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The medium- and long-term effects of COVID-19 infection on pulmonary function are still unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the pulmonary functions in healthcare professionals who had persistent complaints after contracting COVID-19 and returning to work.The study included COVID-19-infected healthcare professionals from the Düzce University Medical Faculty Hospital who volunteered to participate. Medical histories, medical records, pulmonary function tests, the diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) test, and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were used to collect data from all participants.The study included 53 healthcare professionals, with an average age of 38 ± 10 years (min: 24 years and max: 71 years), including 29 female (54.7%) and 24 male (45.3%) participants. Of the participants, 22.6% were smokers, 35.8% (19 individuals) had comorbidities, and 17% (9 individuals) were hospitalized. The mean length of stay was 9 ± 4 days (mean ± standard deviation). The most prevalent symptoms were weakness (88.7%), muscle aches (67.9%), inability to smell/taste (60.4%), headache (54.7%), fever (45.3%), cough (41.5%), and shortness of breath (37.7%). The mean time to return to work after a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 was 18 ± 13 days. The average time among post-disease pulmonary function, 6MW, and DLCO tests was 89 ± 36 days (min: 15 and max: 205). The DLCO level decreased in 39.6% (21) of the participants. Female participants had a significantly higher rate of decreased DLCO levels than male participants (25% vs. 55.2%, P = .026). DLCO levels were significantly higher in participants with long-term persistent complaints (P = .043). The later the time to return to work, the lower the DLCO value (r = -0.290 and P = .035). The 6MWT distance was positively correlated with hemoglobin and lymphocyte levels at the time of the disease onset and negatively correlated with D-dimer levels. The most prevalent symptoms during the control visits were shortness of breath/effort dyspnea (24.6%), weakness (9.5%), and muscle aches (7.6%).Significant persistent complaints (47.2%) and low DLCO levels (39.6%) were observed in healthcare professionals during control visits at a mean time of 3 months after the COVID-19 infection. Symptoms and spirometry measurements, including DLCO, may be helpful in the follow-up of healthcare professionals who contracted COVID-19. Further comprehensive studies with long-term follow-up periods are required.

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with sarcoidosis and related clinical factors.Consecutive patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis in our clinic were evaluated for OSA risk during sleep using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Stanford Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Berlin questionnaire, STOP and STOP-BANG questionnaires, and polysomnography (PSG).A total of 60 sarcoidosis patients (mean age: 50 ± 11 years, 45 (75%) women) were included in the study. Polysomnography was performed in 54 cases and revealed the diagnosis of OSA in 70% (38/54) of the patients. The mean age was higher in patients with sarcoidosis and OSA (54 ± 11 vs. 47 ± 13, p = 0.041) and body mass index values were significantly higher as well (31.9 ± 4.4 vs, 29.0 ± 4.6 kg/mHigh rates of OSA were detected in sarcoidosis, increasing with the advanced disease stage. The findings suggest that patients with sarcoidosis and advanced age, obesity, steroid treatment, and involvement of lung parenchyma (stages 2 and 3) should be evaluated for OSA risk. Further investigations are needed to establish the potential causes of the high prevalence of OSA in sarcoidosis.

Aim: To investigate the incidence of bronchiectasis supposed to be made by the external compression of hiatal hernia (HH) to bronchi. Materials and Methods: The thorax computed tomography (CT) scans of patients which were carried out in Duzce University Hospital between February 2014 and August 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. The repeated scans in the same patient were excluded. Results: A total of 4388 patients were included in the study. A total of 98 HH cases were detected of which 58 (59.2%) were female. The mean age was 73.30 +/- 9.14 (45-90). The rate of HH according to small, moderate and large size was 45 (45.9%), 9 (9.2%), 44 (44.9%), respectively. The rate of hiatal hernia accompanied by bronchiectasis were similar in both males and females (P = 0.078). The prevalence of bronchiectasis was significantly high in large hernias with 81.4% rate (P = 0.009). Bronchiectasis rate was 12.343 times (OR: 12.343, 95% CI: 1.479-103.027, P = 0.009) higher in the large HH group compared to small and moderate HH groups. Hiatal hernia accompanied by bronchiectasis was 88.1% anatomically near to HH. Conclusions: Thus, hiatal hernia may cause bronchiectasis due to external compression rather than lymphadenopathy or the tumor as an etiology of bronchiectasis and should be considered in the differential diagnosis. WOS:000543398100013 2-s2.0-85086354682 PubMed: 32525118

Alasan, Fatih/0000-0003-0935-5927 WOS: 000490688100001 PubMed: 31615316 Introduction: The aim of this study was to present the follow-up results of 110 patients who were given anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?) therapy for rheumatic and dermatologic diseases in a country with a high rates of active and latent tuberculosis bacillus infection. Material and Methods: Between February 2008 and January 2015, 110 cases in the age range of 23?77 who are using anti-TNF-? were included in the study retro-prospectively. Results: 52.7% of them (n?=?58) were male. The most common diagnoses were rheumatoid arthritis (42.7%) and ankylosing spondylitis (38.2%). Most frequently given treatment were infliximab 37.3% and etanercept 30.9%, respectively. The 65 patients whose first tuberculin skin test (TST) value ?5?mm and above? was started daily 300?mg INH prophylaxis for 9?months but 3 patients had not been started because of refusing treatment. In only one case chemoprophylaxis has had to be interrupted because of high liver function test due to the INH prophylaxis. TST conversion was observed in 14 patients. Further follow-up, it was observed that 4 patients had TST's positivity. Isoniazide (INH) prophylaxis was started these 18 patients (42.9%). Although INH prophylaxis has been given in two patients, they developed active tuberculosis in follow-up. Conclusion: Considering the INH resistance in our country, all patients especially the ones with residual lesion and history of previous exposure, should be followed up closely during the anti-TNF-? treatment.

WOS: 000482895400001 PubMed: 31437086 The present study aimed to investigate the frequency of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) among patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Patients who referred the preliminary diagnosis of OSAS were included in this study. D-dimer levels of all patients were measured, and D-dimer (+) patients were evaluated by Doppler USG of the lower-extremity. Mean age of the patient group was 52 +/- 12 years and 31.8% (76/239) were women. The rate of D-dimer positivity among severe-OSAS cases (15/85) was significantly higher compared to the rest (13/154) (17.6% and 8.4%, respectively; p = 0.034). The risk of D-dimer positivity was elevated by 2.3 folds in severe-OSAS cases (OR: 2,324, 95% confidence interval: 1.048-5.152). Among 28 D-dimer (+) cases, 4 (14.2%) had DVT as demonstrated by USI of the lower-extremity. All four cases with DVT had severe OSAS. D-dimer was positive in 17.6% (15/85) of all severe OSAS cases. DVT was diagnosed in 4.7% (4/85) of severe-OSAS cases. DVT frequency was 26.6% (4/15) in D-dimer (+) severe-OSAS. Findings of this study indicate that severe-OSAS can be a significant risk factor for DVT. Additionally, data obtained in this study underline the benefits of questioning severe-OSAS patients with respect to DVT symptoms, investigating D-dimer levels and evaluating D-dimer (+) severe-OSAS cases for DVT prophylaxis.

WOS: 000405969500005, PubMed ID: 28808489, INTRODUCTION: Patient examinations performed in a limited time period may lead to impairment in patient and physician relationship, defective and erroneous diagnosis, inappropriate prescriptions, less common use of preventive medicine practices, poor patient satisfaction, and increased violent acts against health-care staff. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the appropriate minimal duration of patient examination in the pulmonary practice. METHODS: A total of 49 researchers from ten different study groups of the Turkish Thoracic Society participated in the study. The researchers were asked to examine patients in an almost ideal manner, without time constraint under available conditions. RESULTS: A total of 1680 patient examinations were reviewed. The mean duration of patient examination in ideal conditions was determined to be 20.4 +/- 9.6 min. Among all steps of patient examination, the longest time was spent for "taking medical history." The total time spent for patient examination was statistically significantly longer in the university hospitals than in the governmental hospitals and training and research hospitals (P < 0.001). Among different patient categories, the patients with a chronic disorder presenting for the first time and were referred from primary or secondary to tertiary care for further evaluation have required the longest time for patient examination. CONCLUSION: According to our study, the appropriate minimal duration for patient examination is 20 min. It has been observed that in university hospitals and in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases, this duration has been increased to above 25 min. The durations in clinical practice should be planned accordingly.

WOS: 000264777200009, PubMed ID: 19367045, Diesel exhaust (DE) has been accused for various health outcomes including exacerbation of asthma, chronic bronchitis. Exposure to DE has long-term effects on lung development in children and reductions in lung function have been reported. The aim of the study was to evaluate the annual changes in forced expiratory flows among toll collectors in Duzce city from 2002 to 2005. Annual FVC, FEV1 and MMF changes in smoker and nonsmoker 58 toll collectors and 37 controls selected among men who worked in the same company as officer have been followed up. No significant changes were seen in expiratory flows among smoker-nonsmoker toll collectors and controls (p>0.05). Annual FVC, FEV1 and MMF changes were not significantly different between smoker and nonsmoker toll collectors. Twelve toll collectors (20.7%) in the study group and 4 (10.8%) controls were found to have FEV1 and FVC below longitudinal lower limit of normal. The difference between groups did not reach statistically significance (p>0.05). Toll collectors (18/58) and controls (15/37) with spirometric measurements for three times showed no difference according to the rate of annual difference in either FEV1 (-21.3 +/- 133.1 ml/yr vs -44.3 +/- 166.6 (ml/yr) or FVC (13.2 +/- 202.9 ml/yr vs. -16.1 +/- 204.2 ml/yr). Further investigations including large groups with long term follow up are needed to observe annual FVC, FEV1 and MMF changes among toll collectors.

WOS: 000288959600009, PubMed ID: 20946338, Background and objective: Extrapulmonary sarcoidosis is common, and is almost always associated with concomitant thoracic involvement. Extrapulmonary manifestations vary on the basis of gender, age at presentation and ethnicity. The aim of this study was to investigate extrapulmonary involvement in patients with sarcoidosis in Turkey. Methods: This study was conducted by Turkish Thoracic Society Clinical Problems Study Group. New cases of sarcoidosis between 1 June 2004 and 31 May 2006 were recorded on electronic case record forms sent to all potential investigators and information about extrapulmonary involvement was collected. Results: One hundred and nineteen of 293 patients (83 female, 36 male, mean age = 45 +/- 12 years) had extrapulmonary involvement in this study (40.6%). The median time to diagnosis was 6 months and this was longer than patients with just thoracic sarcoidosis (P = 0.001). Extrapulmonary symptoms were present in 181 (61.8%) patients, and skin lesions, arthralgia and back pain were the commonest (33.4%, 20.8% and 16.4%, respectively). Incidence of organ involvement was independent of age with the exception of ocular involvement, which was higher in those under the age of 40 years (P = 0.007). Conclusions: Skin and peripheral lymph node involvement were the most common sites of extrapulmonary involvement and ocular involvement was more common in those under the age of 40 years in patients with sarcoidosis in a Turkish population.

WOS: 000266684100017, PubMed ID: 19181507, Epidemiological characteristics of sarcoidosis differ according to geographical distribution. The aim of our study was to disclose epidemiological characteristics in our country. The data was collected from investigators, who sent information on newly-diagnosed patients via internet. In 2 years 198 female and 95 mate patients were enrolled to the study (f/m:2.08). Mean age of patients was 44 +/- 13 years (17-90). Mean age of mate patients was 38 12 while mean age of female patients was 48 13 (p < 0.001). 73.4% of patients were nonsmokers (85.4% of females; 48.4% of mates; (p < 0.001)). About 50% of our 293 patients were housewives. Familial sarcoidosis was found in 3 patients' first degree relatives. Estimated annual incidence of sarcoidosis for Turkey was calculated as 4 per 100,000 person. According to our study, 2/3 of sarcoidosis patients were women; mean age of patients was 45 and the disease began 10 years later in female patients. 80% of patients were nonsmokers; negative relation between sarcoidosis and smoking was evident especially in women. Familial sarcoidosis frequency was lower compared to other studies in the literature. There was no occupational exposure history in our patients. Our incidence rate, is similar with the results of other European studies. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Yavuz, Özlem (Balikesir Author), Aim. Previous studies have shown a higher sensitization rate to hazelnut in processing workers but no relation was found between the respiratory symptoms in workplace and hazelnut sensitization. Material and Method. To evaluate the association between the hazelnut sensitization and workplace-related respiratory complaints, hazelnut processing workers had undergone a questionnaire included work-related respiratory symptoms, smoking history, pulmonary function testing, and measurement of serum IgE antibodies against hazelnut. Results. This study consisted of 88 hazelnut processing workers (79 females and 9 males), aged 14-59 years (Mean +/- SD: 33.8 +/- 10.5 years). The mean working duration was 38.8 +/- 36.6 months (min: 1-max: 180). Specific IgE against hazelnut allergens was positive in 14 of cases (17.1%). There was no significant difference between the cases with and without specific IgE against hazelnut allergens regarding respiratory symptoms, history of allergy, smoking status and spirometric values. Conclusion. 17.1% of the hazelnut processing workers were seropositive against hazelnut. Being sensitized to hazelnut was not found to be associated with work-related respiratory symptoms in this study. Further studies are needed in hazelnut workers respiratory health to search topics other than asthma.

Aims and backgroundTo evaluate the relationship between delayed diagnosis and the degree of invasion and survival in lung cancer.MethodsOne hundred and three patients (96 men) with lung cancer were included. Stages in the diagnosis of lung cancer were classified as follows: symptom-to-doctor interval, i.e., the interval from the first symptoms related to the presence of lung cancer to the first consultation with a medical professional; doctor-to-diagnosis interval, i.e., the interval between the first medical visit and confirmation of the diagnosis; and diagnosis-to-treatment interval, i.e., the interval between diagnosis and complete TNM staging and treatment. The symptom-to-treatment interval (STI) was the sum of the 3 intervals. The degree of invasion was determined by the TNM classification.ResultsThe patients were followed up for a mean period (± SD) of 7.4 ± 8.7 months. Seventy-six (74%) patients were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 27 patients (26%) with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The mean length of STI was 120 ± 101 days (median, 90). The mean length of the symptom-to-doctor interval was 63 ± 62 days (median, 45), while the doctor-to-diagnosis and diagnosis-to-treatment intervals were 41 ± 82 days (median, 10) and 16 ± 12 days (median, 12), respectively. When the STIs of the patients were correlated with tumor stage, tumor invasion, lymph node involvement and metastasis, no significant differences were found. Patients with an STI longer than 60 days had a significantly longer survival. Regarding the type of lung cancer and STI, the median survival was shorter in patients with an STI of less than 60 days both in NSCLC and SCLC, although this was not statistically significant in SCLC.ConclusionsThe shorter the diagnostic interval, the shorter was the median survival in our study. The reason for the apparent discrepancy between poor prognosis of lung cancer patients in spite of early diagnosis might be much faster progression of the disease itself.

Background: Clinical and epidemiological studies indicate that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has a strong genetic basis. Objectives: To investigate the apolipoprotein E (APOE) alleles as a genetic risk factor in OSAS. Methods: A total of 73 patients (37 male) were included. All underwent full-night polysomnography and were evaluated for APOE alleles. Results: The mean age was 51 ± 12 years. Forty-two of the patients had OSAS. The APOE3 allele was found in 97.3% (71/73) of the study population. The most common APOE genotype was E3/E3 (55/73, 75.3%). Compared to the individuals with no APOE2 alleles (E3/E3, E3/E4), the individuals with at least one APOE2 allele (E2/E3, E2/E4) had a 9.37-fold greater OSAS risk (OR = 9.37, 95% CI 1.13-77.7, p = 0.019). The individuals with APOE2 alleles (E2/E3, E2/E4) compared to the individuals with only an E3/E3 allele genotype had a 10-fold greater OSAS risk (OR = 10.3, 95% CI 1.24-86.61, p = 0.0308). Compared to the individuals with no APOE4 alleles (E2/E3, E3/E3), the individuals with APOE4 alleles (E2/E4, E3/E4) had a high but insignificant risk for OSAS (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 0.55-15.05, p = 0.286). The individuals with APOE4 alleles (E2/E4, E3/E4) compared to APOE3 alleles (E3/E3) had an increased but insignificant risk for OSAS (OR = 3.62, 95% CI 0.96-19.05, p = 0.127). Conclusion: Specific APOE genotypes are associated with OSAS in a high-risk population.

Annakkaya, Ali Nihat N/0000-0002-7661-8830; Balbay, Ege Gulec/0000-0002-1557-7019 WOS: 000347917900004 PubMed: 24914073 Objective: To investigate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Design: Case series. Setting: School of Medicine, Duzce University, Turkey. Patients: Twenty-one consecutive primary open-angle glaucoma patients (12 females and 9 males) who attended the out-patient clinic of the Department of Ophthalmology between July 2007 and February 2008 were included in this study. All patients underwent polysomnographic examination. Results: The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome was 33.3% in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma; the severity of the condition was mild in 14.3% and moderate in 19.0% of the subjects. The age (P = 0.047) and neck circumference (P = 0.024) in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome were significantly greater than those without the syndrome. Triceps skinfold thickness in glaucomatous obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients reached near significance versus those without the syndrome (P = 0.078). Snoring was observed in all glaucoma cases with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. The intra-ocular pressure of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome was significantly lower than those without obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (P = 0.006 and P = 0.035 for the right and left eyes, respectively). There was no significant difference in the cup/disc ratio and visual acuity, except visual field defect, between primary open-angle glaucoma patients with and without obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Conclusions: Although it does not provide evidence for a cause-effect relationship, high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma in this study suggests the need to explore the long-term results of coincidence, relationship, and cross-interaction of these two common disorders.

In many studies, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been shown to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Conversely, there are few reports establishing possible relation between OSA and venous thromboembolism (VTE). In this study, the aim is to evaluate OSA via polysomnography in patients with pulmonary embolism and drawing the attention of clinicians to the presence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may be a risk factor for pulmonary embolism.Fifty consecutive patients who were diagnosed with pulmonary embolism (PE) were evaluated prospectively for OSAS. Polysomnographic examination was conducted on 30 volunteer patients. The frequency of OSAS in PE was determined and PE cases were compared to each other after being divided into two groups based on the presence of a major risk factor.The study consisted of a total of 30 patients (14 females and 16 males). In 56.7% of the patients (17/30), OSAS was determined. The percent of cases with moderate and severe OSAS (apnea hipoapnea index15) was 26.7% (8/30). Patients who had pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) without any known major VTE risk (n = 20), were compared to patients with VTE risk factors (n = 10), and significantly higher rates of OSAS were seen (70% and 30% respectively; P = 0.045). The mean age of the group with major PE risk factors was lower than the group without major PE risk factors (52 years old and 66 years old, respectively; P = 0.015), however, weight was greater in the group with major PE risk factors (88 kg and 81 kg, respectively; P = 0.025). By multivariate Logistic regression analysis, in the group without any visible major risk factors, the only independent risk factor for PE was OSAS (P = 0.049).In patients with PTE, OSA rates were much higher than in the general population. Moreover, the rate for patients with clinically significant moderate and severe OSA was quite high. PTE patients with OSA symptoms (not syndromes) and without known major risk factor should be examined for OSA. There seems to be a relationship between OSA and PTE. However, whether this relationship is a causal relationship or a relationship due to common risk factors or long-term complications of OSA is not clear. Further comprehensive studies on those special topics are needed to clarify these points.

Background and objective: Extrapulmonary sarcoidosis is common, and is almost always associated with concomitant thoracic involvement. Extrapulmonary manifestations vary on the basis of gender, age at presentation and ethnicity. The aim of this study was to investigate extrapulmonary involvement in patients with sarcoidosis in Turkey. Methods: This study was conducted by Turkish Thoracic Society Clinical Problems Study Group. New cases of sarcoidosis between 1 June 2004 and 31 May 2006 were recorded on electronic case record forms sent to all potential investigators and information about extrapulmonary involvement was collected. Results: One hundred and nineteen of 293 patients (83 female, 36 male, mean age = 45 +/- 12 years) had extrapulmonary involvement in this study (40.6%). The median time to diagnosis was 6 months and this was longer than patients with just thoracic sarcoidosis (P = 0.001). Extrapulmonary symptoms were present in 181 (61.8%) patients, and skin lesions, arthralgia and back pain were the commonest (33.4%, 20.8% and 16.4%, respectively). Incidence of organ involvement was independent of age with the exception of ocular involvement, which was higher in those under the age of 40 years (P = 0.007). Conclusions: Skin and peripheral lymph node involvement were the most common sites of extrapulmonary involvement and ocular involvement was more common in those under the age of 40 years in patients with sarcoidosis in a Turkish population.

Coskun, Abdurrahman/0000-0002-1273-0604; Annakkaya, Ali Nihat N/0000-0002-7661-8830 WOS: 000266882200007 PubMed: 19494536 Objective: To investigate serum levels of CA 19.9, CA 125 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in patients with different stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients and Methods: Fifty-three consecutive patients (50 males, 3 females, mean age 67.6 +/- 10.1 years) with COPD were included in this study. Serum levels of CA 19.9, CA 25 and CEA were determined by the chemiluminescent immunometric method. Based on values obtained from pulmonary function tests, the patients were divided into 3 groups: moderate (21), severe (18) and very severe (14). Data were analyzed with a Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The mean serum levels of CA 125 and CA 19.9 were significantly higher in patients with very severe COPD (p = 0.013 and p = 0.017, respectively) than in patients with severe and moderate COPD (p < 0.05). Patients with cor pulmonale had significantly high mean serum levels of CEA, CA 19.9 and CA 125 (p < 0.05). Patients using a long-acting beta-agonist and theophylline showed significantly higher mean serum levels of CA 125 than patients who were not (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Data showed that the increased serum tumor markers in patients with COPD might be due to the severity of COPD, medication and cor pulmonale. Copyright (c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

Coskun, Abdurrahman/0000-0002-1273-0604; Annakkaya, Ali Nihat N/0000-0002-7661-8830 WOS: 000247571900017 PubMed: 17565927 Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is potentially a proatherosclerotic metalloproteinase and a new inflammatory marker. Investigators sought to evaluate the significance of PAPP-A in patients with asthma. Blood samples were collected from 35 patients and 20 control subjects. Serum PAPP-A was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PAPP-A levels of patients with asthma (8.1 +/- 5.0 mU/L) were higher than those of the control group (4.9 +/- 2.1 mU/L) (P

Tularemia caused by Francisella tularensis, which is considered a biological warfare agent, is a widely distributed zoonosis. In this study, we aimed to compare a 2005 outbreak of tularemia that was confirmed as waterborne by PCR to outbreak of tularemia that was reported as waterborne in 2000 and to investigate the changes of epidemiological characteristics between these two outbreaks occurring in the same region. In the present study, a total of 11 patients were diagnosed with tularemia. In the 2000 outbreak, oropharyngeal type was observed 19 patients, and ulceroglandular type in 3 patients. In the 2005 outbreak, oropharyngeal type was observed in 8 patients, and oculoglandular type in 3 patients. However, our cases are not sufficient to make a conclusion that the characteristics of tularemia seem to be changing.

The aim of this study was to compare serum neopterin levels in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, healthy healthcare workers who had close contact with patients, and healthy volunteers. All of the healthy volunteers stated that they had not encountered possible risk factors for exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.Thirty-nine patients, 39 healthy healthcare workers, and a control group of 39 healthy volunteers who had no infection or other diseases were included in this study. Neopterin assay was performed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.Serum neopterin levels were 18.6+/-14.2 nmol/l in patients, 9.8+/-2.9 nmol/l in healthy healthcare workers, and 3.4+/-5.2 nmol/l in healthy volunteers. Serum neopterin levels in each group were significantly different from each other (p0.01).Levels of neopterin in patients and healthy healthcare workers significantly differ from the levels in healthy controls. The higher serum neopterin levels in healthy healthcare workers may be attributed to latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, but it does not seem to be used in the diagnosis of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection alone. However, more experiences are needed.

The purpose of this study was to investigate various factors, including demographical, socioeconomical, clinical and radiological features, of adherent and nonadherent patients with tuberculosis (TB) who were admitted to a university hospital between 1998 and 2003. One hundred and one patients (65.5%) and 53 patients (34.5%) met the criteria of adherence and nonadherence, respectively. A higher rate of adherence was observed among females than males (79.2 versus 58.4%, respectively, P = 0.012). Older patients were more nonadherent (P = 0.008). The adherence rate in non-smokers was significantly higher than that of smokers (81.4 and 52.4%, respectively, P = 0.000). Patients who underwent "family screening" were more adherent (75.7%) than those (39.5%) who did not (P = 0.000). Patients with pleurisy had higher adherence rates (81.3%), followed by patients with pulmonary TB (65.0%), while patients with extrarespiratory TB had the lowest adherence rates (45.5%) (P = 0.024). The presence of cough was significantly associated with adherence (P = 0.049). A significantly higher adherence rate was observed in patients without hemoptysis (P = 0001). A univariate logistic regression confirmed that age, smoking, family screening, type of TB, cough and hemoptysis had significant independent effects on the adherence to treatment of TB. High-risk patients may be identified and interventions tailored to promote adherence before concluding that the patient is willfully refusing treatment.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of furniture production, mainly including fir tree (aberia mulleriana), on respiratory health of young workers and to compare the results with those obtained from previous studies. Sixty-four furniture-decoration students (57 males and 7 females) and 62 controls (54 male, 8 female) from different departments in the same school were included into the study. All participants were assessed with a questionnaire (concerning history of occupational exposure, work-related respiratory and other symptoms, smoking history, previous asthma history), full physical examination, spirometric evaluation and chest radiograph. Participants then performed serial monitoring of peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) at work and away from work within a month. Mean age of students was 20.9 +/- 3.7 years, 20.5 +/- 2.6 years in controls. There was no difference between study and control groups with regard to age, gender, smoking status and previous asthma history. Reported cough (23.4 % vs. 8.1 %) and shortness of breath (18.8 % vs. 6.5 %) were significantly higher in furniture-decoration students than in controls (p = 0.016 and p = 0.034, respectively). Furniture-decoration students had higher conjunctivitis (34.4 % vs. 9.7 %, p = 0.001) and rhinitis (34.4 % vs. 19.4 %, p = 0.044) history when compared with controls. Both students and controls were normal in terms of respiratory examination. PEF recordings were performed for approximately one month. Diurnal variability greater than 20 % was seen in 12/64 (18.7 %) of students at work, whereas it was detected in 4/62 (6.4 %) of controls (p = 0.034). When comparing for the presence of diurnal variability greater than 20 % in weekends, no difference was found between groups (p = 0.457). In conclusion, early detection of work-related respiratory changes by serial monitoring of peak expiratory flows should save the workers from hazardous respiratory effects of the furniture production, especially in young population.

Annakkaya, Ali Nihat N/0000-0002-7661-8830 WOS: 000246892200007 PubMed: 17515641 The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the quantiferon test (QFT) for detecting latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in health care workers (HCWs). Seventy-six participants who were working in Duzce University Hospital, where tuberculosis patients were being treated, were included in the study. TST was performed according to the Mantoux technique. QFT was performed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. A positive TST result was defined as an induration diameter of >= 15 mm. TSTs were positive in 41 of 76 participants (53.9%) and QFT was positive in 65 of 76 participants (85.5%). There was a significant difference between the numbers of QFT-positive and TST-positive cases (P = 0.02). When the induration diameter of TST was >= 20 min, QFT positivity was 100%. Multivariate analysis revealed that there was a significant correlation between the percentage of patients with QFT positivity and the induration diameter of TST (P = 0.009). QFT thus seems to be more effective for LTBI diagnosis than TST. However, large-scale trials including quantitative measurement of QFT in subgroups taking into account the division where HCWs are employed and the different results of TST might clarify the usefulness of QFT in LTBI diagnosis.