Objectives: To determine the prevalence of habitual snoring (HS) and its association with both day- and nighttime symptoms, school performance and behavioral disturbances in a sample of primary school children. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 1,605 children (819 boys and 786 girls) aged 7–13 years from 9 randomly selected primary schools located within the city limits of Isparta, Turkey. HS and sleep problems were assessed using a 55-item multiple-choice questionnaire. Results: Of the 1,605 questionnaires, 1,164 were fully completed and returned, giving a response rate of 72.5%. The overall prevalence of snoring was 38.9%, while HS accounted for 3.5%. The prevalence of HS among boys (25, 3.0%) was higher than among girls (16, 2.0%; χ2 for trend: p < 0.001, OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.01–3.66). There was an association between younger age and HS, as children aged 7–8 years had the highest prevalence (χ2 for trend: 0.054, OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 0.81–4.22). Habitual snorers had more daytime and nighttime symptoms. Allergic symptoms, daytime mouth breathing, shaking the child for apnea, restless sleep and hyperactivity were significant and independent risk factors and sleep-related symptoms for HS. A significant and independent association was found between poor school performance and hyperactivity, nocturnal enuresis, tooth grinding and low parental/maternal education in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Children with HS were more likely to have sleep-related daytime and nighttime symptoms. No significant associ- ation was determined between HS and poor school performance.

It is difficult to distinguish coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) from other viral respiratory tract infections owing to the similarities in clinical and radiological findings. This study aims to determine the clinical importance of platelet count and platelet indices in the differentiation of COVID‐19 from influenza and the value of these parameters in the differential diagnosis of COVID‐19. The medical records of the patients and the electronic patient monitoring system were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic characteristics, admission symptoms, laboratory findings, radiological involvement, comorbidities, and mortality of the patients were recorded. Forty‐three patients diagnosed with influenza and 54 diagnosed with COVID‐19 were included in the study. The average age of the COVID‐19 patients was lower than that of the influenza patients (influenza: 60.5 years, COVID‐19: 52.4 years; pp = 0.024),.024), and the male gender was predominant in the COVID‐19 group (influenza: 42%, COVID‐19: 56%). According to laboratory findings, the mean platelet volume (MPV) and MPV/platelet ratio were statistically significantly lower, whereas the eosinophil count and platelet distribution width levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the COVID‐19 group. It was found that the most common symptom in both groups was dyspnea and that the symptom was more prevalent among influenza patients. In the diagnosis of COVID‐19, the platelet count and platelet indices are easily accessible, inexpensive, and important parameters in terms of differential diagnosis and can help in the differentiation of COVID‐19 from influenza during seasonal outbreaks of the latter.

The cigarette smoking and the obesity are the main reasons of mortality and the morbidity. There are limited studies detecting the relationship between smoking and obesity. However the reported results are contradictory. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of smoking on body mass index and obesity. A total of 983 patients consisting of 464 (47%) male and 519 (53%) female who admitted to department of chest disease outpatient clinic were enrolled in this study. The age, gender, body mass index (BMI), diastolic and systolic blood pressure levels and smoking states of the patients were recorded. The mean age of patients was 50.7±14.8 years (range 20-80). We detected the obesity in 359 (37%) patients. Compared to smoker females, obesity rate was found significantly higher in non-smoker females (p<0.001). Similarly, there was also significant difference between the smoker and non-smoker males, which was lower than the female group (p=0.041). We found significantly lower BMI scores in female smokers, than non-smokers and ex smokers group (p=0.026 and p<0.001 respectively). Similar results were obtained in males (p=0.019, p<0.001 respectively). There was a positive correlation between BMI and age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A negative correlation was found between BMI and smoking amount (pack-year) (p<0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were found to be lower in smokers than non-smokers in both genders (p<0.001). Cigarette smoking causes a decrease in body mass index, obesity rates and blood pressure levels. The substances found in cigarettes and the mechanism of action leading to these effects are unclear. There is a need for further studies on this topic. J. Exp. Clin. Med., 2013; 30:311-315

Introduction. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease is characterized by progressive airway inflammation, which not only affects the airways but also has systemic effects that are associated with comorbidities. Although comorbid conditions such as hypertension and coronary artery disease are very well-known in COPD patients, diseases of the thyroid gland have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, thyroid diseases are not considered among the comorbid conditions of COPD. The purpose of this study was to determine the thyroid gland disease (TGD) prevalence in COPD and associated factors. Materials and Method. The study included 309 (297 (96%) male) patients. The patients were subjected to spirometry and thyroid function tests (TFT) in the stable period. The thyroid gland disease they were diagnosed with was recorded after face-to-face meetings and examining their files. Results. The mean age of the patients who were included in the study was (40-90). Thyroid disease was determined in 68 (22%) individuals. There were hypothyroidism in 7 (2%), euthyroidism in 45 (15%), and hyperthyroidism in 16 (%5) patients. No relationship was found between the severity of airflow limitation and the prevalence of TGD. Conclusion. Thyroid abnormalities are commonly observed in COPD. The most frequently encountered TGDs are euthyroid multinodular goiter, euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS), and toxic multinodular goiter.

Right sided arcus aorta (RSAA) is a rare condition that is usually asymptomatic. Patients may present with exertional dyspnea and chronic cough. A recent article suggested that RSAA should be included in the differential diagnosis of asthma, especially in patients with intractable exertional dyspnea. We aimed to present the clinical, radiologic and spirometric features of thirteen patients with RSAA observed in four years at the Rize Education and Research Hospital and Samsun Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Hospital.