The effect of mold sensitivity on the clinical characteristics of adult asthmatic patients

CHEST Annual Meeting -- OCT 22-26, 2016 -- Los Angeles, CADursun, A. Berna/0000-0002-6337-6326WOS: 000400118600007PURPOSE: Previous studies have showed the link between the mold sensitivity and asthma severity. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of mold sensitivity on the clinical characteristics of asthmatics. METHODS: The data was collected from patients regularly followed at least 1 year in the asthma center of a tertiary hospital. The mold sensitivity was evaluated by performing a skin prick test (SPT) with Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicllium in which the sensitivity to at least one accepted as mold sensitive. Comorbidities, the age at asthma diagnosis, duration of asthma, the numbers of systemic corticosteroid burst (SCB), emergency room (ER) visit and hospitalization were questioned. Asthma control status and pulmonary function test (PFT) were evaluated as a part of the routine procedure.CHES

EVALUATION OF ELDERLY PATIENTS ADMITTED TO THE PULMONOLOGY OUTPATIENT CLINIC

WOS: 000526121600002Introduction: This study aims to investigate the utilization of outpatient pulmonology clinic of elderly patients and showing the gaps in elderly care. Materials and methods: Among all patients admitted to outpatient pulmonology clinic between November 1,2017 and February 1, 2018, elderly patients were included. Data were collected from 407 elderly patients and their demographic characteristics, admission symptoms, past medical history and lung auscultation findings were evaluated. Results: One third of all admissions were elderly patients and 93% had at least one comorbid disease, mean number of medications being used was 5 23 +/- 1 .57, mean mediacation use number was higher among females than males (p<0.05). in this study group, 12% were current smokers, which included 21% of the males in the group and 3% females (p<0.05). Cough (58.7%) and dyspnea (44%) were among the most common admission symptoms. in addition, 52.8% had a pathological finding at lung auscultation, with a higher rate among males compared to females (p<0.05). Conclusion: the majority of patients admitted to the Pulmonology Clinic are elderly and this number is increasing day by day. They have various clinical findings and it is important that caregivers and especially pulmonologists have knowledge about the characteristics, treatment and care needs of elderly patients

How does reimbursement status affect smoking cessation interventions? A real-life experience from the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey (vol 17, pg 1, 2019) - [Correction]

onal, ozgur/0000-0001-6514-2120WOS: 000491278300006PubMed: 31584567[No abstract available

Prevalence and determinants of smoking status among university students: Artvin Coruh University sample

onal, ozgur/0000-0001-6514-2120WOS: 000452644700001PubMed: 30532238Background and aim Smoking is still a public health concern in many countries, especially among young adults. Consequently, we determined what factors affect university students' smoking behavior in Turkey. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2017 using a simple random sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on participants' (N = 2,505; mean age = 20.9 +/- 2.5 years; 58.9% women) sociodemographic characteristics, cigarette smoking status, and related risk factors. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed with the Backward likelihood-ratio method. Results Students were completing either two- or four-year degrees (45.6% and 54.4%, respectively). Regarding familial smoking behavior, 36.1% had a father who smoked, 10.3% had a mother who smoked, and 15.0% had siblings who smoked. Among participants, 27.9% were current smokers: 46% of the men and 15.3% of the women. Mean smoking onset age was 16.34 +/- 2.72 years (15.65 +/- 2.67 years for men and 16.34 +/- 2.72 for women (p < .05). Mean Fager-stromtest score was 4.43 +/- 1.82, and women had lower test scores than did men (p < .05). After controlling for potential confounders in multivariate analyses, five factors were significantly positively associated with current smoking: being a man (odds ratio (OR): 3.43; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.75-4.28), studying in a two-year program (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.39-2.18), having at least one immediate family member who smoked (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.31-2.04), having all close friends who smoked (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.40-2.33), and alcohol consumption (OR: 4.39; 95% CI: 3.51-5.49). Conclusion There was a higher smoking rate among our study population, both compared to similar national studies and Turkey's overall smoking rate. Underlying factors should be evaluated via qualitative studies and preventive strategies should be implemented accordingly

How does reimbursement status affect smoking cessation interventions? A real-life experience from the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey

onal, ozgur/0000-0001-6514-2120WOS: 000457575200005PubMed: 31582917INTRODUCTION in the last decade, outpatient smoking cessation clinics (SCCs) in Turkey have been extended countrywide. Initially, only counseling was covered under health insurance. in 2011 and 2015, free varenicline and bupropion preparations were distributed to SCCs, periodically. in the current study we aimed to compare outcomes between the free and paid medication periods. METHODS Patients applied to the local SCC in a secondary health care unit between June 2014 and June 2017. They were evaluated for SC interventions and had phone visits after their third month; these records were included in the study. Patients were grouped and evaluated according to medication's reimbursement status: free medication period (FP) and paid medication period (PMP). RESULTS in total, 733 patients applied to the SCC, 77.7% of them had applied during the FP. Analyses were made involving 417 patients who had records of third-month phone visit. Mean age of the patients was 44.0 +/- 13.7 years with the majority of patients (65%) being male. Sociodemographic characteristics of patients in both groups were not statistically different, while the percentage of patients with comorbid diseases was lower in the FP group (p<0.05). Treatment choices were different-the bupropion-prescribed group's rate was similar in both periods (53.5% in PMP vs 52.0% in FP), however varenicline was mostly prescribed in the FP (35.8% vs 14.1%) while nicotine replacement therapy was mostly prescribed in the PMP (32.4% vs 12.1%) (p<0.05). Patients who used the advised treatment for at least 30 days (treatment adherent) and the rate of quitters at the third month were higher in FP (p<0.05) from univariate analysis, however these differences were not statistically significant when a multivariate analysis was performed. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that the free medication period increased the quit attempts but the increased in treatment adherence and quit success of the participating smokers was not obvious

How does reimbursement status affect the smoking cessation interventions?

28th International Congress of the European-Respiratory-Society (ERS) -- SEP 15-19, 2018 -- Paris, FRANCEWOS: 000455567101295[No abstract available]European Respiratory So

The effects of mold sensitivity on the clinical characteristics of adult asthmatic patients

WOS: 000531873300002PubMed: 32383460Introduction: the effects of mold sensitivity on the development and course of asthma have been researched previously, although study results vary. We sought to evaluate the characteristics of our mold-sensitive patients in comparison with those of other adult asthmatic patients. Materials and methods: Data were collected retrospectively from adult asthmatic patients who underwent regular follow-ups at our tertiary care outpatient clinic for immunology and allergic diseases. Patients were grouped and compared according to three categories of aeroallergen sensitivity status determined via a skin prick test. the study variables were demographic data, asthma-onset age, comorbid conditions, asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations, systemic corticosteroid burst, asthma control assessment tests, and pulmonary function tests. Results: in total, 242 patients' data were evaluated. Their mean age was 48.6 15.4 years, with female predominance (81.4%). Mold-sensitive asthmatics composed 34.7%, while the aeroallergen-sensitive group without molds (33.1%) and the non-sensitized group (32.2%) composed the rest. the mold-sensitive group had a higher rate of polysensitization (92.8%) than the sensitized group without molds. in multinomial logistic regression analysis, mold sensitivity was positively associated with shorter asthma duration, absence of sinonasal polyposis, presence of allergic rhinitis, and generally well -controlled asthma compared to the non-sensitized group. Also, mold sensitivity was positively associated with shorter asthma duration, drug allergy, and absence of systemic corticosteroid bursts compared to the sensitized group without molds in logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Our mold-sensitive asthmatic patients demonstrated better asthma symptom control. It should be considered that mold sensitization in adult asthmatics is not always a poor prognostic factor

Factors associated with current smoking in COPD patients: A cross-sectional study from the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey

Introduction Even though smoking is a major reason for the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-and quitting smoking is the only way to stop its progression-a significant number of smokers still continue to smoke after being diagnosed with COPD. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and demographic characteristics of COPD patients who are current and former smokers and to find factors associated with their current smoking status. Methods For this study, data were collected between June 2015 and August 2016; COPD patients who had been regularly visiting Hopa State Hospital’s outpatient clinic over the last year or longer were included. Their demographic, clinical and functional data were recorded. Patients completed a pulmonary function test, six-minute walk test (6-MWT), COPD assessment test (CAT), and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale. Comparisons were then made according to their smoking status. Results In total 100 patients were included in the study; with a mean age of 63.4±10.7 years and mostly males (94%). Regarding smoking status, 49% were current smokers and 51% were former smokers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that current smoking was negatively associated with age (odds ratio, OR=0.93, 95% confidence interval, CI=0.88–0.96) and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage (OR=0.32, 95% CI=0.13– 0.79), and was positively associated with six-minute walk distance (OR =1.005, 95% CI=1.001–1.009) and CAT score (OR=1.07, 95% CI=1.009–1.13). Conclusions Nearly half of the COPD patients in the study continued smoking even after having been diagnosed with COPD. The younger patients, with better lung function, better exercise capacity and poor quality of life were associated with current smoking

Prevalence and determinants of cigarette smoking among university students

28th International Congress of the European-Respiratory-Society (ERS) -- SEP 15-19, 2018 -- Paris, FRANCEWOS: 000455567106208[No abstract available]European Respiratory So

Occupational Risks and Safety Precautions for COVID-19 in Workers With Rheumatic Diseases

Akgun, Metin/0000-0003-3404-4274WOS: 000577379900028PubMed: 32976225[No abstract available