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OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the whole world and caused the death of more than 6 million people. The disease has been observed to have a more severe course in patients with chronic lung diseases. There are limited data regarding COVID-19 in patients with bronchiectasis. The aim of this article is to investigate the course of COVID-19 and factors affecting the clinical outcome in patients with bronchiectasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted using the Turkish Adult Bronchiectasis Database (TEBVEB) to which 25 centers in Türkiye contributed between March 2019 and January 2022. The database consisted of 1035 patients, and COVID-19-related data were recorded for 606 patients. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen (19.6%) of the bronchiectasis patients (64 female, mean age 57.3 ± 13.9) had COVID-19. Patients with bronchiectasis who developed COVID-19 more frequently had other comorbidities (P = .034). They also more frequently had cystic bronchiectasis (P = .009) and their Bronchiectasis Severity Index was significantly higher (P = .019). Eighty-two (68.9%) of the patients who had COVID-19 were followed up in the outpatient clinic, 27 (22.7%) in the inpatient ward and 10 (8.4%) patients in the intensive care unit. There tended to be a higher percentage of males among patients admitted to the hospital (P = .073); similarly, the mean age of the patients admitted to the hospital was also higher (60.8 vs 55.8 years for the outpatients), but these differences did not reach statistical significance (P = .071). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study showed that severe bronchiectasis, presence of cystic bronchiectasis and worse Bronchiectasis Severity Index are associated with the development of COVID-19, but not with the severity of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease characterized by permanent bronchial wall dilatation. Although it has been known as an orphan disease, it has recently gained attention because of registry-based studies and drug research. Aims: We aimed to use a multicenter database to analyze and compare data regarding the etiology, associated comorbidities, microbiological characteristics, and preventive strategies of bronchiectasis in Türkiye to those of other countries. Study Design: A multicenter prospective cohort study. Methods: The multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted between March 2019 and January 2022 using the Turkish Adult Bronchiectasis Database, in which 25 centers in Türkiye participated. Patients aged > 18 years who presented with respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum, and dyspnea and were diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis using computed tomography were included in the study. Demographic information, etiologies, comorbidities, pulmonary functions, and microbiological, radiological, and clinical data were collected from the patients. Results: Of the 1,035 study participants, 518 (50%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 56.1 ± 16.1 years. The underlying etiology was detected in 565 (54.6%) patients. While postinfectious origin was the most common cause of bronchiectasis (39.5%), tuberculosis was identified in 11.3% of the patients. An additional comorbidity was detected in 688 (66.5%) patients. The most common comorbidity was cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis was identified in 19.5% of the patients. The most commonly detected microbiological agent was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (29.4%). Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were used in 70.1% of the patients, and the frequency of exacerbations in the last year was significantly higher in patients using ICS than in nonusers (p < 0.0001). Age [odds ratio (OR): 1.028; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.005-1.051], cachexia (OR: 4.774; 95% CI: 2,054-11,097), high modified medical research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The diagnosis of sarcoidosis is frequently challenging, requiring a search for less invasive, more reliable diagnostic methods. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis has been used in the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis for many years with a wide sensitivity and specificity rates. The objective of the study is to investigate whether diagnostic performance of the BALF analysis is altered by clinicoradiological findings of patients with sarcoidosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a retrospective, single-center, observational study, designed in a sarcoidosis outpatient clinic in a training hospital. Patients who had undergone the bronchoalveolar lavage BAL procedure at diagnosis were included in the study. Demographics, clinical and detailed chest X-ray, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings at diagnosis were recorded. According to the diagnostic performance, the BALF results were grouped as "diagnostic" and "non-diagnostic," and recorded parameters were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Considering the BALF analysis of all the 257 patients, the mean lymphocyte ratio was 41±17.5 (5--80), and the mean CD4/CD8 was 5.5±4.7 (0.1-24.7). The BALF analysis was diagnostic in 56% (n=145) of patients. Diagnostic performance of the procedure did not correlate with any of the demographic data, smoking status, spirometric findings, chest X-ray staging, HRCT findings, and tomography scoring. Extrapulmonary involvement was significantly more frequent in the diagnostic group (66% vs. 34%, p=0.006). CONCLUSION: BALF results signal sarcoidosis in more than half of the patients. The diagnostic role of BALF is greater in patients with extrapulmonary involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Respiratory Case Reports is the property of LookUs Scientific and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

OBJECTIVES: The choice of treatment according to the inflammation type in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) has been of recent interest. This study investigated the role of novel biomarkers, hospital outcomes, and readmission rates in the first month in patients with eosinophilic or neutrophilic AECOPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study in a Chest Teaching Hospital with hospitalized AECOPD patients. Subjects' characteristics, hemogram results, C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/ lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet/mean platelet volume (PLT/MPV), length of hospital stay, mortality, and steroid use were recorded. Eosinophilic AECOPD defined as peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE) was >2% and neutrophilic AECOPD as PBE <2%. Readmission within 28 days of discharge was recorded. RESULTS: Of 2727(31.5% females) patients, eosinophilic AECOPD was found in 510 (18.7%) patients. Leucocytes, CRP NLR, and PLR were significantly higher in neutrophilic AECOPD than in eosinophilic AECOPD (p<0.001). Steroid use and mortality rate were 45% and 0.6% in eosinophilic AECOPD and 71%, and 1.4% in neutrophilic AECOPD, respectively (p=0.001, p=0.19). Age >75 years, albumin <2.5 g/dL, CRP >50 mg/dL, and PLT/MPV <20x103 were found to be risks factors for hospital mortality (p<0.05 each). Readmission rates within 28 days of discharge were 5% (n=136), and this rate was higher in eosinophilic AECOPD patients not taking steroids (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: NLR, PLR, and CRP levels were higher in neutrophilic AECOPD compared with eosinophilic AECOPD. These markers decreased with treatment in neutrophilic AECOPD. A PLT/MPV ratio of <20x103 resulted in an increased mortality rate. Thus, appropriate steroid therapy may reduce readmission rates in the first 28 days after discharge in eosinophilic AECOPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Southern Clinics of Istanbul Eurasia is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

OBJECTIVE: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem chronic disease characterized by granulomatous inflammation. It is reported that the frequency of other inflammatory and malignant diseases increases. The primary objective of the study is to determine the types of comorbid diseases and their frequency, and whether the risk of malignancies and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid increases. The secondary objective is to identify the factors related to the comorbidities frequently detected. METHODS: The files of 694 patients who had the diagnosis of sarcoidosis between1998-2016 were evaluated. The frequency of comorbid diseases recorded was compared to the data of our country. RESULTS: Among the patients, 487 (70%) were female, and the mean age at diagnosis was 42.9 ± 11.8 (18-87). In 490 patients (70%) at least one comorbidity was detected. The most frequently detected comorbidities were systemic hypertension (22%), hepatosteatosis (16.9%), diabetes mellitus (16.4%), thyroid diseases (13.1%), and asthma (12%). Malignancy was found in a ratio of 4.0%, rheumatoid arthritis in 2.2%. The comparison to the frequencies across the country showed that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases, asthma, malignancy, and rheumatoid arthritis was higher. Diabetes, thyroid diseases, asthma were more frequent in women. The mean age of patients in which diabetes, thyroid diseases, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis or malignancy was detected as a comorbidity was higher than those without comorbidities. CONCLUSION: Comorbidities frequently occur among sarcoidosis patients, and the frequency of diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases, asthma, malignancy, and rheumatoid arthritis is higher than the data of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (PLC) is defined as infiltration of the lymphatic vessels and perilymphatic connective tissue with tumor cells, which is secondary to malignancy. Therefore, it rarely appears as an initial finding preceding a diagnosis of malignancy. A 30-year-old male patient was hospitalized in our clinic with a pre-diagnosis of interstitial lung disease owing to the complaints of dry cough, progressive dyspnea, and acute respiratory insufficiency. He was diagnosed with signet ring cell carcinoma, which is a histologic subtype of adenocarcinoma, via gastroscopy, and lung involvement was consistent with PLC. Regardless of the patient age, PLC should be considered in differential diagnoses of progressive dyspnea, acute respiratory failure, and widespread interstitial lung involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Organizing pneumonia (OP) is an interstitial lung disease characterized by granulation tissue buds in alveoli and alveolar ductus, possibly accompanied by bronchiolar involvement. Histopathologically, OP may signify a primary disease and be observed as a contiguous disease or as a minor component of other diseases. In this study, the clinical significance of histopathological OP lesions and clinical and radiological features of patients with primary OP were examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and January 2015, of 6,346 lung pathology reports, 138 patients with OP lesions were retrospectively evaluated. According to the final diagnoses, patients were grouped as reactive OP (those with final diagnosis other than OP) and primary OP (those with OP). Patients with primary OP were classified according to etiology as cryptogenic and secondary OP. Radiological evaluation was conducted within a categorization of "typical," "focal," and "infiltrative." RESULTS: Of 138 patients, 25% were males and the mean age was 54±14 years. Pathologically, 61% of patients had reactive OP and 39% had primary OP. All reactive OP lesions were reported using surgical specimens, and the most frequent primary diagnoses were malignancy (65%), infection (15%), interstitial lung diseases other than OP (7%), and bronchiectasis (5%). Other diagnoses included bullae, foreign body, hamartoma, bronchogenic cyst, and bronchopleural fistula. Of all the primary OP patients, 48 had cryptogenic OP and six had secondary OP. Radiological involvement was consistent with typical OP in 30%, focal OP in 63%, and infiltrative OP in 7% of the patients. All focal OP lesions were defined using surgical resections. Positron emission computed tomography (PET-CT) was recorded in 28 patients. In 11 patients, lymphadenomegaly was comorbid. The mean widest diameter of focal opacity was 2.7±1.2 (1.2-4.9) cm, and the mean the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax was 6.1±3.9 (1.7-16.7). CONCLUSION: OP lesions generally present as a minor component of other diseases. In patients with OP, cryptogenic OP and radiological focal OP is more frequently observed. Most focal OP lesions are detected using surgical resections because of malignant prediagnosis owing to elevated SUVmax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to investigate the success rate of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in wards and the predictors of failure in cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF). Methods: The was a retrospective study conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital between May 2011 and 2013. Patients who were admitted to the emergency department (ED) because of COPD with AHRF were evaluated; 544 patients who initially received NIV in ED and were transferred to wards were included. Patient characteristics, baseline and follow-up pH values, and partial arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) values were recorded. Baseline pH values were categorized as severe (pH<7.26), moderate (pH≥7.26-7.30), and mild (pH≥7.30) acidosis. According to the in-hospital outcome, patients were classified in 2 groups: Group 1: home discharge, Group 2: death or intensive care unit transfer. Results: Treatment resulted in success in 477 (88%) patients. Albumin levels were significantly low and the mean Charlson index (CI) score was significantly high in Group 2. Admission pH and PaCO2 values did not affect the treatment outcome. Patients in Group 2 had higher PaCO2 and lower pH values as well as a lower level of decrease in PaCO2 values within 2 hours of treatment in ED. Similarly, higher PaCO2 and lower pH values at the end of the first day in wards were indicative of NIV failure (p<0.05). Conclusion: The success rate of NIV in wards in cases of AHRF is high. Patients with low albumin levels and higher CI scores have worse response to treatment. pH or PaCO2 values after a few hours of treatment and not the baseline pH or PaCO2 values are better predictors than the baseline pH and PaCO2 values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Transbronchial biopsy (TBB) is an old diagnostic method applied via fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The diagnostic value and complication rate of the procedure were found to vary in previous studies. In present study, the diagnostic value of TBB was analysed. Methods: All medical files of 308 patients who underwent TBB between May 2010-May 2015 in our clinic were reviewed retrospectively. According to the final diagnoses, the diagnostic value and complication rates of TBB, the contribution of the additional samples of the same bronchoscopic session to the diagnoses, and the requirement of any additional invasive procedure were investigated. Results: Of all the patients, 63% were female and the mean age was 51 (17-85). Bronchoalveolar lavage was taken in 257 patients. Ten percent of the procedures could not reach lung parenchyma. TBB was diagnostic in 105 (34%) patients. Fifty (16%) patients were diagnosed via other samples of the same session, 15 (5%) resolved spontaneously, 28 (9%) were diagnosed via other clinical findings, 41 (14%) did not accept further invasive method or were lost-to follow-up. Sixty-nine (22%) underwent an additional invasive procedure. The most frequent final diagnosis was sarcoidosis and the diagnostic value of TBB was 49%. Diagnostic rate of TBB was lower in fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILD) and malignancy whereas higher in non-fibrotic ILD. No mortality was seen related to TBB, pneumothorax was seen in 6%; non-massive bleeding in 3%, respiratory failure in 0.3%. Conclusion: Transbronchial biopsy is a procedure having a higher diagnostic value in certain diseases and has an acceptable morbidity. When combined with other bronchoscopic samples, the need for further invasive methods decreases significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Respiratory Case Reports is the property of LookUs Scientific and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (ICEP) is a rare eosinophilic lung disorder with an unknown etiology and is characterized by subacute or chronic respiratory and general symptoms, alveolar and/or peripheral eosinophilia, and the accumulation of eosinophils in the lungs. We aimed to present diagnostic test results and follow-up outcomes of 17 patients who were diagnosed with ICEP in our hospital in light of literature. Methods: Between 2008 and 2013, we examined 17 cases of ICEP. We evaluated clinical and laboratory findings together with the long-term follow-up data. Results: The patients had a mean age of 40.8 years at presentation, and the female/male ratio was 0.8. The most common symptoms were cough (94%), shortness of breath (76%), and high fever (35%). Bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophil percentages of the patients ranged from 3% to 80%. Nine (53%) patients experienced recurrence. Six patients were maintained on low dose steroid due to repeating relapses. Among these patients, 7 (77.7%) had a total IgE level of above 500/IU/mL. Conclusion: Relapses are common in ICEP after the withdrawal of corticosteroid treatment or during dose reduction. We point out the importance of the close monitoring of patients for identifying relapse. A higher total IgE level during diagnosis may serve as a predictor of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Eosinophilic lung diseases are a rare group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by the increase of the eosinophil ratio in airways and lung parenchyma. In our clinic, patients diagnosed with eosinophilic lung disease were evaluated with their clinical features and prognoses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our clinic, 12 cases that were diagnosed and followed up for eosinophilic lung disease [eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA, Churg-Strauss syndrome) (n=4), chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) (n=7), and simple pulmonary eosinophilia (Löffler's syndrome) (n=1)] were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 12 cases, 8 were females, and the average age was 43 (28-72) years. All cases were undergoing bronchodilator therapy with asthma diagnosis (2 months-40 years). Additionally, 4 of the cases had sinusitis, and 1 had allergic rhinitis. The most common complaints of the patients were difficulty in breathing and coughing, and the duration of complaints was a median of 2 months. Peripheral eosinophilia and total IgE elevation were present during the admission of all cases; additionally, leucocyte elevation was recorded in 10 of them, anemia in 4 of them, and thrombocytosis in 4 of them. Moreover, 43% of the recorded DLCO values were lower than normal. Of the 10 cases that underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), the eosinophil ratio was above 25% in 7 subjects. Of the 8 cases that underwent transbronchial biopsy, eosinophil-involving infiltration was detected in 6 subjects. Additional findings in cases diagnosed with EGPA were nasal polyposis (n=1), sinusitis (n=2), polyneuropathy (n=1), cardiac involvement (n=2), and skin involvement in biopsy (n=1). Spontaneous recovery was observed in the patient diagnosed with simple pulmonary eosinophilia during the follow-up that was performed based on the history and laboratory and BAL results of the patient. Prednisolone treatment was started for all cases, except for simple pulmonary eosinophilia, and their controls were performed. Relapse was observed in eight cases (EGPA: 4, CEP: 4); during the relapse treatment of one case diagnosed with EGPA, exitus occurred. One case rejected treatment despite the presence of peripheral eosinophilia, and the other cases are being followed-up without medication. CONCLUSION: Given that the clinical pictures in pulmonary eosinophilia syndromes are on a wide spectrum, a specific diagnosis is important. Progression may differ in each patient, and a close follow-up is necessary during and after the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary artery agenesis is a rare congenital abnormality in which atresia was encountered in the short segment of the right or left pulmonary arteries. It can be isolated or associated with cardiac abnormalities such as tetralogy of Fallot, septal defects or pulmonary stenosis. The majority of cases are diagnosed in childhood whereas some cases yield no symptoms until adulthood. We evaluated retrospectively 5 pulmonary artery agenesis cases diagnosed in our clinics between 1998-2010 with respect to the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: "Frequent hospitalization" is defined as at least 2 hospitalizations per year in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, we witness hospitalizations at 2-3-month intervals in some patients in our clinical practice. In our study, the factors considered to be associated with frequent hospitalizations were investigated in a selected patient group. Methods: Thirty-four COPD patients being hospitalized at least twice per year were included in the study. The patients' demographic features, laboratory findings, physical activity scores, comorbidities, and respiratory functions were recorded. They underwent transthoracic echocardiography and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB). The patients were categorized as Group 1 (patients hospitalized twice per year) and Group 2 (patients hospitalized more than twice per year). These groups were compared with regard to parameters considered to increase the frequency of hospitalization. Results: Twenty-eight (82%) of the patients were male. The mean age was 65±8 (46-82) years, and the mean hospitalization number was 3.3±1.3 (2-6). There were 12 patients in Group 1 and 22 patients in Group 2. The rates of being in advanced age, showing lower physical activity, being in advanced stage, having disease for more than 10 years, and using a nebulizer and oxygen at home were found to be significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1. FEV1 (expected %) level was 47.9% in Group 2, while it was 56% in Group 1 (p=0.003). The number of comorbidities was approximately 1.5 in Group 1 and 2.7 in Group 2 (p=0.014). Pulmonary hypertension (n=11) and heart failure (n=10) were identified only in Group 2 (p=0.003, p=0.006). Excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) was detected in 17 (50%) patients through FOB, and 16 of them were in Group 2. Logistic regression analysis revealed the existence of EDAC and a low level of FEV1 (expected %) as the independent factors that affected the number of hospitalizations. Conclusion: It was suggested that the existence of EDAC and decreased FEV1 can increase the frequency of hospitalization in COPD patients who are hospitalized frequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Tuberculosis is a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in Turkey. Association between infection with tuberculosis (TB) and close contact is well known but ratio of tuberculosis pleurisy (TP) patients with close contact has not been clearly analyzed. This study was conducted to evaluate its clinical spectrum, close contact with tuberculosis cases and ways of diagnosis. Material and Methods: The Pulmonary Department supplied data on 137 TP diagnosed in Turkey from 2003 to 2006. Data regarding demographics, diagnostic parameters were obtained. Results: There were 67 women and 70 men with tuberculosis pleurisy cases. TP was more common among patients aged 15-35 years (69.3%). The most frequent symptoms were cough, chest pain and fever (48,9%, 46.7%, 35.03%). Among patients with TP, 43 have an close contact case (31,3%). ADA level was high in 123 (89.7%). Left or right sided involvement had similar frequency (52.5% left, 45.9%right). Additional pulmonary parenchymal disease (PPTP) was found in 13 patients (9.4%). There were skin test positivity in 89/114 cases (89.7%) Conclusion: We conclude that pleural fluid with high ADA content, positive tuberculin skin test and young age favors the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion. In addition other parameters, history of contact with a tuberculosis case at diagnosis of TP is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To assess the incidence and course of COVID-19 in patients with severe asthma/chronic spontaneous urticaria using biological agents., Materials and Methods: A total of 202 patients (142 with asthma, and 60 with urticaria) were enrolled. The subjects were asked via face-to-face or telephone interview whether they had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and the course of the disease., Result: Study group consisted of 132 women, and 70 men (median age= 48 years). Median omalizumab dose was 300 mg/month in asthma (min-max= 150-1200 mg). The mepolizumab dose of two patients diagnosed with EGPA was 300 mg/month. Thirty one (15.3%) patients were diagnosed with COVID-19, 22 (71%) of whom were receiving omalizumab and nine (29%) were receiving mepolizumab. Asthma or chronic spontaneous urticaria diagnosis, age, sex, smoking, weight, comorbidities, atopy, and biological agent use were not statistically different between patients with or without COVID-19. Nine COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, and three of them required intensive care. Mepolizumab usage was higher in hospitalized patients (5, 55.6%), whereas omalizumab usage was higher in home-treated patients (18, 81%). The mean duration of biological use in home-treated patients was significantly higher than that of the hospitalized patients (35.64 months vs. 22.56 months, p= 0.024). Biological treatment was interrupted in 47 (23%) patients, selfinterruption due to the infection risk was the foremost reason (34%)., Conclusions: The incidence of COVID-19 among patients with asthma and urticaria on mepolizumab and omalizumab was higher compared to studies from other countries. The disease course appeared mild in patients receiving long-term biological therapy.

Introduction: The aim of our study is to investigate the etiological distribution of ILD in Turkey by stratifying the epidemiological characteristics of ILD cases, and the direct cost of initial diagnosis of the diagnosed patients., Material-Method: The study was conducted as a multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional, clinical observation study. Patients over the age of 18 and who accepted to participate to the study were included and evaluated as considered to be ILD. The findings of diagnosis, examination and treatment carried out by the centers in accordance with routine diagnostic procedures were recorded observationally., Results: In total,1070 patients were included in this study. 567 (53%) of the patients were male and 503 (47%) were female. The most frequently diagnosed disease was IPF (30.5%). Dyspnea (75.9%) was the highest incidence among the presenting symptoms. Physical examination found bibasilar inspiratory crackles in 56.2 % and radiological findings included reticular opacities and interlobular septal thickenings in 55.9 % of the cases. It was observed that clinical and radiological findings were used most frequently (74.9%) as a diagnostic tool. While the most common treatment approaches were the use of systemic steroids and antifibrotic drugs with a rate of 30.7% and 85.6%, respectively. The total median cost from the patient's admission to diagnosis was 540 Turkish Lira., Conclusion: We believe that our findings compared with data from other countries will be useful in showing the current situation of ILD in our country to discuss this problem and making plans for a solution., Competing Interests: Each author declares that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g. consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangement etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article., (Copyright: © 2021 SARCOIDOSIS VASCULITIS AND DIFFUSE LUNG DISEASES.)

Introduction: Dysnatremia is reported to have a prognostic effect in various diseases. A limited number of studies have been published on dysnatremiarelated parameters and clinical outcome in patients with pneumonia. The aim of the study is to analyze the factors related to baseline dysnatremia and to evaluate the clinical outcome of dysnatremia on hospital stay, 30-day and 1-year mortality in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)., Materials and Methods: The study is a two-centre, retrospective, crosssectional study. According to the baseline corrected sodium values, hospitalized patients with CAP were grouped as hyponatremia (<135 mmol/L), normonatremia (135-145 mmol/L) and hypernatremia (> 145 mmol/L)., Result: Of all the 471 patients included, 119 (25.3%) had hyponatremia and 25 (5.3%) had hypernatremia. Higher leucocytes and lower albumin values correlated with hyponatremia while female gender, higher leucocytes and urea levels correlated with hypernatremia. Baseline hyponatremia prolonged hospital stay (9.2 ± 5.6, vs. 7.5 ± 4.6, respectively, p= 0.001) and increased 1-year mortality. On the other hand, hypernatremia predicted 30-day (40%, vs. 10%, p<0.001) and independently predicted 1-year mortality (p< 0.001)., Conclusions: In hospitalized patients with CAP, baseline hyponatremia prolongs hospital stay while hypernatremia signals a worse outcome both in the short term and long term.

Background: This study aims to investigate the relationship between characteristics of patients who were performed pneumonectomy for destroyed lung and their surgical procedures with postoperative complications., Methods: Thirty-nine patients (19 males, 20 females; mean age 35 years; range, 6 to 71 years) who were performed pneumonectomy with a diagnosis of destroyed lung between February 2007 and October 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into two as those who did not develop any postoperative complication (group 1) and those who developed a postoperative complication (group 2). Patients' characteristics and details of the surgical procedures were compared between the two groups., Results: Twenty-nine patients (74%) were performed left pneumonectomy. Mean duration of hospital stay was nine days. During the postoperative three-month follow-up period, morbidity and mortality were reported for 13 patients (33.3%) and one patient (2.6%), respectively. No significant difference was found between groups 1 and 2 in terms of age, gender, concomitant diseases, spirometric findings, blood transfusion status, surgical resection width or methods of bronchial stump closure., Conclusion: Low albumin levels increased the risk of developing postoperative complications in patients who were performed surgical resection for destroyed lung. Postpneumonectomy morbidity and mortality rates were at acceptable levels. Pneumonectomy should not be avoided as surgical treatment in eligible patients with destroyed lung., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2018, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.)

Background: Combined idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and emphysema (CPFE) has been reported to be more common in male smokers. A number of studies comparing CPFE patients with fibrosis-only patients have reported a similar prognosis while others have reported a significantly shorter survival., Objectives: In present study, we aimed to compare baseline characteristics of patients with IPF according to emphysema presence. We asssessed the prognostic value of emphysema along with each other parameter., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, baseline radiological, laboratory and physiological parameters of 92 patients who were diagnosed with IPF. The patients were divided into two groups: those without emphysema (Group 1) and with emphysema (Group 2). All-cause mortality was recorded, and the impact of the variables on survival was evaluated., Results: Emphysema was recorded in 23 patients, all of whom were male. While ever-smoker rate was higher in Group 2 laboratory and physiologic parameters were similar. Radiologically, the presence of honeycombing, ground glass opacity, the extension and symmetry of involvement did not differ between the Groups. The median survival time was 29±4 months. Patients in Group 1 and 2 had a median survival of 34 and 9 months, respectively. In univariate analysis; radiological presence of emphysema and honeycombing, male gender, lower baseline levels of albumin and oxygen saturation, forced vital capacity and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity were detected as predictors of mortality., Conclusion: In present study, IPF with emphysema was more common in male smokers. When emphysema accompanies IPF, life expectancy is remarkably worse, but not independently so.

Infections caused by Aspergillus spp. in immunocompromised or atopic patients may present as invasive aspergillosis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and aspergilloma. In this report a 69 years old female patient admitted to the hospital with the complaints of intermittent cough and sputum and diagnosed as endonbronchial aspergilloma, has been presented. The patient was not immunocompromised, however she has bronchial asthma for 10 years and the disease is now under control. The chest radiography and computed tomography revealed lung infiltration with undefined borders, and bronchoscopy demonstrated the presence of a mass at left lower lobe. In the pathologic examination of biopsy specimen with the use of methenamine silver and PAS methods, hyphae formations concordant with Aspergillus were detected. The direct microscopic examinations of biopsy material and sputum obtained after bronchoscopy, have also revealed the presence of hyphae. A. fumigatus was isolated from the cultures of biopsy material and sputum specimen. The patient was diagnosed as endonbronchial aspergilloma, however the follow-up was failed since she has not accepted medical or surgical treatment. In conclusion, aspergilloma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mass lesions in the endobronchial area.