[Practical guide for the follow-up and management of patients with severe asthma treated with biologics]. / Guía práctica de seguimiento y manejo del paciente con asma grave tratado con biológicos.

The management of severe uncontrolled asthma with biologics is an area of extreme difficulty given the scarcity of information regarding their starting criteria, the variables to be evaluated to determine the efficacy and safety of their management, the cut-off points to determine the timing to change or add another biological and the process to decrease or withdraw steroids. This review incorporates the latest information and makes a proposal based on it.

El manejo del asma grave descontrolada con biológicos es un área de extrema dificultad, dada la escasez de información respecto a los criterios de inicio de los mismos, las variables a evaluar para determinar la eficacia y seguridad de su manejo, los puntos de corte para determinar el momento oportuno para cambiar o agregar otro biológico y el proceso para disminuir o retirar los esteroides. Esta revisión incorpora la información más reciente y realiza una propuesta con base en ella.

Guía práctica de seguimiento y manejo del paciente con asma grave tratado con biológicos / Practical guide for the follow-up and management of patients with severe asthma treated with biologics

El manejo del asma grave descontrolada con biológicos es un área de extrema dificultad, dada la escasez de información respecto a los criterios de inicio de los mismos, las variables a evaluar para determinar la eficacia y seguridad de su manejo, los puntos de corte para determinar el momento oportuno para cambiar o agregar otro biológico y el proceso para disminuir o retirar los esteroides. Esta revisión incorpora la información más reciente y realiza una propuesta con base en ella.

The management of severe uncontrolled asthma with biologics is an area of extreme difficulty given the scarcity of information regarding their starting criteria, the variables to be evaluated to determine the efficacy and safety of their management, the cut-off points to determine the timing to change or add another biological and the process to decrease or withdraw steroids. This review incorporates the latest information and makes a proposal based on it

An independent in-depth analysis proposing adjusted Global Initiative on Asthma Step 1-2 treatment suggestions.

The Global Initiative on Asthma (GINA) strategy included major changes for the treatment of mild asthma in the 2020 version that are even taken to the next level in 2021, leaving a preferred track with only rescue therapy with inhaled corticosteroid and formoterol (ICS-FORM) for steps 1-2 in 12+ years old. It has been questioned how solid the evidence behind these recommendations is. We decided to independently conduct an in-depth analysis of published evidence based on a comprehensive evaluation of original articles and related appendices and publications, including quality of evidence and risk of bias per article. We first defined the major asthma treatment goals and proceeded to review how these were met in publications referenced in the main asthma guidelines. For patients with GINA (2021) Step 1 characteristics, the analysis supports GINA's decision to avoid SABA monotherapy and to prefer ICS-FORM rescue with an alternative ICS rescue every time a SABA is used for ≥12 years, even though evidence is extrapolated from step 2 patients. For 6- to 11-year-olds, we propose to consider ICS-FORM rescue as an alternative, as its use has been approved in this age group, be it not as rescue medication. For patients with GINA 2021 Step 2 characteristics, our proposal slightly differs from GINA 2021. We propose to continue avoiding the separate use of SABA, using ICS rescue whenever a fast-acting bronchodilator is taken (even with ICS maintenance). Also, the superiority of ICS-FORM rescue over classical step 2 treatment is not uniform and year-long experience is lacking. Consequently, for now, both treatment options seem equal: ICS-FORM rescue or ICS maintenance with SABA (+ICS) rescue. For 6- to 11-year-olds, ICS rescue every time a SABA is used has the advantage of lower total ICS dose; as alternative we suggest ICS-FORM rescue. The best treatment option depends on patient characteristics and treatment goals. Recommendations should be reviewed as soon as new evidence becomes available.

[MIA 2021, Comprehensive Asthma Management. Guidelines for Mexico]. / MIA 2021, Manejo Integral del Asma. Lineamientos para México.

BACKGROUND: Asthma continues to be one of the most frequent chronic respiratory diseases in our country. New methods for diagnosis and treatment have been described; accordingly, the international guidelines were renewed. OBJECTIVE: To create a national platform for the development of updated guidelines, solidly based on evidence: Comprehensive Asthma Management (Spanish acronym: MIA). METHODS: MIA uses the ADAPTE method. The MIA development group consists of experts in pulmonology-allergology-methodology and representatives of 13 institutions and societies of specialties that manage asthma. The international reference guidelines (selected with AGREE-II): GINA 2020, GEMA 5.0, BTS/SIGN 2019 and ATS/ERS consensus document 2014-2019 on severe asthma. MIA covers suspected asthma, diagnosis, treatment, and special groups. Key clinical questions were formulated on treatment steps 1-3, biomarkers and severe asthma. RESULTS: Based on evidence, safety, cost and local reality, the core group developed responses. Through a Delphi process the broad MIA development group suggested adjustments until consensus was reached. CONCLUSION: A document was generated with multiple figures and algorithms, solidly based on evidence about asthma management, adjusted for Mexico with a broad base among different societies that participated in its development. It does not include guidelines for acute asthma.

Antecedentes: El asma sigue siendo una patología respiratoria crónica frecuente en México. Se han descrito nuevos métodos para el diagnóstico y tratamiento conforme se renuevan las guías internacionales. Objetivo: Crear la plataforma nacional Manejo Integral del Asma (MIA), para el desarrollo de lineamientos actualizados con base en evidencia. Métodos: Se utilizó el método ADAPTE. El grupo de desarrollo de MIA estuvo integrado por expertos en neumología, alergología y metodología y representantes de 13 instituciones y sociedades de especialidades que manejan asma. Las guías internacionales de referencia (seleccionadas con AGREE-II) fueron GINA 2020, GEMA 5.0, BTS/SIGN 2019 y consenso ATS/ERS 2014-2019. En MIA se aborda sospecha de asma, diagnóstico, tratamiento y grupos especiales. Se formularon preguntas clínicas clave sobre tratamiento en los pasos 1 a 3, biomarcadores y asma grave. Resultados: Con base en evidencia, seguridad, costo y realidad local, el grupo nuclear desarrolló respuestas. Mediante proceso Delphi, el grupo amplio de desarrollo sugirió ajustes hasta que se logró el consenso. Conclusión: El documento generado contiene múltiples figuras y algoritmos, está sólidamente basado en evidencia acerca del manejo del asma y fue ajustado para México con participación de diferentes sociedades para su desarrollo; no se incluyeron lineamientos para la crisis asmática.

Disease burden for patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases identified at reference hospitals in Guanajuato, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: In addition to the deleterious effect on health, there is considerable economic and psychosocial morbidity associated with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID). Also, the cost of a late diagnosis frequently results in a heavy disease burden on the patient. The objective of this study was to collect and analyze data on patients with PID in the state of Guanajuato in Mexico, to indirectly estimate the burden of the disease. METHODS: An observational, longitudinal, and comparative study was conducted. A total of 44 patients were included and grouped according to the updated classification of PID. RESULTS: The median time elapsed from the onset of symptoms to the reference and diagnosis by a tertiary hospital was of 2.17 (IQR = 6.44) years. Before diagnosis, the number of hospitalizations/year per patient was 0.86 (IQR = 2.28), the number of visit to emergency room/year per patient was 0.92 (IQR = 1.77), the number of doctor's visits/year per patient was 15 (IQR = 11.25), whereas the school/work absence days per patient were reported in 52.72 (IQR = 56.35) days per year. After diagnosis, 20 patients (45.45%) received IVIG replacement therapy, and all of them presented a significant improvement (p <0.05) in all the mentioned variables. Characteristically, even when patients with PID received IVIG, there was still an important disease burden when comparing them against healthy controls. Complications secondary to PID were detected in 19 patients (43.18%). The reported overall mortality rate was 6.82% (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: We were able to indirectly estimate an important disease burden in patients with PID; which is considered to be preventable, at least in part, with effective interventions like health planning, research, collaboration with primary care providers, and generation of policies and practices, in order to improve the quality of life and care of families with PID.

[Use of intravenous immunoglobulin in pregnancy. Report of a patient with common variable immunodeficiency]. / Uso de inmunoglobulina intravenosa en el embarazo. Reporte de una paciente con inmunodeficiencia común variable.

BACKGROUND: Common variable immunodeficiency is the most commonly-diagnosed primary immunodeficiency in adults; it is characterized by recurrent sinopulmonary and gastrointestinal infections, and increased incidence of malignancy and autoimmune processes. Many patients begin to have clinical manifestations during reproductive age. CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old woman with 12 weeks of gestation who was diagnosed with common variable immunodeficiency after recurrent episodes of rhinosinusitis, pharyngoamygdalitis, and pneumonia. 0.6 g/kg of IVIG was prescribed every 21 days during the second trimester; the patient only presented one episode of pharyngoamygdalitis, with adequate response to treatment with antibiotics. During the third trimester the dose was adjusted to every 14 days. The patient ended the pregnancy at term without complications, with a child without defects and with proper weight and size. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of immunoglobulin is the main treatment to control common variable immunodeficiency. While the recommended starting dose is 400-800 mg/kg intravenously every 3 to 4 weeks, there is no consensus on the dose to be used in pregnant women. The recommendation is to perform serum level controls before infusion to determine and adjust it.

Antecedentes: La inmunodeficiencia común variable es la inmunodeficiencia primaria más diagnosticada en los adultos; se caracteriza por infecciones sinopulmonares y gastrointestinales de repetición y mayor incidencia de procesos autoinmunes y malignidad. Numerosos pacientes inician con las manifestaciones clínicas durante la edad reproductiva. Caso clínico: Mujer de 34 años de edad con 12 semanas de gestación, en quien se diagnosticó inmunodeficiencia común variable después de cuadros recurrentes de rinosinusitis, faringoadmidalitis y neumonías. Durante el segundo trimestre se prescribió 0.6 g/kg de inmunoglobulina intravenosa cada 21 días; la paciente solo presentó un episodio de faringoamigdalitis, con adecuada respuesta al tratamiento con antibióticos. Durante el tercer trimestre se ajustó la dosis a cada 14 días. La paciente concluyó el embarazo a término sin complicaciones, con producto sin malformaciones y con peso y talla adecuados. Conclusiones: La administración de inmunoglobulina es el principal tratamiento para controlar la inmunodeficiencia común variable. Si bien la dosis inicial recomendada es de 400-800 mg/kg en forma intravenosa cada 3 a 4 semanas, no existe un consenso sobre la dosis que debe emplearse en la mujer que cursa con embarazo. La recomendación es realizar controles de niveles séricos antes de la infusión para determinarla y ajustarla.

[Long-term efficacy of aspirin desensitization in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. Review of two clinical cases]. / Eficacia a largo plazo de la desensibilización a aspirina en enfermedad respiratoria exacerbada por aspirina. Revisión de 2 casos clínicos.

BACKGROUND: The aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) shows a prevalence of 7% among asthmatics and increases to 14% in patients with difficult to control asthma. Treatment includes the use of inhibitors of leukotriene receptor (), intranasal steroids, polypectomy, asthma management according to the severity and avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In some patients it is necessary desensitization protocol to it. CLINICAL CASES: Two patients diagnosed with respiratory disease exacerbated by aspirin, with poor asthma control and need for multiple polypectomies, despite optimal pharmacological management, carrying out protocol desensitization to aspirin (AAS) successful, now after 4 years of having carried out, they have adequate asthma control without need for polypectomies with a maintenance dose of aspirin 150 mg/day.

Antecedentes: la prevalencia de enfermedad respiratoria exacerbada por aspirina es de 7% en pacientes asmáticos y se incrementa, incluso, a 14% en pacientes con asma de difícil control. El tratamiento incluye la prescripción de inhibidores de los receptores de leucotrienos, esteroides intranasales, polipectomías, tratamiento del asma según su severidad y evitar los antiinflamatorios no esteroides. En algunos pacientes es necesario realizar el protocolo de desensibilización a la aspirina. Casos clínicos: se describen 2 mujeres con diagnóstico de enfermedad respiratoria exacerbada por la administración de aspirina, con escaso control de los cuadros de asma y a quienes fue necesario realizar múltiples polipectomías, a pesar del manejo farmacológico óptimo. Se llevó a cabo protocolo de desensibilización a aspirina (AAS); la respuesta fue positiva. Después de cuatro años, las pacientes presentan adecuado control del asma, con una dosis de mantenimiento de AAS de 150 mg/ día y no han requerido polipectomías.

Primary immunodeficiency diseases at reference and high-specialty hospitals in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: In general, primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) are underdiagnosed in most countries. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency and clinical spectrum of PID in the most important tertiary hospitals in our region. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, with retrospective chart, review study was conducted. A total of 26 patients were included and grouped according to the updated classification of PIDs. RESULTS: PIDs spectra were as follows: predominantly antibody deficiency diseases were the most common category (65.38%), followed by other well-defined immunodeficiency syndromes (11.55%), congenital defects of phagocyte number and/or function (7.69%), complement deficiencies (3.85%), combined T- and B-cell immunodeficiencies (3.85%), and defects in innate immunity (3.85%). The mean time elapsed from the onset of symptoms to the reference and diagnosis by a tertiary hospital was of 4.65 ± 6.95 years. CONCLUSIONS: Predominant antibody deficiency disease was the most common group of PIDs, agreeing with international reports. Awareness of underdiagnosis by physicians is crucial for a prompt diagnosis and treatment, which in turn should improve the quality of life among patients with PIDs.

[Large uterine leiomyoma in a young patient]. / Leiomiomatosis uterina de grandes elementos en una paciente joven.

BACKGROUND: Great elements uterine leiomyomas are the most common tumours in the reproductive life affecting up to 30 % of the women in the United States. Its aetiology remains uncertain; cytogenic studies suggest that 40 to 50% present chromosomic abnormalities. Clinical manifestations are: hypermenorrhea and abdominal pain. In the great element cases, patients suffered intestinal constipation and rectal tenesm. The treatment includes analogous of human chorionic gonadotrophin liberation hormone (GnRH), progesterone, surgical treatment, myomectomy and hysterectomy, uterine artery embolization, high frequency ultrasound, laser, cryotherapy and thermoablation. CLINICAL CASE: An 18 year-old female, menarquia at 12, periods 28/4, nubil. 6 months previous: intestinal constipation, tumour-like mass in hypogastrium, of about 8 cm in diameter, which increased gradually up to 18 cm, smooth, movile and irregular. The pelvic ultrasound showed a tumour of 140 mm dependent of uterus. Myomectomy was performed. The histopathologic report was a 19.9 cm uterine leiomyoma, weighing 949 g and with hyaline degeneration. The patient was asymptomatic and without relapse a year later. CONCLUSIONS: Myomectomy is the choice treatment for the large uterine myomatosis when the patient's fertility is to be preserved.

[The young man with intestinal invagination]. / Invaginación intestinal en el adulto joven.

BACKGROUND: An intestinal invagination is produced when a portion of the digestive tract is introduced inside an immediately adjacent segment. The ileocolonic variety predominates in adults. It is associated with benign or malignant gastrointestinal tumours. Treatment in adult patients is the surgical resection. CLINICAL CASE: A 24 year-old male, with 48 hours with intestinal obstruction, a 10 cm tumour in the right hemiabdomen, painful to palpation was identified. Increase white cells were the only abnormality in the laboratory tests. Simple abdominal X rays demonstrated intestinal occlusion and computed axial tomography showed intestinal invagination. Surgery finding was ileocolic invagination in the right hemi abdomen. The histopathological report was ileocolic invagination with necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal invagination in adults is uncommon. When it occurs, it is related up to 80% with gastrointestinal tumours, less frequent with Meckel's diverticulum. Treatment must be surgical resection of the affected segment.

[Chronic appendicitis. A case report]. / Apendicitis crónica. Caso clínico.

BACKGROUND: The term chronic appendicitis has been used to describe any type of chronic pain that originates in the appendix, with or without inflammation. This broad category can be divided more specifically into: chronic or recurrent appendicitis and appendiceal colic pain. CLINICAL CASE: a 41-year-old female, suffering intestinal chronic constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, hiporexia and febricula, treated with antibiotics, vermifuges, analgesics and antispasmodics, showing a slight and partial improvement. She was suffering chronic pain in lower abdomen, mostly on the right side along a year. With these symptoms, she underwent an exploratory laparotomy, that showed chronic appendicitis. Appendix had been removed. The histopathological report corresponded to chronic appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: the histopathological characteristics and the clinical manifestations of the chronic appendicitis are different from those of acute appendicitis. Criteria for chronic appendicitis include: symptoms lasting longer than 4 weeks, confirmation of chronic swelling through histopathological examination, improvement of symptoms after appendectomy. The ultrasonic images, the barium enema and the computerized helicoidal tomography could be suggestive for its diagnosis.