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Introduction: Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) level increases in inflammatory conditions. We aimed to investigate the association between IMA levels and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in adult patients., Methodology: We grouped adult patients with COVID-19 infection: Group A - mild symptoms, but normal computed tomography (CT), Group B - mild/moderate illness, and Group C - severe or critical illness. We measured IMA levels at the time of diagnosis of COVID-19 infection., Results: Mean age of the total number of patients (n = 90) was 54.43 (± 8.11) year, and 46.7% (n = 42) were female. IMA levels were highest in Group C and lowest in A (p < 0.001). The most important factor predicting COVID-19 disease severity was IMA. Type 2 diabetes was more frequent in Group C (n = 31) than in Group B (n = 30) (p = 0.042). Asthma was less frequent, and coronary artery disease was more frequent in Group C than in Group A (n = 29) and B (p = 0.009). Duration of hospitalization was highest in Group C (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: We analyzed a sample of patients with COVID-19 infection and found that IMA predicted severe COVID-19 disease. Disease severity grouping was based on patients' clinical and radiological features. IMA level measured when SARS-CoV-2 infection is diagnosed may be a useful marker in predicting likely disease severity or intensive care need., Competing Interests: No Conflict of Interest is declared, (Copyright (c) 2023 Mustafa Tanrıverdi, Nevhiz Gündoğdu, Necla Benlier, Mustafa Yıldırım, Hale Çeliktürk, Hanifi Ayhan Özkur, Pınar Günel Karadeniz, Gülşen Özkan Tanrıverdi, Hülya Çiçek.)

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between physical activity level and disease severity, anxiety level, sleep quality, and fatigue in patients followed up with COVID-19 diagnosis., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 111 volunteer patients who were receiving treatment with COVID-19 diagnosis at the Chest Diseases Polyclinic, Sanko University, Sani Konukoğlu Practice and Research Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey between May 2021 and July 2021 were included in the study and classified clinically and radiologically. They were evaluated on the basis of demographic characteristics, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Fatigue Severity Scale., Results: Approximately 63% of the patients did not have a habit of exercise, while 52.3% of our patients were clinically mild cases, and 33.3% had normal lung tomography. While clinical disease severity was not associated with exercise habits, sleep quality was impaired in clinically severe patients., Conclusion: The results of our study suggested that physical inactivity is common. Anxiety is a frequent symptom in COVID-19 cases and also COVID-19 negatively affects sleep quality., (Copyright: © Saudi Medical Journal.)

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate possible factors influencing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)., Methods: Data of OSA patients admitted to Gaziantep University sleep clinic from January 2005 to January 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. GFR is calculated with the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Patients younger than 18 years old were excluded., Results: The mean age of OSA (n = 634) and control group (n = 62) were 51.13 ± 11.61 and 50.69 ± 13.88 years, respectively (p = 0.81). The mean estimated GFR (eGFR) was 90.73 ± 19.59 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in OSA patients and 94.14 ± 18.81 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in control subjects (p = 0.19). GFR was 84.25 ± 20.87 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) while it was 93.94 ± 18.44 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in patients without LVH (p = 0.00). GFR of male subjects was 92.1 ± 19.23 in OSA and 95.84 ± 20.08 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in controls (p = 0.33). GFR of female and male patients in the OSA were 87.45 ± 20.10 and 92.91 ± 18.02 ml/min/1.73 m(2), respectively (p = 0.13). Serum creatinine was higher in OSA patients compared to controls (p = 0.01). GFR was 92.30 ± 19.27 in male and 88.33 ± 19.84 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in female subjects (p = 0.01). GFR was 84.86 ± 19.95 in hypertensive patients while it was 95.11 ± 18.20 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in normotensive subjects (p = 0.00). GFR was 89.30 ± 19.96 in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and it was 93.46 ± 18.68 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in patients without MetS (p = 0.00)., Conclusions: GFR values were lower in sleep apneic patients with MetS as well as in patients with hypertension and LVH.

Introduction: Positive pressure ventilation is considered first line therapy in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome however compliance is limited by various factors. We aimed to investigate possible factors influencing compliance., Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty patients were prescribed positive pressure ventilation for obstructive sleep apnea during June 2006-June 2008. Of these patients, 77% (n= 108) were reached by telephone and a questionnaire was administered regarding factors influencing treatment compliance. Airway passage was measured with C2 vertebrae level and narrowest airway passage on lateral skull radiographs., Results: The mean age was 52.2 ± 12.3 years. Seventy one percent (n= 77) of subjects obtained the prescribed device. There was no difference in sex, age, marital status, educational level, symptoms, co-morbid conditions, and social security coverage between the subjects who have received the prescribed devices and who have not (p> 0.05). No difference was detected between these two groups of patients in view of Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and apnea hypopnea index (AHI). Mean duration of device usage was 6.3 ± 2.3 hours. The device use compliance was not affected by any of the following factors: age, gender, level of education, co-morbid diseases, ESS score, AHI, airway passage measurements, application of humidification and education concerning the device (p> 0.05). Patient (p= 0.057) and bed partners (p= 0.001) satisfaction about the device yielded higher compliance rates., Conclusion: Factors influencing compliance rates in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome seems to be related to satisfaction about the device use however upper airway morphology measured with C2 vertebrae level and narrowest airway passage has no impact on treatment compliance.

Objectives: Psychiatric disorders are common in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS); however, interrelating factors influencing psychiatric comorbidity (PC) in OSAS are unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate gender related differences with PC in OSAS., Methods: Data of patients diagnosed as OSAS in University of Gaziantep from January 2006 to January 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. Polysomnographic data were recorded with Viasys Sleep Screen (Viasys Healthcare, Germany). Patients younger than 18 years old were excluded., Results: PC was present in 53.1% of OSAS patients. The rate of male subjects with PC was 42.6%; however, 76.26% of females had PC (P = 0.00). Age (P = 0.00) and body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.00) were higher in patients with PC. Ferritin levels were lower in patients with PC (P = 0.00). Male subjects with PC were older and had lower sleep efficiency and longer rapid eye movement latency than males without PC. BMI was the only contributory factor to PC in female subjects., Conclusion: PC in OSAS is common, especially in females. Apnea hypopnea index does not seem to influence probability of PC.

There is currently no national data on the effects of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) exposure on pulmonary function. In this study we recruited workers and administrative staff from two PVC plants between July 2008 and July 2009. A questionnaire, pulmonary function tests, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity, and peak flows were recorded. Particulate matter analyses were performed by the Adana Central Laboratory of the Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety. Data were analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software. Nine of the 147 subjects were female. The incidence of a cough was more common in the administrative group. Of the study population, 59.1% were smokers. Tobacco addiction significantly increased cough and dyspnea [OR= 1.10 (1.00-1.20, 95% CI) p= 0.007 and OR= 1.08 (1.02-1.14, 95% CI), p= 0.008, respectively]. Dust exposure was correlated with the incidence of a cough [OR= 0.20 (0.04-0.80, 95% CI) p= 0.008]. The period of work correlated with sputum production [OR= 1.00 (1.00-1.02, 95% CI) p= 0.044]. The FVC% was significantly higher in the administrative group, and FEV1/FVC and DLCO were higher in the exposed group. Tobacco addiction increased the risk of airflow limitation, as evaluated by FEV1/FVC < 70% and FEF25-75 < 50% [OR= 1.15 (1.06-1.25, 95% CI) p= 0.001 and OR= 1.09 (1.02-1.17, 95% CI) p= 0.010, respectively]. Tobacco addiction and increasing duration of work had a negative influence on DLCO in the exposed group (r= -0.270, p= 0.025 and r= -0.210, p= 0.037). In the exposed group PEF variability was significantly greater on workdays, compared with rest days. This study shows that tobacco consumption has a greater affect on the airways than PVC dust exposure. A median of 36 months exposure to PVC dust had no significant impact on pulmonary function parameters, except for DLCO and PEF variability.