Cytotoxic Natural Killer Subpopulations as a Prognostic Factor of Malignant Pleural Effusion.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a sign of advanced disease of poor prognosis. As natural killer (NK) cells are involved in the first line of tumour defence, we aimed to validate a new diagnostic and prognostic indicator for MPE based on NK subpopulations of pleural fluid (PF) and peripheral blood (PB). METHODS: NK subpopulations were determined in PF and PB in 71 patients with malignant, paramalignant or benign pleural effusion. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Kaplan-Meier, multivariable Cox model and decision trees created with the CHAID (Chi-square automatic interaction detector) methodology were employed. RESULTS: We demonstrated that the PF/PB ratios of the CD56 bright CD16- and CD56 dim CD16- NK subpopulations were higher (p = 0.013 and p = 0.003, respectively) in MPEs and paramalignant pleural effusions (PPEs) than in benign ones, with an AUC of 0.757 and 0.741, respectively. The PF/PB ratio of CD16+ NK and CD57+ NK obtained a higher hazard ratio (HR) in the crude Cox's regression analysis. In the adjusted Cox's regression analysis, the PF/PB ratio of CD16+ NK gave the highest HR (HR 6.1 [1.76-21.1]) (p = 0.004). In the decision tree created for the MPE prognosis, we observed that the main predictor variable among the studied clinical, radiological, and analytical variables was lung mass, and that 92.9% of the patients who survived had a PF/PB ratio of the CD56 dim CD16+ NK subpopulation ≤ 0.43. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that both the PF/PB ratios of cytotoxic subpopulations CD57+ NK and CD16+ NK are useful as a prognostic factor of MPE. Other subpopulations (CD56 bright CD16- and CD56 dim CD16- NK) could help to diagnose MPE.

Predicting Malignant and Paramalignant Pleural Effusions by Combining Clinical, Radiological and Pleural Fluid Analytical Parameters.

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of clinical, radiological and pleural fluid analytical parameters for diagnosing malignant and paramalignant pleural effusion is not clearly stated. Hence this study aimed to identify possible predictor variables of diagnosing malignancy in pleural effusion of unknown aetiology. METHODS: Clinical, radiological and pleural fluid analytical parameters were obtained from consecutive patients who had suffered pleural effusion of unknown aetiology. They were classified into three groups according to their final diagnosis: malignant, paramalignant and benign pleural effusion. The CHAID (Chi-square automatic interaction detector) methodology was used to estimate the implication of the clinical, radiological and analytical variables in daily practice through decision trees. RESULTS: Of 71 patients, malignant (n = 31), paramalignant (n = 15) and benign (n = 25), smoking habit, dyspnoea, weight loss, radiological characteristics (mass, node, adenopathies and pleural thickening) and pleural fluid analytical parameters (pH and glucose) distinguished malignant and paramalignant pleural effusions (all with a p < 0.05). Decision tree 1 classified 77.8% of malignant and paramalignant pleural effusions in step 2. Decision tree 2 classified 83.3% of malignant pleural effusions in step 2, 73.3% of paramalignant pleural effusions and 91.7% of benign ones. CONCLUSIONS: The data herein suggest that the identified predictor values applied to tree diagrams, which required no extraordinary measures, have a higher rate of correct identification of malignant, paramalignant and benign effusions when compared to techniques available today and proved most useful for usual clinical practice. Future studies are still needed to further improve the classification of patients.

Diagnostic delay of associated interstitial lung disease increases mortality in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease whose main extra-articular organ affected is the lung, sometimes in the form of diffuse interstitial lung disease (ILD) and conditions the prognosis. A multicenter, observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of consecutive patients diagnosed with RA-ILD. Demographic, analytical, respiratory functional and evolution characteristics were analyzed to evaluate the predictors of progression and mortality. 106 patients were included. The multivariate analysis showed that the diagnostic delay was an independent predictor of mortality (HR 1.11, CI 1.01-1.23, p = 0.035). Also, age (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.09-1.62, p = 0.0045), DLCO (%) (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73-0.98, p = 0.0246), and final SatO2 (%) in the 6MWT (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.99, p = 0.0465) were independent predictor variables of mortality, as well as GAP index (HR 4.65, 95% CI 1.59-13.54, p = 0.0051) and CPI index (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.22, p = 0.0092). The withdrawal of MTX or LFN after ILD diagnosis was associated with disease progression in the COX analysis (HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.14-4.18, p = 0.019). This is the first study that highlights the diagnostic delay in RA-ILD is associated with an increased mortality just like happens in IPF.

Do seasonal changes and climate influence the etiology of community acquired pneumonia?

INTRODUCTION: Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a highly prevalent pathology whose etiology is determined by the characteristics of the geographic region, and the patient. The study of these features is essential for a proper therapeutic approach. Our aim was to study the changes of the causative agent of CAP brought about by the influence of seasonal and climatic changes in our geographic area. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective and longitudinal study of patients admitted with CAP was done from January 2006 to December 2009. We analyzed demographic data, comorbidities, severity, etiologic agent, complications and mortality. We correlated mean temperature and mean cumulative rainfall for each season with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila. Statistical analyses included: Chi squared test, Student's t test for independent samples, variance analysis and Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: We included 243 patients, 64.6% men and 54.7% over the age of 65. The highest incidence of CAP was in the winter. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common causative agent for all seasons except in summer when the main agent was Legionella pneumophila. We observed a significant correlation between the lowest seasonal average temperature and pneumococcal etiology of CAP; inversely, with higher temperatures, Legionella pneumophila was more common. No etiological differences were found by season when related with environmental humidity. CONCLUSIONS: In our area, Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common etiological agent in winter with low temperatures; in summer, with high temperatures, the most frequent was Legionella pneumophila.

Granulomatosis linfomatoide: afectación pulmonar / Pulmonary manifestation of lymphomatoid granulomatosis

No disponible

Pirfenidone experience in mild-to-moderate Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in a General Hospital / Experiencia con pirfenidona en fibrosis pulmonar idiopática leve-moderada en un hospital general

This article present the experience and outcomes of patients treated with pirfenidone. FVC and DLCO parameters during 12 months were collected in patients treated with pirfenidone. Eight of the ten patients continued treatment until month 12. 7 patients presented at 12 months an adequate response treatment, 1 patient did not achieve therapeutic targets established (improvement or stability). At week 52, our patients had a mean of change in FVC(%) of -2.38±6.93%; patients of clinical trials showed -5.2% and -8.3% treated with pirfenidone and placebo respectively. Higher incidence of adverse effects was observed than clinical trials. Our results show that pirfenidone is a well-tolerated drug, whose toxicity can be controlled by dose adjustment, and it is effective in mild-moderate IPF. Due to no proven effectiveness and safety in medium / long term and the high economic impact, it is necessary to identify those patients who may get more clinical benefits (AU)

Este artículo presenta la experiencia y los resultados de pacientes tratados con pirfenidona. Se obtuvieron parámetros de FVC y DLCO durante 12 meses en pacientes tratados con pirfenidona. Ocho de los diez pacientes continuaron el tratamiento hasta el mes 12. 7 pacientes presentaron a los 12 meses un tratamiento de respuesta adecuada, 1 paciente no logró objetivos terapéuticos establecidos (mejoría o estabilidad). En la semana 52, nuestros pacientes tenían una media de cambio en FVC(%) de - 2.38±6.93%; los pacientes de los ensayos clínicos demostraron-5.2% y- 8.3% tratados con pirfenidona y placebo respectivamente. Se observó mayor incidencia de efectos adversos de los ensayos clínicos. Nuestros resultados muestran que pirfenidona es un fármaco bien tolerado, cuya toxicidad puede ser controlada mediante el ajuste de la dosis, y es eficaz en IPF de leve a moderada. Debido a la no probada eficacia y seguridad a medio/largo plazo y alto impacto económico, es necesario identificar a aquellos pacientes que pueden obtener mayores beneficios clínicos (AU)

¿Influyen la estación y el clima en la etiología de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad? / Do Seasonal Changes and Climate Influence the Etiology of Community Acquired Pneumonia?

Introducción: La neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) es una patología muy prevalente cuya etiología viene dada por las características de la región geográfica y del paciente. El estudio de cada una de ellas es fundamental para su correcto abordaje terapéutico. Nos propusimos estudiar los cambios del agente causal de la NAC en función de la estacionalidad y la influencia de los cambios climáticos de nuestra área geográfica. Pacientes y método: Estudio prospectivo longitudinal de pacientes consecutivos ingresados por NAC desde enero de 2006 a diciembre de 2009. Analizamos datos sociodemográficos, comorbilidad, gravedad, agente etiológico, complicaciones y mortalidad. Correlacionamos la temperatura media y la precipitación acumulada media estacional para Streptococcus pneumoniae y Legionella pneumophila en cada estación del año. Análisis estadístico: Chi cuadrado, t de Student para muestras independientes, análisis de la varianza y correlación de Spearman. Resultados: Incluimos a 243 pacientes, 64,6% hombres y 54,7% mayores de 65 años. La mayor incidencia de NAC fue en invierno. Streptococcus pneumoniae fue el agente causal más frecuente en todas las estaciones del año a excepción del verano, en el que fue Legionella pneumophila. Observamos una correlación significativa entre la menor temperatura media estacional y la etiología neumocócica y a la inversa cuando el agente causal fue Legionella pneumophila. Sin embargo, no encontramos diferencias etiológicas por estaciones en relación con la humedad ambiental. Conclusiones: En nuestra área, Streptococcus pneumoniae es el agente etiológico más frecuente en invierno con bajas temperaturas mientras que en verano, con altas temperaturas, es Legionella pneumophila(AU)

Introduction: Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a highly prevalent pathology whose etiology is determined by the characteristics of the geographic region, the causative agent and the patient. The study of these features is essential for a proper therapeutic approach. Our aim was to study the changes of the causative agent of CAP brought about by the influence of seasonal and climatic changes in our geographic area. Patients and methods: A prospective and longitudinal study of patients admitted with CAP was done from January 2006 to December 2009. We analyzed demographic data, comorbidities, severity, etiologic agent, complications and mortality. We correlated mean temperature and mean cumulative rainfall for each season with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila. Statistical analyses included: Chi squared test, Student's t-test for independent samples, variance analysis and Spearman's correlation. Results: We included 243 patients, 64.6% men and 54.7% over the age of 65. The highest incidence of CAP was in the winter. S. pneumoniae was the most common causative agent for all seasons except in summer when the main agent was L. pneumophila. We observed a significant correlation between the lowest seasonal average temperature and pneumococcal etiology of CAP; inversely, with higher temperatures, L. pneumophila was more common. No etiological differences were found by season when related with environmental humidity. Conclusions: In our area, S. pneumoniae was the most common etiological agent in winter with low temperatures; in summer, with high temperatures, the most frequent was L. pneumophila(AU)