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From the
Editor
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In this issue of the journal we have various
rich topics including an update and the evolution
of the Zika virüs and an opinion paper
on mental evolution.
A paper from Turkey investigated the seasonal
variability of AHI values among patients with
sleep apnea. A total of 304 patients were studied.
They reviewed the records of patients, including
their PSGs, and found that their AHI values
were comparable across seasons. The average
AHI value for males was 34.95± 29.95
and 21.88±2.76 for females; they observed
no significant statistical difference among
the four groups (both males and females) in
terms of AHI. Although patient complaints increased
due to exacerbation of diseases such as asthma
and allergic rhinitis in the winter, this study
did not reflect a significant change in AHI
values. Therefore, PSG examinations do not need
to be repeated in different seasons.
A second paper from Turkey looked at Red blood
cell supports in severe clinical conditions
in sickle cell diseases. Sickle cell diseases
(SCDs) are accelerated atherosclerotic processes.
As one of the significant endpoints of the SCDs,
cases with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) and without were collected into the two
groups. The study included 428 patients (221
males). There were 71 patients (16.5%) with
COPD. Mean age was significantly higher in the
COPD group (32.8 versus 29.8 years, P=0.005).
Male ratio was significantly higher in the COPD
group, too (78.8% versus 46.2%, P<0.001).
Beside these, priapism (14.0% versus 3.0%, P<0.001),
HCV RNA positivity (2.7% versus 0.5%, P<0.05),
cirrhosis (8.4% versus 3.3%, P<0.05), leg
ulcers (23.9% versus 12.0%, P<0.01), digital
clubbing (25.3% versus 6.7%, P<0.001), coronary
heart disease (23.9% versus 13.7%, P<0.05),
chronic renal disease (15.4% versus 7.0%, P<0.01),
stroke (16.9% versus 8.1%, P<0.01), and mean
transfused RBC units in their lives (63.8 versus
33.0, P=0.003) were all higher among the COPD
cases. Probably due to the higher number of
transfused RBC units, the mean age of mortality
was also higher in the COPD group, significantly
(38.3 versus 30.4 years, P=0.04). The authors
concluded that SCDs are chronic catastrophic
processes on vascular endothelium terminating
with accelerated atherosclerosis induced end-organ
failures in early years of life. RBC supports
in severe clinical conditions probably prolong
survival of the patients.
In the office surgery section there is a review
of haemorrhoids surgery in the office, from
Mr Maurice Brygel, Royal Australian College
of Surgeons (RACS). This edition of the series
looks at common and thrombosed haemorrhoids
and their surgical treatment, including rubber
band ligation. Education covers physical examination,
operative procedure, risk management and patient
care and patient education.
Chief Editor:
A. Abyad
MD, MPH, AGSF, AFCHSE
Email: aabyad@cyberia.net.lb
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