Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a cover term that includes a variety of progressively debilitating lung diseases. COPD includes both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Although COPD is mainly a chronic disease, a substantial number of patients experience exacerbations that are related to a significantly worse survival outcome, especially with abnormal serum electrolyte level. Aim To detect the serum electrolytes disturbances in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Patients and methods A prospective study was conducted at Chest Department, El-Hussein University Hospital, Al Azhar University, on patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. The study was approved by the hospital ethics committee, and a written consent was obtained from each patient before the procedure. Results We found a significantly low level of serum sodium (Na) (131±4.45 mEq/l), potassium (3.19±0.96 mEq/l), magnesium (1.85±0.17 mEq/l), and chloride (84.75±7.31 mEq/l) in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD than their healthy controls (Na+=138±2.28 mEq/l, potassium=4.50±0.02 mEq/l, magnesium=2.20±0.14 mEq/l and chloride=100.30±2.67 mEq/l) (P<0.05). Conclusion In patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, there are abnormal serum electrolytes like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride levels.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease causing symmetrical articular destruction with extraarticular manifestations that include pulmonary manifestations, which are major contributors to morbidity and mortality. Aim of The Work:To detect the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its relationship to pulmonary affection in RA patients and correlate it with disease Activity . Patients and Methods:The study is a cross sectional one, carried out on fifty patients with RA recruited from the Chest and Rheumatology Outpatient Clinics of Al Hussein University Hospital. All patients diagnosed with RA who fulfilled the American Colleague of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism 2010 classification criteria. Results: In our study there was statistically significant (p-value = 0.002) increased DAS score in deficient patients (5.4 ± 0.8) when compared with insufficient patients (4.9 ± 0.4) and sufficient patients (4.1 ± 0.8). In our study there was statistically significant relation (p-value < 0.05) between vitamin D status and pulmonary manifestations (Exertional Dyspnea, Dry Cough, Chest Pain, Wheezing and Leathery Crepitation) which more frequent in deficient than insufficient and sufficient patients. In our study there was highly statistically significant (p-value < 0.001) decreased FVC in deficient patients (89.3 ± 20.1) when compared with insufficient patients (113.4 ± 7.1) and sufficient patients (114.8 ± 3.4). No statistically significant relation (p-value > 0.05) between vitamin D status and FEV1 & FEV1/FVC. Conclusion: RA disease activity score (DAS-28 score) and pulmonary manifestations in RA patients were more prevalent in Vitamin D deficient than insufficient and sufficient patients.

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Background: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a multifaceted clinical condition marked by recurrent episodes of acute decompensation, needing repetitive hospital stays, and re-admissions. The CHF management is still a clinical challenge; choices are built on clinical evaluations of volume status, which are utilized for cardiac filling pressure estimation.Aims: This study aimed to investigate the role of lung US and Inferior Vena Cava Diameter (IVCD) in assessment of HF-cases. Patients and Methods: The current work has been performed on 50 HF (heart failure) cases diagnosed in the Chest Department of Al-Azhar University Hospitals from April 2019 to June 2021. Chest radiograph, as a reference for the presence of pulmonary congestion, echocardiography for both systolic and diastolic function assessment and lung U/S. US examinations of the anterolateral chest were done. Results: A highly significant association was found among inferior Vena Cava-Collapsibility Index (IVC-CI) and Dyspnea Class. A highly significant association was found among IVC-CI and echocardiography. A highly significant association was found among IVC-CI and B lines. Conclusion: Ultrasound can be utilized as an alternative technique for estimating the intra-vascular volume such as measuring the IVCD and so the caval index. The utilization of pulmonary ultrasound (PU) to evaluate dyspneic cases and those with HF in dissimilar clinical settings raises the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of pulmonary congestion diagnosing and prognosis in HF cases.