Increased Rheumatoid Factor production in patients with severe COVID-19.

Background: Searching for Rheumatoid Factors (RF) in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has rarely been described.

Objectives: To investigate the association between RF isotypes (IgM, IgA, and IgG) and different clinical presentations of COVID-19 in a series of Tunisian patients.

Study Design: Eighty-two COVID-19 patients were enrolled in this study.

Pulmonary MALT lymphoma associated with interstitial pulmonary disease.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and low-grade Mucosa-associated B-cell lymphoma (MALT lymphoma) are two different disorders of the respiratory system. In some cases, pulmonary MALT lymphoma is seen presenting with interstitial lung disease. We report a case of 42-year-old man presenting with a pulmonary MALT lymphoma associated with interstitial lung disease.

Predictive echocardiographic factors of severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Introduction: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic pulmonary disease, characterized by repetitive collapse of the upper respiratory airways, leading to oxygen desaturation. This condition is recognized to be associated with cardiovascular disease. Several studies have shown the effects of OSA on both geometry and cardiac function, with conflicting results.

Assessment of right ventricular remodeling and dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a prospective monocentric study.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related disorder that has been implicated in many serious cardiovascular diseases including cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. Since most investigations have focused on the left heart, little is known on right ventricular (RV) involvement in OSA. The role of the RV in the management of cardiovascular outcomes has become increasingly recognized.

Isolated left pulmonary artery hypoplasia.

Pulmonary artery hypoplasia is a rare malformation of childhood that is usually associated with cardiac abnormalities. In the absence of these cardiac malformations it is discovered later when respiratory signs appear. It was a 56-year-old patient who had been referred for dyspnea with cough.

[Contribution of high fidelity simulation to training in respiratory medicine].

Introduction: Simulation maintains patient safety by limiting the risk of errors. In the medical field, simulation is a method of learning that is developing more and more in the acute specialties but it is still not widespread in the field of respiratory medicine.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of high fidelity simulation as a teaching tool in respiratory medicine.

[Obesity and the severity of asthma crisis].

Introduction: Obesity is associated with inflammatory processes, which could influence the airway inflammation that is found in patients with asthma. Obesity may thus have a role in the development of asthma. However, the role of obesity in the severity of acute asthma has not been well described.

[Anxiety-depressive disorders and bronchiectasis].

Introduction: Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease that may be associated with anxiety-depressive disorders affecting the quality of life of patients. Detecting these anxiety-depressive disorders may be necessary in the support and overall management of a patient with bronchiectasis.

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with bronchiectasis and to investigate the possible correlation between the severity of the disease and the importance of these psychological disorders.

[Right upper lobe pulmonary agenesis].

Introduction: Pulmonary agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly. Other cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and urogenital system anomalies can be observed in association with it.

Case Report: A 24-year-old female patient presented to our clinic with a history of cough and chest pain with an abnormal chest X-ray.

[Smoking habits and severity of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

Introduction: Smoking habits have many adverse health effects. The effect of tobacco on obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome is well-documented but the effect on the severity of this syndrome has not been completely established.

Aim Of This Study: Evaluate the effect of tobacco on the severity of sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.

[Unusual alveolar proteinosis].

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), a rare infiltrative disease of unknown aetiology, is characterized by an accumulation of abnormal lung surfactant in the alveoli. The diagnosis is based on the results of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and sometimes on the lung biopsy. The authors report the case of a 49-year-old woman who was hospitalized for chronic expectoration of the membranes.

[An unusual association: tracheobronchomegaly with a normal pulmonary function test].

Tracheobronchomegaly is a rare condition characterised by marked dilation of the trachea and the main bronchi. The clinical presentation of this disease is nonspecific and the diagnosis is based on the radiological features, especially computed tomography of chest. Pulmonary function tests are often abnormal showing airflow limitation with increased residual volume.

[Familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis associated with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy and epidermodysplasia verruciformis].

Familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a very rare and progressively fatal disease. Its pathogenesis is not fully understood and involves damage to alveolar epithelial cells of possibly immunological, microbiological or chemical origin, leading to fibrosing healing. A genetic predisposition has been demonstrated.