Bilal Halici

Inflammatory Processes and Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in Overlap Syndrome

We aimed to compare serum levels of the inflammatory mediators including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and their coexistence called overlap syndrome (OVS). In addition, we planned to investigate changes of these mediators with the treatment of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in OSAS and OVS. CRP, TNF-α, and ADMA levels were analyzed by ELISA method from blood samples withdrawn from patients with COPD (N = 25), OVS (N = 25), and moderate- to severe-stage OSAS (N = 25). First blood samples were taken in the morning after polysomnography application, and second blood samples were taken from OSAS and OVS patients who underwent regular CPAP treatment. In comparison of three groups prior to CPAP treatment, ADMA level in OSAS were significantly lower than in COPD (p = 0.009), but CRP and TNF-α were similar among groups. When we compared the parameters before and after CPAP treatment, the level of CRP in both OSAS and OVS decreased significantly (p = 0.02, p = 0.04), whereas TNF-α and ADMA levels did not display any significant differences. A decrease of serum CRP level in OVS and OSAS groups following effective CPAP treatment shows that CPAP is an effective treatment method for systemic inflammation.

Predictive value of Berlin Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale for obstructive sleep apnea in a sleep clinic population.

The Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) are two of the widely used screening instruments for subjects suffering from sleep disorders.

Can platelet indices predict obstruction level of pulmonary vascular bed in patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Computed tomography pulmonary arterial obstruction index ratio (CTPAOIR) is related with the severity of pulmonary embolism (PE). Platelet indices including mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) are reported to be increased in acute PE.

Diagnostic utility of flexible bronchoscopy in elderly patients.

In the elderly population, diagnosis and initial treatment should be considered as soon as possible because of high disease incidence and complications. We aimed to evaluate the findings of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) and determine the diagnostic utility of FB in patients 65 years old and older.

Arterial stiffness in obstructive sleep apnoea: Is there a difference between daytime and night-time?

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a common chronic systemic disease in the general population, with known associated cardiovascular outcomes. We aimed to investigate arterial stiffness in OSAS patients and compare daytime and night‐time values with control subjects.

Geç Tanı Konulan Nadir Bir Kartagener Sendromu Olgusu

Kartagener sendromu; otozomal resesif gecisli, situs inversus, bronsektazi ve kronik sinuzit ile karakterize bir primer siliyer diskinezi sendromudur. Semptomlar cogu zaman cocukluk caginda ortaya cikmaktadir. Olgularin % 90’i 15 yas oncesi saptanmaktadir. Kartagener sendromlu hastalarda kronik oksuruk, mukoid balgam cikarma, sik pnomoni ataklari gibi solunumsal problemler gorulmektedir. Bronsiektazi, tekrarlayan akciger enfeksiyonlari nedeniyle gelisir. Sik akciger enfeksiyonu gecirdigi ogrenilen 15 yasindaki erkek olgu nadir gorulen Kartagener Sendromu tanisi ile literatur bilgileri isiginda sunulmustur