[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.

COPD patients' body composition and its impact on lung function.

Introduction: Despite fat-free mass index (FFMI) is one of the strongest predictive factors of survival during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is a considerable lack of information regarding body composition in Tunisian patients with COPD.   Aim: Describe the body composition of Tunisian patients followed for COPD and examine the relationship between body composition and the severity of the disease.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients with stable COPD.

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.

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.

Evaluation of Tuberculin Skin Test Positivity and Early Tuberculin Conversion among Medical Intern Trainees in Tunisia.

Background: As healthcare workers (HCWs), medical trainees are at a high-risk for acquisition of tuberculosis (TB) infection and disease. To our knowledge, there are no published data about TB infection among medical trainees in Tunisia.To determine the tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity and tuberculin conversion among a group of medical trainees in different departments at our institution.

Acute Respiratory Failure as the First Manifestation of Antisynthetase Syndrome.

We report the case of a 40-year-old man with acute respiratory failure syndrome that later proved to be an initial manifestation of antisynthetase syndrome. The diagnosis of this rare combination of a connective tissue disease and an acute respiratory failure is difficult in a previously asymptomatic patient. Early diagnosis and immunosuppressive therapy started precociously prevented the disease progression and resulted in a good outcome.

Vitamin D deficiency and interleukin-17 relationship in severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

Purpose: We aimed to assess Vitamin D (VD) abnormalities in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), to study its association with clinical and polygraphic data, and to correlate VD levels with interleukin-17 (IL-17).

Methods: Ninety-two patients with severe OSAHS were consecutively enrolled between September 2014 and February 2016 and compared to age-, sex-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. Anthropometric parameters and medical history were collected.

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.

Prevalence of asthma and rhinitis in a Tunisian population.

Background: Asthma and rhinitis are a major public health problem because of their frequency, their impact on quality of life and economic burden. In Tunisia, epidemiological data are scarce. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis in a representative Tunisian population and to analyze the association between them.

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.

[Infuenzae A (H1N1): about 189 cases].

Background: Influenza A (H1N1) is a contagious acute respiratory infection caused by a subtype influenza virus A (H1N1). The later had caused a pandemic in 2009. Despite its low mortality, the disease was more severe in some subgroups.

[Diagnosis approach of pulmonary embolism].

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a fairly common condition that can be fatal. The variability of presentation sets clinician up for potentially missing the diagnosis. Routine laboratory findings are nonspecific and are not helpful in diagnosis of PE.

[Sarcoidosis in Tunisia: epidemiologic and clinical study].

Background: The epidemiologic study of sarcoidosis is problematic and differing incidences across the world are reported. In Tunisia, the incidence of this affection is yet unknown. This is at least attributable to the lack of large series and the overshadowing presence of tuberculosis.

Rosai and Dorfman disease with pleural involvement: case report.

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHLM) disease is considered to be an indolent and self-limiting pathology. However, severe morbidity and mortality have been attributed to complications of SHLM. Lower respiratory tract involvement is rarely reported and is often unfavorable, and carries a particularly grave prognosis.