Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background and Aim: It is speculated that the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) might increase with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of GERD in patients with asthma and COPD in an area representative of developing countries. Methods: A validated GERD questionnaire was conducted face‐to‐face with 308 consecutive asthma (240 women) and 133 COPD (35 women) patients in the tertiary referral pulmonary outpatient clinic, and 694 controls from the research area. Detailed histories of patients and pulmonary function tests were also recorded. Results: The prevalence of GERD (heartburn/regurgitation once a week or more) was 25.4%, 17.0%, 19.4% and occasional symptoms (less than weekly) were 21.2%, 16.3% and 27.0% of patients with asthma, COPD and controls, respectively. The prevalence was higher in the asthma group compared with the controls and the COPD group. No significant difference was found between the COPD group and the controls. Heartburn started following pulmonary disease in 24.1% of the asthma group, and 26.4% of the COPD group. The majority of additional symptoms were significantly higher in asthmatics compared with the controls. No difference was found in the consumption of pulmonary medications in asthmatic patients in groups with different symptom frequency. Heartburn was increased 13.8% by the consumption of inhaler medications. Conclusions: These results implicate that the prevalence of GERD in asthma and COPD are lower than in published reports in a tertiary referral center. These differences might be related to the characteristics of developing countries, increased consumption of powerful medications in GERD and pulmonary diseases, or methodological flaws in earlier studies.     

Hydatid cyst: an unusual solid breast mass

Breast involvement of the hydatid cyst is very rare, and it accounts for 0.27% of all cases. Cases reported in the literature are generally about various cystic and calcified forms, but the solid form of hydatid cyst in the breast is quite rare. It is difficult to differentiate the breast's malignant and benign lesions from this form of hydatid cyst by imaging methods. Therefore, we aimed to present the mammographical and sonographic findings of a 50-year-old woman patient consulted to our mammography unit of whom we determined a Breast Imaging–Reporting and Data System class 4 solid lesion in the right breast and come out as hydatid cyst pathologically.     

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Atopic Eczema in Turkish Adolescents

Atopic eczema (AE) is the most common childhood inflammatory skin condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of AE and its relation to various risk factors. In a cross‐sectional study, 9,991 children ages 13 to 14 years in 61 primary schools in 32 districts of Istanbul were evaluated. The prevalence of AE and associated symptoms was assessed using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood protocol. The relationship between risk factors and AE was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Ten thousand nine hundred eighty‐four questionnaires were distributed to 13‐ and 14‐year‐old children in 61 schools in 32 districts of Istanbul, 9,991 of which were suitable for analysis, for an overall response rate of 91.7%. There were 4,746 boys (47.9%) and 5,166 girls (52.1%) (M/F ratio 0.920). The rates of itchy rash ever, 12‐month itchy rash, and doctor‐diagnosed AE ever were 18.2%, 12.0%, and 2.8%, respectively. The difference between rates for itchy rash ever, 12‐month itchy rash and doctor‐diagnosed AE was high (12.8–31.3, 5.8–24.8, and 0–17.2, respectively) between the districts of Istanbul. Female sex, AE family history, watching television more than 5 hours a day, region of the district, and tonsillectomy history were found to be significantly associated with doctor‐diagnosed AE at p < 0.05 in multivariate analysis. This study found a low prevalence of doctor‐diagnosed AE and related symptoms in Istanbul. Several risk factors were found to be associated with doctor‐diagnosed AE.     

Sulcus vocalis in monozygotic twins

Sulcus vocalis is the presence of a groove extending along the vibratory surface of a vocal fold and may result in dysphonia. Depending on the level of severity, this condition may require treatment involving complicated surgical techniques. Cases of sulcus vocalis are classified as physiological, vergeture, or pouch type. A clear explanation of the etiology has not been established, and the currently proposed congenital origin, as described in the literature, remains controversial. This paper presents findings from monozygotic twin sisters with bilateral sulcus vocalis; these patients had similar morphologies, vibratory characteristics, and vocal quality measurements, which support the theory of a congenital etiology.     

Losartan-induced hepatic injury

Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, is widely used for the treatment of hypertension. Clinical experience with this drug has demonstrated that it is safe. Losartan-induced hepatic toxicity is extremely rare. We report a case of severe hepatic toxicity and fibrosis caused by losartan use, and we review four previously reported cases. Drug-induced hepatic injury may be seen during the treatment of hypertension by losartan and the clinician should be aware of this toxicity, especially during the initial phase of treatment.     

Relationship between SP1 polymorphism and osteoporosis in β-thalassemia major patients

Background: β-Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by defective β-globin chain production. Osteoporosis is an important cause of morbidity in patients with β-thalassemia major. The pathogenesis of reduced bone mineral density (BMD) is multifactorial. A range of genetics factors have been implicated in other populations of patients with osteoporosis. Polymorphism at the Sp1 binding site of the collagen type I A1 ( COLIA1 ) gene is thought to be an important factor in the development of osteoporosis.
Methods: Alleles S and s , detected by presence of a G or T nucleotide, respectively in a regulatory site of the COLIA1 gene were investigated in 37 β-thalassemia major patients with osteoporosis and 92 controls without osteoporosis or osteopenia using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism.
Results: Fifteen and nine β-thalassemia major patients displayed SS and Ss genotypes, respectively, whereas 13 were found to have an ss genotype. The mean BMD of the β-thalassemia major patients with ss genotype was similar to those with the Ss and SS genotypes. In the control group, 77 and 15 subjects had SS and Ss genotypes, respectively, with no ss genotype. Allelic and genotypic distribution in patients were significantly different from controls.
Conclusion: Determining base substitutions at the Sp1 binding site on the COLIA1 gene in early years may be important in preventing osteoporosis in children with β-thalassemia major.     

To use MIBI or not to use MIBI? That is the question when assessing tumour cells

^99mTc-sestamibi (MIBI) is a well-known tumour imaging agent. Its retention within tumour cell mitochondria is related to perfusion and to the magnitude of the electrical gradient, reflecting cell viability. Several internal cell factors modulate this uptake; for example, multidrug resistance membrane proteins (Pgp and MRP1) and anti-apoptotic BCl-2 protein of the outer mitochondrial membrane can limit retention of MIBI. At the early stage of cell apoptosis, the electrical driving forces of MIBI uptake are impaired, and influx and accumulation are reduced. It seems clear that MIBI can be used before treatment to detect drug resistance, assess anti-apoptotic status and predict treatment efficacy. Although it has been suggested that MIBI might be used to monitor tumour response to treatment, MIBI is unable to differentiate tumours with ongoing apoptosis from those developing drug resistance.