AHMET EMİN ERBAYCU, MUTLU ONUR GÜÇSAV, AYSU AYRANCI
Anatolian Journal of General Medical Research - 2025;35(1):16-22
OBJECTIVE Many respiratory complications have been reported in post-earthquake conditions. We aimed to reveal respiratory medical requirements during the early post-earthquake period and possible changes in tobacco use. METHODS Data on age, gender, symptom, diagnosis, medications used continuously, if any, earthquake-induced disruption in medications and medical devices, place of residence, prescribed medications, smoking status, and number of cigarettes consumed daily before and during the earthquake were collected. RESULTS In 137 patients, the most frequently (29.9%) presentation was asthma, followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/chronic bronchitis. Twelve patients had chest trauma and nine had a costal fracture. Sixty-nine (50.4%) patients were admitted for chronic and 46 (33.6%) for acute respiratory diseases. Medication use was not interrupted in chronic respiratory diseases. The most common complaint was cough followed by shortness of breath. Bronchodilators and expectorants were frequently prescribed, and 15.3% of patients were treated/intervened in the emergency department. Interference in use of medical devices. The rate of smoking among patients was 28.5% compared with 24.1% before the earthquake. The number of daily cigarettes smoked by active smokers before and after the earthquake increased (p=0.048). CONCLUSION In the aftermath of the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes; exacerbation, medication, and device management for patients with asthma and COPD were the primary medical requirements in terms of respiratory diseases. Provision of medication support for chronic pulmonary diseases avoided interruption. Patients still living in crowded/dysadvantaged conditions need proper management of lower respiratory tract infections, pulmonary thromboembolism, asthma, and COPD exacerbations. The rate of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day have increased among patients with respiratory problems.
