[Rhinitis and cough syndrome. Are epidemiologic, clinical and functional characteristics useful in the differential diagnosis with bronchial asthma?]. / Rinitis y síndrome tusígeno. Son de utilidad las características epidemiológicas, clínicas y funcionales en el diagnóstico diferencial con el asma bronquial?

UNLABELLED: Patients often visit family practitioners or respiratory specialists complaining of cough. In non-smokers, the most common cause is postnasal drip secondary to rhinitis. The second most common cause is bronchial asthma. OBJECTIVES: a) To know the epidemiological, clinical and functional features of patients who visit our outpatient pneumology clinic complaining of chronic cough as an isolated symptom, in whom bronchial asthma is suspected, but who have received a diagnosis of rhinitis. b) To analyze the differences between such patients and those in whom chronic cough has been attributed to bronchial asthma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-one patients with chronic cough were enrolled for study under the following protocol: 1) taking of a detailed case history (epidemiological and clinical data), 2) physical examination, 3) blood work-up, 4) paranasal sinus and chest X-rays, 5) spirometry at baseline and after 200 micrograms of salbutamol if obstruction was present, 6) methacholine challenge test, 7) skin tests for common respiratory tract allergens, 8) other techniques, depending on suspected diagnosis (CT chest scan, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, consultation with a gastroenterologist or otorhinolaryngologist). RESULTS: One hundred seventeen (89.3%) patients received a diagnosis of rhinitis. Chronic cough was attributed solely to rhinitis in 61 (46.5%) patients. Forty-four (33.5%) were diagnosed as bronchial asthma; 38 (29%) also had rhinitis. Chronic cough was attributed to a different diagnosis in 26 cases (19.8%). The 61 patients with rhinitis as the sole cause of chronic cough were aged 23.8 +/- 10.8 years (9-63 years); 33 (54% of the 61) were men and 28 (46% of the 61) were women. We found that patients with rhinitis more often suffered nasal symptoms (chi 2 = 22.4; p = 0.01), pharyngeal irritation (chi 2 = 9.63, p = 0.05), dry cough from the upper respiratory tract (chi 2 = 16.4, p = 0.001), atopy (chi 2 = 18.1, p < 0.001) and greater FVC (F = 5.28, p = 0.006) than did patients with asthma or other diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Rhinitis was the most common cause of chronic cough in the studied patients in whom a diagnosis of bronchial asthma had been suspected. 2) Epidemiological characteristics did not aid differential diagnosis between rhinitis and bronchial asthma (with or without associated rhinitis). 3) A detailed medical history focusing on upper airway symptoms can be useful, although there may be cases of silent postnasal drip syndrome. 4) Paranasal x-rays help to rule out complications of rhinitis. 5) A positive bronchial challenge test does not necessarily indicate a diagnosis of bronchial asthma. 6) Allergy to pollen is the most common finding among atopic patients with rhinitis.

[Comparison of a shuttle walking test with an exertion test with cycloergometer in patients with COPD]. / Comparación de un test de paseo de carga progresiva (shuttle walking test) con una prueba de esfuerzo en cicloergómetro en pacientes con EPOC.

To validate a shuttle walking test in a group of patients with COPD, comparing responses to those produced by a conventional stress test limited by symptoms on the cycle ergometer, and to analyze the relation between the shuttle walking test and maximal effort parameters. We enrolled 20 patients with COPD, mean age 60 years (SD 7), FEV1/46.6% (SD 19.2) of theoretical value and FEV1/FVC% 47.3% (SD 11.2). All the patients underwent a maximal effort test on the cycle ergometer, determination of initial dyspnea by applying Mahler's baseline dyspnea index, and a quality of life questionnaire specific to COPD the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire). To compare the responses of patients to the two tests, we analyzed heart rate, dyspnea and lactic acid at the end of each test. To see the relations between the two tests, we examined distance walked and maximal effort parameters. The relation between the walking test and lung function parameters at rest, initial dyspnea and quality of life were also analyzed. No statistically significant differences were found for heart rate [128.2 (SD 19.8) versus 131.6 (SD 12.9)], dyspnea 17.1 (SD 1.78) versus 7.24 (SD 2.64)] or lactic acid [5.24 (SD 2.34) versus 6.19 (SD 2.12)] at the end of the tests. Distance covered on the shuttle walking test correlated significantly with V'O2ml/min/Kgmax (r = 0.71), as well as with the remaining parameters of maximal effort. There was only a slight relation between lung function at rest and quality of life. The COPD patient's cardiovascular, metabolic and subjective responses to the shuttle walking test are similar to those of the cycle ergometer test, and oxygen consumption is significantly correlated. The shuttle walking test gives a valid estimate of the functional capacity of COPD patients.

[Reproducibility of a shuttle walking test in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / Reproducibilidad de un test de paseo de carga progresiva (shuttle walking test) en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.

To analyze the reproducibility of the shuttle walking test (SWT) in comparison to the six min walking test in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The stress tests were performed by 13 patients diagnosed of COPD with moderate-to-severe air flow obstruction (FEV1 45.85 +/- 18.82% of theoretical values). Each patient performed the SWT six times (twice a week over three consecutive weeks). The 6 min walking test was performed an equal number of times. At baseline and at the end of both types of test, heart rate and degree of dyspnea (on a modified version of Borg's scale) were recorded, as well as the level reached and the number of meters walked. No significant differences in distance walked, heart rate or degree of dyspnea were found for the six SWTs performed. The interclass correlation coefficients for the aforementioned parameters were 0.875, 0.879 and 0.896, respectively; the variation coefficient for distance covered ranged between -10.7% and 10.2%. In the six min walking test significant differences were seen between distance walked in the first two tests and the other four tests. The variation co-efficient ranged between 11.4% and 17.5%. The SWT is a reproducible stress test in which the patient must exert progressively greater effort. The low degree of variability observed assures that the level of effort attained is steady and consistent.

[Role of dyspnea in quality of life of the patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / Papel de la disnea en la calidad de vida del paciente con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between quality of life and 1) lung function parameters at rest and during exercise, and 2) mean baseline dyspnea measured on two scales--Mahler's baseline dyspnea index (BDI/TDI) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. We sought to observe the factor or factors having the greatest impact on the quality of life of such patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients diagnosed of COPD in stable phase of disease participated. Al underwent lung function testing at rest and during exercise (shuttle walking test with increasing loads and an exercise cycle test). Quality of life was assessed on the validated Spanish translation of the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire, which refers specifically to COPD. Baseline dyspnea was measured using Mahler's BDI/TDI and the MRC scale. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 63 +/- 9.5 years and FEV1 was 40 +/- 16.9%. Overall quality of life and each sub-item correlated significantly with mean dyspnea on both scales (BDI/TDI and MRC). Effort was weakly correlated and function parameters at rest were unrelated. Multiple correlation analysis showed that baseline dyspnea (BDI/TDI) was the most important predictor of quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Dyspnea, particularly when expressed as BDI/TDI but also as measured on the MRC scale, correlates more highly with quality of life than does any other parameter. This indicates that dyspnea has greater impact than other factor on quality of life and that BDI/TDI provides a good baseline assessment of dyspnea in COPD patients.

[Risk factors for bronchial asthma in patients with rhinitis]. / Factores de riesgo asociados con asma bronquial en pacientes con rinitis.

OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors for bronchial asthma in a large sample of patients with rhinitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One thousand seven hundred sixty patients with rhinitis treated at the respiratory medicine out-patient service of Hospital Universitario Virgen de Rocío in Seville (Spain) in 1997 and 1998 were studied. Six hundred forty-one (36.4%) had isolated rhinitis and 1,119 (63.6%) had rhinitis and bronchial asthma. The following variables were analyzed for both groups: 1) age, 2) sex, 3) clinical diagnosis, 4) age of onset of symptoms, 5) a family history of asthma and/or atopy, 6) housing conditions, 7) smoking, 8) a history of skin allergy, 9) recurrent episodes of respiratory infection with wheezing during early childhood, 10) a diagnosis of nasosinus polyposis, 11) atopy and sensitivity (pollens and/or household allergens), 12) peripheral blood eosinophil count. RESULTS: The variables that best differentiated the group with rhinitis from the group with both rhinitis and asthma were age, family history of asthma and/or atopy, exposure to household humidity or damp, a history of skin allergy, recurrent episodes of respiratory infection with wheezing in early childhood, atopy, sensitivity to household allergens and peripheral blood eosinophil count. The probability of correctly classifying patients in the appropriate group using this model was 69.7%. Among atopic patients, the best predictive variables were the same, with the exception of household humidity/damp. The probability of correct classification using this model was 69.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with rhinitis have risk factors for bronchial asthma. As many such patients as possible should be identified so that long-term follow-up can take place and strategies to prevent bronchial asthma can be implemented.

[Asthma as presentation form of relapsing polychondritis]. / Asma como forma de presentación de policondritis recidivante.

Relapsing polychondritis is a systemic disease of unknown etiology characterised by relapsing inflammation affecting cartilaginous structures, cardiovascular system, eyes and ears. Respiratory involvement occurs in 56% of patients during the disease progression, but only in 14% of cases as an initial presentation. Patients develop severe symptoms due to the disease affecting the glottis and the tracheobronchial tree, which represents the cause of death in 50% of cases. The unspecificity of respiratory symptoms makes that the disease may be confounded with some other if it is not accompanied with a typical presentation, which may cause a delay in the diagnosis. Pulmonary function tests are of great importance, since an obstructive pattern not reversible after bronchodilator administration and a plateau in flow-volume curves are of great help when assessing the severity of the obstruction. High resolution computed tomography is a non-invasive test more precise than bronchoscopy in identifying tracheal and bronchi abnormalities, so it should be performed at the onset of the respiratory symptoms together with the pulmonary function tests. We present the case of a patient, whose disease started with respiratory semiology suggesting bronchial asthma, which preceded in six months the main sign nasal chondritis.