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Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not fully reversible disease that is characterized by progressive restricting airflow. Non‐invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) treatment can be used in COPD patients who had type 2 respiratory failure. This study aimed to determine the effect of BPAP S/T and AVAPS modes on intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT) in 40 type 2 respiratory failure patients with COPD. Methods: Forty patients with type 2 respiratory failure who were hospitalized between June and December 2018 with the diagnosis of COPD exacerbations were included to the study. Patients followed up without NIMV for 12 hours after the end of exacerbations treatments end. After IOP, visual acuity and CCT were measured in all patients at the same time (11.00 am), same NIMV treatment was applied to the patients for 4 hours (AVAPS‐BPAP S/T). Then the measurements were repeated. The effects of these NIMV modes on IOP were evaluated. Results: After NIMV treatment, it was observed that the mean IOP increased statistically significantly (13.3 vs 12.3 mm Hg; P = 0.001). After treatment with NIMV, there was a decrease for CCT close to statistical significance (P = 0.057) Conclusion: As a result; increased IOP and thinning of CCT after NIMV treatment has been shown. The type of NIMV and the level of inspiratory pressure needed in hypercapnic respiratory failure seem to affect IOP and it should be cautiously used to increase IOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the patients' attitudes about the devices, of which they use for long-term respiratory support at home., Method: 200 consecutive patients were questioned about the treatment and devices of respiratory support at home by face to face questionnaire. Their records were taken from the archives of Social Security Agency., Results: 123 (61.5%) of the patients were men and 77 (38.5%) were women. The mean age was 65.8 ± 11.9 (15-92) years. The most frequently prescribed device was oxygen concentrator and BIPAP was the one that follows. The most common indications were hypoxic and hypercapnic respiratory failure due to COPD. The devices were prescribed by the state university hospitals, most commonly. The average daily oxygen usage duration was 16.3 ± 3.1 hours, the average duration was 7.4 ± 3.1 hours, for BIPAP. Twenty one (11.4%) of the patients, who were treated with LTOT, stated that they were taking oxygen less than 15 hours a day. Higher education levels of the patients was correlated with the higher rates of visiting the companies - that they bought the devices- both for information about and control of the devices (p=0.002). The rate of visiting companies/firms was significantly higher in patients, who use BIPAP and respiratory support combined with it (p=0.010). Twenty three (47.9%) of the 48 patients, who notified that their devices were impaired, waited for repairment by the firm, 20 (41.6%) investigated special repair facilities and the rest (10.5%) rented a new device., Conclusion: Effective and continuous technical maintenance support must be provided to the patients, who are treated with long-term respiratory support at home.

Introduction and Aim: The presented study was undertaken to investigate the respiratory health problems in family barns with one or more cows and at least one family member working in the barn., Methods: 150 workers (128 female, 22 male) from 4 villages of Yığılca district near the city of Düzce in north-west Turkey were enrolled in this study between October - December 2011. An Occupational and Environmental Chest Diseases questionnaire developed by the American Thoracic Society, pulmonary function test, physical examination and investigation for nasal eosinophil were performed in all subjects., Results: The mean age of workers was 47.7 ± 14.2 years. Cough was present in 24% of subjects. The rates of phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness and dyspnea were 13.3%, 6%, 6% and 27.3%, respectively. Obstructive ventilatory pattern was observed in 37 workers (24.6%). 43 workers (28.6%) showed restrictive ventilatory pattern. Nasal eosinophilia was detected in 47.3% (71/150) of the subjects. Pulmonary functions of workers with nasal eosinophilia did not differ from the other workers. There were statistically significant negative correlations between the duration of working in barns and respiratory functions., Conclusions: Pulmonary functions of barn workers have been found to be decreased related to the duration of barn working. Furthermore, respiratory symptoms increased in relation with both barn working and biomass consumption. Precautions should therefore be taken to ventilate both barns and houses.