Pulmonary Physician Consultancy in Emergency Services in Turkiye (PuPCEST) - a cross-sectional multicenter study.

Pulmonology is one of the branches that frequently receive consultation requests from the emergency department. Pulmonology consultation (PC) is requested from almost all clinical branches due to the diagnosis and treatment of any respiratory condition, preoperative evaluation, or postoperative pulmonary problems. The aim of our study was to describe the profile of the pulmonology consultations received from emergency departments in Turkiye. A total of 32 centers from Turkiye (the PuPCEST Study Group) were included to the study. The demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data of the consulted cases were examined. The final result of the consultation and the justification of the consultation by the consulting pulmonologist were recorded. We identified 1712 patients, 64% of which applied to the emergency department by themselves and 41.4% were women. Eighty-five percent of the patients had a previously diagnosed disease. Dyspnea was the reason for consultation in 34.7% of the cases. The leading radiological finding was consolidation (13%). Exacerbation of preexisting lung disease was present in 39% of patients. The most commonly established diagnoses by pulmonologists were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (19%) and pneumonia (12%). While 35% of the patients were discharged, 35% were interned into the chest diseases ward. The majority of patients were hospitalized and treated conservatively. It may be suggested that most of the applications would be evaluated in the pulmonology outpatient clinic which may result in a decrease in emergency department visits/consultations. Thus, improvements in the reorganization of the pulmonology outpatient clinics and follow-up visits may positively contribute emergency admission rates.

Determination of the factors contributing to depression and anxiety in advanced stage lung cancer patients.

Background: The diagnosis of cancer and initiation of treatment disrupt physical, emotional, and socio-economical stability of the patients by reducing the quality of lives and ultimately leading to depression and anxiety. We aimed to observe the indicators for anxiety and depression among lung cancer (LC) patients by comparing with other cancer (OC) patients. Methods: This study has been conducted between 2017 and 2019. Questionnaires were provided for both LC and OC patients. Results: Two hundred and thirty patients with the ages varied between 18 and 86 (median: 64.0) were included in the study. A total of 115 patients (case group) were diagnosed as LC, and the remaining were with OC diagnosis (control). No difference was determined between the groups in means of median anxiety and depression scores. Patients who required assistance in hospital procedures, daily life activities, and self-care had higher depression and anxiety scores (p < 0.05) compared to those did not require assistance. Anxiety and depression scores in OC groups showed a remarkable difference according to performance status (p < 0.001). The depression score of the patients who stated that they did not know their social rights was remarkably higher than those of the patients who stated that they know their social rights. We found no relationship between depression and anxiety scores because of disease caused income loss and expense increase. Conclusion: For LC patients, declaration of requirement for assistance and supportive care in daily life can be an important indication for anxiety and depression. Lung cancer patients, especially those informed by health care professionals and provided psychosocial support following the information, require a patient-specific professional management approach.

Five-Year Trends in Direct Costs of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Turkey: COPDTURKEY-3.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The aim of this study was to reveal the trend in direct costs related to COPD between 2012 and 2016, and to evaluate hospital costs in 2016, together with their subcomponents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A population-based descriptive study was conducted using administrative healthcare data in Turkey. The total direct cost of COPD diagnosis-treatment for each year from 2012 to 2016, was calculated. The distribution of the hospital's COPDrelated costs for the year 2016 was also examined, together with morbidity data. RESULTS: The direct costs of the patients who were admitted to step 1, step 2, and step 3 health care centers between 2012 and 2016 increased by 41% [895 041 403TL ($496 930 501) in 2012 to 1 263 288 269TL ($417 834 197) in 2016]; the increase was 60% and 24%, for inpatient and outpatient groups respectively. In the year 2016, the direct total cost was 1003TL ($332) per patient. In 2016, mean specialist consultations per patient with mean cost per specialist consultation, and mean emergency visits per patient with mean cost per emergency visit, were 1.7, 42 TL ($14), and 0.4, 71TL ($23) respectively. For the inpatient group, the mean number of hospitalizations per patient, mean number of hospitalization days, and the mean cost per hospitalization were 0.4, 6.5, and 1926TL ($637), respectively. CONCLUSION: When the readmissions of patients with COPD were evaluated together with the costs, and compared with the statistics from other countries, it was found that the costs per patient were lower in Turkey. However, the reasons for the significant rise in inpatient costs compared to outpatient costs should be investigated. Further investigations are required regarding pulmonary rehabilitation, home health care services, preventive measures for infections, management of comorbidities, and treatment optimization, which may reduce hospitalizations.

Development of palliative care services in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Palliative care (PC) is a holistic philosophy of care that can only be obtained through the awareness of public and healthcare professionals, PC training and good integration into the health system. Depending on health system structures, there are differences in PC models and organisations in various countries. This study is designed to evaluate the current status of PC services in Turkey, which is strongly supported by national health policies. METHODS: The data were collected through official correspondence with the Ministry of Health, Provincial Directorate of Health and hospital authorities. Numbers of patients who received inpatient PC, the number of hospital beds, diagnosis of disease, duration of hospitalisation, the first three symptoms as the cause of hospitalisation, opioid use, place of discharge and mortality rates were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 48,953 patients received inpatient PC support in 199 PC centres with 2,429 beds over a 26-month period. The most frequent diagnosis for hospitalisation was cancer (35%), and the most common symptom was pain (25%). Opioids were used in 26.7% of patients. CONCLUSION: Steps should be taken for PC training and providing continuity through organisations outside the hospital and home care.

Determination of related factors about diagnostic and treatment delays in patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Turkey

Background/aim: This study aimed to analyze delays in diagnosis and treatment by defining the related demographic and clinical factors, to reveal obstacles, and to develop essential attempts to help reduce treatment delays. Materials and methods: We created a questionnaire on the subject of delays in diagnosis and treatment in tuberculosis (TB) control to be administered to the patients. The forms were distributed to dispensaries across the country by the General Directorate of Public Health via an official letter. Results: The study included 853 new patients with smear-positive pulmonary TB. The mean patient delay was 18.06 ± 22.27 days, the mean diagnosis delay was 35.63 ± 34.86 days, and the mean treatment delay was 0.90 ± 2.39 days. We found no association between sex, age, literacy, residential location, the presence of chronic respiratory diseases, and patient delay. It was determined that patient delay was shorter for patients with hemoptysis, fever, dyspnoea, and chest pain. In women, the diagnosis delay was longer than in men. Conclusion: In the diagnosis process of patients with tuberculosis, it was determined that there was an improvement in the patient delay; however, the improvement in the diagnosis delay was still not acceptable as an ideal duration.

The Geographical Distribution of Morbidity Caused By Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Turkey: COPDTURKEY-2

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most prevalent causes for morbidity and mortality, and it creates a cumulative economic and social burden. Aims: To determine the distribution of the prevalence of patients in Turkey who were diagnosed with COPD and their morbidity rates, according to the regions and cities they belong to. Moreover, the study contributes to the prevention and cure services of COPD that should be planned in the future. Study Design: A retrospective cohort. Methods: The database of the Social Security Institution from 2016 has been scanned. All the data with prescription registration, with the code ICD-10, J44.0-J44.9, which were aimed for diagnosing and/or cure, have been evaluated with a retrospective cohort. Results: In 2016, 955,369 patients who were admitted as outpatients to the hospitals were diagnosed with COPD. The average number of annual COPD cases that were admitted was 2.09. Twenty percent (20%) of the outpatient applications were via emergency room. The rate of hospitalization among the applicants was 17.75%, with a total of 1,994,325. The average annual number of hospitalizations of men was higher than that of women. The average number of hospitalization days was 6.52. The region with the highest prevalence of outpatient admission and hospitalization was the Black Sea Region. Conclusion: The high rate of hospitalization was considered to be the outcome of the insufficient "outpatient" management.

An epidemiologic study of physician-diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Turkish population: COPDTURKEY-1

Background/aim: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation and respiratory symptoms. It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Our data on COPD in Turkey are limited. This study was intended to examine the epidemiologic characteristics of COPD in the Turkish population, between 2012 and 2016. Materials and methods: This population-based, descriptive, surveillance study examined physician-diagnosed COPD prevalence, incidence, and mortality in Turkey. The database of the Social Security System of Turkey was scanned and ICD-10 J44.0-J44.9 codes for diagnostic and/ or therapeutic purposes were evaluated retrospectively. Results: In 2016, there were 3,434,262 cases of COPD (56.2% men) in Turkey, and the mean age of patients was 61.62 ± 14.76 years. From 2012 to 2016, the annual overall prevalence rates of physician-diagnosed COPD rose from 4.3% to 5.8%, which was a 35.0% relative increase (P < 0.05). In women, this rate rose from 3.7% to 5.1% (38% increase), and in men, it rose from 4.9% to 6.7% (37% increase). During the study period, the overall incidence decreased from 8.5 per 1000 adults in 2012 to 6.3 per 1000 adults in 2016, representing a decrease of 26.6% (P < 0.001). The annual incidence rates of physician-diagnosed COPD decreased 25.4% in women and 27.9% in men. The overall mortality was 4.3% in 2012, and 4.2% in 2016. The mortality rate in women was 3.5% in 2012 and 3.7% in 2016, and 5% in 2012 and 4.7% in 2016 in men. The mean prevalence by region was 5.26% (range 3.79%­7.65%). The Black Sea region had the highest COPD prevalence. Conclusion: COPD is a very common and serious cause of morbidity and mortality in Turkey, as it is worldwide. Current data will contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiologic dimension of COPD in our country.

Patients with COPD who underwent pulmonary rehabilitation in Turkey: prevalence, distribution, and mortality

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an effective, evidenced-based treatment. Despite its proven effect, it is still underused. The aim of this study was to present the number of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who underwent PR, general mortality percentages, the rate of patients prescribed PR by pulmonologists, and the distribution of institutions where PR was performed between 2008 and 2016 in Turkey. Materials and methods: The documents were obtained from Turkish Institution of Social Insurance. Ages, sexes, and numbers of patients with COPD who underwent PR between 2008 and 2016 were recorded. The number of patients with COPD who had been prescribed PR by physicians and the type of hospitals in which these patients underwent PR were identified. The general annual and the general total mortality rates between 2008 and 2016 among patients with COPD who underwent PR in 2008 were also determined. Results: The mean age ranges of patients with COPD who underwent PR were 67.4 ± 12.3 to 72.0 ± 13.2 years, and 62.2% (n = 60,852) of patients were male. The number of patients increased progressively from 3,214 to 18,664. The rate of patients prescribed PR programs between 2008 and 2016 was between 0.32% and 0.59% among all registered patients with COPD. Between 52.0% and 94.8% (5,488/10,549 and 16,792/17,707 patients, respectively) of the programs were prescribed by a pulmonologist, and 62.9% (n = 62,613) of patients received PR in secondary public hospitals. The general annual mortality rates were between 6.2% and 11.1% (115/1,855 and 358/3,214 patients) in patients who underwent PR in 2008, and the general total mortality rate was 52.8% (1,696/3,214 patients) over the 9-year period in the same patient group. Conclusion: PR was still an underutilized approach in Turkey between 2008 and 2016. The awareness of PR should be increased in our country. In order to achieve this, we think that PR should be within the scope of health policies.

The contribution of hospital-based home health services in pulmonary diseases: Current Practice in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The medical management of chronic respiratory diseases becomes more difficult with the increase in the rate of the elderly population. Monitoring and treating chronic respiratory diseases at home are more comfortable for both the patient and their relatives. Therefore, countries need to develop policies regarding home health services (HHS) according to the state of their social, cultural, and financial infrastructure. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to show the role and contribution of hospital-based HHS regarding respiratory disorders, and to evaluate the model and its efficiency. STUDY DESIGN: The design of this study was cross-sectional. Data were obtained from the Ministry of Health of Turkey with official permission. Data were collected for HHS concerning respiratory diseases between 2011 and 2017. Age and sex distribution, the number of recorded patients, the number of visits for pulmonary diseases, the distribution of institutional visits, and the quantitative alterations within the years were investigated. STUDY POPULATION: The study population was based on patients with respiratory disorders who were given HHS as directed by the Ministry of Health of Turkey. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2017, the majority of patients with pulmonary diseases, mostly those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and lung cancer, visited government hospitals (78%). The number of house visits concerning pulmonary disorders increased nearly ten times, but hospitalization due to respiratory diseases decreased (13.5% in 2011 to 12.9% in 2017). CONCLUSION: Hospital-based HHS in pulmonary diseases can be considered as an appropriate model for implementation for countries like Turkey, those that have inadequate hospice-type health service infrastructure.

National Control of Tuberculosis: Does Primary Health Care System Play a Crucial Role in the Fight Against Tuberculosis?

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the tuberculosis control studies in a primary health care center and to observe the changes throughout the years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of patients followed up between 2005 and 2014 in the Elazig Dispensary were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the total 1,251 patients, 51.6% were male. Majority of patients were aged between 15 and 24 (19.9%), 25 and 35 (18.5%), and over 65 (14.4%). While the rate of a sputum smear examination was 71.6%, the positivity rate for Acid-Fast bacilli was 55.5%. It was detected that the drug sensitivity test was applied in only 25.8% of all patients. The treatment success of all patients was 85.8%. The cure rate of smear-positive cases was found to be 26.35%. The rate of the relapsing patients was 9.1%. An overall treatment response rate was found to be 87.4%. CONCLUSION: The control of tuberculosis in primary health care is partially successful and insufficient. The rate of smear-positive defaulters was found to be high in young adult individuals, which indicates that the contamination is probably still going on at a dangerous rate. Furthermore, the overall rate of microscopic examination, sputum culture, and drug sensitivity tests performed in patients in the primary health care system is low and should be improved immediately.

The association of body mass index values with severity and phenotype of sleep-disordered breathing.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to determine the BMI cut-off values for sleep-disordered breathing among adult population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 515 patients were evaluated retrospectively. These included demographic data, BMI, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen saturation (SaO2) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI). The BMI cutoff value for sleep-disordered breathing was determined and comparisons were made between two groups of patients (BMI ≤ 33 and BMI > 33). Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed using SPSS, version 24. RESULT: Higher BMI values were found to be correlated with diagnosis and severity of OSA and reduced sleep efficiency. Patients in the BMI > 33 group had significantly higher rates of co-morbid diseases than patients in the BMI ≤ 33 group. Patients with BMI ≤ 33 had significantly lower ODI values than patients with BMI > 33. In patients with BMI > 33, arousal index was significantly higher and SaO2 values were lower than those with BMI ≤ 33. In rapid eye movement (REM) sleep-related OSA, BMI values were higher than positional/classical OSA. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with higher BMI experienced frequent nocturnal oxygen desaturation periods resulting in higher arousal indexes and decreased sleep efficiency. REM sleep-related OSA and high BMI values together may lead to increased nocturnal oxygen demand. We recommend the threshold values of BMI > 33 to be considered for screening OSA among adult population.

[Where the tuberculosis patients are diagnosed and started to treatment?]. / Tüberküloz hastalari nerede tani aliyor ve tedavisi baslaniyor?

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis dispensaries have played important roles in management of patients with tuberculosis. Tuberculosis patients diagnosed and treatments are started at dispensaries as well as other health care institutions. Other institutions must be aware of the mission of dispensaries especially at the treatment and follow-up of patients. We aimed to investigate in which health care institutions tuberculosis patients diagnosed and treatment started and whether the awareness about dispanseries is sufficient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records of tuberculosis patients in Elazig dispansery examined retrospectively. The data obtained were analyzed by Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: Records of 854 patients with tuberculosis has been reached those followed in Elazig dispensary between the years 2005-2011. Percentages of the patients diagnosed in university hospital, dispensary and state hospitals were 36.3%, 18.5% and 17.3%; respectively. Treatments of patients were started in dispensary (81.9%), university hospital (7.7%), and chest disease hospital (4.3%). CONCLUSION: Treatment starting rate of dispensary was high because patients diagnosed by other health institutions directed to dispensary for taking the first drugs and beginning of the treatment. In tuberculosis control program; dispensaries carry out important operational functions in management of tuberculosis patients and other health institutions are aware of this situation.

[Provincial assessment in the scope of the tuberculosis control program]. / Tüberküloz kontrol programi kapsaminda il degerlendirmesi.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to expose the status of tuberculosis in Corum, to analyze the conducted studies about the tuberculosis control on provincial basis and contribute to future studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of the patients who were followed and treated between 2005 and 2010 at tuberculosis dispensary in Corum were respectively investigated. The statistical analyses of the data were completed as using SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: A total of 628 patients were enrolled in this study; 59.8% (n= 376) were male, 40.2% (n= 252) were female. The ratio of the pulmonary and the extrapulmonary involvement were detected as 63.7% (n= 400) and 36.3% (n= 228) respectively. The incidence of new cases was 93.5% (n= 587) whereas the percentage of previously treated cases was 6.5% (n= 41). The 0.7% (n= 4) percentage of the patients were multi-drug resistant therefore they had been treated with secondary group of drugs. 400 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were investigated about the ratios of the following parameters; performed microscopic examination, the positivity of the microscopic examination, the performed culture examination, the positivity of the culture examination and the performed drug susceptibility test. According to this; the results were determined as 85.5% (n= 334), 44.5% (n= 178), 66% (n= 264), 35% (n= 140) and 15% (n= 60) respectively. Directly observed treatment was performed 49.7% (n= 312) of the patients by health care workers. The success of treatment for all patients with tuberculosis was determined as 93.8% (n= 576). CONCLUSION: According to the data of our study, we can conclude that, although there were some deficiencies about control of tuberculosis, the conducted control program was successful in Corum. However; having a large number of young patients with tuberculosis proved that the transmission was still going on. Besides; the examined tests like microscopy, culture and drug susceptibility were found low in rates. The practices of directly observed treatment should provide to be improved.

General Characteristics and Prognostic Factors of Pneumonia Cases Developed During Pandemic (H1N1) Influenza-A Virus Infection in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Unlike seasonal influenza, seen in previous years, the strain identified in the 2009 influenza-A pandemic involved high mortality. In this study, prognostic factors and general characteristics of pneumonia cases developed in Turkey during the H1N1 pandemic between October 2009 and January 2010 were analyzed. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This multicentric retrospective study was conducted between August and October 2010 and patients' data were collected by means of standard forms. RESULTS: The study included 264 pneumonia cases, collected from 14 different centers. Mean age was 47.5±18.6 years. Nineteen patients (7.2%) were pregnant or had a new birth and comorbid diseases were detected in 52.3% of all patients. On admission, 35 (13.8%) cases had altered mental status. Overall, 32.6% were treated in intensive care units (ICU) and invasive/non-invasive mechanical ventilation was performed in 29.7%. The mean duration of ICU stay was 2.9±6.2 and total hospital stay was 12.0±9.4 days. Mortality rate was 16.8% (43-cases). The length of ICU treatment, total hospital stay, and mortality were significantly higher in H1N1-confirmed patients. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with dyspnea, cyanosis, and those who had altered mental status on admission. Patients who died had significantly higher rate of peripheral blood neutrophils, lower platelet counts, higher BUN, and lower SaO2 levels. CONCLUSION: This study showed that pneumonia developed during H1N1 pandemic in our country had resulted in a high mortality. Mortality was especially high among patients with cyanosis, altered mental state and those with lower SaO2.