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Background: There is no consensus on the most useful predictive indicator for weaning patients from mechanical ventilation (MV). We aimed to evaluate the utility of the modified Burns Wean Assessment Program (m-BWAP) in predicting the weaning success in patients with respiratory disorders admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit (RICU).Methods: Patients with respiratory failure requiring MV for longer than 48 hours were included. They were weaned by pressure support ventilation and spontaneous breathing trails. Patients were divided into successful and unsuccessful weaning groups according to their outcomes.Results: A total of 91 patients were enrolled. The majority had chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD); 40%, overlap syndrome (24%), and obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS): 15%. The successful group had significantly higher m-BWAP scores than that in the unsuccessful group (median 65; range 35 to 80 vs median 45; range 30 to 65; p=0.000), with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.854; 95% CI 0.766 to 0.919), p<0.001. At cut-off value of ≥55, the sensitivity and specificity of m-BWAP to predict successful weaning were 73.77% and 84.85%, respectively. The AUC for m-BWAP was significantly higher than that for rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI).Conclusion: We conclude that m-BWAP scores represent a good predictor of weaning success among patient with chronic respiratory disorders in the RICU. The m-BWAP checklist has many factors that are closely related to the weaning outcomes of patients with chronic respiratory disorders. Further, large-scale, multicenter studies are warrented.

Background: No studies have addressed the impact of lung cancer (LC) on prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in Upper Egypt. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for LC among IPF patients and its impact on their outcomes and survival in Upper Egypt. Methods: A total of 246 patients with IPF who had complete clinical and follow up data were reviewed. They were categorized into 2 groups: 34 patients with biopsy-proven LC and IPF (LC-IPF) and 212 patients with IPF only (IPF). Survival and clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Results: Prevalence of LC was 13.8%. Pack/years was the most significant predictor for LC development in IPF (Odds ratio; 3.225, CI 1.257–1.669, p = 0.001). Survival in patients with LC-IPF was significantly worse than in patients with IPF without LC; median survival, 35 months vs 55 months; p = 0.000. LC accompanying IPF was one of the most significant independent predictors of survival in IPF patients (Hazard ratio 5.431, CI 2.186–13.492, p = 0.000). Mortality in LC-IPF patients was mainly due to LC progression in 36% and LC therapy-related complications in 22%. Conclusions: Prevalence of LC in IPF patients was 13.8%. Lung cancer has significant impacts on patients with IPF in Upper Egypt, in terms of clinical outcomes and survival. Smoking is the most significant independent predictor of LC development in IPF patients. A poorer survival was observed for patients with IPF developing LC, mainly due to LC progression, and to complications of its therapies. Further prospective, multicenter and larger studies are warranted.

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BackgroundNo studies have addressed the impact of lung cancer (LC) on prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in Upper Egypt. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for LC among IPF patients and its impact on their outcomes and survival in Upper Egypt.MethodsA total of 246 patients with IPF who had complete clinical and follow up data were reviewed. They were categorized into 2 groups: 34 patients with biopsy-proven LC and IPF (LC-IPF) and 212 patients with IPF only (IPF). Survival and clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared.ResultsPrevalence of LC was 13.8%. Pack/years was the most significant predictor for LC development in IPF (Odds ratio; 3.225, CI 1.257–1.669, p = 0.001). Survival in patients with LC-IPF was significantly worse than in patients with IPF without LC; median survival, 35 months vs 55 months; p = 0.000. LC accompanying IPF was one of the most significant independent predictors of survival in IPF patients (Hazard ratio 5.431, CI 2.186–13.492, p = 0.000). Mortality in LC-IPF patients was mainly due to LC progression in 36% and LC therapy-related complications in 22%.ConclusionsPrevalence of LC in IPF patients was 13.8%. Lung cancer has significant impacts on patients with IPF in Upper Egypt, in terms of clinical outcomes and survival. Smoking is the most significant independent predictor of LC development in IPF patients. A poorer survival was observed for patients with IPF developing LC, mainly due to LC progression, and to complications of its therapies. Further prospective, multicenter and larger studies are warranted.

Background: Central obesity is a chronic condition that can contribute to impairments in lung functions. Body position is an important technique that effectively restores and increases lung functions. We aimed to address the possible changes in spirometric parameters in asymptomatic overweight individuals with central obesity with a change in posture from sitting to supine in comparison to normal weight non-obese ones.Methods: Enrolled subjects were healthy Egyptian males, aged between 20-45 years old, asymptomatic and nonsmokers. They underwent spirometry. The following parameters were measured; forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, and forced expiratory flow (FEF)25-75%. They were classified into overweight with central obesity (n=40) and healthy control (n=40) groups based on their body mass index (BMI), weight-hip ratio (WHR), and waist circumference (WC). Spirometric parameters were compared between the 2 groups and in both setting and supine positions.Results: The central obesity group showed significantly lower all spirometric parameters in comparison to the control one. All measured spirometric parameters had a significant reduction with supine position. There were negative correlations between both the WC and WHR and spirometric parameters.Conclusion: In this study of young Egyptian males, individuals with central obesity had reduced spirometric parameters in comparison to healthy ones. Change in position from sitting to supine has significant effects on spirometric parameters in both healthy middle age males with normal weight and those with overweight and central obesity. These results could have important clinical implications.

Background Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection. Red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are prognostic factors to mortality in different diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate prognostic efficiency RDW, NLR, and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score for mortality prediction in respiratory patients with VAP. Results One hundred thirty-six patients mechanically ventilated and developed VAP were included. Clinical characteristics and SOFA score on the day of admission and at diagnosis of VAP, RDW, and NLR were assessed and correlated to mortality. The average age of patients was 58.80 ± 10.53. These variables had a good diagnostic performance for mortality prediction AUC 0.811 for SOFA at diagnosis of VAP, 0.777 for RDW, 0.728 for NLR, and 0.840 for combined of NLR and RDW. The combination of the three parameters demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance (AUC 0.889). A positive correlation was found between SOFA at diagnosis of VAP and RDW (r = 0.446, P < 0.000) and with NLR (r = 0.220, P < 0.010). Conclusions NLR and RDW are non-specific inflammatory markers that could be calculated quickly and easily via routine hemogram examination. These markers have comparable prognostic accuracy to severity scores. Consequently, RDW and NLR are simple, yet promising markers for ICU physicians in monitoring the clinical course, assessment of organ dysfunction, and predicting mortality in mechanically ventilated patients. Therefore, this study recommends the use of blood biomarkers with the one of the simplest ICU score (SOFA score) in the rapid diagnosis of critical patients as a daily works in ICU.