Factors related to oxygen desaturation during flexible bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound.

INTRODUCTION: Oxygen desaturation is a significant event during bronchoscopy. In this study, it was aimed to identify factors related to oxygen desaturation during flexible bronchoscopy (FB) and Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 16 April 2019 to 14 February 2020, 196 consecutive patients (146 FB and 50 EBUS) undergoing bronchoscopy were evaluated retrospectively. The patients' oxygen saturations were monitored on admission and during the procedure by finger pulse oximetry. Desaturation was defined as saturation below 90%. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, types of interventions, vitals before and during the procedure, amount of saturation decline, and sedative agents used were recorded. The data obtained were compared between the desaturated and non-desaturated groups in both FB and EBUS. We evaluated the risk factors for desaturation during bronchoscopic procedures. RESULT: The mean age of those who underwent FB was higher (62 [52-68] years vs. 55 [44-65] years, p= 0.05), and males were more frequent (54%, vs 19.2%, p<0.001) in the desaturated group. In FB, short lavage was more frequent in the non-desaturated group (28.8% vs. 9.5%, p<0.001). In EBUS, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and thyroid diseases were higher, and duration of procedure was longer (p= 0.02, p= 0.04, p= 0.01 and p<0.001 and p= 0.01, respectively), and SpO2 decline during procedures was higher (11% vs. 1% in FB, 18% vs. 3% in EBUS, p<0.001, each) in the desaturated group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that baseline SpO2 and SpO2 decline during procedures as well as sex, hypertension, and concomitant endocrine - metabolic diseases, duration of procedure were factors associated with desaturation in patients who had undergone FB and EBUS.

High-intensity inspiratory muscle training in bronchiectasis: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) enhances velocity of inspiratory muscle contraction and modifies inspiratory and expiratory time. This study aimed to examine the impact of high-intensity IMT (H-IMT) on exercise capacity in bronchiectasis. METHODS: Forty-five patients were included. Lung function, respiratory muscle strength and endurance, exercise capacity, dyspnoea, fatigue and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated. Patients were randomized into two groups: H-IMT and control groups. Twenty-three patients underwent H-IMT for 8 weeks, using threshold loading with a target workload of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) of at least 70%, with 3-min cycles (as 2-min training: 1-min rest intervals) for 21 min. There was a total period of 14 min of loaded breathing and 7 min of recovery. The control group (n = 22) underwent low-intensity IMT at 10% of the initial MIP and was maintained at the same intensity until the end of the training. RESULTS: After training, both MIP and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and the incremental shuttle walk distance were increased in the H-IMT group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in constant threshold load, time and pressure-time units in the H-IMT group (P < 0.05) but not in the control group (P > 0.05). A significant decrease was found in fatigue in both groups (P < 0.05). The Leicester Cough Questionnaire social score for the H-IMT group decreased significantly after the treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The H-IMT increased exercise capacity in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. It has also positive effects on respiratory muscle strength and endurance, and social aspects of QOL.

Clinical Determinants of Incremental Shuttle Walk Test in Adults with Bronchiectasis.

INTRODUCTION: Exercise capacity is impaired in patients with bronchiectasis. Incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) stresses cardiorespiratory system physiologically to symptom-limited maximal exercise capacity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical determinants of ISWT in adults with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis. METHODS: Forty-one clinically stable bronchiectasis patients aged 18-72 years (27 females, 14 males) participated in the study. Subjects' demographics and physical characteristics were recorded. Bronchiectasis Severity Index was used to identify disease severity. Pulmonary function test was performed. Dyspnea perception was assessed using the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale. Maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures were measured. Peripheral muscle strength using a hand held dynamometer was measured. ISWT was performed to determine exercise capacity. Fatigue Severity Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Leicester Cough Questionnaire were used to determine fatigue, psychosocial status, and quality of life. RESULTS: Patients' mean ISWT distance was 469.5 m. The ISWT distance was significantly related with age (r = - 0.472), height (r = 0.469), gender (r = 0.520), FEV1 (r = 0.651), and FVC (r = 0.545, p < 0.05). Quadriceps muscle strength was higher in males (p = 0.001) as compared to females. Age and gender were identified as independent predictors of the ISWT, explaining 42% of variance in ISWT distance (r = 0.649, r2 = 0.421, F(2,38) = 13.794, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The clinical determinants of ISWT in clinically stable patients with non-CF bronchiectasis are age and gender. Pulmonary function, dyspnea perception, muscle strength, disease severity, fatigue, psychosocial factors, and health-related quality of life seems to have an independent effect on ISWT in this group of patients with bronchiectasis.

[Serological evaluation of Bordetella pertussis infection in adults with prolonged cough]. / Uzamis öksürügü olan eriskinlerde Bordetella pertussis enfeksiyonunun serolojik olarak degerlendirilmesi.

Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease that is transmitted from infected to susceptible individuals by respiratory route. Bordetella pertussis infection may occur at any age as neither vaccine nor natural infection induced immunity lasts life-long. This study was planned to demonstrate the serological evidence of infection among adults, to raise awareness among clinicians and to provide data for the development of strategies to protect vulnerable infants. A total of 538 patients (345 female, 193 male) ages between 18-87 years who had a complain of prolonged cough for more than two weeks were included in the study. Anti-pertussis toxin (PT) IgG and anti-filamentous hemagglutinin (FH) IgG levels from single serum samples were measured by an in-house ELISA test which was standardized and shown to be efficient previously. Anti-PT IgG antibody levels of ≥ 100 EU/ml were considered as acute/recent infection with B.pertussis. In our study, 9.7% (52/538) of the patients had high levels of anti-PT IgG (≥ 100 EU/ml) and among those patients 43 (43/52; 82.7%) also had high (≥ 100 EU/ml) anti-FHA IgG levels. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of age, gender, education level, DPT (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus) vaccination history, smoking history or average daily cigarette consumption (p> 0.05) between the cases with high antibody levels (n= 52). When the symptoms and the presence of cases with high antibody levels were evaluated, it was detected that no one parameter was significantly different from others, except that 24.1% of the cases with inspiratory whooping had high anti-PT levels. There was also no statistically significant difference between high anti-PT levels ≥ 100 EU/ml and the patients with risk factors [smoking (21/200; 10.5%), presence of disease that cause chronic cough and/or drug usage (19/171; %11.1), and whole factors which cause chronic cough (32/306; %10.5)] and without risk factors (p= 0.581; p= 0.357; p= 0.249, respectively). The distribution of anti-PT IgG geometric mean titer (GMT) according to the age groups, was as follows; 32.41 in 18-30 years; 36.28 in 31-50 years; 36.82 in 51-70 years and 31.15 in ≥ 71 years. Our results indicated that B.pertussis infections are also present among adult population with a frequency not to be underestimated (9.7%) and the results also emphasized that since typical whooping cough symptoms may not be seen in adults, pertussis infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis in adults with prolonged cough, even if there are some other underlying factors of cough. The data obtained from this study was also considered to be helpful in the development of adult vaccination policies for the protection of infants who have not completed the vaccination schedule yet.

A comparison of muscle strength and endurance, exercise capacity, fatigue perception and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and healthy subjects: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has significant systemic effects that substantially impact quality of life and survival. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare peripheral muscle strength and endurance, exercise capacity, fatigue perception and quality of life between patients with COPD and healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty COPD patients (mean FEV1 49.3 ± 19.2%) and 20 healthy subjects were included in the study. Pulmonary function testing and six-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed. Peripheral muscle strength was measured with a hand-held dynamometer, peripheral muscle endurance was evaluated with sit-ups, squats and modified push-ups tests. Fatigue perception was assessed using the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). General quality of life was determined with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), and cough-specific quality of life was evaluated with the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). RESULTS: Pulmonary functions, strength of shoulder abductor and flexor muscles, numbers of sit-ups and squats, 6MWT distance and 6MWT% were significantly lower in COPD patients than in healthy subjects (p < 0.05). FIS psychosocial sub-dimension and total scores, NHP scores for all sub-dimensions except pain sub-dimension of the COPD group were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (p < 0.05). The LCQ physical, psychological and social sub-dimensions and total scores were significantly lower in COPD patients than in healthy subjects (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary functions, peripheral muscle strength and endurance, exercise capacity and quality of life were adversely affected in patients with COPD. There are greater effect of fatigue on psychosocial functioning and general daily life activities and effect of cough on the quality of life in patients with COPD. This study supports the idea that COPD patients must be evaluated in a comprehensive manner for planning pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Compliance with guideline recommendations in the management of patients with hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia.

Compliance with guidelines in the empirical treatment for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is very important to increase treatment success and reduce mortality. This study aimed to determine compliance with guideline recommendations for CAP and define the role of the clinical pharmacist (CP). Patients diagnosed with CAP were evaluated retrospectively between January 2018 and January 2020 and prospectively between February 2020 and February 2021. Compliance with guidelines was evaluated according to the local, national (Turkish Thoracic Society), and international (American Thoracic Society and Infectious Disease Society of America, European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases) guidelines. A total of 751 patients (423 in the retrospective and 328 in the prospective period) were included. It was determined that the 30-day mortality and length of stay were higher in patients who were not treated according to the guidelines. The compliance for empirical treatments was 16.3%-59.1% and 7.8%-30.1% in retrospective and prospective periods, respectively. During the prospective period, a total of 603 recommendations were made by CP, and 578 (95.9%) were accepted and implemented. In the prospective period, treatment duration was shortened, inappropriate fluoroquinolone use was decreased, the switch to oral treatment was increased, and the number of potential drug-drug interactions was decreased (p < 0.001). Compliance with guidelines is essential to be improved to reduce mortality, shorten the length of stay, determine the appropriate antimicrobial duration, and reduce the use of fluoroquinolones and broad-spectrum antibiotics unless necessary. CP intervention contributes to the rational selection of antimicrobials, limiting drug-drug interactions, avoiding toxicities, and compliance with guidelines.

Pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus: pulmonary thromboembolism is the leading cause.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Pulmonary hypertension in SLE has a variety of causes. Diagnosing early and defining the cause of PH accurately can provide better clinical outcome in SLE. We investigated the causes and characteristics of PH in patients with SLE. METHODS: One hundred twenty-one patients with SLE who had a visit in a 6-month period were assessed retrospectively. Patients who ever had a systolic pulmonary arterial pressure of 40 mm Hg or greater by Doppler echocardiography were considered to have PH. RESULTS: Among 122 patients, 65 had echocardiography for some reason, and 10 (8.2%) were diagnosed as having PH by echocardiographic examination. This number reduced to 9 (7.4%) when we excluded the patient with normal pulmonary artery pressure at right heart catheterization. Causes of PH were as follows: thromboembolic events in 4 patients (44.4%) (2 of them had chronic thromboembolic PH), left-sided heart disease in 2 patients (22.2%), pulmonary arterial hypertension in 1 patient (11.1%), high cardiac output state in 1 patient (11.1%), and transient elevation of systolic pulmonary artery pressure in 1 patient (11.1%) who had a history of venous thromboembolism. Venous thromboembolic disease was significantly higher in patients with SLE with PH in comparison to patients with SLE without PH (7 patients [6.3%] vs 5 patients [50.0%]; P = 0.001). All patients improved clinically during their short-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SLE are at increased risk for PH. This study highlights the complexity of the differential diagnosis of PH in patients with SLE once again and emphasizes the importance of pulmonary thromboembolism as a cause of PH. One should investigate patients with SLE with unexplained symptoms and/or signs related to PH for possible treatable causes.

Metabolomic, oxidative, and inflammatory responses to acute exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: There is currently a need to identify metabolomic responses to acute exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVE: We investigated the metabolomic, oxidative, and inflammatory responses to constant (CE) and intermittent (IE) work rate exercises in COPD. METHODS: Sixteen males with COPD performed a symptom-limited incremental cycle exercise test (ICE). Metabolomic, oxidative, and inflammatory responses to CE and IE (based on the performance of ICE) were analyzed in the plasma. RESULTS: Fructose-6-phosphate, 3-phosphoglyceric acid, l-carnitine, and acylcarnitines levels were significantly decreased, whereas alpha-ketoglutaric, malic, 2-hydroxybutyric, and 3-hydroxybutyric acids were increased, after CE and IE (p<0.05). Increases in citric, isocitric, and lactic acids, as well as decreases in pyruvic and oxalic acids, were only present with IE (p<0.05). Isoleucine was decreased after both exercises (p<0.05). We observed an increase in inosine-5'-diphosphate, uric acid, ascorbic acid, and pantothenic acid, as well as a decrease in 5-hydroxymethyluridine, threonic acid, and dehydroascorbic acid, after IE (p<0.05). Catalase, reduced glutathione, and total antioxidant status difference values for both exercises were similar (p>0.05). The change in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) with CE was more significant than that with IE (p = 0.004). The superoxide dismutase change was greater with IE than with CE (p = 0.015). There were no significant changes in inflammatory markers after exercise (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: CE and IE cause isoleucine, l-carnitine, and acylcarnitine levels to decrease, whereas ketone bodies were increased, thus indicating the energy metabolism shift from carbohydrates to amino acid utilization and lipid metabolism in COPD. Compared with CE, IE produces significant changes in more metabolomics in terms of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleotides, and vitamins. Acute CE and IE alter circulating GPx levels in COPD.

Decreased plasma levels of sphingolipids and total cholesterol in adult cystic fibrosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Sphingolipid species in the lung epithelium have a critical role for continuity of membrane structure, vesicular transport, and cell survival. Sphingolipid species were reported to have a role in the inflammatory etiology of cystic fibrosis by previous work. The aim of the study was to investigate the levels of plasma sphingomyelin and ceramide in adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and compared with healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from CF patients at exacerbation (n = 15), discharge (n = 13) and stable periods (n = 11). Healthy individuals (n = 15) of similar age served as control. Levels of C16-C24 sphingomyelin and C16-C24 ceramide were measured in the plasma by LC-MS/MS. Also, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were determined in plasma samples of the patients at stable period. RESULTS: All measured sphingomyelin and ceramide levels in all periods of CF patients were significantly lower than healthy controls except C16 sphingomyelin level in the stable period. However, plasma Cer and SM levels among exacerbation, discharge, and stable periods of CF were not different. CF patients had significantly lower cholesterol levels compared to healthy individuals. We found significant correlation of cholesterol with C16 sphingomyelin. CONCLUSION: We observed lower plasma Cer and SM levels in adult CF patients at exacerbation, discharge, and stable periods compared to healthy controls. We didn't find any significant difference between patient Cer and SM levels among these three periods. Our limited number of patients might have resulted with this statistical insignificance. However, percentage of SM16 levels were increased at discharge compared to exacerbation levels, while percentage of Cer16 and Cer 20 decreased at stable compared to exacerbation. Inclusion of a larger number of CF patients in such a follow up study may better demonstrate any possible difference between exacerbation, discharge, and stable periods.

Gait and functional balance in non-CF bronchiectasis.

BACKGROUND: The decline in ambulatory activities and negative alterations in gait characteristics may impair balance and increase fall risk in obstructive lung diseases. Few studies have evaluated balance and gait parameters in individuals with bronchiectasis. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the gait parameters and functional balance in individuals with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis and healthy subjects. METHODS: This cross-sectional and retrospective study analyzed data from 22 individuals with non-CF bronchiectasis and 32 healthy controls recorded between July 2019 and July 2020. Functional balance was assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Gait parameters were evaluated using the Biodex Gait Trainer. Step cycle (s), gait speed (m/s), the number of steps per minute, and ambulation index were measured for 6 min.Results The TUG time (s) was significantly longer (p = .019, effect size = 0.66), and gait speed (m/s) (p ˂ 0.001, effect size = 2.47), step cycle (s) (p ˂ 0.001, effect size = 2.23), and ambulation index (p ˂ 0.001, effect size = 2.56) were significantly reduced in individuals with non-CF bronchiectasis compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Non-CF bronchiectasis is related to unfavorable changes in gait characteristics, such as slower gait speed and the decreased average step cycle. In addition, impairment in functional balance and mobility exists in a small percentage of adults with non-CF bronchiectasis. In comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation, balance and gait evaluations should be included to prevent falls in adults with non-CF bronchiectasis.

Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity and Activities of Daily Living in Individuals With Bronchiectasis Versus Healthy Controls.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the upper extremity exercise capacity and activities of daily living (ADL) in individuals with bronchiectasis and controls. METHODS: Twenty-four individuals with bronchiectasis and 24 healthy controls were assessed for upper extremity exercise capacity (6-minute pegboard and ring test [6PBRT]) and ADL (Glittre ADL test). Energy expenditure was measured using a wearable metabolic monitor during the Glittre ADL test. RESULTS: The mean [SD] 6PBRT score of individuals with bronchiectasis was significantly lower than the mean score of controls (196.50 [51.75] vs 243.00 [29.76] number of rings). The Glittre ADL test duration was significantly higher in individuals with bronchiectasis compared with controls (3.54 [1.53] vs 2.36 [0.18] minutes), despite similar energy expenditure during the Glittre ADL test between the groups (17.67 [5.28] kcal in individuals with bronchiectasis vs 18.13 [5.71] kcal in controls). The 6PBRT score and the Glittre ADL test duration were negatively correlated in individuals with bronchiectasis (r = -0.694). CONCLUSION: The individuals with bronchiectasis had reduced upper extremity exercise capacity compared with healthy controls. Energy expenditure during ADL was similar between individuals with bronchiectasis and healthy controls, despite lower ADL performance in individuals with bronchiectasis. The upper extremity exercise capacity and ADL are related in individuals with bronchiectasis. Given this relationship, inclusion of upper extremity exercise training in pulmonary rehabilitation programs should be considered. IMPACT: Considering the impairment of upper extremity exercise capacity and ADL in individuals with bronchiectasis highlights the need to tailor preventive strategies and preclude further unfavorable effects. LAY SUMMARY: Bronchiectasis may reduce exercise capacity in your arms and reduce your ability to perform daily living activities. Physical therapists can evaluate your condition and create rehabilitation programs to help manage these impairments.

Environmental asbestos exposure and nonmalignant pleural findings: a retrospective evaluation of a five-year chest CT repository.

This registry-based case-control study aimed to assess the association between asbestos deposits in the birthplace and/or residence and nonmalignant pleural findings, namely pleural plaques (PPs) and pleural thickening (PT), on chest CT scans. In total, 39,472 CT scans obtained over five years in a tertiary referral hospital in Ankara, Turkey, were evaluated. Cases involving patients with PP (n = 537), PT (n = 263), PP&PT (n = 69), and controls (n = 543) from the same study base without those conditions were included. Each case group was compared to controls using unconditional logistic regression. The presence of asbestos deposits in the district of birthplace (adjusted OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.35-3.37) and both birthplace and residence (aOR = 4.32, 95% CI: 2.26-8.27) was significantly related to the PPs. As the importance of environmental asbestos exposure in Turkey continues, future prospective studies could contribute to developing screening strategies.

Daily living activities, exercise capacity, cognition, and balance in COPD patients with and without frailty.

BACKGROUND: Information on the interaction between frailty and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is limited. AIMS: This study aimed to compare activities of daily living (ADL), exercise capacity, balance, and cognition in COPD patients with and without frailty. METHODS: Twenty frail and 28 non-frail COPD patients aged 55 years and over were included. Frailty was determined according to Fried et al. Dyspnea was evaluated using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale. Respiratory and peripheral muscle strength were measured. Functional capacity was assessed using a 6-min walk test (6MWT); ADL performance was evaluated using the Glittre ADL test. The balance was evaluated using the functional reach test (FRT). Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Evaluation (MoCA) Test. Quality of life was measured using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). RESULTS: The mMRC and CAT scores were higher in the frail patients as compared with the non-frail patients (p < 0.05). The maximal inspiratory pressure, handgrip strength, 6MWT distance, and FRT score were lower in the frail patients as compared with the non-frail patients (p < 0.05). The duration for the Glittre ADL test was longer in the frail patients than the non-frail patients (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between MoCA scores between groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Frail COPD patients have increased dyspnea perception, impaired muscle strength, and functional capacity, ADL performance, balance, and quality of life. Whether pulmonary rehabilitation programs for patients with frail COPD need to be adapted with new rehabilitation strategies, including components of frailty, needs further investigation.

Increased Plasma YKL-40 Level and Chitotriosidase Activity in Cystic Fibrosis Patients.

We investigated plasma YKL-40 levels and chitotriosidase (CHIT1) activity in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease and evaluated clinically relevant factors that may affect their levels. Plasma samples were obtained from pediatric (n = 19) and adult patients (n = 15) during exacerbation, discharge, and stable period of the disease. YKL-40 levels and chitotriosidase activity were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and fluorometric assay, respectively. Data were compared with healthy children and adults of similar age. YKL-40 levels of pediatric and adult CF patients at all periods were significantly higher than controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05). CHIT1 activities of adult patients at all periods were significantly higher compared to controls (p < 0.05). On the other hand, CHIT1 activities of pediatric CF patients were similar with controls. YKL-40 levels of exacerbation period of adult CF patients were negatively correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = - 0.800, p = 0.014) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (r = - 0.735, p = 0.008). YKL-40 levels in the exacerbation period of pediatric CF patients were negatively correlated with FVC (r = - 0.697, p = 0.0082) and FEV1 (r = - 0.720, p = 0.006). CHIT1 activity may be a valuable marker of chronic inflammation in adult CF patients who suffer from CF for a longer period compared to pediatric patients. Increased YKL-40 levels in both pediatric and adult patients compared to controls may point to a role in between CF pathology.

Does airway colonization cause systemic inflammation in bronchiectasis?

Recent evidence suggests the presence of accompanying systemic inflammation in chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma; however little is known regarding the presence of systemic inflammation in bronchiectasis. Although bronchiectasis was initially considered a stationary process, chronic bacterial colonization causes airway inflammation and progressive airway damage. The aim of this study was to determine the level of systemic inflammation in bronchiectasis patients and identify its relationship with colonization. White blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), plasma fibrinogen, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α and leptin levels were determined in clinically stable bronchiectasis patients (n= 50), and age- and sex-matched controls. Bronchiectasis patients were also analyzed according to colonization in sputum samples. There was no significant difference between bronchiectasis and control groups with respect to inflammatory markers but median (interquartile range-IQR) WBC count, CRP and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in colonized patients (n= 14) when compared to non-colonized patients [8.2 (6.4-9.5) vs. 6.4 (5.8-7.7) x 103/mm3, 0.91 (0.45-1.29) vs. 0.42 (0.30-0.77) mg/dL, 433.5 (390.3-490.3) vs. 392.0 (327.0-416.0) mg/dL, respectively; p< 0.05]. There was no evidence supporting the presence of systemic inflammation in the overall bronchiectasis group when compared to controls. However, elevated WBC count, CRP and fibrinogen levels in patients with colonization suggest the presence of a systemic inflammatory response in clinically stable bronchiectasis patients with colonization.

Association between 6 min pegboard and ring test and arm performance in GOLD stage II-III patients.

BACKGROUND: The 6 min pegboard and ring test (6PBRT) is a valid and reproducible test of unsupported arm exercise endurance. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between the 6PBRT, activities of daily living (ADL) and hemoglobin levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: This study included 40 stable patients with COPD. All participants underwent the 6PBRT, peripheral venous blood sampling, arm ergometer test and the Glittre-ADL and ADL simulation tests for the ADLs performance. RESULTS: An average 172.51 ± 25.94 rings were moved in 6 min. The number of rings in 6PBRT was significantly positively correlated with the number of cycles in ADL simulation test (r = 0.553, p < 0.001), peak oxygen consumption in arm ergometer (r = 0.381, p = 0.024) and serum hemoglobin level (r = 0.411, p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: The number of rings moved in the 6PBRT is associated with ADL simulation test performance that reflects upper extremity ADLs. Therefore, the 6PBRT can be used for estimating limitation in upper extremity ADLs as a simple and quick evaluation in patients with GOLD stage II-III COPD.

Performance of pulmonary embolism severity index in predicting long-term mortality after acute pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the original and simplified pulmonary embolism (PE) severity index (PESI) to predict all-cause mortality after 30 days of acute PE diagnosis up to five years within consecutive sub-periods. METHODS: Adult patients diagnosed with acute PE between January 1, 2003, and June 30, 2013, were retrospectively included. Data on baseline characteristics and mortality during a five-year follow-up were collected. RESULTS: The study included 414 patients (Male/Female=192/222). The median age at diagnosis was 61.5 (minimum-maximum, 18-93) years. Mortality rates were 13.3% at 30 days, 21.8% at 90 days, 32.6% at one year, and 51.0% at five years. Both stratification into risk classes according to the original PESI and low vs. high-risk classification of original and simplified PESI were significantly correlated with the 30-day, 31-90-day, 91-day-one-year, and one-five-year mortality. Significant PESI predictors for mortality were history of cancer [hazard ratio (HR): 3.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.64-6.68; p=0.001] and heart failure (HR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.04-5.32, p=0.041) at 31-90-day, history of cancer (HR: 5.45, 95% CI: 2.86-10.40, p<0.001) at 91-day-one-year, advancing age (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06, p<0.001) and history of cancer (HR: 5.53, 95% CI: 3.41-8.98, p<0.001) at one-five-year after acute PE diagnosis. CONCLUSION: All-cause long-term mortality in high-risk patients with acute PE according to original or simplified PESI significantly increased up to five years of follow-up. This survival disadvantage was mainly related to cancer and comorbidities rather than acute clinical manifestations. Future prospective studies are needed to demonstrate the effect of various comorbidities on long-term mortality in these patients.

Sustainable inspiratory pressure and incremental threshold loading for respiratory muscle endurance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: A prolonged mismatch between the demand for respiratory muscle work and the capacity to meet that demand in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can result in symptoms of dyspnea and the development of muscle fatigue. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare two different respiratory muscle endurance assessment methods of sustainable inspiratory pressure (SIP) and incremental threshold loading (ITL) in COPD. METHODS: Thirty-four patients diagnosed with COPD were included in the study. Physical and demographic characteristics of the subjects were recorded. Pulmonary function testing (PFT), modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale, COPD assessment test, inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP, respectively) measurement and six-minute walk test (6MWT) were used to assess subjects. Two different respiratory muscle endurance tests (SIP and ITL) were performed within 48 hours apart, and each test was repeated two times on the same day. RESULTS: There was no correlation between the SIP and ITL tests (r = 0.069, P = .699). According to the test-retest reliability analysis, both tests were reproducible (ICC = 0.843; P < .001 for SIP, ICC = 0.905; P < .001 for ITL). Finding no differences between repeated tests showed that tests are not affected by learning effect. CONCLUSION: The SIP and ITL tests are used for the same purpose but have different characteristics. Regarding the relationship between the other parameters and tests, the ITL is well tolerated and reflects the differences in respiratory muscle endurance better.

Correlation of thrombosed vessel location and clot burden score with severity of disease and risk stratification in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is used for the main diagnosis in acute pulmonary embolism (APE). Determining the thrombus location in the pulmonary vascular tree is also important for predicting disease severity. This study aimed to analyze the correlation of the thrombus location and the clot burden with the disease severity and the risk stratification in patients with APE. METHODS: The study included patients with APE diagnosed by CTPA who were admitted to the hospital between January 28, 2016, and July 1, 2019. Data collected were markers of severity in APE, including patient demographics, comorbidities, length of hospital stay, pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) score, modified PESI score, Wells score, risk stratification according to the American Heart Association, systolic blood pressure (SBP), right ventricle diameter to left ventricle diameter ratio, pulmonary arterial pressure, brain natriuretic peptide, troponin, D-dimer, and plasma lactate levels, and vessel location of the thrombus, clot burden score, ratio of the pulmonary artery trunk diameter/aortic diameter, superior vena cava diameter (SVC) by CTPA, and survival. All parameters were analyzed in correlation with clot load and vessel location. RESULTS: Thrombus vascular location was found to be correlated with risk stratification and negatively correlated with SBP. Simplified Mastora score was correlated with risk stratification, SVC diameter, and D-dimer and negatively correlated with SBP. Occlusion of both the pulmonary artery trunk and any pulmonary artery with thrombus was associated with massive APE. CONCLUSION: The level of the occluded vessel on CTPA may provide the ability to risk-stratify, and the clot burden score may be used for assessing both risk stratification and cardiac strain.