Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: Where Do We Stand?

Obstructive sleep apnea is common in adults with cardiovascular disease. Accumulating evidence suggests an association between obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease independent of the traditionally recognized cardiovascular disease risk factors. Observational studies indicate that obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease and that alleviation of obstructive events with positive airway pressure may improve cardiovascular disease outcomes. However, recent randomized controlled trials have not supported the beneficial effect of positive airway pressure in cardiac populations with concomitant obstructive sleep apnea. Some evidence suggests that the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and traditionally recognized cardiovascular disease risk factors is bidirectional, suggesting that patients with cardiovascular disease may also develop obstructive sleep apnea and that efficient treatment of cardiovascular disease may improve obstructive sleep apnea. Recent data also indicate that the apnea-hypopnea index, which is commonly used as a diagnostic measure of obstructive sleep apnea severity, has limited value as a prognostic measure for cardiovascular disease outcomes. Novel markers of obstructive sleep apnea-associated hypoxic burden and cardiac autonomic response seem to be strong predictors of adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes and response to treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. This narrative review and position paper from the Turkish Collaboration of Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Trialists aims to update the current evidence about the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease and, consequently, raise awareness for health professionals who deal with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases to improve the ability to direct resources at patients most likely to benefit from treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and optimize treatment of the coexisting cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the Turkish Collaboration of Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Trialists aims to contribute to strengthening the efforts of the International Collaboration of Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Trialists in this context.

Impact of inhaled fluticasone propionate/salmeterol on health-related quality of life in asthma: A network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This network meta-analysis (NMA) compared fixed-dose, twice daily fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FP/Sal) vs. inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and other ICS/long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) treatments, including when administered using maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) regimens, in terms of improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The relationship between changes in asthma control and HRQoL was assessed. METHODS: Articles published between 2001 and 2021, reporting change from baseline (CFB) in Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma, were identified by a systematic review. Random effects Bayesian NMAs derived estimates of the mean difference in CFB in AQLQ vs. other interventions connected to the network (included 15 studies). Sensitivity analyses explored the impacts of differences in follow-up duration, baseline asthma control, the inclusion of observational studies, adjusting for baseline FEV1, and low-medium ICS dose arms only. Linear regression analysis compared CFBs in AQLQ and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score. RESULTS: Mean CFB in AQLQ with FP/Sal vs. comparators demonstrated expected ranked effects: mean difference 0.65 [95% credible interval: 0.54, 0.78] versus placebo, 0.58 [ 0.33, 0.84] versus LABA, 0.21 [ 0.13, 0.31] versus ICS alone, 0.06 [-0.04, 0.19] versus other ICS/LABA, and 0.00 [-0.13, 0.14] versus ICS/formoterol MART. Sensitivity analyses largely showed consistent results. Improvements in AQLQ and ACQ were strongly correlated (R = 0.94). CONCLUSIONS: This NMA demonstrates that HRQoL is responsive to treatment, is strongly related to asthma control and that it can be well-managed in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma using regular treatment with inhaled FP/Sal.

Attitude and Practice Toward Use of Cigarettes and Electronic Cigarettes Among Pregnant Women: A Questionnaire-Based Survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate attitude and practice toward use of regular tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes among pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 1123 pregnant women participated on a voluntary basis in this questionnaire survey. Maternal characteristics, cigarette consumption parameters, and personal opinions regarding the adverse effects of smoking during pregnancy were evaluated. RESULTS: Active smokers composed 12.4% (9.4%: regular tobacco cigarettes, 3.0%: electronic cigarettes) of the study population. Smoking during the current pregnancy, particularly via regular tobacco cigarettes, was more likely for women with smoking during previous pregnancies (56.0% vs. 7.8%, P < .001), previous history of low birth weight infant delivery (16.1% vs. 8.6%, P = .013), premature delivery (16.7% vs. 7.0%, P < .001), and stillbirth (22.8% vs. 11.7%, P = .002). The presence versus absence of smoking during pregnancy was associated with a lower likelihood of being a housewife (70.5% vs. 80.5%, P = .010) and a higher likelihood of having an actively smoking mother (25.9% vs. 11.2%, P < .001) or partner (65.7% vs. 46.9%, P < .001). Regular tobacco cigarette users considered electronic cigarettes to have a higher risk of adverse impacts (11.1% vs. 2.9%, P = .012), while electronic cigarette users considered regular cigarettes to have a higher risk of nicotine exposure (55.9% vs. 13.0%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate being employed, having an actively smoking mother or partner, as well as smoking in previous pregnancies, to be the risk factors for increased likelihood of smoking during pregnancy.

Recurrent and More Severe COVID-19 Infection: Two Elderly Case Reports.

Although the sensitivity of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is low in the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is the gold standard. Clinical improvement is prioritized in the follow-up of patients with COVID-19 who are followed as possible or definitive cases. Although the priority in the discharge decision is the resolution of complaints, it is also important to see radiological improvement and RT-PCR negativity. A total of 2 of our patients who were hospitalized and treated in our clinic with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were discharged after their complaints were resolved and their treatment was completed. The patients had 2 negative RT-PCR results at discharge. Both of them presented to the hospital with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath after the discharge, and both showed positive RT-PCR results. Considering recurrent COVID-19 infection, we aimed to present treatment and the 2 cases we followed.

Interval Versus Continuous Aerobic Exercise Training in Overweight and Obese Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the supervised pulmonary rehabilitation programs consisting of either an interval or continuous aerobic exercise program, with a home-based exercise program in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were overweight or obese. METHODS: In this randomized controlled study, 72 overweight and obese patients diagnosed as having COPD were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Group 1 received an interval-type (IT) aerobic exercise program, group 2 received a continuous-type (CT) aerobic exercise program (both groups performed home exercises as well) and group 3 was only given a home-based exercise (HE) program. For the evaluation of patients, anthropometric measures, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), 6-min walk test (6MWT), modified-Borg dyspnea and leg fatigue scores, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used. RESULTS: Both IT and CT groups showed significant improvement on CPX parameters, 6MWT distances, mental health, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared with the HE group in overweight and obese patients with COPD (P < .001). Moreover, the IT group demonstrated a significant decrease in the modified-Borg dyspnea and leg fatigue during the CPX compared with both CT and HE groups (P < .001). Furthermore, the Borg dyspnea and leg fatigue during training were lower in the IT group than in the CT group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: An interval or continuous aerobic exercise program added onto a home-based exercise program improved exercise capacity and HRQoL, and reduced anxiety and depression levels in overweight and obese patients with COPD.

[Determination of anthropometric measurements in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Turkish population]. / Türk popülasyonunda obstrüktif uyku apne sendromunda rol oynayan antropometrik ölçümlerin belirlenmesi.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to determine the values of anthropometric measurements and rates used in the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in our country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty accredited sleep centers in thirteen provinces participated in this multicenter prospective study. OSAS symptoms and polysomnographic examination and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 cases OSAS study group; patients with AHI < 5 and STOP-Bang < 2 were included as control group. Demographic characteristics (age, sex, body mass index-BMI) and anthropometric measurements (neck, waist and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio) of the subjects were recorded. RESULT: The study included 2684 patients (81.3% OSAS) with a mean age of 50.50 ± 0.21 years from 20 centers. The cases were taken from six geographical regions of the country (Mediterranean, Eastern Anatolia, Aegean, Central Anatolia, Black Sea and Marmara Region). Demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements; age, neck, waist, hip circumference and waist/ hip ratios and BMI characteristics when compared with the control group; when compared according to regions, age, neck, waist, hip circumference and waist/hip ratios were found to be statistically different (p< 0.001, p< 0.001, p< 0.05, respectively). When compared by sex, age, neck and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, height, weight and BMI characteristics were statistically different (p< 0.001, respectively). Neck circumference and waist/hip ratio were respectively 42.58 ± 0.10 cm, 0.99 ± 0.002, 39.24 ± 0.16 cm, 0.93 ± 0.004 were found in women. CONCLUSIONS: The neck circumference was lower than the standard value in men, but higher in women. The waist/hip ratio was above the ideal measurements in both men and women. In this context, the determination of the country values will allow the identification of patients with the possibility of OSAS and referral to sleep centers for polysomnography.

Severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with COPD.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has many comorbidities such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke. Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and oxidative stress play a significant role in CAD and COPD. We analysed that impact of COPD on intensity and severity of coronary artery lesions on the angiogram in the groups of patients with COPD according to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grades updated in 2015. METHODS: The study included 102 COPD patients and 80 randomly selected subjects without any pulmonary disease who underwent coronary angiography. According to the GOLD grade for COPD, patients were divided into four groups: A, B, C and D. The severity and extent of CAD were determined using the Gensini score. RESULTS: There were no significant between-group differences in age, body mass index, smoking history, plasma lipids levels, frequency of hypertension, diabetes and CAD. The mean Gensini score in patients with COPD was significantly higher than those without (respectively, 25.7 ± 32.9 vs 17.5 ± 24.8, P = 0.01). While Gensini score was the highest level in the patient group D (64.9 ± 34.9), it was the lowest level in the patient group A (10.2 ± 19.4, P = 0.0001). The Gensini scores increased in accordance with increases in the GOLD grades. We observed that COPD was independently predictive for Gensini score after a multi-variate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio 1.374; 95% confidence interval 1.672-9.232; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Severity and intensity of coronary atherosclerosis increases in accordance with increases in the GOLD grades for COPD.

Comorbidities and their impact on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disease that is associated with devastating outcomes resulting from lung involvement and several comorbidities. Comorbidities could impact on symptomology, quality of life, the complications, the management, economic burden and the mortality of the disease. The importance of comorbidities originates from their impact on the outcome of COPD. The most frequent comorbidities in COPD are cardiovascular, endocrinological, musculoskeletal, phycological disorders and lung cancer. Almost 50% of the COPD patients have 3 or more comorbidities. The recent Global Initiative of Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Guideline suggested proactive search and the treatment of the comorbidities. However, there is no certain evidence demonstrating that active treatment of comorbidities improve the outcomes of COPD. However, it is well known that several comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and lung cancer have greater impact on mortality caused by COPD. Several studies have shown that Charlson Comorbidity index or more recenty COPD Specific Comorbidity Index (COTE) has been found to be related with mortality of COPD. This concise review intended to summarize the most frequent comorbidities in association with their impact on COPD.

Evaluation of cardiac biomarkers and right ventricular dysfunction in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) with myocardial damage may lead to fatal complications in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Cytoplasmic heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (HFABP) and the N-terminal fragment of its prohormone (NT-proBNP) are sensitive and specific biomarkers of myocardial damage. We evaluated RVD and cardiac biomarkers for myocardial damage and short-term mortality in patients with acute PE. METHODS: We analyzed 41 patients (24 females, 17 males) with confirmed acute PE prospective. Three groups (massive, submassive, and non-massive) of patients were defined, based on systemic systolic blood pressure measured on admission and RVD by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Also, systolic (s) and mean (m) pulmonary artery pressures (PAPs) were recorded by TTE, and plasma concentrations of cardiac troponin T (cTn-T), NT-proBNP, and HFABP were evaluated 6 month follow-up. RESULTS: Seventeen (41.5%) patients experienced a complicated clinical course in the 6-month follow-up for the combined end-point, including at least one of the following: death (n=12, 29.3%; 3 PE-related), chronic PE (n=4, 9.8%), pulmonary hypertension (n=2, 4.9%), and recurrent PE (n=1, 2.4%). Multivariate hazard ratio analysis revealed HFABP, NT-proBNP, and PAPs as the 6-month mortality predictors (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.05; HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.04; and HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.02-1.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: HFABP, NT-proBNP, and PAPs measured on admission may be useful for short-term risk stratification and in the prediction of 6-month PE-related mortality in patients with acute PE.

[Psychiatric evaluation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]. / Obstrüktif uyku apne sendromlu hastalarin psikiyatrik açidan degerlendirilmesi.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) might cause neuropsychiatric problems as well as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. Daily life of the patients are effected and their quality of life decreases. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate anxiety and depression and to test their ability to cope with strees in patients with OSAS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients with OSAS suspect admitting to our sleep laboratuary, were classed as simple snoring, mild-moderate and severe OSAS according to their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Hospital anxiety and depression, stres coping and skill loss scales were applied to the patients accepted to participate to the study. RESULTS: Fifty four patients participated into the study. Forty-one (75.9%) were OSAS and 13 (24.1%) were simple snoring (control group). Mean age was 52.3 ± 9.2 years in OSAS group, while it was 50.5 ± 9.9 years in control group. Snoring was found in every patient of two groups. Thirty-one (79.5%) patients with OSAS had witnessed apneas and 23 (60.5%) had exceesive OSAS patients had excessive daytime sleepiness. There was no significant differences in age, BMI, sleep efficency, HAD and skill loss scales between both groups. Autism was found higher in OSAS group with stres coping test (p= 0.031). Moreover, social support necessicity was found higher in moderate and severe OSAS patients. CONCLUSION: We found that neuropsyhiatric problems are highly seen in moderate and severe OUAS patients.

[Isolation of Scedosporium apiospermum (teleomorph: Pseudallescheria apiosperma) from an acute myeloid leukemia patient]. / Bir akut miyeloid lösemi hastasindan Scedosporium apiospermum (teleomorf: Pseudallescheria apiosperma) izolasyonu.

Scedosporium apiospermum is an emerging opportunistic pathogen that may lead to life-threatening infections especially in immunosuppressive individuals. In this report, S.apiospermum infection in a 62 year old male patient with acute myeloid leukemia was presented. During remission-induction chemotherapy, piperacillin-tazobactam therapy was started for febrile neutropenia. Since fever had continued, treatment was switched to imipenem and also amphotericin B deoxycholate was added to the treatment protocol. Because of allergic reaction to amphotericin B, caspofungin was started at the fifth day of neutropenic fever. Following imaging studies with high resolution computerized thorasic tomography, antifungal therapy was changed to voriconazole due to findings suggestive of invasive aspergillosis. Since galactomannan antigen was found negative at the first day of voriconazole therapy, bronchoalveolar lavage material from apical segment of the left lower lobe was cultured onto various microbiologic media. S.apiospermum (Teleomorph: Pseudallescheria apiosperma) was isolated on the fourth day of cultivation. According to CLSI M38-A2 microdilution procedure, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of voriconazole, caspofungin, amphotericin B and posaconazole were found as 0.06, 2, 8 and 4 µg/ml, respectively. Since neutropenia was resolved, the patient was discharged with continued voriconazole therapy. It was concluded that antifungal susceptibility tests should be performed for Scedosporium species and the results should be compared to the clinical response. The determination of MIC breakpoints may provide useful information for the recommendation and use of optimal choices for the treatment of Scedosporium infections.

[Non-invasive mechanical ventilation therapy in patients with heart failure]. / Kalp yetersizligi hastalarinda noninvaziv mekanik ventilasyon tedavisi.

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) therapy in patients with acute heart failure (HF) improves left ventricular functions via decreasing left ventricular afterload and reduces intubation rate and short-term mortality. In patients with chronic HF, NIMV therapy eliminates central and obstructive apneas and Cheyne-Stokes respiration, and improves morbidity. There are essentially three modes of NIMV that are used in the treatment of HF: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP) and adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV). Hereby, NIMV therapy in patients with acute and chronic HF is reviewed as well as methods, indications, effectiveness and complications.

[Evaluation of serum adiponectin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]. / Tikayici uyku apnesi sendromlu hastalarin serum adiponektin düzeylerinin degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: Serum adiponectin levels have been found to be lower in patients with obesity, hypertension, and coronary artery diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate serum adiponectin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to correlate these levels with the severity of OSAS. STUDY DESIGN: In 62 OSAS patients (39 males, 23 females) and 32 controls (23 males, 9 females) determined by polisomnography, serum adiponectin levels were analyzed by the ELISA method. Patients were classified as having either mild (apnea hypopnea index, AHI: 5-14), moderate (AHI: 15-29) or severe (AHI ≥30) OSAS, and controls were defined as AHI <5. Plasma fasting glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high (HDL-C) and low (LDL-C) density lipoprotein cholesterols were analyzed, and the results were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in mean age (51.6±10.7 years for patients, 48.3±10.8 years for controls) or body mass index (32.9±6.0 kg/m2 for patients, 31.3±5.6 kg/m2 for controls, p>0.05) in our study population. There was no significant difference in the number of hypertensive, diabetics, or smokers between the patients and controls. While serum TC, TG, and HDL cholesterol levels were not significantly different between two groups, the serum adiponectin levels of patients (3.0±3.4 µg/dl) were significantly lower than those of the controls (5.2±5.2 µg/dl, p=0.01). While serum adiponectin levels showed a significantly negative correlation with AHI (r=-0.221, p=0.03), there was a significantly positive correlation with minimum and mean oxygen saturations (r=0.213, p=0.04 and r=0.205, p=0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in patients with OSAS, especially for those in the severe OSAS group. Serum adiponectin levels are related to the severity of OSAS and arterial oxygen saturation.

[Cardiovascular biomarkers in clinical practice of sleep apnea]. / Uyku apnesinin klinik uygulamasinda kardiyovasküler biyobelirteçler.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) leads to cardiovascular complications such as coronary artery disease, left/right ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction, heart failure, systemic and pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmias and stroke; and these all cardiovascular complications increase morbidity and mortality of OSAS. However, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, central and obstructive apneas may occur in the patient with heart failure. Increased sympathetic activity by hypoxemia and endothelial dysfunction play a role in cardiovascular complications. Some cardiovascular biomarkers have a role in early diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. In the present review, some cardiovascular biomarkers such as serum C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukins, adiponectin, heart-type fatty acid binding protein (hFABP) and brain (B-type) natriuretic peptide (BNP), and their clinical importance were reviewed.

An old woman with weight loss and chest pain.

Pulmonary sarcomas constitute only 0.1-0.5% of all primary lung malignancies. These tumors may derive from the lung parenchyma, bronchial tree or pulmonary arteries. The most important entity in the differential diagnosis is metastatic synovial sarcoma. A 76-years-old woman was admitted for investigation of a fever, productive cough, dyspnea, weight loss and left-sided chest pain which had been present for one month. A chest computerised tomography showed enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes were observed, as well as a left-sided pleural effusion. Thoracentesis revealed hemorrhagic pleural effusion which was exudate and lymphocyte predominant, closed pleural biopsy showed chronic inflammation. Left sided thoracoscopy was performed under local anesthesia, total collapse of left lung and multiple pleural nodules were observed on the visceral pleura multiple biopsies were obtained from those nodules. Pathologic examinations revealed "synovial sarcoma". As skeleton single photon emission tomography was unremarkable, primary pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma was decided as diagnosis and chemotherapy was planned for the patient. Primary pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma is a rare neoplasm of lung and pleura but it is rare entity.

[Heart failure and sleep apnea]. / Kalp yetersizligi ve uyku apnesi.

Sleep-disordered breathing is one of the important factors contributing to the development and/or progression of heart failure (HF). This condition is related to recurring attacks of apnea, hypopnea, and hyperpnea, sleep disruptions, arousals, intermittent hypoxemia, hypocapnia, and hypercapnia, and intrathoracic pressure changes. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction (apnea and hypopnea), increased breathing effort against totally or partially occluded upper airway, and sleep disruptions. Cardiovascular consequences are the most serious complications of OSA and include acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, left/right ventricular dysfunction, arrhythmias, stroke, and systemic and pulmonary hypertension. Cheyne-Stokes respiration and central apneas may also occur in patients with HF. This article reviews the most recent information on the physiopathology, diagnosis, and treatment modalities of obstructive and central apneas in patients with HF.

Acute improvement of pulmonary artery pressure by non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in the patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure.

It is very important to decrease pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in order to prevent progression to right heart failure. We showed an acute improvement of PAP by non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) treatment in patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure. In 26 patients with COPD (18 males and 8 females), physical examination, Doppler echocardiographic evaluation and arterial blood gases analysis were performed on admission and at discharge. PAP was measured by Doppler echocardiography. NPPV was used when 2 of the following were present without contraindications: 1. Respiratory distress with moderate to severe dyspnea, 2. Arterial pH less than 7.35 with PaCO(2) above 45 mmHg, 3. Respiratory rate of 25/minute or greater. Mean age of the patients was 62.6 ± 10.8 year, and mean usage of the NPPV was 12.6 ± 5.5 day. Mean and systolic PAPs of the patients (43.8 ± 16.9 mmHg and 66.7 ± 23.3 mmHg) were significantly decreased with NPPV treatment (26.6 ± 8.4 mmHg, p< 0.0001 and 41.8 ± 14.6 mmHg, p< 0.0001). Also, each parameter of the arterial blood gases was improved significantly with NPPV usage. An echocardiographic assessment in the COPD patients having NPPV treatment due to acute respiratory failure, might be a useful and easy method to show an improvement of PAP as a supportive measure in the management of those patients, in addition to beneficial effects of that treatment on respiratory acidosis, hypercapnia and hypoxemia.

[Therapy costs of adult patients admitting to emergency unit of a university hospital with asthma acute attack]. / Bir üniversite hastanesi acil servisine astim atak ile basvuran eriskin hastalarin hastane maliyetleri.

In the present study, hospital costs of patients who admitted to the emergency department with asthma attack and several variables that could effect this cost were analyzed and data were collected in order to reduce economical burden of that disease was aimed. Between September 2005 and February 2007 patients with acute asthma attack, admitted to Pamukkale University Hospital Emergency Department were retrospectively evaluated. Totally 108 patients who met the inclusion criteria admitted to the emergency department with asthma acute attack. Of those 97 were women (89.8%). Forty mild, 51 moderate, 15 severe and 2 life-threatening attacks were detected. Severe and life-threatening attacks were more frequent in patients graduated from primary school compared with the other groups. Mean therapy costs of the patients who were hospitalized and treated in the emergency department were 836.60 +/- 324.30 TL (Turkish Lira) and 170.66 +/- 86.71 TL respectively. Treatment procedures consisted of 45.8% of and 38.5% hospital costs for patients treated in the emergency department and for patients hospitalized respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the comparison of costs according to the attack severity (p= 0.0001). Education level of the patients had a significant effect on hospital costs (p= 0.025). Comorbidities were found a significant increasing factor of treatment costs (p= 0.017). There were no effects of sex, age, medical insurance or duration of asthma disease on the hospital costs. The relation between low-education level, living in the rural area and admissions with severe attacks of asthma to emergency department show the importance of treatment success with patient compliance. Positive and negative factors effecting disease control should be detected by evaluating larger populations to reduce economical burden of asthma.

Effects of menopause on obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects approximately 4% of adult men and 2% of adult women in the general population. However, this prevalence in women shows a dramatic increase with the menopause. The presence of OSA in women may be largely underestimated in clinical practice, possibly, because OSA has different clinical features and characteristics in women with respect to men. Recently, many epidemiological data were published pertinent to menopause as a risk factor and hormone replacement therapy as a protective factor for OSA. So, it's aimed to review the effects of menopause on OSA in this review.