TDI-derived RV IVA is a novel, noninvasive echocardiographic index which may be used in the assessment of subclinical RV dysfunction in patients with COPD.
Objective: Inhaled corticosteroids definitely alleviate bronchial mucosal inflammation in patients with asthma. Nevertheless, the data regarding their anti-inflammatory effects in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is controversial. The aim of the present study is to assess the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids in reduction of inflammatory response in patients with COPD. Methods: A total of 14 subjects with the new diagnosis of mild to moderate COPD (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV 1 ] >50% of predicted value) were prospectively enrolled. Endobronchial sampling with bronchoscopic intervention was performed before and after three months of treatment with inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) (500 μg twice daily). Histopathological evaluations were performed with electron microscopy and the anti-inflammatory effects of the medicine were evaluated. Differences in arterial blood gas analysis and pulmonary functions were also investigated. Results: Three months treatment with FP revealed regression of the epithelial edema, decrease in the thickness of basal lamina, augmentation of the cilliary structures, reduction in the number of macrophages and lymphocytes in biopsy samples. Significant improvement of pulmonary functions was remarkable in spirometric test results. The difference in arterial blood gas analyses was not significant. Conclusion: Treatment with FP provided significant anti-inflammatory effects on endobronchial tissue samples and remarkable improvement in pulmonary functions in patients with COPD.
Introduction
In this study, we aimed to measure the change in penile stiffness by evaluating corpus cavernosum (CC) with shear wave elastography (SWE) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Material and methods
Seventy outpatient patients aged 50–80 years who were diagnosed with COPD were evaluated using SWE. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire (IIEF-5 >17: Group A, IIEF-5 <17: Group B). The measurements were made in both transverse and longitudinal sections.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 60 ±7.9 years. The duration of COPD was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A (p = 0.003). The mean SWE values of right transverse mid-portion of corpus penis (RTM) and left transverse mid-portion of corpus penis (LTM) in Group B (21.1 ±5.6 kPa and 20.8 ±4.8 kPa, respectively) were significantly higher than in Group A (15.2 ±2.3 kPa and 15.8 ±2.7 kPa, respectively); (p <0.001 and p <0.001, respectively). There was a significant negative correlation between IIEF-5 scores and the duration of COPD (p <0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between IIEF values and RTM and LTM values of the patients (p <0.05 and p <0.05, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between the duration of COPD and both RTM and LTM values (p <0.05 and p <0.05, respectively).
Conclusions
In our study, according to the SWE findings, we showed the effect of systemic changes created by COPD on penile tissue and the negative effect of this on erectile function in patients.
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