Browsing by Author "Havlucu Y."
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Item Short-term effects of montelukast in stable patients with moderate to severe COPD(2005) Celik P.; Sakar A.; Havlucu Y.; Yuksel H.; Turkdogan P.; Yorgancioglu A.This study aims to investigate the possibility of additional value of leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTA) on dyspnea score, arterial blood gases (ABG), pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and quality of life (St. George QoL) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. In this randomized, prospective, single-blind, and controlled study, 117 non-reversible COPD patients defined by global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) criteria were randomized to receive ipratropium bromide, formoterol and montelukast (n:58, montelukast group) or ipratropium bromide and formoterol (n:59, control group) after a 2-week run-in period. There was no significant demographic difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Baseline ABG, PFT, visual analoque scores (VAS), and QoL scores were obtained and at first month and second month, PFT, VAS, and QoL scores were repeated and ABG was obtained at second month and the values were compared with baseline values. As the result of the comparision, there was significant increase in vital capacity, FVC, FEV1, VAS, and PaO2 parameters (P < 0.05), and a significant decrease in the QoL scores (P < 0.05) in the montelukast group. These parameters did not show any difference in the control group (P > 0.05). Sputum samples that could be obtained in 24 of the COPD patients were evaluated and in the montelukast group, there was a decrease in neutrophilic activity after treatment (n:13) (P : 0.059). These results suggest that LTA that is used additionally in routine treatment protocol can produce additive improvement on PFT, dyspnea score and especially QoL in patients with stable COPD and for these reasons, LTA may be taken into account when there is need for an additional anti-inflammatory treatment in COPD patients. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Item Drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis in western Turkey: Prevalence, clinical characteristics and treatment outcome(King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, 2005) Surucuoglu S.; Ozkutuk N.; Celik P.; Gazi H.; Dinc G.; Kurutepe S.; Koroglu G.; Havlucu Y.; Tuncay G.Background: Although high antituberculosis (anti-TB) drug resistance rates have been reported in Turkey, the clinical characteristics and implications for the outcome of anti-TB treatment have not been fully investigated. We determined the prevalence of anti-TB drug resistance and examined demographic data, clinical characteristics and treatment outcome in relation to patterns of resistance. Methods: From the TB case registry of a university hospital and the two largest dispensaries in Manisa city, we identified all pulmonary TB cases with a culture-proven definitive diagnosis and antimicrobial susceptibility results for a 7-year period. We collected and analyzed demographic and clinical data and information on treatment outcome for those cases in relationship to anti-TB drug resistance. Results: Of 355 M. tuberculosis strains, 71.5% were susceptible to streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol. Any drug resistance and multi-drug resistance (MDR) rates were 21.1% and 7.3% and were higher in males (53% and 9%, respectively) than in females (22% and 1%, respectively). Drug resistance was significantly higher in old cases (acquired drug resistance) vs new cases (primary drug resistance), and was associated with treatment failure (P<0.001). The prevalence of MDR was significantly higher in the old cases (22.4%) than in the new cases (4.4%) (P<0.001). Symptoms, radiographic findings, associated diseases, and sputum smear positivity were unrelated to the development of resistance. The prevalence of any drug resistance and MDR was significantly higher in those with treatment failure than in patients with treatment success. Conclusion: High resistance rates, particularly for acquired MDR, indicate a need for improvement in the TB control programme in our region.Item Pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic renal failure(2007) Havlucu Y.; Kursat S.; Ekmekci C.; Celik P.; Serter S.; Bayturan O.; Dinc G.Background: Many etiologies causing pulmonary hypertension (PH) have been reported, and one of the background disease seen with patients with PH is chronic renal failure (CRF); however, the pathogenesis of PH in this group of patients is not explained satisfactorily. Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of unexplained PH among patients with CRF and to suggest possible etiologic factors. Methods: Two hundred and eleven patients with CRF were evaluated and the ones who have comorbid conditions that cause PH were excluded. Pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and cardiac functions were evaluated by Doppler echocardiography. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) flow was measured by Doppler sonography. The patients were followed for at least 6 months. Results: Forty-eight CRF patients (20 males, 28 females) were included: 23 were predialysis patients, and 25 patients received hemodialysis via AVF. Patients were followed for 7.5 ± 1.01 months. Systolic PAP >35 mm Hg was found in 56% (14/25) of patients receiving hemodialysis (36.8 ± 10.7 mm Hg) and in 39.1% (9/23) of predialysis patients (29.5 ± 9.5 mm Hg). The parathyroid hormone level, cardiac output values and CRF duration were found to be increased in patients with elevated systolic PAP (p < 0.05). AVF flow and AVF duration were positively correlated with systolic PAP in patients receiving hemodialysis (p < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between systolic PAP and residual urine volume (p < 0.05). AVF compression in hemodialysis patients decreased systolic PAP from 36.8 ± 10.7 to 32.8 ± 10.5 mm Hg. Systolic PAP values were increased at the end of the study in the predialysis group, whereas they were decreased at the end of the follow-up in the hemodialysis group (36.9 ± 10.5 and 32.04 ± 10.5 mm Hg, respectively). Conclusions: This study demonstrates a high incidence of PH among patients with CRF. CRF duration, AVF flow, parathyroid hormone level and cardiac output may be involved in the pathogenesis of PH. The effective hemodialysis and dry weight reduction decreased systolic PAP values. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG.Item Sensitivity of cough with capsaicin in smokers; [Sigara içenlerde kapsaisin ile öksürük duyarliliǧi](2008) Yildirim Ç.A.; Çelik P.; Havlucu Y.; Coşkun E.; Yorgancioǧlu A.; Şakar A.; Dinç G.In this study, effect of long term smoking on sensitivity of cough reflex was investigated. Healthy, current smoker male and female was evaluated by capsaicin cough challenge test and they were compared with healthy, non-smoker persons with similar age and gender, prospectively. In current smokers, there were 50 male and 39 female, in non-smoker control group, there were 20 male and 21 female. Mean and log C5 dosage in current smoker and non-smoker groups and mean and log C5 dosage in current smoker according to gender were calculated by using Mann-Whitney U-test. Results of capsaicin cough challenge test in current and non-smoker groups were evaluated by using Pearson Chi-Square test and Fisher's Exact test. In current smokers comparison of results of capsaicin cough challenge test with smoking history (age with first smoking, duration, pocket year and smoking per day) was evaluated by using Mann-Whitney U-test. Mean C5 and mean log C5 dosage were found decreased in current smokers when they were compared to control group (p< 0.00). In current smoker group mean C5 and mean log C5 dosage were found decreased in male (p< 0.002). When the results of capsaicin cough challenge test were compared between current smoker and control groups, sensitivity of cough reflex in concentration with 0.49, 0.98, 1.95, 3.9, 7.8, 15.6 μM was significantly decreased in current smoker group. Also there was a significant correlation between concentration with 0.98, 1.95, 3.9, 7.8, 15.6, 31.2 μM, and duration of smoking and pocket year of smoking. Also there was a correlation between concentration with 15.6, 31.2, 62.5, 125 μM and smoking per day. This results were correlated with hypothesis about inhibition of C-fibers with nicotin or decrease of C-fibers' sensitivity due to induction of neuropeptide wasting.Item Relation between quality of life and morbidity and mortality in COPD patients: Two-year follow-up study(2010) Yorgancioglu A.; Havlucu Y.; Celik P.; Dinc G.; Saka A.Quality of life (QoL) is being recognized as an important outcome when evaluating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. This study aims at identifying the relation between QoL parameters and mortality and morbidity in COPD patients by using the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). In this prospective study, 251 COPD patients as defined by American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria were included. A total of 218 patients (86.85) were male and mean age was 65.55 years. A pulmonary function test (PFT) and SGRQ were performed at the beginning, first, and second years. During a two-year follow-up, the first exacerbation day, the number of exacerbations and intubations, the number and duration of hospitalizations, hospitalizations in an intensive care unit, and exitus day were recorded. When the correlation between FEV1, SGRQ scores, and these parameters was investigated, there was significant correlation between these parameters, and this correlation was more significant in SGRQ scores than FEV1 (Pearson correlation test). The activity score of SGRQ was found to be more useful than other scores (Cox regression analysis). Not only PFT but also QoL questionnaires are useful in determining the prognosis of COPD. QoL questionnaires provide a valid and standardized estimate of the overall impact of COPD, and can complement spirometric measurements of baseline assessment of patients in routine practice. © 2010 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.Item Effect of smoke-free legislation on smoking cessation rates in teachers in Manisa, Turkey(2013) Coskun A.S.; Goktalay T.; Havlucu Y.; Dinc G.Objective:This study investigated the attitudes of Turkish adults towards the ban on smoking in public areas and compared annual smoking cessation rates before (pre-2009) and after (post-2009) the ban became law, using data from a survey of teachers.Methods:A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from teachers in Manisa, Turkey. Annual smoking rates were calculated. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify when a significant change occurred in the annual smoking cessation rate.Results:Questionnaire response rate was 79.6% (579/727); 47.8% (277) of respondents were male. Smoking prevalence among men and women was 32.7% and 24.7%, respectively, and 97.3% of nonsmokers and 75.5% of current everyday smokers supported the law changes. Results of the Joinpoint analysis showed no significant change in annual smoking cessation rate between 2001-2002 and 2006-2007; but there were significant reductions in smoking rates between 2007-2008 and 2010-2011.Conclusions:Teachers in Turkey have a positive attitude to the law on smoking. The smoking cessation rate in teachers was significantly increased by changes in legislation. © The Author(s) 2013.Item A health survey in the workers of municipality; [Belediye çalışanlarında akciǧer saǧlıǧı taraması](Ankara University, 2013) Göktalay T.; Şakar Coşkun A.; Havlucu Y.; Akdemir S.E.; Datli U.; Gümeli F.; Yorgancioǧlu A.Introduction: Internal and external air pollution that is gradually increasing due to urbanization and industrialization has a negative impact on the lung health. A health survey has been applied to evaluate the respiratory symptoms, respiration functions and smoking habits of the workers of Izmir Konak Municipality whom have been reported to have a high rate of smoking habit and be affected by the external air pollution due to their being working in the field by the Municipality's doctor. Materials and Methods: Questionnaire that are composed of the topics of work anamnesis, environmental anamnesis, curriculum vitae, symptoms (coughing, sputum, wheezing, dyspnea, hemoptysis) and smoking have been executed to 301 workers by face to face interview and their chest X-rays have been reviewed. Results: Dyspnea on exertion, sputum in the morning, wheezing and morning cough have been the most frequently observed complaints (respectively 37.2%, 32.2%, 27.9% and 24.9%). Sanitary workers have reported sputum in the morning more while maintenance shop workers have reported wheezing more (p values respectively 0.009, 0.008). No significance has been observed while the workers are evaluated one by one regarding to their work groups. No significant difference was identified between the addiction of smoking and nicotin addiction or pulmonary function test and chest X-rays (p> 0.05) but active smoking was much more seen in drivers (p= 0.047). Conclusion: Although working on the hazardous work branch does not institute a sharp distinction, it becomes significant to trace and lead the workers in order to obtain their lung health protection in long term. Informing and influencing the workers about the harms of smoking and the ways to quit has been the most considerable acquisition of this survey.Item Stenotrophomonas maltophilia as a pathogen of nosocomial pneumonia: Seven case reports; [Nozokomiyal pnömoni etkeni olarak stenotrophomonas maltophilia: Yedi olgu sunumu](2013) Özdemir L.; Özdemir B.; Havlucu Y.Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, which is often found in hospital environments, has become an increasingly common nosocomial pathogen. As a cause of nosocomial pneumonia in an intensive care government hospital here, 7 patients with S. maltophilia detected in their sputum cultures were evaluated with regard to age, gender, underlying diseases and risk factors, and antibiotic susceptibilities of laboratory and radiographic findings. © 2013 by Turkish Thoracic Society.Item Putative bronchopulmonary flagellated protozoa in immunosuppressed patients(Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2014) Kilimcioglu A.A.; Havlucu Y.; Girginkardesler N.; Çelik P.; Yereli K.; Özbilgin A.Flagellated protozoa that cause bronchopulmonary symptoms in humans are commonly neglected. These protozoal forms which were presumed to be "flagellated protozoa" have been previously identified in immunosuppressed patients in a number of studies, but have not been certainly classified so far. Since no human cases of bronchopulmonary flagellated protozoa were reported from Turkey, we aimed to investigate these putative protozoa in immunosuppressed patients who are particularly at risk of infectious diseases. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples of 110 immunosuppressed adult patients who were admitted to the Department of Chest Diseases, Hafsa Sultan Hospital of Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey, were examined in terms of parasites by light microscopy. Flagellated protozoal forms were detected in nine (8.2%) of 110 cases. Metronidazole (500 mg b.i.d. for 30 days) was given to all positive cases and a second bronchoscopy was performed at the end of the treatment, which revealed no parasites. In conclusion, immunosuppressed patients with bronchopulmonary symptoms should attentively be examined with regard to flagellated protozoa which can easily be misidentified as epithelial cells. © 2014 Ali Ahmet Kilimcioglu et al.Item Epidemiology and distribution of interstitial lung diseases in Turkey(2014) Musellim B.; Okumus G.; Uzaslan E.; Akgün M.; Cetinkaya E.; Turan O.; Akkoclu A.; Hazar A.; Kokturk N.; Calisir H.C.; Sever F.; Kiter G.; Celik G.; Bilgin S.; Kurutepe M.; Uzun O.; Tabak L.; Ozdemir O.; Turker H.; Ogus C.; Kiral N.; Ozkan M.; Yalniz E.; Camsari G.; Dogan T.; Yilmaz U.; Cildag O.; Yildiz F.; Hanta I.; Oztuna F.; Arik D.; Goktalay T.; Kanmaz D.; Yilmaz V.; Altiay G.; Komurcuoglu B.; Ozkan G.; Erbaycu A.; Dogrul M.I.; Ongen G.; Tuncay E.; Dabak G.; Sakar A.; Bircan A.; Uzel I.; Kalpaklioglu F.; Gülbay B; Bulbul Y.; Gulbanu H.; Havlucu Y.; Ekici Z.; Zamani A.; Caglayan B.; Kayacan O.; Dursunoglu N.Introduction: There is very few data on the epidemiological features of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) in the literature. These studies on this subject suffer from limited number of patients. Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological features of ILD in Turkey. Methods: Fifty-four investigators, 31 centres in 19 cities from six regions of Turkey, participated in the study. Two thousand two hundred forty-five newly diagnosed patients (51.8% females), led by Turkish Thoracic Society Clinical Problems Study Group, enrolled in this prospective study. Results: The mean age was 51.8±16.7 years. The mean age among males was 50.5±18.6 years and 53.0±14.6 years among females (P<0.001). 23.8% of the cases had ILD with known causes, while 39.4% were in granulomatous group, 23.7% were idiopathic, and 4.4% were in the unclassified group. Overall, histopathologically confirmed diagnosis rate was 40.4%. Sarcoidosis was the most common disease (37%), whereas cases with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) constituted 19,9% of patients. 53% of the sarcoidosis patients were females, and the ratio reaches to 75% under 50 years of age (for this group, IPF ratio is %3). In contrast, sarcoidosis and IPF ratios were equal in males (25%). Sarcoidosis was 8% in men over 50, while IPF was %45. Conclusion: The overall incidence of ILD in Turkey was computed to be 25.8/100000. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Item Knowledge Level of the Primary Healthcare Providers on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pulmonary Rehabilitation(Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2015) Goktalay T.; Tuncal A.N.; Sari S.; Koroʇlu G.; Havlucu Y.; Yorgancioʇlu A.Awareness of the healthcare providers on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in our country and all over the world, and on pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) which plays an important role in its nonpharmacological treatment will provide effectiveness in diagnosis and treatment of COPD. The present study aimed at determining knowledge level of the healthcare providers about COPD and PR. Materials and Methods. In this cross-sectional study, family practitioners and staff of home-care in central county of Manisa City were applied a questionnaire in order to determine their knowledge level on COPD and pulmonary rehabilitation during the in-service training on "pulmonary rehabilitation, home-care services for the pulmonary diseases, and respiratory exercises." Results. 65.5% of the healthcare providers responded to the survey. Rate of those correctly knowing at least one of four items was 97.2%. No responder knew all items correctly. Average value for correct answers was 5.30 ± 2.1 (range: 1-10). The physicians, men, and those working in family health centers had higher level of knowledge on COPD compared to nonphysician healthcare providers (p = 0.006), women (p = 0.002), and those working in other practices (p = 0.019), respectively. Conclusion. Knowledge level of the primary healthcare providers on COPD and PR remains inadequate. Dynamic postgraduate training on this topic will be useful in referring the patients to centers giving service for this condition. © 2015 Tuʇba Goktalay et al.Item Evaluation of physians, patients, relatives and society of opinions on the told lung cancer diagnosis; [Hekimlerin, hasta yakınlarının ve toplumun akciğer kanseri tanısının söylenmesine ilişkin görüşlerinin değerlendirilmesi](Ankara University, 2017) Datli U.; Çelik P.; Havlucu Y.; Göktalay T.; Şakar Coşkun A.; Yorgancioğlu A.A.Introduction: In our country, this is usually done by patient relatives. In this study, we aimed to investigate the thought of doctors who done the diagnosis, doctors who arrange the treatment, first degree relatives of patients with lung cancer, and population as a control. Materials and Methods: 310 subjects (100 doctors, 110 first degree realtives of patients, and 100 subjects as a control) were included to the study. The mean age was 39.77 ± 11.44 years and there was 170 females. 46% of doctors were giving cancer treatment (chemotheraphy/radiotheraphy). Results: 84.5% of subjects were answered the question (Do you want to know the diagnosis of lung cancer if you are lung cancer?) as "yes" and the answers were not different between groups (p> 0.05). 72 of doctors were giving information about diagnosis of patients. This ratio was 89.1% in doctors who arrange lung cancer treatment whereas it was 57.4% in doctors who do not arrange cancer treatment. The percent age of learning of diagnosis of lung cancer throughout the time in doctors, population, and patient's relatives were 19%, 34%, and 59% respectively (p< 0.05). Information about quality of life was more important in relatives of patients (87%) than population (65%) and doctors (63%) (p< 0.05). Quality of life was more important for doctors who arrange lung cancer treatment (76.7)% than doctors who did not (48.8%) (p< 0.05). Patients who were more children wanted to stay with their family at end stage of disease (p< 0.05). Conclusion: According to this study we think that doctors should say the diagnosis of lung cancer in the form of they understand, inform the patients and relatives about treatment, and quality of life and this can increase patient trust to doctor and compliance of patients to the treatment. © 2017, Ankara University. All rights reserved.Item Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination status of hospitalized adults with community acquired pneumonia and the effects of vaccination on clinical presentation(Taylor and Francis Inc., 2017) Demirdogen Cetinoglu E.; Uzaslan E.; Sayıner A.; Cilli A.; Kılınc O.; Sakar Coskun A.; Hazar A.; Kokturk N.; Filiz A.; Polatli M.; Tasbakan S.; Karaboğa B.; Kilic Ö.; Havlucu Y.; Tokgöz F.; Nazik S.Background: Previous reports have shown that vaccination rates of adult at-risk populations are low in Turkey. There are differing reports with regards to the effectiveness of the influenza and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) on the clinical outcomes of community acquired pneumonia (CAP). The purpose of this study was to analyze the influenza (FV) and pneumococcal vaccination (PV) status, the factors that influence the receipt of influenza/pneumococcal vaccine and the effects of prior vaccination on the clinical outcomes in adults hospitalized with CAP. Patients and Methods: Patients hospitalized with CAP between March 2009 and October 2013 and registered at the web-based Turkish Thoracic Society Pneumonia Database (TURCAP) were included in this multicentric, observational study. Of a total of 787 cases, data were analyzed for 466 patients for whom self-reported information on PV and FV was available. Results: In this adult population with CAP, the vaccination rate with both the pneumococcal and influenza vaccines was found to be 6%. Prior FV was found to be the sole variable that was associated with the receipt of PV [OR 17.8, 95% CI (25–75:8.56–37.01), p < 0.001]. Conversely, being vaccinated with PPSV23 was the only predictor of receipt of FV [OR 18.1, 95% CI (25–75:8.75–37.83), p < 0.001]. Compared to the unvaccinated cases, the chest radiograms of the vaccinated patients revealed less consolidation. The latter also reported fatigue, muscle pain and gastrointestinal symptoms less frequently. Although there was a trend for lower 30-day mortality and for lower rates of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, these did not reach statistical significance. A pneumonia severity index (PSI) score ≥ 90, CURB-65 score ≥3 and multilobar involvement, but not the vaccination status, were identified as independent determinants of ICU admission. Conclusions: This study showed that, among patients hospitalized with CAP, the FV and/or PV rates are low. Prior vaccination does not appear to significantly affect the clinical outcomes. © 2017 Taylor & Francis.Item Antibiotic treatment outcomes in community-acquired pneumonia(Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Medical Sciences, 2018) Çilli A.; Sayiner A.; Çelenk B.; Şakar Coşkun A.; Kilinç O.; Hazar A.; Aktaş Samur A.; Taşbakan S.; Waterer G.W.; Havlucu Y.; Kiliç Ö.; Tokgöz F.; Bilge U.Background/aim: The optimal empiric antibiotic regimen for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical cure rate, mortality, and length of stay among patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia in nonintensive care unit (ICU) wards and treated with a β-lactam, β-lactam and macrolide combination, or a fluoroquinolone. Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study was performed using standardized web-based database sheets from January 2009 to September 2013 in nine tertiary care hospitals in Turkey. Results: Six hundred and twenty-one consecutive patients were enrolled. A pathogen was identified in 78 (12.6%) patients. The most frequently isolated bacteria were S. pneumoniae (21.8%) and P. aeruginosa (19.2%). The clinical cure rate and length of stay were not different among patients treated with β-lactam, β-lactam and macrolide combination, and fluoroquinolone. Forty-seven patients (9.2%) died during the hospitalization period. There was no difference in survival among the three treatment groups. Conclusion: In patients admitted to non-ICU hospital wards for CAP, there was no difference in clinical outcomes between β-lactam, β-lactam and macrolide combination, and fluoroquinolone regimens. © TÜBİTAK.Item The validity and reliability of the turkish version of the leicester cough questionnaire in COPD patients(Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Medical Sciences, 2018) Kurhan F.; Göktalay T.; Havlucu Y.; Sari S.; Yorgancioğlu A.; Çelik P.; Şakar Coşkun A.Background/aim: The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) have been evaluated before. This study aimed to validate the Turkish version of the LCQ in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with cough. Materials and methods: COPD (GOLD B, C, D) patients over age 40 (n = 75) and healthy volunteers as a control group (n = 75) were included. A sociodemographic data form, the LCQ, the Short Form-36 (SF-36) quality of life questionnaire, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Form for Turkish people were completed. The internal reliability of the LCQ was determined using the Cronbach alpha coefficient (>0.6) and its repeatability by the intraclass consistency coefficient (P < 0.05) was accepted as significant. Results: For internal consistency, Cronbach alpha coefficients of all subscales of the LCQ, physical, psychological, and social, were found as 0.72, 0.86, and 0.83, respectively, with 0.92 for the total index. There was significant internal consistency for all subscales and the total index (Cronbach alpha coefficients of >0.6). In test–retest reliability, the correlation coefficient ranged between 0.71 and 0.80 for each question and was calculated as r = 0.89 for total LCQ score (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The Turkish version of the LCQ has been found to have acceptable reliability and validity for use in Turkish COPD patients with chronic cough. © TÜBİTAK.Item Long-Term Omalizumab Treatment: A Multicenter, Real-Life, 5-Year Trial(S. Karger AG, 2018) Yorgancloǧlu A.; Erkekol F.Ö.; Mungan D.; Erdinç M.; Gemicioǧlu B.; Özşeker Z.F.; Bayrak Deǧirmenci P.; Naycl S.; Çilli A.; Erdenen F.; Klrmaz C.; Ediger D.; Yalçln A.D.; Büyüköztürk S.; Öztürk S.; Güleç M.; Işlk S.R.; Kalyoncu A.F.; Göksel Ö.; Aydln Ö.; Havlucu Y.; Baloǧlu Ar I.; Erdoǧdu A.Background: Omalizumab has demonstrated therapeutic benefits both in controlled clinical trials and real-life studies. However, research concerning the long-term effects and tolerability of omalizumab is needed. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of treatment with omalizumab for up to 5 years. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, chart-based study was carried out to compare documented exacerbations, hospitalizations, systemic steroid requirement, FEV1, and asthma control test (ACT) results during 1 year prior to omalizumab treatment versus at 1, 3, and 5 years of treatment. Adverse events and reasons for discontinuation were also recorded at each time point. Results: Four hundred and sixty-five patients were enrolled in the study. Outcome variables had improved after the 1st year and were sustained after the 3rd and 5th years of treatment with omalizumab. Omalizumab treatment reduced the asthma exacerbation rate by 71.3% (p < 0.001) at 1 year, 64.3% (p < 0.001) at 3 years, and 54.8% (p = 0.002) at 5 years. The hospitalization rate also decreased; by the 5th year of the treatment no patients were hospitalized. ACT results had also improved significantly: 12 (p < 0.001) at 1 year, 12 (p < 0.001) at 3 years, and 12 (p = 0.002) at 5 years. Overall, 12.7% of patients reported adverse events (most of these were mild-to-moderate) and the overall dropout rate was 9.0%. Conclusion: Omalizumab had a significant effect on asthma outcomes and this effect was maintained over 5 years. The drug was found to be generally safe and treatment compliance was good. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel. Copyright: All rights reserved.Item Does one year change in quality of life predict the mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?—Prospective cohort study(AME Publishing Company, 2019) Havlucu Y.; Yorgancıoglu A.; Coskun A.S.; Celık P.Background: Subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present increased mortality and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as compared with the general population. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether an improvement in QoL after 1 year of proper management is a predictor of survival in a cohort of patients followed up for 10 years. Methods: In this prospective study, 306 COPD patients were assessed for eligibility between January 2003 and September 2003. Thirty-five patients were excluded due to failure to meet inclusion criteria or declining to participate and 20 patients were also excluded subsequently because they could not complete the questionnaire. Two hundred and fifty one patients were assessed at the beginning. St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and pulmonary function test (PFT) were performed at the initial visit and the end of the first year. Mortality information was obtained from hospital records and direct family interviews. Results: A comparison between respiratory diseases mortality according to baseline paramaters reveals that age and presence of cardiac comorbidity indicates a higher risk of death and associated with worse QoL. After a cox regression analysis, the relative risk of death of any cause related to baseline QoL score was 1.042 (95% CI: 1.028–1.057), and 1.030 (95% CI: 1.011–1.050) for respiratory cause mortality. However, the relative risk of death when there was a deterioration in QoL after one year of follow up was 1.175 (95% CI: 1.130–1.221) for all-cause mortality and 1.214 (95% CI: 1.151–1.280) for respiratory cause mortality. Conclusions: A QoL worsening in the initial year of follow up more strongly predicts 10-year mortality of any cause and for respiratory diseases than the baseline assessment alone predicts, among patients with COPD. © Journal of Thoracic Disease. All rights reserved.Item Use of tobacco products in turkish children and young people: Is there an alarm for hookah use?(AVES, 2020) Göktalay T.; Coşkun A.Ş.; Havlucu Y.; Horasan G.D.OBJECTIVES: In the recent years, it has been observed that the use of hookah, a tobacco product, has increased in children and young people in Turkey. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of cigarette and hookah use in children and young people specific to age and gender and to define the factors relevant to the use of hookah. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with secondary/high school students between 11 and 17 years of age (Survey 1, n=4718) and with university students between 18 and 23 years of age (Survey 2, n=1588) as two groups, which made a total of 6306 students. The students were asked to fill in a questionnaire which consisted of questions about socio-demographic data and the use of tobacco and tobacco products. RESULTS: It was determined that the use of cigarette and hookah was high in males, and it increased as the age increased in both genders (p<0.05). It was also determined that parents and friends using cigarette and hookah affected the use of cigarette and hookah in the study groups in both surveys (p<0.05). Additionally, it was determined that the educational level of the parents and being of a high social class were the social determiners of hookah use (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is important that we fight against the use of all tobacco products, especially in young people. Education about the damages of tobacco and applying tobacco products should start at an early age, and accurate tobacco control models may provide support in this field. © 2020 by Turkish Thoracic Society.Item COVID-19 pandemic and the global perspective of turkish thoracic society(AVES, 2020) Köktürk N.; İtil B.O.; Altınışık G.; Adıgüzel N.; Akgün M.; Akyıldız L.; Altın S.; Arıkan H.; Ateş G.; Ay P.; Aykaç N.; Babayiğit C.; Bostan P.; Cinel G.; Çalışır H.C.; Çelik P.; Çetinkaya P.D.; Dağlı E.; Demir A.U.; Demir C.; Dikensoy Ö.; Edis E.Ç.; Elbek O.; Erdinç M.; Ergan B.; Eyüboğlu A.F.Ö.; Gemicioğlu B.; Göksel T.; Gülhan E.; Gültekin Ö.; Gürkan C.G.; Gürgün A.; Havlucu Y.; Başoğlu O.K.; Karakurt S.; Karakurt Z.; Kılınç O.; Kocabaş A.; Kul S.; Müsellim B.; Naycı S.; Özkan M.; Pınarer Ö.; Saltürk C.; Sandal A.; Sayıner A.; Şen E.; Şimşek G.Ö.; Karadağ B.T.; Akyıl F.T.; Töreyin Z.N.; Uçan E.S.; Küçük F.Ç.U.; Varol A.; Yasin Y.; Yıldız T.; Arzu Yorgancıoğlu A.; Bayram H.It has been more than 3 months now since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Turkey. Globally, the number of confirmed cases and deaths reached 9,653,048 and 491,128 respectively, as reported by 216 countries by June 27, 2020. Turkey had 1,396 new cases, 194,511 total cases, and 5,065 deaths by the same date. From the first case until today, the Turkish Thoracic Society (TTS) has been very proactive in educating doctors, increasing public awareness, undertaking academic studies, and assisting with public health policies. In the present report, social, academic, and management perspectives of the pandemic are presented under appropriate subtitles. During this critical public health crisis, TTS has once again demonstrated its readiness and constructive stance by supporting public health, healthcare workers, and the environment. This review summarizes the perspective of TTS on each aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic and casts light on its contributions. © 2020 by Turkish Thoracic Society.Item The predictors of COVID-19 mortality in a nationwide cohort of Turkish patients(W.B. Saunders Ltd, 2021) Kokturk N.; Babayigit C.; Kul S.; Duru Cetinkaya P.; Atis Nayci S.; Argun Baris S.; Karcioglu O.; Aysert P.; Irmak I.; Akbas Yuksel A.; Sekibag Y.; Baydar Toprak O.; Azak E.; Mulamahmutoglu S.; Cuhadaroglu C.; Demirel A.; Kerget B.; Baran Ketencioglu B.; Ozger H.S.; Ozkan G.; Ture Z.; Ergan B.; Avkan Oguz V.; Kilinc O.; Ercelik M.; Ulukavak Ciftci T.; Alici O.; Nurlu Temel E.; Ataoglu O.; Aydin A.; Cetiner Bahcetepe D.; Gullu Y.T.; Fakili F.; Deveci F.; Kose N.; Tor M.M.; Gunluoglu G.; Altin S.; Turgut T.; Tuna T.; Ozturk O.; Dikensoy O.; Yildiz Gulhan P.; Basyigit I.; Boyaci H.; Oguzulgen I.K.; Borekci S.; Gemicioglu B.; Bayraktar F.; Elbek O.; Hanta I.; Kuzu Okur H.; Sagcan G.; Uzun O.; Akgun M.; Altinisik G.; Dursun B.; Cakir Edis E.; Gulhan E.; Oner Eyuboglu F.; Gultekin O.; Havlucu Y.; Ozkan M.; Sakar Coskun A.; Sayiner A.; Kalyoncu A.F.; Itil O.; Bayram H.The COVID-19-related death rate varies between countries and is affected by various risk factors. This multicenter registry study was designed to evaluate the mortality rate and the related risk factors in Turkey. We retrospectively evaluated 1500 adults with COVID-19 from 26 centers who were hospitalized between March 11 and July 31, 2020. In the study group, 1041 and 459 cases were diagnosed as definite and highly probable cases, respectively. There were 993 PCR-positive cases (66.2%). Among all cases, 1144 (76.3%) were diagnosed with non-severe pneumonia, whereas 212 (14.1%) had severe pneumonia. Death occurred in 67 patients, corresponding to a mortality rate of 4.5% (95% CI:3.5–5.6). The univariate analysis demonstrated that various factors, including male sex, age ≥65 years and the presence of dyspnea or confusion, malignity, chronic obstructive lung disease, interstitial lung disease, immunosuppressive conditions, severe pneumonia, multiorgan dysfunction, and sepsis, were positively associated with mortality. Favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin were not associated with survival. Following multivariate analysis, male sex, severe pneumonia, multiorgan dysfunction, malignancy, sepsis and interstitial lung diseases were found to be independent risk factors for mortality. Among the biomarkers, procalcitonin levels on the 3rd-5th days of admission showed the strongest associations with mortality (OR: 6.18; 1.6–23.93). This study demonstrated that the mortality rate in hospitalized patients in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic was a serious threat and that those patients with male sex, severe pneumonia, multiorgan dysfunction, malignancy, sepsis and interstitial lung diseases were at increased risk of mortality; therefore, such patients should be closely monitored. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd