Introduction. Awareness of the healthcare providers on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in our country and all over the world, and on pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) which plays an important role in its nonpharmacological treatment will provide effectiveness in diagnosis and treatment of COPD. The present study aimed at determining knowledge level of the healthcare providers about COPD and PR. Materials and Methods. In this cross-sectional study, family practitioners and staff of home-care in central county of Manisa City were applied a questionnaire in order to determine their knowledge level on COPD and pulmonary rehabilitation during the in-service training on “pulmonary rehabilitation, home-care services for the pulmonary diseases, and respiratory exercises.” Results. 65.5% of the healthcare providers responded to the survey. Rate of those correctly knowing at least one of four items was 97.2%. No responder knew all items correctly. Average value for correct answers was 5.30 ± 2.1 (range: 1–10). The physicians, men, and those working in family health centers had higher level of knowledge on COPD compared to nonphysician healthcare providers (p = 0.006), women (p = 0.002), and those working in other practices (p = 0.019), respectively. Conclusion. Knowledge level of the primary healthcare providers on COPD and PR remains inadequate. Dynamic postgraduate training on this topic will be useful in referring the patients to centers giving service for this condition.

Background Following COVID-19 infection, some patients acquired lung injury and fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by lung fibrosis. Both post-COVID lung injury and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis cause loss of respiratory function and involvement of the lung parenchyma. We aimed to compare respiratory related functional characteristics and radiological involvement between post-COVID lung injury and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Methods A single center, cross-sectional study was applied. Patients with post-COVID lung injury and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis included in the study. All patients underwent the 6-minute walk test, as well as the Borg and MRC scales. Radiological images were evaluated and scored for lung parenchymal involvement. The impact of post-COVID lung injury and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis on respiratory functions of were compared. The relationship of functional status and radiological involvement, as well as the effect of potential confounding factors were investigated. Results A total of 71 patients were included in the study. Forty-eight (67.6%) of the patients were male and the mean age was 65.4 ± 10.3 years. Patients with post-COVID lung injury had greater 6-minute walk test distance and duration, as well as higher oxygen saturations. The MRC and Borg dyspnea scores were comparable. At radiologic evaluation, ground glass opacity scores were higher in patients with post-COVID lung injury, whereas pulmonary fibrosis scores were higher in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, the total severity scores were similar. While pulmonary fibrosis score was found to have a negative correlation with 6-minute walk test distance, test duration, and pre- and post-test oxygen saturation levels, there was a positive correlation with oxygen saturation recovery time and MRC score. There was no relationship between ground glass opacity and the functional parameters. Conclusions Despite having equal degrees of radiological involvement and dyspnea symptom severity, PCLI patients exhibited higher levels of functional status. This might be due to different pathophysiological mechanisms and radiological involvement patterns of both diseases.

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In the patients with bronchiectasis, it is of great importance to remove the secretions in controlling the symptoms, preventing exacerbations, maintaining airway patency, and improving quality of life. Postural drainage is the best known nonpharmacological conventional therapy. Additionally, the active cycle of breathing techniques (ACPRC) are also used for this purpose. VESTÔ device generating high-frequency chest wall compression is also used for mobilization of mucus secretions in the patients with bronchiectasis. The present study aimed to investigate efficiency of VESTÔ application added to postural drainage. Primary end-point was amount of sputum discharge and the secondary end-points were quality of life, dyspnea score, CRP level, and hypoxia. METHODS: The present study included 15 patients above 18 years old with bronchiectasis who were admitted to

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