Sema Umut

Retrospective Evaluation of Patient Compliance in Continuous Oxygen Therapy

Background: Prescription of continuous oxygen therapy (COT) for correct indications, adequate education of the patients, and a regular and sufficient oxygen intake are essential. Objective: To evaluate the indications of COT prescriptions in six different centers around Istanbul and patient compliance. Methods: The initial data of the cases were taken from hospital records and throughout the study personal visits were done as well as arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses. Results: 86 patients out of 110 (78.1%) were found to be eligible candidates for COT. Daily duration of therapy was more than 15 h in 55 (43.3%) and more than 12 h in 14 (11%) of the cases. During therapy, mean PaO2 values have increased from 52.1 ± 11 to 58.6 ± 12 mm Hg (p < 0.001), while mean PaCO2 values have decreased from 50.16 ± 9.6 to 48.02 ± 9 mm Hg (p < 0.05). 98 of the cases (77.1%) stated that they had benefited from the therapy. Conclusions: We conclude that COT is an effective treatment modality, but patient compliance remains a problem.

Bronchus Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Presenting with Immunodeficiency and Multiple Pulmonary Nodules

Bronchus Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma (BALTOMA) is a rare subgroup of pulmonary non-Hodgkins lymphomas (NHLs) comprising less than 1% of all cases. It constitutes 3.6% of all extranodal lymphomas and only 0.5–1% of primary pulmonary malignancies. They are usually low grade B-cell lymphomas and are considered to originate from the mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of the bronchi. Here, we represent a rare case of BALTOMA presenting with immunodeficiency and multiple pulmonary nodules.

Updates in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease for the Year 2014

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Research conducted over the past decade has contributed much to our current knowledge of the pathogenesis and treatment of COPD. Additionally, an evolving literature has recently accumulated information about the management of COPD and also about exacerbations. This article reviews a concise summary on the updates in COPD including 1) new pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets, 2) management of patients in Group B, C and D according to GOLD 2014 report; 3) prevention and management of exacerbation; 4) monitoring of natural history; and 5) essential but usually forgotten parts of the management.