Diaphragmatic motor cortex hyperexcitability in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background And Objectives: Respiratory muscles dysfunction has been reported in COPD. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used for assessing the respiratory corticospinal pathways particularly of diaphragm. We aimed to study the cortico-diaphragmatic motor system changes in COPD using TMS and to correlate the findings with the pulmonary function.

Comorbidities associated with obstructive sleep apnea: a retrospective Egyptian study on 244 patients.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess prevalence of associated comorbidities in a group of patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 244 consecutive patients diagnosed by polysomnogram with OSAS between October 2010 and January 2015 after being referred to our Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders Unit, Chest Diseases Department, in the Alexandria Main University Hospital.

Results: Of 244 patients, 47% were men, mean age was 56.