Home intervention and predictor variables for rehospitalization in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation increases mortality and resources used associated with hospitalization. We studied whether early home monitoring reduces the rate of readmission and if there are any predictor variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective, controlled, parallel-group study in patients who were hospitalized for COPD. Patients whose residence was within less than 15km from the hospital were assigned to an interventional group (home visits by nurses about 48-72hours after discharge), the remainder were assigned to a conventional care group. The rate of rehospitalization within the first month was compared between the two groups, as well as those variables that showed a predictive capability. RESULTS: Seventy one patients were included: 35 in the conventional care group and 36 in the interventional group. In the latter, the treatment was modified in 13 patients (36%). The hospital readmission rate was 17%, which was similar in both groups (P=.50). For every 5-year increase in age, the risk for readmission was 2.54 (95%CI, 1.06-5.07) and for each increase of 10mmHg in PaCO(2), the risk of readmission was 8.34 (95%CI, 2.43-18.55). CONCLUSIONS: Early home monitoring did not decrease the readmission rate during the first month. Older age and high PaCO(2) are factors that identify the group with a high risk for rehospitalization.

Association of cellular adhesion molecules and oxidative stress with endothelial function in obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of oxidative stress and cellular adhesion molecules on ischemic reactive hyperemia (IRH) in patients with OSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients treated at a sleep laboratory and whose polysomnography showed an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5 were included in the study. Patients with acute illness receiving vasoactive medications were excluded. Based on their oxygen desaturation index (ODI), subjects were assigned to the mild-moderate (ODI ≤30) or the severe desaturation group (ODI >30). Then IRH and oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA)] and proinflammatory markers (ICAM-1 and P-selectin) were measured. RESULTS: Sixty-eight subjects with OSA were included, 31 in the mild-moderate desaturation group and 37 in the severe group. No differences by age, gender and body mass index were observed. The severe desaturation group showed significantly higher values in the AHI, MDA, ICAM-1 and P-selectin (p<0.005), as well as a worsening of IRH (p=0.001). Only ICAM-1 (p=0.019) and P-selectin (p=0.033) were independently associated with IRH in a multiple-linear regression model. CONCLUSION: Patients with OSA and greater intermittent hypoxia showed worse endothelial function, and higher levels of MDA, ICAM-1 and P-selectin. Nevertheless, ICAM-1 and P-selectin rather than MDA were independently associated with IRH.

Serum proteomic changes in adults with obstructive sleep apnoea.

To examine whether differentially expressed proteins are present in the serum of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), iTRAQ techniques (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) were employed in a prospective study. Individuals were assigned to either a non-OSA control group (apnoea-hypopnoea index, AHI <5) or an OSA group (AHI ≥5). Blood samples were collected, aliquoted and frozen at -80 °C. Protein digestion and tagging with iTRAQ4plex® and mass spectrometry analysis was then performed (MALDI TOF/TOF). Ten male subjects were included in the control group (age = 45 ± 9.7 years) and 30 male patients in the OSA group (age = 45 ± 10.7 years), the latter being then subdivided into three severity groups. A total of 103 proteins were identified with differential levels between patients with OSA and controls. Of these, 11 proteins were underexpressed and 19 were overexpressed in patients with OSA. C4BPA and thrombospondin were underexpressed in all three OSA severity groups. Among the overexpressed proteins, 13 were overexpressed in the mild OSA group, seven in the moderate group and five in the severe group. Analysis of interactions between the identified proteins revealed that protein alterations in OSA are primarily associated with derangements in lipid and vascular metabolic pathways. This study provides initial evidence that differential protein expression occurs in adults with OSA, and that such proteins change according to disease severity, and appear to primarily involve lipid and vascular metabolic pathways.

[Variation in protein expression depending on the severity of sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome]. / Variación de la expresión proteica en función de la gravedad del síndrome de apnea-hipopnea del sueño.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective study with a consecutive sample and a control group to determine whether protein expression in patients with sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS) is different from that of the control group (IAH < or =5). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 32 patients aged between 35 and 60 years who had a polysomnograph performed were included. Patients with an acute or chronic were excluded. The first dimension of the proteomic study was carried out on IPG strips (18cm, pH 4-7) and the second on SDS-PAGE gels in triplicate for each group. The gels were stained with SYPRO-Ruby (Bio-Rad((R))), the images obtained with an FX-Imager laser scanner and the spots were analysed using ProteomWeaver v. 4.0 (Bio-Rad((R))) software. Significant changes between the gels were analysed by replicates and separately, being considered a significant change if the relative intensity of the spots was three times higher or lower than that of the control and if it was observed in 2 of the 3 replicates of each group, with a coefficient of variation of <20%. RESULTS: The patients were divided into 8 subjects per group (control, mild, moderate and severe). The comparison of the gels showed significant differences between the control group and the 3 clinical groups, with significant over-expression being observed in 3 spots, and under-expression in 7 spots in the control group. CONCLUSION: There are significant changes in protein expression between a control group and patients in different stages of disease. The proteomic study can identify biomarkers associated with the diagnosis and severity of the SAHS.

Kidney transplantation improves sleep-related breathing in hemodialysis patients.

AIMS: To assess whether kidney transplantation improves sleep-related breathing disorders associated with hemodialysis. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out using full-night polysomnography. Nine hemodialysis patients (7 men and 2 women, aged 42 +/- 16.2 years, BMI 26 +/- 3.7) who later received a successful kidney transplantation were evaluated. Main sleep quality and respiratory variables were recorded: number of dips in oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) > or =3% per hour of sleep; percentage of sleep time with SaO(2) <90%; percentage of sleep time in apnea and hypopnea, and sleep apnea/hypopnea index (AHI). RESULTS: After kidney transplantation, the AHI improved in 8 of the 9 patients (10 +/- 10.7 vs. 4.9 +/- 6.1, p = 0.029). A decrease in the percentage of sleep time in apnea/hypopnea (5 +/- 6.8 vs. 0.7 +/- 1.1%, p = 0.008) and a reduction in the number of desaturations (25 +/- 26 vs. 12 +/- 11.2%, p = 0.010) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Kidney transplantation improved respiratory events and nocturnal SaO(2) in hemodialysis patients.

[Assessment of patient satisfaction and preferences with inhalers in asthma with the FSI-10 Questionnaire]. / Satisfacción y preferencia del paciente asmático por los dispositivos de inhalación. Aplicación del FSI-10.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lack of adherence to inhaled corticosteroid therapy is common in patients with asthma, and it has been suggested that allowing patients to choose their own inhalers would resolve this problem. The FSI-10 (Feeling of Satisfaction with Inhaler) is a self-completed questionnaire to assess patient opinions regarding ease or difficulty of use, portability, and usability of devices for delivery of inhaled corticosteroids. The aim of this study was to define the measurement properties of the FSI-10 questionnaire and to use this inventory to compare satisfaction and preferences of patients with asthma regarding 3 different devices for delivery of inhaled corticosteroids: Turbuhaler, Accuhaler, and Novolizer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a multicenter, prospective, observational study in 112 stable asthmatic patients (64 women; mean [SD] age, 37 [22] years) treated on a regular basis with inhaled corticosteroids. The use of the devices was explained to the patients and the order in which they should be used in each case was randomly assigned. The devices were used for 7-day periods and at the end of each the FSI-10 questionnaire was completed for the device used. Once the protocol was completed, patients stated their preference for the different devices used. RESULTS: The FSI-10 was easily understood and rapidly completed, and it exhibited acceptable measurement properties. Factor analysis showed that the measure was unidimensional. Although acceptance of all 3 devices assessed was reasonable, the FSI-10 questionnaire detected significant differences between them: Turbuhaler and Novolizer scored higher than Accuhaler on a number of questions. This preference is partly explained by Turbuhaler having been the device that was commonly used by the patients prior to the study. However, the highest scoring and most often preferred inhaler in patients under 16 years of age was the Novolizer, even though the Turbuhaler had also usually been used by those patients prior to the study. CONCLUSIONS: The FSI-10 is a useful instrument for assessing the degree of satisfaction of asthmatic patients regarding available inhalation devices. It is easy to understand and complete, and able to identify differences in patient satisfaction with the different inhalers.

[Sleep disorders in patients on a kidney transplant waiting list]. / Trastornos del sueño en pacientes en lista de espera de trasplante renal.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of sleep disorders in patients awaiting kidney transplants compared to a control group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out an observational study of 23 patients on a kidney transplant waiting list in comparison with 20 healthy volunteers matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Overnight polysomnography was performed and a diagnosis of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) established when the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 10 or higher. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of the patients awaiting kidney transplants (16 men and 7 women with a mean [SD] age of 51 [15] years and a mean BMI of 25 [3.8] kg/m2) had some type of sleep disorder. The most frequent disorders were SAHS (48%) and insomnia and periodic limb movement disorder (30%). Patients showed poorer sleep efficiency compared to the control group (75.4% vs 87.8%; P=.01) and a lower percentage of slow-wave and rapid eye movement sleep (24.5% vs 40%; P=.001). Those with sleep-disordered breathing had a higher AHI (17.7 vs 3.6; P=.001) and oxygen desaturation index (31.5 compared to 8.2; P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disorders are common in patients awaiting kidney transplants. Such patients show reduced quantity and quality of sleep compared to controls and a significantly elevated number of respiratory events that may affect morbidity and mortality.

[Cost-effectiveness and degree of satisfaction with home sleep monitoring in patients with symptoms of sleep apnea]. / Coste-eficiencia y grado de satisfacción de la poligrafía domiciliaria en pacientes con síntomas de apnea del sueño.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic validity, degree of patient satisfaction, and economic cost of home sleep monitoring compared to conventional polysomnography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with symptoms indicative of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) were included. We analyzed the diagnostic yield of home sleep monitoring using the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), number of desaturations of at least 3%, and the percentage time with arterial oxygen saturation below 90%. The degree of patient satisfaction, measured on a visual analogue scale, and the cost of home monitoring were compared with conventional polysomnography. RESULTS: The study included 52 patients (42 men and 10 women) with a mean (SD) age of 51.8 (9) years and a body mass index of 32 (5) kg/m2. Polysomnography and home monitoring revealed an AHI of 33.6 (20) and 31 (19), respectively (r=0.971; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.963; P< .001). The number of desaturations of at least 3% and the percentage time with arterial oxygen saturation below 90% showed significant correlation and concordance (P< .05). For an AHI cutoff of 10 recorded with polysomnography, home monitoring had a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 80%, with an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.804. For severe SAHS (AHI> or =30), the sensitivity and specificity of home monitoring was 100% (that is, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 1). For home monitoring, the cost per diagnostic test was 101.34 euro less than that of polysomnography, and the patient satisfaction was significantly greater (P< .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Home sleep monitoring is a valid and cost-effective diagnostic test; patients with symptoms of SAHS are more satisfied with this technique than conventional polysomnography.