Prevalence of depression and anxiety among chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder patients and its impact on the severity of the disease

Background: There is high prevalence of anxiety and depression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, leading to habits such as smoking. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to relate quantitatively, the contribution of anxiety and depression on prognosis, smoking, and stage of the disease. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 3 months on 50 male COPD patients, aged 40–70 years. Patients were recruited to participate in the study after obtaining informed consent and were administered a questionnaire. They were subjected for detailed clinical examination, chest-X ray. CAT, BODE, GOLD stage, MADRS, and HAM-A were calculated and submitted for statistical analysis. Results: Depression had more influence on smoking rather than anxiety. There was no contributing influence by age. Conclusion: Clinicians should be encouraged to concentrate more on addressing depression rather than anxiety.

The Use of Targeted Monoclonal Antibodies in the Treatment of ABPA—A Case Series

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a pulmonary disorder occurring in response to Aspergillus fumigatus that can complicate the course of asthma and cystic fibrosis. Here we present a case of acute ABPA without central bronchiectasis, a case of chronic active ABPA with central bronchiectasis, and a case of severe relapsing ABPA with central bronchiectasis. All three were initially treated with corticosteroids and antifungal agents but had an incomplete response. These patients were then treated with anti-IgE therapy with omalizumab before being switched to the anti-IL5R agent benralizumab. They responded well to both agents. These case reports highlight the potential role of omalizumab and benralizumab in the treatment of ABPA, but further studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of these medications. Longer follow-up periods and objective measurements of the impact of treatment are necessary.

Comprehensive care programmes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and real-world studies

Background: Different comprehensive care programmes (CCPs) have been developed for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), but data regarding their effectiveness have been controversial. PubMed and Embase were searched to 1st June 2017 for articles that investigated the effects of the different types of CCPs on hospitalization or mortality rates in COPD. Results: A total of 67 studies including 3472633 patients (mean age: 76.1+/-12.7 years old; 41% male) were analyzed. CCPs reduced all-cause hospitalizations (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63-0.79; P<0.001; I2:96%) and mortality (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.573-0.83; P<0.001; I2:75%). Subgroup analyses for different CCP types were performed. Hospitalizations were reduced by pharmacist-led medication reviews (HR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.37-0.78; P=0.001; I2:49%), structured care programmes (HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.66-0.87; P<0.0001; I2:88%) and self-management programmes (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.64-0.99; P<0.05; I2:78%), but not continuity of care programmes (HR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.36-1.36; P=0.29; I2:100%), early support discharge or home care packages (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.91-1.04; P=0.37; I2:0%) or telemonitoring (HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.32-1.18; P=0.14; I2:94%). Mortality was reduced by early support discharge or home care packages (HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.30-0.80; P<0.01; I2:72%), structured care programmes (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.53-0.90; P<0.01; I2:61%) and telemonitoring (HR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.31-0.89; P<0.05; I2:0%), but not self-management programmes (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.64-0.99; P<0.05; I2:78%). Conclusions: Comprehensive care programmes reduce hospitalization and mortality in COPD patients.

Assessment of Coagulopathy, Inflammation and LDH Activity in SARS-CoV-2-infected Patients

The patho-physiology of COVID19 is still not clear. This study investigated the status of coagulation, LDH activity, and inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. One hundred and thirty-four newly diagnosed COVID19 infected patients (age ranged65-82years) attending Mullingar Regional Hospital, Mullingar, Republic of Ireland, volunteered to participate in this study. They all presented with a pulmonary disorder, pyrexia, vomiting, body pains, etc. SARS-CoV-2 confirmatory test was done with RT-PCR molecular test using Cepheid Genexpert System. The data of another 121 plasma samples of apparently normal, non-COVID19 infected individuals taken before the emergence of COVID19 served as controls. Levels of blood platelets was determined in the participants using Siemen ADVIA 2120 Haematological System, and plasma D-dimer was determined in the participants using Star Max-Stago–Automatic Coagulation Analyzer LDH activity, plasma ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined in the participants using Beckman AU680-Chemistry Analyser. SARS-CoV-2 –infected patients showed significantly (p<0.001) higher levels of D-dimer (1522.95+1395.45ng/ml), CRP (125.3+116.4mg/l), ferritin (488.5+514.9pg/l), and LDH activity (574.4+446.7iu/l) compared to controls (78.8+18.1ng/ml, 2.4+1.7mg/l, 61.3+58.2pg/l, 304.1+76.6iu/l respectively). The blood platelet count did not show significant (p>0.05) change in the COVID19 patients (252.2 x 109+101 x 109) compared to controls (256.4 x 109+63.2 x 109). Elevated LDH activity could indicate tissue breakdown in the SARS-Cov-2 infected patients. Hyper-coagulation and inflammation are imminent in the COVID19 patients. Adjuvant anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory therapies may be useful as part of therapeutic regimen in the SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Keywords: COVID19, Coagulopathy, CRP and ferritin, LDH.

Swyer-James-Macleod Syndrome, Unilateral Hyperlucent Lung In Adulthood: A Case Presentation

SWYER-JAMES-MACLEOD SYNDROME (SJMS) is a rare pulmonary disorder that manifests as unilateral hyperlucent lung. HRCT is a novel imaging modality to diagnose SJMS since Chest radiographs underestimate this condition. We report a case presentation of SJMS in a 54-year-old male and treated with bronchodilators and i.v antibiotics. In conclusion, only a few with SJMS in adulthood has been reported worldwide.

On the Replica of US Pulmonary Artifacts by Means of Physical Models

Currently, the diagnostic value of the artefactual information provided by lung ultrasound images is widely recognized by physicians. In particular, the existence of a correlation between the visual characteristics of the vertical artifacts, which arise from the pleura line, and the genesis (pneumogenic or cardiogenic) of a pulmonary disorder is commonly accepted. Physicians distinguish vertical artifacts from vertical artifacts which extend to the bottom of the screen (B-lines) and common vertical artifacts from well-structured artifacts (modulated B-lines). However, the link between these visual characteristics and the causes which determine them is still unclear. Moreover, the distinction between short and long artifacts and the distinction between common and structured artifacts are not on/off, and their classification can be critical. In order to derive further information from the visual inspection of the vertical artifacts, the mechanisms which control the artifact formation must be identified. In this paper, the link between the visual characteristics of the vertical artifacts (the observed effect) and the distribution of the aerated spaces at the pleural level (the cause) is addressed. Plausible mechanisms are suggested and illustrated through experimental results.

Case Report: Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis Revealing Asthma

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is an immunological pulmonary disorder caused by hypersensitivity to Aspergillus which colonizes the airways of patients with asthma and cystic fibrosis. Its diagnosis could be difficult in some cases due to atypical presentations especially when there is no medical history of asthma. Treatment of ABPA is frequently associated to side effects but cumulated drug toxicity due to different molecules is rarely reported. An accurate choice among the different available molecules and effective on ABPA is crucial. We report a case of ABPA in a woman without a known history of asthma. She presented an acute bronchitis with wheezing dyspnea leading to an acute respiratory failure. She was hospitalized in the intensive care unit. The bronchoscopy revealed a complete obstruction of the left primary bronchus by a sticky greenish material. The culture of this material isolated Aspergillus fumigatus and that of bronchial aspiration fluid isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The diagnosis of ABPA was based on elevated eosinophil count, the presence of specific IgE and IgG against Aspergillus fumigatus and left segmental collapse on chest computed tomography. The patient received an inhaled treatment for her asthma and a high dose of oral corticosteroids for ABPA. Her symptoms improved but during the decrease of corticosteroids, the patient presented a relapse. She received itraconazole in addition to corticosteroids. Four months later, she presented a drug-induced hepatitis due to itraconazole which was immediately stopped. During the monitoring of her asthma which was partially controlled, the patient presented an aseptic osteonecrosis of both femoral heads that required surgery. Nine months after itraconazole discontinuation, she presented a second relapse of her ABPA. She received voriconazole for nine months associated with a low dose of systemic corticosteroid therapy with an improvement of her symptoms. After discontinuation of antifungal treatment, there was no relapse for one year follow-up.

A Comparative Study of Pulmonary Functions in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Normal Individuals

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a multi-system disorder that affects many organs of the bodyincluding the lung. Thus, the lung is considered a 'target organ' in diabetes mellitus. Thepresent study is undertaken to evaluate the impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus onpulmonary functions of adult male diabetic patients and to compare between type 2diabetes mellitus patients and healthy adult male subjects. Methods: Hundred adult male type 2 diabetic patients were selected from the diabetic clinic, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagunur, Karimnagar, and 100 adult male healthy subjects were selected randomly among the general population from Karimnagar city. spirograms were recorded by Spirowin PC-basedSpirometer. Parameters such as Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced ExpiratoryVolume in 1st second (FEV1), the ratio of FEV1/FVC, Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF) inthe Middle Half of FVC, and Peak Expiratory Rate (PEFR) were assessed and analyzedby using the paired t-test and ANOVA. Results: Diabetes mellitus has a negative impact on pulmonary functions when compared with healthy subjects. In this study type 2 diabetes mellitus patients showed a significantly greater percentage decline in FVC, FEV1, FEF25-75%, PEFR, and a slight increase in the ratio of FEV1/FVC suggestive of the restrictive pulmonary disorder. Conclusion: This study found the pulmonary functions FVC, FEV1, FEF25%-75%, and PEFR are decreased inType 2 diabetes mellitus compared to controls. FEV1/FVC% slightly increased in Type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is indicative of the restrictive pulmonary disorder

Oxy-hydrogen Gas: The Rationale Behind Its Use as a Novel and Sustainable Treatment for COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Diseases

Oxy-hydrogen gas (HHO) is a gaseous mixture of molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen that is generated by the electrolysis of water and delivered in a 2:1 ratio (66% and 33%, respectively) through the use of noninvasive inhalation devices such as nasal cannulas or nebulisers. Although there is a paucity of scientific evidence supporting this new and emerging therapy, initial investigations indicate that HHO proffers cytoprotective qualities, typically by reducing oxidative stress and attenuating the inflammatory response. These aspects are particularly favourable when considering respiratory medicine because underlying inflammation is known to drive the pathological progress of numerous respiratory conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and, pertinently, coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Direct delivery to the lung parenchyma is also likely to increase the effectiveness of this emerging medical therapy. This narrative review aims to delineate how this particular combination of gases can affect cellular processes at the molecular level by focussing on the evolutionary requirement for both oxygen and hydrogen. Furthermore, the authors assess the current available data for the safety and efficacy of HHO in a clinical setting.