Search

Birsen Ocakli,1 Ipek Ozmen,1 Eylem Acartürk Tunçay,1 Sinem Gungor,1 Hilal Altinoz,1 Nalan Adiguzel,1 Zafer Ali Sak,2 Gokay Gungor,1 Zuhal Karakurt,1 Peri Arbak3 1University of Health Sciences, Sureyyapasa Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; 2Department of Chest Diseases, Harran University, Faculty of Medicine, Sanliurfa, Turkey; 3Department of Chest Diseases, Duzce University, Faculty of Medicine, Duzce, Turkey Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate errors in inhaler technique in COPD vs asthma patients and to investigate the association of poor inhaler technique with patient demographics and clinical variables. Patients and methods: A total of 509 adult patients with COPD (n=328) or asthma (n=181) who were currently using an inhaler device were included in this study. Data on patient demographics, duration of disease, type and duration of inhaler therapy, and assessment of inhaler technique were recorded. Results: Metered dose inhaler (MDI) was the most common type of inhaler used by a similarly high percentage of patients in both COPD (83.2%) and asthma (77.3%) groups. Failure to exhale before inhaling through device (75.8% and 68.5% for MDIs; 73.2% and 71.8% for Aerolizer®/Handihaler®; 53.1% and 66.7% for Turbuhaler®) was the most common error in inhaler technique, in both COPD and asthma groups. Device-specific errors in inhaler techniques were more common in asthma patients as compared with COPD patients, particularly for MDIs (P-values ranged from 0.046 to 0.0005), as associated with female gender (failure to press the buttons on both sides of Aerolizer®/Handihaler®, P=0.006), shorter duration of disease (failure to hold MDI or head in a vertical position, P

Objective: To evaluate the COVID-19 vaccination status and related characteristics of Turkish healthcare workers practicing chest medicine. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among the Turkish Thoracic Society members. The survey was started on May 17, 2021, and kept open for seven weeks. The 39-item survey included the COVID-19 vaccination status and demographic, clinical, and occupational characteristics. Results: Of 378 healthcare workers participated in the survey, 354 (93.7%) reported receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 323 (91.2%) healthcare workers received Corona Vac vs. BioNTech/Pfizer in 31 (8.8%). In the Corona Vac group, 77 (23.8%) contracted COVID-19 when not fully vaccinated, and 13 (4.0%) when fully vaccinated; however, 16 (51.6%) healthcare workers in the BioNTech/Pfizer group got COVID-19 when not fully vaccinated, but any fully vaccinated participants did not contract COVID-19 (P=0.003). Regarding vaccine dosing, 328 (86.8%) were fully vaccinated, while 50 (13.2%) were not. Multiple regression analysis for being a non-fully vaccinated healthcare worker demonstrated a significant relationship with having any SARS-CoV-2 infection history (adjusted OR 9.57, 95% CI 3.93-23.26, P<0.001) and being a non-physician healthcare worker (adjusted OR 5.86, 95% CI 2.11-16.26, P=0.001), but a significant negative relationship with full-time working at the time of survey (adjusted OR 0.13,95% CI 0.03-0.56, P=0.006). Conclusions: Although a majority of healthcare workers were fully vaccinated, occupational and non-occupational characteristics were related to being non-fully vaccinated. Active surveillance regarding the COVID-19 vaccination in healthcare workers is necessary to address specific parameters as barriers to vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The medium- and long-term effects of COVID-19 infection on pulmonary function are still unknown. • The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected healthcare professionals, inflicting a heavy burden on the healthcare systems of countries. • Healthcare professionals with persistent complaints who contracted COVID-19 and returned to work using pulmonary function tests, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and the diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) test. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Konuralp Medical Journal / Konuralp Tip Dergisi is the property of Duzce University Medical School 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. In recent years, many studies have evaluated the increasing incidence of asthma and chronic respiratory diseases among children living close to rural areas with pesticide application. Pesticide exposure in 266 children (126 girls and 140 boys) in Şanlıurfa, a cotton-producing province in Turkey, was explored in this work. Four different villages spread over 40 km2 were included. Methods. Measurements of peak expiratory flow (PEF) in 266 children were conducted in late June, before intensive pesticide applications in the cotton-producing fields. The measurements were repeated for 72 of 266 children after pesticide application in late August. PEF, particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), particulate matter with diameter less than 10 µm (PM10), temperature, humidity, and wind speed were measured. Results. After pesticide application, mean PM2.5 and PM10 values were significantly increased compared to before pesticide application (p < 0.001 for both parameters). After pesticide exposure, nasal discharge, sneezing, burning and itching in the eyes, cough, sputum production, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness were significantly increased (p < 0.001). The mean PEF value was demonstrated to decrease significantly after pesticide application (p < 0.001). Moreover, significant negative correlations were noted between PEF and PM10 and between PEF and PM2.5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Intensive pesticide application causes respiratory dysfunction and increased respiratory complaints in children living near the affected agricultural areas, and impacts quality of life adversely. The results of this work can be used to develop an early warning system and methods to prevent respiratory disorders in children residing in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of natural gas for heating purposes causes less air pollution than solid fuels. Preventing air pollution decreases hospital admissions due to respiratory infections in children. The aim of the study is to examine the impact of using more clean fuel for heating purpose on hospital admissions with respiratory tract diseases in children. The records of 126.940 pediatric patients who were admitted to Düzce University Medical Faculty Pediatric Emergency Medicine outpatient clinic between 2014 and 2017 were reviewed. The records of children diagnosed with respiratory diseases (n: 46137) were examined. During the same period, air monitoring measurements of the national air quality network were recorded. Of the children, 55.5% were male and 45.5% were female. Most of the children were among the age group of 2-5 years (44%). Between 2014 and 2017, the mean PMlO was observed to decrease (2014: 114.4, 2017:79, p < 0.0001), rate of natural gas usage (2014:52.9%, 2017: 64.2%, p<0.0001) increased, rates of stove usage (2014:47%- 2017:35.7%, p<0.0001) decreased, annual mean air temperature values (2014:13.9-2017:16.7, p<0.0001) increased significantly. When all pediatric emergency admissions between 2014 and 2017 were examined, the number of those diagnosed with respiratory tract disease reduced while the number of general pediatric emergency admissions increased. The use of more clean fuels for heating purposes was observed to decrease the incidence of acute respiratory tract infections significantly in the preschool and school age group children. The use of clean fuel should be encouraged since preventing childhood infections would protect from the chronic lung diseases that may occur during adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Konuralp Medical Journal / Konuralp Tip Dergisi is the property of Duzce University Medical School 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.)

Ojective. To investigate respiratory health problems related to pesticide exposure in the inhabitants of agricultural areas. Materials and method. This study included 252 participants prior to pesticide application and 66 participants from the first group after pesticide application across four cotton farms. Symptom questionnaires were filled out by participants and respiratory function tests were measured before and after pesticide exposure. In addition, PM10, PM2.5, air temperature, and humidity were measured in all four farming villages before and after pesticide administration. Results. PM10 and PM2.5 levels were significantly increased after pesticide application. After pesticide application, all participants' nose, throat, eye, and respiratory complaints increased significantly. Expected forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) percentage values decreased significantly. The rates of FVC and FEV1 values lower than 80% were 23.5% and 22%, respectively, before pesticide application, and this rate increased to 42.4% and 43.1%, respectively, after pesticide application. There was a significant negative correlation between PM10 levels and FVC, FEV1, and PEF values. After PM2.5 pesticide application, the risk of experiencing burning in the mouth, nose, and throat increased by 2.3-fold (OR: 2.316), 2.6-fold for burning symptoms in the eyes (OR: 2.593), 2.1-fold for wheezing (OR: 2.153), and 2.2-fold for chest tightness (OR: 2.211). With increased PM10 levels, the risk of chest tightness increased 1.1-fold (OR: 1.123). Conclusions. After pesticide administration, the respiratory health of the participants deteriorated. Performing pesticide applications in agriculture with harmless methods is the most important measure to be taken to protect public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Konuralp Medical Journal / Konuralp Tip Dergisi is the property of Duzce University Medical School 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.)

Diabetes is a factor that causes hepatic damage. This experimental study has been designed to investigate possible therapeutical and protective effects of oxytocin in streptozotocin-(STZ) induced diabetes. Wistar albino rats used in this study were randomly divided into four groups: I) Control Group, II) STZ induced Diabetic Group (STZ Group), III) Diabetic Group with Pre-Oxytocin treatment (Pre-Oxytocin Group) and IV) Diabetic Group with Post-Oxytocin treatment (Post-Oxytocin Group). Rats with blood glucose levels of 200 mg/dL or higher were considered to be diabetic and included in the study. At the end of the 4th week, hepatic tissue samples were taken to be processed for light microscopy. Blood samples were determined for Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP) measurements. The histopathological damage score of hepatic tissue, which was significantly increased in the STZ group, was decreased by oxytocin treatment. According to biochemical data, MDA and AOPP levels were reduced, whereas GSH level was increased in oxytocintreated groups when compared to STZ group. The present study demonstrates that oxytocin pretreatment reduced the degree of hepatic injury by providing a cellular protection against oxidative stress produced by STZ-induced diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]