Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis presenting as lobar or total lung collapseAlergiczna aspergiloza oskrzelowo-płucna w postaci niedodmy płucThe authors declare no financial disclosure Abstract Introduction: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a T-helper cell 2 (Th2) mediated hypersensitive lung disorder in response to Aspergillus that usually affects asthmatic and cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. ABPA rarely presents as lung collapse and such kind of presentation is very rare in non asthmatic patients. We are presenting a series of three cases in which ABPA presented as lobar or total lung collapse. ABPA presenting as opaque hemithorax is a rarity with only a few of them reported in the literature. Case series -the first case described is a 45-year non-smoker with history suggestive of bronchial asthma and on chest radiological examination was found to have opaque right hemithorax. The second case is of 62-year non-smoker non-asthmatic patient who presented to us as left lung collapse. The last case is of middle lobe collapse in asthmatic male. All cases ultimately were proved to be having ABPA and after treatment showed marked clinical and radiological improvement. Conclusions: The present case series highlights the need for aggressive approach in diagnosing this treatable condition in cases presenting as segmental or total lung collapse. The condition has a good prognosis if detected early.

Introduction: The study aimed to evaluate the association between food consumption pattern and asthma in Indian population. Material and methods: 125 asthma and corresponding age and sex matched healthy controls were recruited for the purpose of a study. A self-reported food-frequency questionnaire (NNR-Dietary Pattern in Asthma Questionnaire) comprising of 80 food and drink items, belonging to 15 groups, was developed based on routine dietary habits and ISAAC phase two and phase three questionnaires. Results: There was no significant difference of gender, height, weight, BMI and socioeconomic status between asthma and control groups (p > 0.05). The consumption of fast food, salted snacks, fried snacks; nuts and dry fruits were significantly higher in asthmatics (p < 0.05). Similarly, there was a tendency to higher consumption of fats and oil, sugar and carbonated drink in asthmatics (p > 0.05). On the contrary, consumption of cereals, milk and milk products, non-vegetarian food, fruits and fruit juice tends to be higher in healthy controls, though neither of them could reach a statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Consumption of fast food, salted snacks, fried snacks, fats and oils nuts, dry fruits, carbonated drinks may be associated with asthma in India. Hence, it is imperative to reduce consumption and increase awareness of influence of fast food on asthma through public health policies.

The present study concluded increased TV watching, increased mental stress, reduced hours of physical activity and travel may be correlated with asthma in India. With growing evidence of increasing association of asthma and sedentary lifestyle, it is imperative to reduce acquaintance to as well as incidence of these factors through public health policies, which may impact prevalence of asthma in Indian population.

Introduction: There has been a recent trend of increasing prevalence of asthma in developing countries; prevalence in the Indian population is reported to be 2%. The link between lifestyle factors and asthma has been mostly derived from western literature. The present study intended to study relationship if any, between life style factors and asthma in a representative Indian population. Material and methods: The study is a case-control study performed for a period of one year, between 2014 and 2015. 125 asthma and correspondingly age and sex matched healthy controls were recruited for the purpose of study. A self-reported questionnaire has been prepared based on routine lifestyle habits of Indian population. Results: The hours of TV watching and hours of sleep were significantly higher in asthma patients, and also duration of sports activity showed inverse relation with asthma. Smoking, tobacco, chewing as well as alcohol consumption were higher in asthma patients in comparison to controls, though neither was statistically significant. The mental stress as assessed on scale of 1−10, was significantly higher in asthma patients (p < 0.001). Asthma patients had significantly lower travel duration/week (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The present study concluded increased TV watching, increased mental stress, reduced hours of physical activity and travel may be correlated with asthma in India. With growing evidence of increasing association of asthma and sedentary lifestyle, it is imperative to reduce acquaintance to as well as incidence of these factors through public health policies, which may impact prevalence of asthma in Indian population.

Background. There is a paucity of data from India on changing trends in lung cancer.Objective. In this study, we analysed the spectrum of lung cancer patients in cigarette and bidi smokers and nonsmokers presenting to a tertiary care centre. Methods.A retrospective analysis of lung cancer cases diagnosed at the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute between 2001 and 2013 was done.Results. Out of a total of 106 patients with lung cancer, 35 (33%) were non-smokers. Their mean age was 51.7±14.9 years [non-smokers (39.4±14.3), bidi smokers (57.5±10.9) and cigarette smokers (58.1±11.2)] (p<0.0001). Cigarette smoking was common among patients (34.9%). Smoking was predominantly seen in males (n=80, 77.5%) (p<0.05). History of biomass fuel exposure was observed in 9 (25.7%) non-smokers. Cough was the commonest symptom (n=90; 84.9%) followed by dyspnoea (n=80; 75.5%) and haemoptysis (n=48; 45.3%). On chest radiograph, right lung (n=52; 49%) was the most common site. Mass was the commonest radiological presentation. The bronschoscopy showed no visible abnormality in 51.4% of non-smokers. Endobronchial mass seen in 32.3%, 54%, 25.7% of bidi smokers, cigarette smokers and non-smokers, respectively. Non-small cell lung carcinoma was seen in 82.1%, squamous cell carcinoma in 59.8% and adenocarcinoma in 40.2% patients. Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant subtype amongst smokers, while adenocarcinoma was the commonest histological subtype in non-smokers (p<0.05%). Conclusions.The study concludes that bidi smoking poses a similar risk for lung cancer as with cigarette smoking. The focus of tobacco control programmes should be extended to all types of tobacco users to reduce the increasing incidence of lung cancer in India.