Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery Does Not Induce Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Skeletal Class III Patients.

PURPOSE: Since the relationship between mandibular setback surgery and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurrence still remains controversial, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of bimaxillary orthognathic surgery on the probability of OSA development, using a home sleep test (HST) device. METHODS: The authors implemented a double-blinded prospective cohort study. All healthy patients with skeletal class III deformity were included in this study. Subjects were candidates for bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. OSA monitoring was performed by the pulmonologist, week 1 preoperatively (T0), 1 and 6 months postoperatively (T1, T2), with a specific brand of a HST device. The predictor variables were the amount of mandibular setback and maxillary advancement, separately. Changes in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and SpO2 1 and 6 months after surgery relative to T0 were the outcome variables. OSA severity was measured using AHI, and classified as mild (530). Age, sex, and body mass index were the study covariates. The outcome assessor (pulmonologist), and the data analyzer were blind in this study. The significance level was set at 0.05, using the SPSS19. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 30 patients, (15 females, 15 males) with an average age of 25.73 ± 5.26 years and a mean body mass index of 19.90 ± 3.6 kg/m2. The mean amount of mandibular setback was 4.5 ± 1.1 (ranged from 2-7 mm), while the average maxillary advancement was 2.9 ± 1.2 mm (ranged 1-5 mm). Mean AHI at T0, T1, and T2 was 1.8 ± 1.0, 3.4 ± 1.5, and 1.9 ± 0.9 events per hour events, respectively. The AHI scores increased from T0 to T1 but again decreased until T2, which were statistically significant (P < .001). The mean amount of SpO2 at T0, T1, and T2 was 96.7 ± 0.9, 94.0 ± 1.3, 96.7 ± 0.7%, respectively. Postoperative AHI in T1 and T2 had direct statistical significant relationships with the amount of mandibular setback (Rsp = .404, .574, respectively and P < .05). Postoperative AHI scores were lower in patients with <5 mm mandibular setback in comparison to subjects who underwent ≥5 mm setback (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery (concomitant maxillary advancement and mandibular setback) did not increase the incidence of OSA in young healthy non-obese class III patients, in the case of mandibular setback up to 7 mm.

Association between periodontitis and periodontal indices in newly diagnosed bronchial asthma.

Background. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the tooth-supporting structures. Current data suggest that periodontal disease may be a risk factor for asthma. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of periodontitis and its relationship with the severity of asthma in asthmatic patients. Methods. This study was conducted on 70 newly diagnosed asthmatic patients as the case group and 70 healthy subjects as the control group, aged 20‒50. The asthma was diagnosed by a pulmonologist according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guideline. All the participants underwent peri-odontal examinations, which included measuring the pocket depth (PD), attachment loss (AL), gingi-val index (GI), and plaque index (PI) in one tooth from each sextant, including the incisor/canine and left and right premolar/molar regions for both the maxillary and mandibular dental arches. Results. Periodontal disease was significantly more prevalent in newly diagnosed asthma patients. Patients with asthma had significantly higher PI, GI, PD, and AL scores (P<0.001). Furthermore, dry mouth in asthmatic patients with cough and mucosal changes in asthmatic patients with wheeze were significantly more common than in non-asthmatic patients (P<0.05). The median AL in wheezing patients and the median AL and PD in participants who had asthma attacks within the previous month were significantly higher than in other patients. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between AL with Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) and PD with FEV1 and FVC. Conclusion. Our results showed that periodontal diseases were more prevalent in newly diagnosed asthmatic patients, and asthma was more severe in periodontitis patients.

Clinical features and disease severity in an Iranian population of inpatients with COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can present with a variety of symptoms. Severity of the disease may be associated with several factors. Here, we review clinical features of COVID-19 inpatients with different severities. This cross-sectional study was performed in Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, Iran, during February-April 2020. COVID-19 patients with typical computed tomography (CT) patterns and/or positive reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were included. The patients were classified into three groups of moderate, severe, and critical based on disease severity. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings were collected and compared. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Overall, 200 patients with mean age of 69.75 ± 6.39 years, of whom 82 (41%) were female were studied. Disease was severe/critical in the majority of patients (167, 83.5%). Disease severity was significantly associated with age, malignant comorbidities, dyspnea, nausea/vomiting, confusion, respiratory rate, pulse rate, O2 saturation, extent of CT involvement, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), pH, pO2, and aspartate transaminase (P < 0.05). Moreover, complications including shock, coagulopathy, acidosis, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and intubation were significantly higher in patients with higher severities (P < 0.05). O2 saturation, nausea/vomiting, and extent of lung CT involvement were independent predictors of severe/critical COVID-19 (OR 0.342, 45.93, and 25.48, respectively; P < 0.05). Our results indicate O2 saturation, nausea/vomiting, and extent of lung CT involvement as independent predictors of severe COVID-19 conditions. Serum CRP levels and pO2 were also considerably higher patients with higher severity and can be used along with other factors to predict severe disease in COVID-19 patients.

Will Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Apnea/Hypopnea Index Be Corrected Following Alveolar Cleft Reconstruction?

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder of repetitive complete or partial airway obstruction during sleep. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of alveolar cleft reconstruction on the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) condition and apnea/hypopnea index (AHI). METHODS: In a double-blinded prospective quasi-experimental study, all healthy systemic children (n=30 female cleft patients) with unilateral alveolar cleft defects within the age range of 8-14 years and BMI less than 30 kg/m2 who admitted for alveolar cleft repair were enrolled. OSA monitoring was performed one week before surgery, and 3 months postoperatively by Apnea Link device. Sleep apnea indices such as AHI, respiratory disturbance index (RDI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) as well as pulse rate (PR) and respiratory rate (RR) were the variables. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 11.0±1.4 years, and BMI average was 21.48±4.4 kg/m2. Mean AHI was 21.6±5.0 events/hour, preoperatively; which decreased significantly and reached 4.4±2.5 events/hour after alveolar cleft reconstruction surgery (p=0.005). Moreover, the other OSA variables (SpO2, RDI, and ODI), as well as vital signs (PR, and RR) improved postoperatively (p=0.005). In other words, the preoperative moderate OSA status relieved after alveolar cleft repair and reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the OSA and AHI ameliorated after bone graft surgery in alveolar cleft repair. More clinical trials including larger sample sizes may be required for relevancy.

Is There an Increase in the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea After Isolated Mandibular Setback Surgery? An Evaluation Using the STOP-BANG Questionnaire.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of isolated mandibular setback surgery on the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), using the STOP-BANG questionnaire (SBQ). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors implemented a double-blinded prospective quasi-experimental study. All healthy patients with skeletal Class III deformity older than 18 years were included in this study. They were candidates for isolated mandibular setback surgery. The SBQ was completed by the pulmonologist, 1 week preoperatively (T0), and 1 and 6 months postoperatively (T1 and T2, respectively). The mandibular setback displacement was the study intervention. The risk of OSA on the basis of the SBQ was the outcome variable. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed and the significance level was set at .05. RESULTS: The sample comprised 30 patients (15 females, 15 males) with the average age of 25.77 ± 4.76. The mean score of SBQ at T0 was 1.37 ± 0.85, which increased to 2.33 ± 1.52 at T1 interval. However, it decreased significantly to 1.47 ± 1.17 at T2 interval (P < .001). T0-T1 and T0-T2 score differences were observed to be higher in the group with a mandibular setback repositioning greater than or equal to 5 mm (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: An isolated mandibular setback surgery less than 5 mm does not increase the risk for OSA in a young healthy nonsmoker Class III patient, according to the SBQ. Moreover, there was a significant increase in the risk for OSA when the setback was greater than or equal to 5 mm, measured at the mandibular incisor edge. Therefore, clinicians should be careful and discuss this potential increased risk with the patients, when this movement is required by the treatment plan. Further clinical trials are needed to support the relevancy.

The effect of Zataria multiflora on inflammatory cytokine and respiratory symptoms in veterans exposed to sulfur mustard.

The effect of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) on serum cytokine, chemokines, and respiratory symptoms in the veterans exposed to sulfur mustard (SM) more than two decades (27-30 years) ago was conducted in 2018. Thirty-four patients were randomly assigned to the placebo group (P, mean age (54.40 ± 5.51)) and two treated groups with Z. multiflora extract 5 and 10 mg/kg/day (Z5 and 10; mean age, 58.50 ± 3.60 and 55.18 ± 4.11, respectively). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), forced expiratory volume-one second (FEV1), and respiratory symptoms including chest wheeze (CW), night wheeze (NW), night cough (NC), and cough and wheeze during exercise (ECW) were assessed at the baseline (phase 0), 1 and 2 months after starting treatment (phase I and II, respectively). The value of FEV1 was significantly increased in Z10 in phase I and II compared with that in phase 0 (p < 0.01 for both) and in Z5 in phase II compared with phase I and 0 (p < 0.001for both). All respiratory symptoms significantly decreased in Z5 and 10 in phase I and II compared with those in phase 0 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Serum levels of TNF-α and VEGF were decreased in Z5 and 10 in phase I and II compared with those in phase 0 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Serum levels of MCP-1 and EGF were decreased in Z10 in phase I and II compared with those in phase 0 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). The percent change of respiratory symptoms, serum levels of cytokines during the treatment period, was significantly improved in the treated groups compared with that in the placebo group. Two months' of treatment with Z. multiflora improved cytokine levels, respiratory symptom, and FEV1 values in SM-exposed patients.

Molecular diagnosis and genotyping of Pneumocystis jirovecii in bronchoalveolar lavage samples obtained from patients with pulmonary disorder.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is one of the most common and life-threatening fungal diseases in patients with human immunodeficiency, treated with immunosuppressive medications. Immunocompetent people can also be a spreading agent for PCP. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to diagnose and identify Pneumocystis jirovecii in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples obtained from patients with pulmonary disorder using a molecular method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the purpose of the study, BAL samples (n=138) were collected from patients, undergoing bronchoscopy at the different departments of university hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, during a period of one year (i.e., April 2014 until May 2015). Giemsa staining and molecular identification were carried out for each sample. The samples were also subjected to nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, and genotyping based on mitochondrial ribosomal large subunit (mtLSU rRNA) of P. jirovecii. The phylogenic tree was constructed by MEGA6 software. RESULTS: The results of direct microscopic examination revealed the presence of P. jirovecii in 3 (2.2%) out of 138 samples; in addition, nested PCR and sequencing led to the detection of species in 17 (12.3%) samples. Out of patients with positive results, 10 (25%) and 7 (7.1%) cases were immunosuppressed and immunocompetent, respectively. The most common clinical symptoms among patients with pneumocystis were fever, dyspnea, and dry cough. In addition, genotypes III and II were the dominant genotypes in our dataset. CONCLUSION: Nested PCR and sequencing methods showed higher sensitivity and specificity as compared with a direct staining technique. Genotype III was identified as the most dominant type in patients with pulmonary disorder in Mashhad.

The effect of iodopovidone versus bleomycin in chemical pleurodesis.

Background Malignant pleural effusion continues to be a common problem in patients with metastatic disease. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of bleomycin pleurodesis with povidone-iodine pleurodesis through a chest drain as palliative treatment for recurrent malignant pleural effusion. Methods Sixty cancer patients (36 males and 24 females) with recurrent malignant pleural effusion were enrolled in a prospective randomized trial. Thirty patients received povidone-iodine pleurodesis and 30 received bleomycin pleurodesis. Age, sex, side of the primary pathology, treatment outcome (recurrence and relapse time), and complications were analyzed. Results The mean age was 59.63 ± 7.68 years in the povidone-iodine group and 57.97 ± 9.27 years in the bleomycin group ( p = 0.452). The complications were identical in both groups: 2 (6.7%) patients had chest pain, 2 (6.7%) had fever, and one (3.3%) had hypotension. There was a good response to therapy in 20 (66.7%) patients in the bleomycin group and 25 (83.3%) in the povidone-iodine group ( p = 0.136). Conclusion The results of this study indicate that povidone-iodine should be considered as a selective chemical agent to perform pleurodesis in patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusion because it has the same effect but costs less than bleomycin.

Predominance of non-fumigatus Aspergillus species among patients suspected to pulmonary aspergillosis in a tropical and subtropical region of the Middle East.

Non-fumigatus Aspergillus species are the leading cause of Aspergillus infections in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In a prospective study between 2015 and 2016, a total of 150 bronchoalveolar (BAL) specimens was collected from patients suspected to pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) underlying immunodeficiencies in Mashhad, Northeastern Iran, located in the Middle East. All Aspergillus strains were phylogenetically identified at the species level by PCR-sequencing of partial ß-tubulin gene. Overall, Aspergillus species were isolated from 20 specimens originating from 10 (50%) patients with cancer, 5 (25%) patients receiving corticosteroid therapy, 3 (15%) organ transplant recipients and 2 (10%) patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). A. flavus complex was the predominant 15 (75%) cause of probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), followed by A. tubingensis 3 (15%), and 2 (10%) A. fumigates complex. In conclusion, distribution of clinical Aspergillus species in the tropical region of the Middle East shows predominance of the non-fumigatus Aspergillus spp., which warrants further attention by health care professionals.

Different polysomnographic patterns in military veterans with obstructive sleep apnea in those with and without post-traumatic stress disorder.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent disorder among military veterans. The goal of this study is to compare the polysomnographic patterns of OSA in military veterans who have a history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with those of veterans who have not PTSD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two Iranian military male veterans were classified into two groups: those with PTSD (40 cases) and those without PTSD (32 cases). Each participant was diagnosed with OSA using an overnight polysomnography, during which sleep-related parameters such as sleep efficiency (SE) and apnea-related events were detected. The body mass index (BMI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were also assessed. RESULTS: For the PTSD group, mean age was 53.83 ± 7.3 years, elapsed time since they participated in war was 28.3 ± 3.4 years, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 41.2 ± 27, SE was 77.7 ± 17.55%, ESS was 7.93 ± 2.04, BMI was 26.5 ± 5.7, and PLM index was 12.725 ± 8.64. The above respective parameters for the non-PTSD group were 51.33 ± 5.9 years, 28.3 ± 3.4 years, 30.33 ± 14.7, 82.4 ± 15.65%, 10.08 ± 3.02, 31.5 ± 6.7, and 8.8 ± 3.54. The relationships of AHI with ESS and BMI were not significant in PTSD group. CONCLUSION: OSA in military veterans suffering from PTSD presents more often with insomnia than obesity or increased daytime sleepiness. These findings are different from those typically seen in non-PTSD veterans with OSA.

Endobronchial Tuberculosis in Anthracotic Bronchitis.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) is a serious form of pulmonary tuberculosis. In EBTB, mycobacterium tuberculosis involves trachea, large airways and bronchial trees Combustion of biomass fuels causes anthracotic bronchitis that is characterized by black pigmentation in bronchial tissue. The majority of anthracotic bronchitis are in aged patients, particularly rural women, that use biomass fuel for cooking or traditional bakery .The aim of this study was to evaluate the endobronchial tuberculosis in anthracotic bronchitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 483 EBTB patients who underwent flexible bronchoscopy (FB), for various indications, were included. Tuberculosis was confirmed by microbiological analysis of bronchoalveolar (smear and culture for Koch's bacillus) and histopathological methods. EBTB patients were divided in two groups: subjects with anthracotic bronchitis (group 1) and without anthracosis (group 2). Demographic data and important clinical, radiological and bronchoscopic findings were recorded. Chi-squre test and Spss 11.5 software were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 483 out of 1824 patients who underwent FB had EBTB. 73.7% patients had EBTB and anthracotic bronchitis (versus 27.3% EBTB without anthracosis). The mean age was significantly higher in EBTB and anthracotic bronchitis (68.45 ± 16.31 versus 49.08 ± 14.7). Female/male ratio was 1.4:4 in EBTB and anthracotic group versus 1:1 in non anthracotic patients. Dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis and wheezing were higher in group 1. History of biomass fuel was more significant in EBTB and anthracotic bronchitis. Mass, diffuse infiltration in lower lobes were revealed higher in radiography of group 1. Bronchoscopy showed the higher frequency of bronchial stenosis in EBTB with anthracosis (P value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggested significant association between EBTB and anthracotic bronchitis. Unusual findings in radiological and bronchoscopic features were seen in EBTB with anthracosis.

Use of body plethysmography to measure effect of bimaxillary orthognathic surgery on airway resistance and lung volumes.

Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery can cause changes to respiration and the airways. We used body plethysmography to evaluate its effect on airway resistance and lung volumes in 20 patients with class III malocclusions (8 men and 12 women, aged 17 - 32 years). Lung volumes (forced vital capacity; forced inspiratory volume/one second; forced expiratory volume/one second: forced vital capacity; peak expiratory flow; maximum expiratory flow 25-75; maximum inspiratory flow; total lung capacity; residual volume; residual volume:total lung capacity), and airway resistance were evaluated one week before, and six months after, operation. Bimaxillary operations to correct class III malocclusions significantly increased airway resistance, residual volume, total lung capacity, and residual volume:total lung capacity. Other variables also changed after operation but not significantly so. Orthognathic operations should be done with caution in patients who have pre-existing respiratory diseases.

The Effect of Arterial PaCO2 in COPD Exacerbations with and without Peripheral Edema.

INTRODUCTION: Studies often suggest hypoxemia is an important factor for sodium retention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), although hypercapnia is also associated with sodium retention in these patients. Hence, we have presented the major role of PaCO(2) in edema due to COPD. METHOD: COPD patients who were hospitalized due to exacerbation were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups: with and without edema. Exclusion criteria included primary hepatic diseases, nephrotic syndrome and other renal diseases, left heart failure, or using drugs that would interfere with these organs or endocrine function. Data were coded and analyzed by SPSS software. Arterial blood gas variables including bicarbonate, pH, and PaO(2), PaCO(2) and O(2) saturation, and FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC were measured and compared between the groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the averages of bicarbonate, pH, PaO(2), 02 saturation, FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC in COPD in the two groups. PaCO(2) levels were significantly higher in patients with edema, compared to those without edema (p = 0.05). A reverse and significant correlation between PaCo(2) and FEV1 levels (p = 0.03) (r = -0.501) was observed in patients with edema. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that hypercapnia is a major factor in causing edema in COPD patients compared to hypoxemia.

The role of octreotate scan in discrimination of solitary pulmonary nodule.

Solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is one of the most controversial clinical findings in patients. The aim of this study is to use (99m)Tc-ethylenediamine diacetic acid/hydrazine nicotinamide (HYNIC)-TATE scan technique to evaluate nodules. From 2008 to 2010, 21 patients with SPN underwent (99m)Tc-HYNIC-TATE scan after the initial assessment with high-resolution computed tomography and then accurate histopathologic diagnosis was established by trans-thoracic needle biopsy, Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery and thoracotomy. After demographic evaluations, specificity and sensitivity of this method was studied. A total of 21 patients were included in our study, of which 12 patients were male and 9 were female. Their mean age was 45 ± 14.3 years. About 43% of the patients were symptom-free and in patients with pulmonary complaints, the most prevalent symptom was cough. Final histopathology tests and clinical follow-up proved that 14 cases (67%) were benign and 7 (33%) were malignant. The diagnostic technique used in our study had no false negative and there were only 3 cases of false positive. Sensitivity and specificity of this method are 100% and 79%, respectively and the diagnostic accuracy is 86%. (99m)Tc-HYNIC-TATE scan can be helpful in evaluating patients with SPN and to reach a sensible decision on the method of treatment.

The correlation of anxiety and depression with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated upper airway obstruction during sleep. While respiratory pauses followed by loud snoring and daytime sleepiness are the main symptoms of OSAS, the patients may complain from sleep disruption, headache, mood disturbance, irritability, and memory impairment. However, the association of sleep apnea with anxiety and depression is not completely understood. Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the treatment of choice for OSAS, may be influenced by psychological conditions, especially claustrophobia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of OSAS with anxiety and depression symptoms. This study also investigated the association of anxiety with body mass index (BMI) and the severity of OSAS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 178 adult individuals diagnosed with OSAS at the sleep laboratory between September 2008 and May 2012. The participants were interviewed according to a checklist regarding both their chief complaints and other associated symptoms. The psychological status was assessed according to Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) and Beck depression inventory (BDI) scoring. The severity of breathing disorder was classified as mild, moderate, and severe based on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) which was ascertained by overnight polysomnography. Daytime sleepiness was assessed by Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of participants was 50.33 years. In terms of sex, 85.5% of the study population were males and14.4% were females. We found no relation between sex and the symptoms of OSAS. Regarding the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms, 53.9% of the individuals had some degree of anxiety, while 46.1% demonstrated depressive symptoms. In terms of OSAS severity, this study showed that OSAS severity was associated with the frequency of anxiety, chocking, and sleepiness (P : 0.001). According to polysomnographic results, we found that the majority of patients suffering from anxiety and chocking (66.7% and 71.4%, respectively) had severe OSAS, while only 23.1% of patients with sleepiness had severe OSAS. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the frequency of anxiety in OSAS patients is higher than in the general population regardless of the gender. Furthermore, it is more likely that OSAS patients present with anxiety and depression than the typical symptoms.

Inhaled steroids reduce apnea-hypopnea index in overlap syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two of the most common chronic respiratory disorders. Co-existence of both conditions, referred as overlap syndrome (OLS), is associated with substantially high rates of mortality and morbidity. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), an indicator for diagnosis and identifying the severity of OSA, in overlap syndrome. METHODS: We conducted a clinical trial on 60 patients diagnosed with overlap syndrome by employing overnight polysomnography before and after receiving ICS. Tstudent test and Mann-Whitney test were applied to analyze the gathered data including age, AHI, nocturnal oxygen desaturation index and SaO2, (saturated arterial oxygen), daytime (pressure of arterial carbon dioxide) PaCO, level, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), body mass index (BMI), and waist and neck circumferences. RESULTS: By 3-month ICS administration, this study demonstrated significant reduction of mean AHI and nocturnal oxygen desaturation index along with remarkable improvement of FEV1, diurnal PaCO2, level and nocturnal SaO2, (P< 0.05). Meanwhile, BMI and waist and neck circumferences measurement showed no noticeable changes. CONCLUSION: As we have not found any literature demonstrating, this is the first study which has evaluated the effect of ICS on AHI in overlap syndrome. Because of a remarkable improvement in obstructive sleep apneas, this study suggests that ICS might be beneficial in treatment of overlap syndrome.

The effect of smoking by family members and friends on the incidence of smoking among high school students.

OBJECTIVE: Smoking is the most important preventable cause of death. According to the global youth tobacco survey (GYTS) presented by WHO, 25% of smokers smoked their first cigarette before the age of 10; hence, it is of great importance to investigate the effect of smoking of family members and friends on smoking incidence of adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on the basis of GYTS questionnaire. The studied population consisted of 3000 high school students who were selected randomly. Data was collected by applying the questionnaires which were fulfilled by students anonymously without supervision of school authorities. The results were analyzed with SPSS 11.5 software employing chi-square test. RESULTS: The studied population included 1842 boys (61.4%) and 1158 girls (38.6%) with the mean age of 16.1 years. In terms of smoking habit, 827 students (27.6%) were occasional smokers, 122 students (4.2%) were regular smokers, 518 students (17.3%) used another type of tobacco, and 1533 students (51.1%) were non-smokers. In terms of gender, 77.6% of occasional smokers were males and 22.4% of them were females. At the same time, males and females made up 80.3% and 19.7% of regular smokers, respectively. Also, males and females made up 71.1% and 28.9% of students using another type of tobacco, respectively. In terms of smoker family members and friends, 1860 students (85.6%) of non-smoker students had no smoker in their families and only 313 (14.4%) had at least one smoker in family, while 61.5% of smoker students had at least one smoker family member (p <.001). Similarly, 50.3% of smoker students had a number of smoker friends, while only 13% of non-smoker students had smoker friends. In terms of economic status this study showed that 22.4% of smoker students and 20.7% of non-smoker ones had high pocket money. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the incidence of smoking among high school students significantly correlated with the incidence of smoking among their friendsandfamilymembers (p < 0.001). This study also showed that the economic status (based on the amount of pocket money) has little orno effect on the incidence of smoking among high school students (p value: 0.863).