Influence of diabetes and other risk factors on in-hospital mortality following kidney transplantation: an analysis of the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database from 2016 to 2020.

INTRODUCTION: To assess time trends in incidence, clinical characteristics, complications, and hospital outcomes among patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and patients without diabetes who underwent kidney transplant (KT); to identify variables associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM); and to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used a nationwide discharge database to select KT recipients admitted to Spanish hospitals from 2016 to 2020. We stratified patients according to diabetes status. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify the variables associated with IHM. RESULTS: A total of 14 594 KTs were performed in Spain (T2D, 22.28%; T1D, 3.72%). The number of KTs rose between 2016 and 2019 and and decreased from 2019 to 2020 in all groups. In patients with T2D, the frequency of KT complications increased from 21.08% in 2016 to 34.17% in 2020 (p<0.001). Patients with T2D had significantly more comorbidity than patients with T1D and patients without diabetes (p<0.001). Patients with T1D experienced KT rejection significantly more frequently (8.09%) than patients with T2D (5.57%).COVID-19 was recorded in 26 out of the 2444 KTs performed in 2020, being found in 6 of the 39 patients deceased that year (15.38%) and in 0.83% of the survivors.The variables associated with IHM were comorbidity and complications of KT. The presence of T1D was associated with IHM (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.36 to 5.16) when patients without diabetes were the reference category. However, T2D was not associated with a higher IHM (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.61 to 1.2). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in the number of transplants. Patients with T1D have more rejection of the transplanted organ than patients with T2D. Fewer women with T2D undergo KT. The presence of T1D is a risk factor for IHM.

Advances and Challenges in COVID-19 and Pneumonia.

In recent years, the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has posed a significant challenge to the entire medical community [...].

Multidisciplinary Management of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Cardiovascular Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently coexist, increasing the prevalence of both entities and impacting on symptoms and prognosis. CVD should be suspected in patients with COPD who have high/very high risk scores on validated scales, frequent exacerbations, precordial pain, disproportionate dyspnea, or palpitations. They should be referred to cardiology if they have palpitations of unknown cause or angina pain. COPD should be suspected in patients with CVD if they have recurrent bronchitis, cough and expectoration, or disproportionate dyspnea. They should be referred to a pulmonologist if they have rhonchi or wheezing, air trapping, emphysema, or signs of chronic bronchitis. Treatment of COPD in cardiovascular patients should include long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMA) or long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) in low-risk or high-risk non-exacerbators, and LAMA/LABA/inhaled corticosteroids in exacerbators who are not controlled with bronchodilators. Cardioselective beta-blockers should be favored in patients with CVD, the long-term need for amiodarone should be assessed, and antiplatelet drugs should be maintained if indicated.

Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease: Treatment Guidelines and Recommendations for Referral and Multidisciplinary Continuity of Care.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) constitutes a major public health problem, and it is anticipated that its prevalence will continue to increase in the future. Its progressive nature requires a continuous and well-coordinated care approach. The follow-up for COPD should primarily focus on disease screening and control, which includes monitoring of pulmonary function, prevention of exacerbations, identification of aggravating factors and comorbidities, as well as ensuring treatment adequacy and adherence. However, existing clinical practice guidelines and consensus documents offer limited recommendations for the follow-up. In this context, we undertake a review of COPD treatment and the continuity of care recommendations endorsed by several scientific societies. Moreover, we underscore the importance of the involvement of nursing and community pharmacy in this process, as well as the utilization of quality indicators in the provision of care for the disease.

Association between Asthma and Lower Levels of Physical Activity: Results of a Population-Based Case-Control Study in Spain.

(1) Background: Our aim was to determine changes in the prevalence of physical activity (PA) in adults with asthma between 2014 and 2020 in Spain, investigate sex differences and the effect of other variables on adherence to PA, and compare the prevalence of PA between individuals with and without asthma. (2) Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, population-based, matched, case-control study using European Health Interview Surveys for Spain (EHISS) for 2014 and 2020. (3) Results: We identified 1262 and 1103 patients with asthma in the 2014 and 2020 EHISS, respectively. The prevalence of PA remained stable (57.2% vs. 55.7%, respectively), while the percentage of persons who reported walking continuously for at least 2 days a week increased from 73.9% to 82.2% (p < 0.001). Male sex, younger age, better self-rated health, and lower body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with greater PA. From 2014 to 2020, the number of walking days ≥2 increased by 64% (OR1.64 95%CI 1.34-2.00). Asthma was associated with less PA (OR0.87 95%CI 0.47-0.72) and a lower number of walking days ≥2 (OR0.84 95%0.72-0.97). (4) Conclusions: Walking frequency improved over time among people with asthma. Differences in PA were detected by age, sex, self-rated health status, and BMI. Asthma was associated with less LTPA and a lower number of walking days ≥2.

Trends and sex differences in atrial fibrillation among patients hospitalized due to asthma: Insights from a nationwide population-based discharge database in Spain, 2016-2021.

AIMS: To analyze changes in the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients hospitalized due to asthma; to compare hospital outcomes in asthma patients with and without AF, assessing sex differences; to identify variables associated with the presence of AF; and to analyze the factors associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM) among asthma patients with AF. METHODS: We used data from the Registry of Specialized Care Activity-Basic Minimum Data Set to select all patients aged ≥40 years with an asthma diagnosis in Spain, from 2016 to 2021. We stratified the study population according to the presence of AF and sex. RESULTS: We identified 65,233 hospitalizations that met the inclusion criteria (14.85 % with AF). The prevalence of AF significantly increased over time, with the male sex being a protective factor for its presentation. IHM were significantly higher in patients with AF. Older age, being a woman, congestive heart failure, renal disease, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and hyperthyroidism were associated with the presence of AF. Advanced age and the presence of cancer and COVID-19 were factors associated with a higher IHM, as well as admission to an intensive care unit and the use of invasive mechanical ventilation. There were no association of sex with the IHM. CONCLUSIONS: AF is highly prevalent among subjects hospitalized due to asthma, with this prevalence having increased significantly in Spain over time. The presence of AF in patients with asthma was associated significantly with a higher LOHS and IHM. Sex was not associated with IHM in these patients.

Trends in Anaphylaxis Hospitalizations among Adults in Spain and Their Relationship with Asthma-Analysis of Hospital Discharge data from 2016 to 2021.

(1) Background: Anaphylaxis is a rapid-onset, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction. This study explores the epidemiological trends and clinical outcomes of adult patients with and without asthma hospitalized for anaphylaxis in Spain from 2016 to 2021. (2) Methods: Data from the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database (RAE-CMBD) were analyzed. We stratified patients with anaphylaxis based on their asthma diagnosis and evaluated various comorbidities and clinical outcomes. Propensity score matching was used to match confounders. (3) Results: The total number of hospitalizations for anaphylaxis remained stable, with a decrease in 2020 probably due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drug-induced anaphylaxis increased, in addition to being the main triggering factor. Asthma prevalence among those admitted for anaphylaxis emerged from 7.63% to 10.69%, with a higher frequency of respiratory failure and need for mechanical ventilation in this group; despite this, ICU admissions and in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly between asthmatics and non-asthmatics. Asthma was also not a risk factor for severe anaphylaxis. Multivariable analysis identified advanced age, ischemic heart disease, acute respiratory failure, and invasive mechanical ventilation as factors associated with severe anaphylaxis. (4) Conclusions: This study provides valuable information on the complexity of anaphylaxis, its relationship with asthma, and factors influencing its severity. Overall, clinical outcomes did not differ significantly in asthmatic patients compared to non-asthmatic patients, although asthmatic patients had more respiratory complications. Further research is necessary to delve deeper into the multifactorial nature of anaphylaxis and its implications in clinical practice.

Physical activity among adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Spain (2014-2020): Temporal trends, sex differences, and associated factors.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate trends in the prevalence of physical activity (PA) from 2014 to 2020; to identify sex differences and sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with PA in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); and to compare PA between individuals with and without COPD. METHODS: Cross-sectional and case-control study. SOURCE: European Health Interview Surveys for Spain (EHISS) conducted in 2014 and 2020. We included sociodemographic and health-related covariates. We compared individuals with and without COPD after matching for age and sex. RESULTS: The number of adults with COPD was 1086 and 910 in EHISS2014 and EHISS2020, respectively. In this population, self-reported "Medium or high frequency of PA" remained stable (42.9% in 2014 and 43.5% in 2020; p = 0.779). However, the percentage who walked on two or more days per week rose significantly over time (63.4%-69.9%; p = 0.004). Men with COPD reported more PA than women with COPD in both surveys. After matching, significantly lower levels of PA were recorded in COPD patients than in adults without COPD. Multivariable logistic regression confirmed this trend in COPD patients and showed that male sex, younger age, higher educational level, very good/good self-perceived health, and absence of comorbidities, obesity, and smoking were associated with more frequent PA. CONCLUSIONS: The temporal trend in PA among Spanish adults with COPD is favorable, although there is much room for improvement. Insufficient PA is more prevalent in these patients than in the general population. Sex differences were found, with significantly more frequent PA among males with COPD.

Influence of Diabetes Mellitus and Nutritional Parameters on Clinical and Functional Aspects and Quality of Life in Patients Hospitalized Due to Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may experience exacerbations. During severe exacerbations, nutritional and endocrinological comorbidities can play an important role in the clinical and functional aspects of these patients. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and nutritional parameters on the deterioration of symptoms and quality of life during a severe exacerbation in patients with COPD. An observational study was conducted on COPD patients admitted due to an exacerbation. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) questionnaire was administered, and clinical and functional parameters were compared based on the presence of nutritional and endocrinological alterations. A total of 50 patients were included, of whom 30 (60%) were male. The mean age was 70.5 years (standard deviation (SD) 9.6). The median CAT score during exacerbation was 25 (interquartile range (IQR) 17.5-30), and the baseline score was 13.5 (IQR 7-19), which represented a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Patients with iron deficiencies had a lower total CAT score (p = 0.041), specifically for items related to daily activity (p = 0.009) and energy (p = 0.007). Diabetic patients exhibited a greater decline in pulmonary function during exacerbation (p = 0.016), while patients with high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels had a shorter hospital stay (p = 0.016). For COPD patients admitted due to an exacerbation, the metabolic assessment is useful and relevant in the clinical set-up, as endocrinological comorbidities negatively affect clinical and functional aspects of these patients.

Observational Study of the Association between Atrial Fibrillation and In-Hospital Mortality during Hospitalization for Solid Organ Transplants in Spain from 2004 to 2021.

(1) Background: We analyzed the association between atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (AF) and in-hospital mortality (IHM) among patients who underwent solid organ transplants in Spain from 2004 to 2021. (2) Methods: We gathered information from all hospital admissions for lung, liver, kidney, and heart transplants. (3) Results: A total of 71,827 transplants were analyzed (4598 lung transplants; 18,127 liver transplants; 45,262 kidney transplants; and 4734 heart transplants). One third of these were for women. Overall, the prevalence of AF was 6.8% and increased from 5.3% in 2004-2009 to 8.6% in 2016-2021. The highest prevalence of AF was found for heart transplants (24.0%), followed by lung transplants (14.7%). The rates for kidney and liver transplants were 5.3% and 4.1%, respectively. The AF code increased over time for all of the transplants analyzed (p < 0.001). The patients' IHM decreased significantly from 2004-2009 to 2016-2021 for all types of transplants. AF was associated with a higher IHM for all of the types of transplants analyzed, except for heart transplants. (4) Conclusions: The prevalence of AF among patients admitted for solid organ transplants was highest for those who underwent heart transplants. The mortality rate during the patients' admission for lung, liver, kidney, or heart transplants decreased over time. AF was independently associated with a higher risk of dying in the hospital for those who underwent lung, liver, or kidney transplants.