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Copyright of Egyptian Journal of Bronchology is the property of Springer Nature 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.)

Atypical radiologic and clinical patterns may be observed within subgroups of lung adenocarcinoma. A 74-year-old man with progressive dyspnea and productive cough unresponsive to antibiotherapy showed bilateral interstitial changes in the lung parenchyma on computed tomography. We here report a patient followed up with a prediagnosis of interstitial lung disease but eventually diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma following transthoracic lung biopsy. [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.)

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease of unknown etiology. Acute exacerbation of IPF (AE-IPF) can cause sudden deterioration in the prognosis of the disease and is responsible for a significant proportion of deaths due to IPF. The aim of our study is to examine the medical histories, symptoms, clinical findings, laboratory tests, and radiological images of cases hospitalized in our clinic due to AE-IPF, and to determine mortality rates during and after the AE. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the records of patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of AE-IPF. We recorded their demographic data, comorbidities, physical examination and laboratory findings, radiological findings, spirometry results, treatment status, intensive care needs, and mortality- related data. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Out of 28 cases, 19 (67.9%) were male with a mean age of 67.1±11.4 years. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (39.3%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (35.7%), diabetes (32.1%), chronic renal failure (14.3%), and atrial fibrillation (14.3%). In respiratory function tests, mean forced vital capacity and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity was 65±17.1% and 47 47±14.2%, respectively. All patients had newly developed ground-glass opacity and/or consolidation areas in their chest computed tomography images. It was observed that the mean duration of steroid use initiated due to an AE was 7.1 days. Of the cases, 23 (82.1%) were discharged home, while the remaining 5 (17.9%) were transferred to the intensive care unit, where, unfortunately, all of them lost their lives. Among the discharged patients, 6 succumbed within three months. Consequently, the mortality rate within the hospital stay and the subsequent three months for patients hospitalized with AE-IPF was determined to be 39.3%. Notably, the mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with chronic renal failure compared to those without (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that the in-hospital and early post-discharge mortality rate for patients hospitalized with AE-IPF was approximately 40%. This finding underscores the serious negative impact of AEs on the prognosis of the disease. [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.)

Copyright of Saudi Medical Journal is the property of Saudi Medical Journal 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.)

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: Patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), frequently have comorbidities and this is thought to be a risk factor for poorer outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and effect of comorbidities on the severity and prognosis of patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, epidemiological study. Patients with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection of the upper respiratory tract based on a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test using throat and nasal swab samples and/or clinically diagnosed according to lung imaging features compatible with coronavirus pneumonia hospitalized between March 15 and June 15, 2020 were included in the study. The relationship between the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 and comorbidities was analyzed. Results: A total of 258 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were included in the study; 140 (54.3%) patients had at least 1 comorbidity and 118 (45.7%) patients were categorized as patients without a comorbidity. In the group, 134 (51.9%) patients were male and 124 (48.1%) were female, with a mean age of 54.2±16.6 years (range: 18-92 years). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (32.9%) and diabetes mellitus (22.1%). The rate of development of severe pneumonia was significantly higher in the presence of hypertension (47.0% vs. 34.1%), heart failure (66.6% vs. 36.2%), and immunosuppression (69.2% vs. 37.0%) (p<0.05). Intensive care unit (ICU) admission was necessary for 12.1% of the patients with a comorbidity and 6.8% of the patients without a comorbidity (p=0.147). While the mortality rate was 4.2% in patients without a comorbidity, mortality was observed in 8.6% of the patients with comorbidities (p=0.162). The mortality rate was 11.7% vs. 4.0% (p=0.019) for hypertension, 23% vs 5.7% (p=0.046) for immunosuppression, 22.2% vs. 5.4% (p=0.022) for heart failure, 14.0% vs. 4.4% for diabetes mellitus (p=0.029), and 33.3% vs. 5.6% for chronic kidney disease (p=0.016). Conclusion: The findings indicated that the course of COVID-19 was more severe in patients with comorbidities, and negative effects, such as ICU admission and death, were more common. It is important to determine comorbid diseases when taking the medical history of COVID-19 patients in order to identify patients likely to have a more dangerous clinical course and to adjust the treatment plan accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the success rate of 3 different drug prescription policies: Free drugs with online system prescription, free drugs with doctor's prescription, and drugs paid for by patients with doctor's prescription. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effect of 2 different Ministry of Health (MoH) projects with free-of-charge and self-payment pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation were compared. Patients who completed 6 months of pharmacotherapy and follow-up were evaluated. The first period was free-of-charge medication, which was determined by an online system, the following period was the self-payment period, and the third period was free medication, which was prescribed by a doctor. In all the groups, smoking habits in pack years and comorbidities of the patients were recorded, and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and expiratory carbon dioxide (CO2) measurements were performed. Patients who had an expiratory CO2 level >5 ppm at the control visits were accepted as quitters. RESULTS: A total of 829 patients with 438 patients in the first free-of-charge period (group 1), 111 in the self-payment period (group 2), and 280 in the second free-of-charge period (group 3) were enrolled in the study. Smoking cessation rates were significantly higher in the self-payment medication group (25%) according to the MoH's free-of-charge project groups. There was no difference in smoking cessation rates between the 2 free-of-charge medication project groups (15% in group 1 and 11% of group 3). Among all the patients, we compared 124 patients who quit smoking with 705 patients who did not. The quitters were older, mostly male, and heavier smokers. In addition, the number of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive PFT rates were higher among the quitters. Their dependency score, PFTs, and the use of free medication was lower, and treatment duration was longer. Independent factors that increased smoking cessation success were longer treatment duration, lower dependency score, and self-payment of medication. CONCLUSION: Free medications provided via 2 different modalities did not increase the smoking cessation success. Paying for the medication, lower dependency score, and longer treatment duration increased smoking cessation success independently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test of the throat swab is the gold standard for the diagnosis of "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)" caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), imaging, especially computed tomography has been used extensively. The main radiological findings for COVID-19 are ground glass opacities, consolidations, crazy paving, air bronchogram and airway changes, vascular dilation and nodules. In this review, radiological findings related to COVID-19 are explained in the light of current information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a highly specific marker for the detection of infectious diseases. In recent years, studies on this marker have been conducted in patients with pleural fluid. Our aim in this study is to investigate the role of pleural fluid procalcitonin level in distinguishing parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE) from other causes of exudative pleural effusion and its relationship with thorax ultrasonography (USG). Methods: A total of 128 exudative pleural effusion patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups as PPE and non-PPE. Demographic findings, comorbidities, radiographic images in chest radiography and thorax USG, hemogram and CRP results, albumin, protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose levels in pleural fluid and pleural fluid cell count were recorded. Pleural fluid PCT levels, serum PCT levels and thoracic USG images of PPE and non-PPE groups were compared statistically with each other. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 128 patients, 71 (55%) were diagnosed with PPE and 57 (45%) were diagnosed with non-PPE causes. There was no significant difference in the level of pleural fluid PCT and serum PCT levels between the PPE and non-PPE groups (p=0.31 and p=0.21, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between the anechoic fluids and the complex pleural effusion without septum in the PPE and non-PPE groups (p=0.079 and p=0.147, respectively). However, complex septated fluids were higher in PPE group and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). Conclusion: It was found that the pleural fluid PCT and serum PCT measurements in the PPE did not have a diagnostic value. Pleural fluid PCT/serum PCT ratio were not significantly different between the two groups. In addition, there was no correlation between thoracic USG images and PCT levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The changes due to interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) in the lung parenchyma reveal comet tail artifact (CTA) that is defined on ultrasonography (USG), and is a type of reverberation artifact. We planned to investigate the significance of thoracic USG in the evaluation of the effect of ILD on pulmonary tissues in the present study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with ILD, and the control group between January 2016 and December 2017, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings (the severity and extension scores for HRCT), pulmonary function tests, and pulmonary function tests and carbon monoxide diffusion test (PFT-DLCO) findings of all patients were recorded. Then, the number of CTAs detected on thoracic USG was recorded by a different pulmonologist. The data of the two groups were compared with each other. RESULTS: Thirty-six (50.7%) patients and 35 (49.3%) healthy controls were included in the study. The mean number of CTA in the control group was 25 ± 6.4 while the number of CTA in the ILD group was 68.3 ± 16.2 (P < 0.001). Negative correlations were found between the total CTA and DLCO, DLCO%, forced vital capacity (FVC), and FVC% values (P < 0.001). Positive correlation was found between the total number of CTA and the total HRCT score (P: 0.01). The sensitivity of B-lines on USG was 94.4%, and specifitiy was 97.1% with a cutoff value of 39.5 to diagnose intersititial involvement. CONCLUSION: Thoracic USG may be a good diagnostic tool for diseases that commonly involve the lung interstitium such as ILD. [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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

AIM: To investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound (US) guided transthoracic fine needle aspiration biopsy (TTFNA) and US guided transthoracic tru-cut biopsy (TTTCB) in malignant thorax lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent US guided transthoracic biopsies between April 2014 and May 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who were diagnosed as thoracic malignancy and both TTTCB and TTFNA performed for the same lesion were included in the study. The diagnostic accuracy of TTTCB, TTFNA and their combination were analyzed. The diagnostic accurracy of methods were statistically compared by McNemar Test. RESULTS: Thirty two patients were included in the study. Ultrasound guided TTFNA and/or TTTCB were diagnostic in 30 (93.8%) of them. TTFNA was diagnostic in 23 (%71.8), TTTCB were diagnostic in 26 (%81.2) of these pateints. Seven (77.7%) of 9 patients in which TTFNA was not diagnostic, TTTCB was diagnostic. The diagnostic accuracy was 71.8% and 81.2% for TTFNA and TTTCB, respectively. When TTTCB and TTFNA were performed consecutively in the same procedure, the overall diagnostic accuracy was 93.7%. There was no difference between the diagnostic accuracy of US-guided TTFNA and TTTCB (P=0.508). The diagnostic accuracy of combination of TTFNA and TTTCB was significantly higher than that of TTFNA alone (P=0.016). During the procedures, pneumothorax which did not require chest tube insertion was detected as complication in 1 case (3.1%). CONCLUSION: Diagnostic accuracy of US-guided TTFNA and TTTCB is high and has no superiority to each other. Combining both procedures under the quidence of US increases the diagnostic accuracy statistically significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the sociodemographic, clinical, radiological, histopathological, and survival characteristics of lung cancer patients ≤55 years of age. Methods: The files of patients diagnosed in the clinic as lung cancer between January 2014 and December 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. These cases were divided into 2 groups: patients who were ≤55 years of age and patients >55 years of age. The clinical, radiological, and demographic findings; histopathological type and stage of cancer; treatment modalities used; and survival data were analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 323 cases, 85 (26.3%) of them aged ≤55 years and 238 (73.7%) aged >55 years, were included in the study. The stage and histopathological type of lung cancer, smoking history, gender, oncological and surgical treatment modalities used, and survival characteristics were similar in both groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Since the 2 groups of lung cancer patients formed on the basis of the age limit of 55 years were similar in many respects, and because the number of cancer cases increases in 5-year subgroups under the age of 55 years, screening for lung cancer may be recommended for those under 55 years, especially in cases with risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Turkish Sleep Medicine is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI 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.)

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: End-expiratory CO level, which is used to test smoking cessation is known to be effected by many factors. We aimed to evaluate effect of small airway obstruction (SAO) on end-expiratory CO levels. Methods: The study population consisted of cases who applied to smoking cessation clinic between April-December 2014. The duration of smoking (pack-years), pulmonary function tests (PFT) and end-expiratory carbonmonoxide (CO) were noted at first visit. The cases were questioned for last time of smoking and amount of cigarettes they smoked within past 12 hours. Pearson correlation test was used to determine factors effecting CO levels. Results: Mean age of 167 cases -112 male (67.1%), 55 female (32.9%) was 38.7±12.7 years. Mean duration of smoking was 23.3±16.4 pack-years, mean CO level was 14.1±6.9 ppm, mean FEF25-75% was 77.2±28.2. Mean period elapsed after last cigarette was 1.5±1.8 hours, mean number of cigarettes smoked within past 12 hours was 7.2±5.0. SAO was found in 50 cases (34.1%). Correlation analyses revealed that CO levels were correlated positively to duration of smoking and amount of cigarettes they smoked within past 12 hours (p=0.03, r=0.228; p=0.000, r=0.511, respectively) and negatively to the last time of smoking (p=0.023, r=0.176). SAO and in PFT was not correlated to CO level (p>0.05). Conclusion: End-expiratory CO level is closely related to duration of smoking, number of cigarettes smoked within past 12 hours and period elapsed after last cigarette. Presence of SAO does not seem to effect CO levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Turkish Sleep Medicine is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI 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.)