Objective This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth ... more Objective This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) assessment during stable and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Background VEGF is a cytokine that has potent angiogenic and vascular permeability-enhancing activities. VEGF serum level was found to increase in a number of inflammatory disorders. Patient and methods This study was carried out in the Chest and Medical Biochemistry Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University and El-Mahalla Chest Hospital in the period from July 2015 to March 2016. It included 75 patients, with a mean age of 54.7 ± 7.55 years. The patients were subjected to clinical examination and standard spirometric measures including percentage of predicted forced vital capacity, percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second, and forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity ratio. Measurement of VEGF serum levels was done in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD on the first day of hospitalization, whereas for patients with stable COPD and for the healthy controls, the sample was taken on the same day of the spirometric maneuver. Results VEGF level was significantly elevated in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with controls and also was significantly higher in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD compared with patients with stable COPD. Conclusion VEGF is significantly elevated in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD and is proportional to the severity of stable COPD. Therefore, it can be used as a biomarker for COPD.
Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis, 2020
Background Uric acid (UA) contributes to beneficial extracellular antioxidant defense activities ... more Background Uric acid (UA) contributes to beneficial extracellular antioxidant defense activities in the airways. However, pro-oxidant powers of UA can be a potential risk factor for gouty arthritis in chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD). Objectives To investigate the proper causation (antioxidant/pro-oxidant) and correlation between UA indices and COPD and whether the associations were modified by smoking. Is serum uric acid (SUA) concentration a reliable biomarker to predict COPD severity? Patients and methods A prospective cohort study enrolled 45 male patients, who were divided into COPD smoker group I, cigarette smoker group II, and apparently healthy participants, serving as a control group III. SUA concentration and creatinine (Cr) level, arterial blood gases, radiographic imaging, and postbronchodilator spirometric measurements were performed. Results SUA was significantly elevated in COPD smoker and cigarette smoker groups than control one. SUA/Cr ratios were significantly increased in COPD smoker than in other groups. Overall, 8/20 (40%) patients were diagnosed with gouty arthritis in COPD smoker group, 1/15 (6.7%) in non-COPD cigarette smoker group, and none in control group. There were statistical significant differences among three groups (P=0.010). There were significantly higher number of patients with severe to very severe COPD (6/8) than patients with mild to moderate COPD (2/8) (P=0.028). There were significant positive correlations between SUA and smoking index (P=0.033), COPD grading (P=0.011), and partial arterial carbon dioxide tension (P=0.028) and also negative correlations with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) (P=0.029), partial arterial oxygen tension (P=0.001), and O2 saturation (P=0.001) in COPD smoker group I. In cigarette smoker group II, there were statistically significant positive correlations between SUA level and FVC% (P=0.033), FEV1 (P=0.017), and FEV1/FVC (P=0.010). Receiver operating characteristic curves for the evaluation of performance of serum uric acid/serum creatinine ratio in the diagnosis of severity of chronic obstructive airway disease. Conclusion SUA had pivotal antioxidant and pro-oxidant inflammatory effects (gouty arthritis) in COPD. Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor that influences SUA in COPD. SUA and SUA/Cr ratio increase with rising severity of COPD. UA/Cr ratio is the proper biomarker in the assessment of COPD grading, with higher sensitivity and specificity.
The Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis
Background Uric acid (UA) contributes to beneficial extracellular antioxidant defense activities ... more Background Uric acid (UA) contributes to beneficial extracellular antioxidant defense activities in the airways. However, pro-oxidant powers of UA can be a potential risk factor for gouty arthritis in chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD). Objectives To investigate the proper causation (antioxidant/pro-oxidant) and correlation between UA indices and COPD and whether the associations were modified by smoking. Is serum uric acid (SUA) concentration a reliable biomarker to predict COPD severity? Patients and methods A prospective cohort study enrolled 45 male patients, who were divided into COPD smoker group I, cigarette smoker group II, and apparently healthy participants, serving as a control group III. SUA concentration and creatinine (Cr) level, arterial blood gases, radiographic imaging, and postbronchodilator spirometric measurements were performed. Results SUA was significantly elevated in COPD smoker and cigarette smoker groups than control one. SUA/Cr ratios were significantly increased in COPD smoker than in other groups. Overall, 8/20 (40%) patients were diagnosed with gouty arthritis in COPD smoker group, 1/15 (6.7%) in non-COPD cigarette smoker group, and none in control group. There were statistical significant differences among three groups (P=0.010). There were significantly higher number of patients with severe to very severe COPD (6/8) than patients with mild to moderate COPD (2/8) (P=0.028). There were significant positive correlations between SUA and smoking index (P=0.033), COPD grading (P=0.011), and partial arterial carbon dioxide tension (P=0.028) and also negative correlations with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) (P=0.029), partial arterial oxygen tension (P=0.001), and O2 saturation (P=0.001) in COPD smoker group I. In cigarette smoker group II, there were statistically significant positive correlations between SUA level and FVC% (P=0.033), FEV1 (P=0.017), and FEV1/FVC (P=0.010). Receiver operating characteristic curves for the evaluation of performance of serum uric acid/serum creatinine ratio in the diagnosis of severity of chronic obstructive airway disease. Conclusion SUA had pivotal antioxidant and pro-oxidant inflammatory effects (gouty arthritis) in COPD. Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor that influences SUA in COPD. SUA and SUA/Cr ratio increase with rising severity of COPD. UA/Cr ratio is the proper biomarker in the assessment of COPD grading, with higher sensitivity and specificity.
The Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis
Objectives To assess the serum level of vitamin D and mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with... more Objectives To assess the serum level of vitamin D and mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and whether their levels correlate with OSAS severity or not. Background OSAS is a clinical disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway collapse during sleep. Studies show a link between low levels of vitamin D ‘25(OH) D’ and obstructive sleep apnea. Some studies showed that patients who have OSAS also have raised platelet aggregation and activation. MPV is considered an indicator of activation of platelet and its size. Limited studies have informed a relationship between MPV and sleep apnea. Patients and methods A total of 65 patients with OSAS and 24 age-matched controls with completed Epworth sleepiness scale were included. OSAS diagnosis was based on polysomnography. Vitamin D was measured by ELISA, and MPV was measured by Sysmex xn-10 machine. Results A prospective case–control study was done on 65 OSAS cases and 24 age-matched and sex-matched controls. Vitamin D level was significantly lower among OSAS cases than controls, with lowest 25(OH) D in severe OSAS cases, whereas MPV showed nonsignificant difference between them, and the higher MPV was among severe cases. There was a significant negative correlation between vitamin D level and neck circumference (NC), apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), and desaturation index. There was a significant positive correlation between MPV level and each of NC and AHI. NC was an independent predictor for both vitamin D and MPV levels. NC, AHI, and vitamin D level are the independent risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea, with odds ratios of 2.09 and 1.6, respectively. Conclusion Patients with OSAS have decreased vitamin D level. Patients with severe OSAS have lower vitamin D level and higher MPV than other groups. Obesity may be the cause that explains this relation regarding high NC.
The Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis, 2022
Objectives To compare two questionnaires that measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) in id... more Objectives To compare two questionnaires that measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients. Background IPF is a disease with a progressive course as it is associated with high rates of mortality and a median survival rate of 3–4 years, so it severely affects the patient’s quality of life. General and disease-specific questionnaires are available to assess HRQL. Patients and methods HRQL was measured in 30 previously diagnosed IPF patients using a general questionnaire [short form 36 and specific questionnaires − St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)]. Pulmonary function tests and 6-min walking distance test (6MWDT) were used to assess the patients’ functional status. Dyspnea at rest was evaluated by baseline dyspnea index and after exercise by the modified Borg scale. Results Pulmonary function tests showed a restrictive pattern, a decline in the exercise capacity of the patient (6MWDT), and higher scores of dyspnea at rest and following exercise. Both questionnaires showed a good correlation with some of patients’ functional parameters but all of the SGRQ domains showed a strong correlation with all functional status parameters. Also, a good correlation with HRQL was presented by 6MWDT and baseline dyspnea index. Conclusion Specific SGRQ is a more suitable instrument for HRQL assessment in IPF patients than the general questionnaire (short form 36).
Objective This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth ... more Objective This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) assessment during stable and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Background VEGF is a cytokine that has potent angiogenic and vascular permeability-enhancing activities. VEGF serum level was found to increase in a number of inflammatory disorders. Patient and methods This study was carried out in the Chest and Medical Biochemistry Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University and El-Mahalla Chest Hospital in the period from July 2015 to March 2016. It included 75 patients, with a mean age of 54.7 ± 7.55 years. The patients were subjected to clinical examination and standard spirometric measures including percentage of predicted forced vital capacity, percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second, and forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity ratio. Measurement of VEGF serum levels was d...
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate respiratory muscle strength in patients with a... more Objective The aim of this study was to investigate respiratory muscle strength in patients with allergic rhinitis. Background Nasal obstruction and mouth breathing have an impact on respiratory muscle behavior, leading to changes in their power. Patients and methods This study included 27 adult patients aged 20–45 years with already diagnosed allergic rhinitis. In addition, 10 healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls were included in this study. Both groups were evaluated for pulmonary functions, including forced vital capacity, slow vital capacity, and respiratory muscle strength as assessed on the basis of maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP). Results Patients with allergic rhinitis showed a significant decrease in MIP and MEP when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Patients with allergic rhinitis showed a nonsignificant decrease in other respiratory functions. Patients with allergic rhinitis showed a significant decline in MIP and MEP with ag...
Objectives The aims of this study were to assess whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) is more common... more Objectives The aims of this study were to assess whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) is more common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and to elucidate the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of MetS in COPD patients. Background MetS is closely related to COPD as proved in many previous studies. This association is attributed to the presence of systemic inflammation in both conditions. CRP may play a role as a predictor of MetS in COPD patients. Patients and methods This case–control study included 30 COPD patients and 20 controls recruited from the Chest Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University and Shebin El-Kom Chest Hospital between August 2014 and August 2016. All participants underwent clinical, spirometric, and laboratory assessments. Patients were staged according to Global initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease classification, and MetS was diagnosed according to International Diabetes Federation criteria. Results Patients had signifi...
Objective The aim of the paper was to investigate the relationship between serum YKL-40 levels an... more Objective The aim of the paper was to investigate the relationship between serum YKL-40 levels and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Background COPD is a major health problem with increasing morbidity and mortality throughout the world. A newly recognized biomarker, YKL-40, is a chitin-binding glycoprotein, and its serum level is elevated in inflammatory diseases. However, it has not been thoroughly investigated in COPD. Patients and methods A total of 30 patients with stable COPD and 10 healthy individuals as a control group were enrolled for estimation of modified Medical Research Counseling dyspnea scale, spirometry, and serum YKL-40 levels. Results Serum YKL-40 level was increased significantly in patients with COPD compared with healthy controls. There was a positive correlation between serum YKL-40 level and each of modified Medical Research Counseling dyspnea scale severity and age, and a negative correlation with forced expiratory volume in the first ...
Objectives The study aims to clarify the effectiveness of the T-SPOT.TB test as a method of evalu... more Objectives The study aims to clarify the effectiveness of the T-SPOT.TB test as a method of evaluation of antituberculous (anti-TB) treatment. Background Among the various diagnostic tools of TB disease, the T-SPOT.TB test is the most advanced. It depends on the detection of interferon-g released from sensitized T cells when exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens in vitro . Materials and methods The T-SPOT.TB test was carried out for two groups of individuals; the first group included 25 patients diagnosed previously by a positive culture of M. tuberculosis after a full course of anti-TB treatment. The second group included 10 healthy individuals. Results Twenty-one patients (84%) of the first group had a positive T-SPOT.TB test, whereas only four patients (16%) had a negative T-SPOT.TB test. Of the 23 patients with a negative result by culture and microscopy, 19 (82.6%) had a positive T-SPOT.TB test. Conclusion The T-SPOT.TB test is a weak test for use during treatment monitoring. As conversion of IGRA results might be later than smear conversion results of clinical specimens, we should not consider the IGRA test as a surrogate marker of a cure or a predictor of disease relapse.
Objective This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth ... more Objective This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) assessment during stable and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Background VEGF is a cytokine that has potent angiogenic and vascular permeability-enhancing activities. VEGF serum level was found to increase in a number of inflammatory disorders. Patient and methods This study was carried out in the Chest and Medical Biochemistry Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University and El-Mahalla Chest Hospital in the period from July 2015 to March 2016. It included 75 patients, with a mean age of 54.7 ± 7.55 years. The patients were subjected to clinical examination and standard spirometric measures including percentage of predicted forced vital capacity, percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second, and forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity ratio. Measurement of VEGF serum levels was done in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD on the first day of hospitalization, whereas for patients with stable COPD and for the healthy controls, the sample was taken on the same day of the spirometric maneuver. Results VEGF level was significantly elevated in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with controls and also was significantly higher in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD compared with patients with stable COPD. Conclusion VEGF is significantly elevated in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD and is proportional to the severity of stable COPD. Therefore, it can be used as a biomarker for COPD.
Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis, 2020
Background Uric acid (UA) contributes to beneficial extracellular antioxidant defense activities ... more Background Uric acid (UA) contributes to beneficial extracellular antioxidant defense activities in the airways. However, pro-oxidant powers of UA can be a potential risk factor for gouty arthritis in chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD). Objectives To investigate the proper causation (antioxidant/pro-oxidant) and correlation between UA indices and COPD and whether the associations were modified by smoking. Is serum uric acid (SUA) concentration a reliable biomarker to predict COPD severity? Patients and methods A prospective cohort study enrolled 45 male patients, who were divided into COPD smoker group I, cigarette smoker group II, and apparently healthy participants, serving as a control group III. SUA concentration and creatinine (Cr) level, arterial blood gases, radiographic imaging, and postbronchodilator spirometric measurements were performed. Results SUA was significantly elevated in COPD smoker and cigarette smoker groups than control one. SUA/Cr ratios were significantly increased in COPD smoker than in other groups. Overall, 8/20 (40%) patients were diagnosed with gouty arthritis in COPD smoker group, 1/15 (6.7%) in non-COPD cigarette smoker group, and none in control group. There were statistical significant differences among three groups (P=0.010). There were significantly higher number of patients with severe to very severe COPD (6/8) than patients with mild to moderate COPD (2/8) (P=0.028). There were significant positive correlations between SUA and smoking index (P=0.033), COPD grading (P=0.011), and partial arterial carbon dioxide tension (P=0.028) and also negative correlations with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) (P=0.029), partial arterial oxygen tension (P=0.001), and O2 saturation (P=0.001) in COPD smoker group I. In cigarette smoker group II, there were statistically significant positive correlations between SUA level and FVC% (P=0.033), FEV1 (P=0.017), and FEV1/FVC (P=0.010). Receiver operating characteristic curves for the evaluation of performance of serum uric acid/serum creatinine ratio in the diagnosis of severity of chronic obstructive airway disease. Conclusion SUA had pivotal antioxidant and pro-oxidant inflammatory effects (gouty arthritis) in COPD. Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor that influences SUA in COPD. SUA and SUA/Cr ratio increase with rising severity of COPD. UA/Cr ratio is the proper biomarker in the assessment of COPD grading, with higher sensitivity and specificity.
The Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis
Background Uric acid (UA) contributes to beneficial extracellular antioxidant defense activities ... more Background Uric acid (UA) contributes to beneficial extracellular antioxidant defense activities in the airways. However, pro-oxidant powers of UA can be a potential risk factor for gouty arthritis in chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD). Objectives To investigate the proper causation (antioxidant/pro-oxidant) and correlation between UA indices and COPD and whether the associations were modified by smoking. Is serum uric acid (SUA) concentration a reliable biomarker to predict COPD severity? Patients and methods A prospective cohort study enrolled 45 male patients, who were divided into COPD smoker group I, cigarette smoker group II, and apparently healthy participants, serving as a control group III. SUA concentration and creatinine (Cr) level, arterial blood gases, radiographic imaging, and postbronchodilator spirometric measurements were performed. Results SUA was significantly elevated in COPD smoker and cigarette smoker groups than control one. SUA/Cr ratios were significantly increased in COPD smoker than in other groups. Overall, 8/20 (40%) patients were diagnosed with gouty arthritis in COPD smoker group, 1/15 (6.7%) in non-COPD cigarette smoker group, and none in control group. There were statistical significant differences among three groups (P=0.010). There were significantly higher number of patients with severe to very severe COPD (6/8) than patients with mild to moderate COPD (2/8) (P=0.028). There were significant positive correlations between SUA and smoking index (P=0.033), COPD grading (P=0.011), and partial arterial carbon dioxide tension (P=0.028) and also negative correlations with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) (P=0.029), partial arterial oxygen tension (P=0.001), and O2 saturation (P=0.001) in COPD smoker group I. In cigarette smoker group II, there were statistically significant positive correlations between SUA level and FVC% (P=0.033), FEV1 (P=0.017), and FEV1/FVC (P=0.010). Receiver operating characteristic curves for the evaluation of performance of serum uric acid/serum creatinine ratio in the diagnosis of severity of chronic obstructive airway disease. Conclusion SUA had pivotal antioxidant and pro-oxidant inflammatory effects (gouty arthritis) in COPD. Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor that influences SUA in COPD. SUA and SUA/Cr ratio increase with rising severity of COPD. UA/Cr ratio is the proper biomarker in the assessment of COPD grading, with higher sensitivity and specificity.
The Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis
Objectives To assess the serum level of vitamin D and mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with... more Objectives To assess the serum level of vitamin D and mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and whether their levels correlate with OSAS severity or not. Background OSAS is a clinical disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway collapse during sleep. Studies show a link between low levels of vitamin D ‘25(OH) D’ and obstructive sleep apnea. Some studies showed that patients who have OSAS also have raised platelet aggregation and activation. MPV is considered an indicator of activation of platelet and its size. Limited studies have informed a relationship between MPV and sleep apnea. Patients and methods A total of 65 patients with OSAS and 24 age-matched controls with completed Epworth sleepiness scale were included. OSAS diagnosis was based on polysomnography. Vitamin D was measured by ELISA, and MPV was measured by Sysmex xn-10 machine. Results A prospective case–control study was done on 65 OSAS cases and 24 age-matched and sex-matched controls. Vitamin D level was significantly lower among OSAS cases than controls, with lowest 25(OH) D in severe OSAS cases, whereas MPV showed nonsignificant difference between them, and the higher MPV was among severe cases. There was a significant negative correlation between vitamin D level and neck circumference (NC), apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), and desaturation index. There was a significant positive correlation between MPV level and each of NC and AHI. NC was an independent predictor for both vitamin D and MPV levels. NC, AHI, and vitamin D level are the independent risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea, with odds ratios of 2.09 and 1.6, respectively. Conclusion Patients with OSAS have decreased vitamin D level. Patients with severe OSAS have lower vitamin D level and higher MPV than other groups. Obesity may be the cause that explains this relation regarding high NC.
The Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis, 2022
Objectives To compare two questionnaires that measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) in id... more Objectives To compare two questionnaires that measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients. Background IPF is a disease with a progressive course as it is associated with high rates of mortality and a median survival rate of 3–4 years, so it severely affects the patient’s quality of life. General and disease-specific questionnaires are available to assess HRQL. Patients and methods HRQL was measured in 30 previously diagnosed IPF patients using a general questionnaire [short form 36 and specific questionnaires − St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)]. Pulmonary function tests and 6-min walking distance test (6MWDT) were used to assess the patients’ functional status. Dyspnea at rest was evaluated by baseline dyspnea index and after exercise by the modified Borg scale. Results Pulmonary function tests showed a restrictive pattern, a decline in the exercise capacity of the patient (6MWDT), and higher scores of dyspnea at rest and following exercise. Both questionnaires showed a good correlation with some of patients’ functional parameters but all of the SGRQ domains showed a strong correlation with all functional status parameters. Also, a good correlation with HRQL was presented by 6MWDT and baseline dyspnea index. Conclusion Specific SGRQ is a more suitable instrument for HRQL assessment in IPF patients than the general questionnaire (short form 36).
Objective This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth ... more Objective This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) assessment during stable and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Background VEGF is a cytokine that has potent angiogenic and vascular permeability-enhancing activities. VEGF serum level was found to increase in a number of inflammatory disorders. Patient and methods This study was carried out in the Chest and Medical Biochemistry Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University and El-Mahalla Chest Hospital in the period from July 2015 to March 2016. It included 75 patients, with a mean age of 54.7 ± 7.55 years. The patients were subjected to clinical examination and standard spirometric measures including percentage of predicted forced vital capacity, percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second, and forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity ratio. Measurement of VEGF serum levels was d...
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate respiratory muscle strength in patients with a... more Objective The aim of this study was to investigate respiratory muscle strength in patients with allergic rhinitis. Background Nasal obstruction and mouth breathing have an impact on respiratory muscle behavior, leading to changes in their power. Patients and methods This study included 27 adult patients aged 20–45 years with already diagnosed allergic rhinitis. In addition, 10 healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls were included in this study. Both groups were evaluated for pulmonary functions, including forced vital capacity, slow vital capacity, and respiratory muscle strength as assessed on the basis of maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP). Results Patients with allergic rhinitis showed a significant decrease in MIP and MEP when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Patients with allergic rhinitis showed a nonsignificant decrease in other respiratory functions. Patients with allergic rhinitis showed a significant decline in MIP and MEP with ag...
Objectives The aims of this study were to assess whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) is more common... more Objectives The aims of this study were to assess whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) is more common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and to elucidate the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of MetS in COPD patients. Background MetS is closely related to COPD as proved in many previous studies. This association is attributed to the presence of systemic inflammation in both conditions. CRP may play a role as a predictor of MetS in COPD patients. Patients and methods This case–control study included 30 COPD patients and 20 controls recruited from the Chest Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University and Shebin El-Kom Chest Hospital between August 2014 and August 2016. All participants underwent clinical, spirometric, and laboratory assessments. Patients were staged according to Global initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease classification, and MetS was diagnosed according to International Diabetes Federation criteria. Results Patients had signifi...
Objective The aim of the paper was to investigate the relationship between serum YKL-40 levels an... more Objective The aim of the paper was to investigate the relationship between serum YKL-40 levels and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Background COPD is a major health problem with increasing morbidity and mortality throughout the world. A newly recognized biomarker, YKL-40, is a chitin-binding glycoprotein, and its serum level is elevated in inflammatory diseases. However, it has not been thoroughly investigated in COPD. Patients and methods A total of 30 patients with stable COPD and 10 healthy individuals as a control group were enrolled for estimation of modified Medical Research Counseling dyspnea scale, spirometry, and serum YKL-40 levels. Results Serum YKL-40 level was increased significantly in patients with COPD compared with healthy controls. There was a positive correlation between serum YKL-40 level and each of modified Medical Research Counseling dyspnea scale severity and age, and a negative correlation with forced expiratory volume in the first ...
Objectives The study aims to clarify the effectiveness of the T-SPOT.TB test as a method of evalu... more Objectives The study aims to clarify the effectiveness of the T-SPOT.TB test as a method of evaluation of antituberculous (anti-TB) treatment. Background Among the various diagnostic tools of TB disease, the T-SPOT.TB test is the most advanced. It depends on the detection of interferon-g released from sensitized T cells when exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens in vitro . Materials and methods The T-SPOT.TB test was carried out for two groups of individuals; the first group included 25 patients diagnosed previously by a positive culture of M. tuberculosis after a full course of anti-TB treatment. The second group included 10 healthy individuals. Results Twenty-one patients (84%) of the first group had a positive T-SPOT.TB test, whereas only four patients (16%) had a negative T-SPOT.TB test. Of the 23 patients with a negative result by culture and microscopy, 19 (82.6%) had a positive T-SPOT.TB test. Conclusion The T-SPOT.TB test is a weak test for use during treatment monitoring. As conversion of IGRA results might be later than smear conversion results of clinical specimens, we should not consider the IGRA test as a surrogate marker of a cure or a predictor of disease relapse.
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