed and unexposed workers had significantly lower lung function values than nonsmokers. CONCLUSION: Respiratory symptoms were more prevalent among workers in most dusty sections of the factory. Use of protective mask should be enforced. Workers in the spinning and weaving sections of the company compared with workers in other sections had the lowest lung function indices.

Histoplasmosis: an elusive re-emerging chest infection.

An immunocompetent patient presenting with disseminated histoplasmosis and superior vena cava obstruction. Features at presentation were in keeping with tuberculosis. Histology of bronchoalveolar lavage specimen clinches the diagnosis of histoplasmosis.