Pneumonologia i alergologia polska
-
For the past several years the number of women suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been steadily increasing. This fact prompts the debate which factors, in addition to considerably increasing prevalence of cigarette smoking among young women, are responsible for these epidemiologic changes. Differences in the natural history and prognosis of COPD in females and males are presented in the paper, as well as the number of potential ethiopathogenetic and pathophysiologic factors influencing these variations. ⋯ Further, sex-related differences regarding COPD phenotypes (chronic bronchitis vs. emphysema), immunological markers and clinical manifestation of disease are underlined in the paper. More frequent coexistence of anxiety and depression, COPD exacerbations and worse quality of life in women are also emphasized. Other differences, pointed out by authors include autoimmunological conception of pathogenesis of COPD (greater female susceptibility to produce autoantibodies), risk factors of disease exacerbation and, at last, response to certain forms of COPD treatment (nicotine replacement therapy, long-term oxygen therapy).
-
Pneumonol Alergol Pol · Jan 2012
Comparative Study[Problem of depression in patients with bronchial asthma].
The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of various degrees of depressive disorders in patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma of different degrees of severity. ⋯ It should be noted that the presence of negative mood state and depressive symptoms in patients suffered from bronchial asthma might be the problem in proper compliance and indicate that adequate treatment, when these psychopathological symptoms are diagnosed, should be implemented. It could suggest that depressive disorders are associated with worse asthma control and deterioration in quality of life.
-
Pneumonol Alergol Pol · Jan 2012
Case Reports[Autoimmunological pulmonary alveolar proteinosis--case report].
Autoimmunological pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (APAP) is a rare interstitial lung disease with abnormal surfactant homeostasis. Autoimmunological pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is diagnosed most often in the third or fourth decade of life. Predominant symptoms are dyspnea and cough. ⋯ At the beginning due to limited disease symptoms no specific proceedings was implemented. After two year follow-up of non-resolving pulmonary changes the decision about open lung biopsy was made. On the basis of histological examination of samples and presence of anty GM-CSF antibodies the diagnosis of autoimmunological pulmonary alveolar proteinosis was established.