[Not Available].

Introduction: Despite current recommendations, most asthmatics remain insufficiently controlled. This is largely due to non-adherence to medications. Looking for factors associated with lack of therapeutic adherence is mandatory in order to improve the management of these patients.

Maximal Voluntary Breath-Holding Tele-Inspiratory Test in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Maximal voluntary inspiratory breath-holding time (MVIBHT) has proved to be of clinical utility in some obstructive ventilatory defects. This study aims to correlate the breath-holding time with pulmonary function tests in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to determine the feasibility of using a breath-holding test in assessing the severity of COPD.A cross-sectional study including male patients with stable COPD were conducted.

[Assessment of body composition during pulmonary tuberculosis].

Background: Although the body mass index (BMI) is the most commonly used tool to assess the nutritional status of patients with active tuberculosis (TB), it does not assess changes in body composition. This study aims to assess the contribution of bioelectrical impedancemetry (BIA) for the assessment of body composition during the course of TB compared to BMI and to examine the associated factors.

Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in patients with active TB at the pulmonology department of CHU la Rabta in Tunis, Tunisia.

Contribution of mobile applications to learning and medical practice.

Introduction: Medical mobile applications are increasing, accessible and easy leading to a considerable increase use by physicians.

Aim: To assess the contribution of mobile applications to medical learning and practice among medical residents.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out during May and June 2021, via an anonymous questionnaire, published online focusing on the contribution of medical applications in the learning and the daily life of medical interns.

[Testosterone and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Introduction: Testosterone level has been shown to be associated with respiratory function and loss of lean body mass in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between testosterone level and functional respiratory parameters during COPD.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 95 male patients with stable COPD.

Breathing pattern during sequential swallowing in healthy adult humans.

Sequential liquid swallowing is a common daily occurrence during which coordination of deglutition and breathing are highly regulated to avoid pulmonary aspiration and to maintain hematosis. We studied the effects of sequential water swallowing (SWS) at fixed swallowing rates and with regular succession of swallows on respiration in healthy subjects. Thirty-one normal adults (19 men, 12 women) with a mean age of 27.

[Assessment of insomnia among Tunisian patients with lung cancer].

Introduction: Sleep disorders are relatively common in oncology. However, they have not been well studied and are often treated insufficiently.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and severity of insomnia in lung cancer patients and evaluate the relationship between insomnia and certain clinical parameters.

Preoperative assessment in pulmonary resection surgery.

Pulmonary resection can be associated with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality, which depends on the nature and extent of pulmonary resection but also on the patient himself. This risk can be apprehended by a preoperative assessment which estimates the immediate operative risk as well as the physiological state and the post-operative quality of life which can require more conservative therapies. Currently, preoperative exploration of a patient is based on various technological tools, which can range from simple electrocardiogram or simple spirometry to a complex exploration such as a cardiorespiratory effort test.

[Home non-invasive ventilation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Introduction: The benefits of long-term non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients remain controversial.

Aim: To analyze the characteristics of COPD patients under home NIV and to evaluate its impact among this population.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective study between January 2002 and April 2016 of COPD patients under long-term NIV at "la Rabta" and the Military Hospital.

[Tuberculous pseudotumour, a challenging diagnosis].

Introduction: The pseudotumorous form of tuberculosis is a rare entity. Whatever its location, it can simulate neoplasia by its radiological and/or endoscopic appearances. We highlight the diagnostic difficulties associated with this type of presentation.

[Clinical and microbiological profile of patients experiencing relapses of tuberculosis in Tunisia].

Introduction: Relapse of tuberculosis (TB) is known to be as one of the major risk factors for resistant TB. The aim of this study is to focus on clinical, radiological and bacteriological features of patients with pulmonary TB relapse.

Methods: We performed a retrospective survey in the respiratory department of the teaching hospital La Rabta in Tunis between January 2000 and December 2014.

Implication of the vagus nerve in breathing pattern during sequential swallowing in rats.

The ventilatory pattern during sequential swallowing is influenced by the vagal activity. As the vagus nerve is paired and mixed, we aimed (1) to determine if vagal implication in swallowing and breathing coordination is symmetric. (2) to study the importance of vagal afferences in swallowing and breathing coordination.

Contribution of fixed-dose combinations in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Background - The introduction of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of TB treatment in Tunisia is recent (July 2009). WHO and the National Tuberculosis Programme recommend the use of fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablets for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). The effectiveness of ADF has been demonstrated, however the risk of relapse and tolerance were controversial.

Role of metalloproteinases MMP-2 in asthma.

Background - Many metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a role in the pathogenesis and modulation of the severity of asthma. MMP-9 is the predominant in asthma but other MMPs are involved such as the MMP-2. Aim - To determine the role of single nucleotide polymorphism of the gene MMP2 in susceptibility to asthma and its severity.

The Z-score: A new tool in the interpretation of spirometric data.

Spirometry is an important tool in the diagnosis and management of patients with respiratory pathology. An appropriate interpretation of the spirometric data requires the use of a population-specific reference equation. However, the most widely used equations were established in European populations with limited age groups.

[Night-to-night variability of the obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome].

Unlabelled: The apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) is the primary measurement used to characterize the obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS). Despite its popularity, there are limiting factors to its application such as night-to-night variability.

Aim: To evaluate the variability of AHI in the OSAHS.

Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms to antituberculosis treatment.

Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome reflects a serious hypersensitivity reaction to drugs. This syndrome is an uncommon adverse reaction due to antituberculosis drugs and is sometimes difficult to identify the culprit agent. We report a case of a 45-year-old woman who received combined antituberculosis drugs (RHZE) for lymph node tuberculosis.

Sit-to-stand test and 6-min walking test correlation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The 6-min walking test (6MWT) is one of the most commonly used tests to assess exercise capacity during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it is a relatively time-consuming test. Many authors assessed the usefulness of simpler methods, as the sit-to-stand test (STST), to estimate exercise capacity.