Transcriptomic Profiling of Pleural Effusions: Differences in Malignant and Infectious Fluids.

Background and Objectives: Different cellular and molecular processes are involved in the production of malignant and infectious pleural effusions. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for these differences or their consequences remain incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to identify differences in gene expression in pleural exudates of malignant and infectious aetiology and establish the possible different biological processes involved in both situations. Materials and Methods: RNA transcriptomic analysis was performed on 46 pleural fluid samples obtained during diagnostic thoracocenteses from 46 patients. There were 35 exudates (19 malignant and 16 infectious effusions) and 11 transudates that were used as a reference control group. Differential gene expression analysis for both exudative groups was identified. An enrichment score using the Human Kegg Orthology database was used for establishing the biological processes associated with malignant and infectious pleural effusions. Results: When comparing malignant exudates with infectious effusions, 27 differentially expressed genes with statistical significance were identified. Network analysis showed ten different biological processes for malignant and for infectious pleural effusions. In malignant fluids, processes related to protein synthesis and processing predominate. In infectious exudates, biological processes in connection with ATP production prevail. Conclusions: This study demonstrates differentially expressed genes in malignant and infectious pleural effusions, which could have important implications in the search for diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. In addition, for the first time, biological processes involved in these two causes of pleural exudates have been described.

[Sarcopenia index in hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation]. / Índice de sarcopenia en pacientes hospitalizados por agudización de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.

Sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and function) implies a worse prognosis. However, its diagnosis is complex and is not made in routine clinical care. A biomarker has been proposed as a surrogate estimator of skeletal muscle mass, the so-called sarcopenia index ([serum creatinine/cystatine C] x100) which is associated with prognostic features in various diseases including patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate the potential clinical and prognostic information of this biomarker in COPD exacerbation. This is a one-year prospective study of consecutive patients admitted for COPD exacerbation. A total of 89 patients, 70 men (79%) and 19 women (21%) were included. Those with lower values of the sarcopenia index had a higher level of dyspnoea and a longer hospitalization. In the correlation analysis, the index had statistically significant values with FEV1 (r = 0.23), PaCO2 (r = -0.30), bicarbonate (r = -0.31), dyspnoea (r = -0.25) and length of admission (r = -0.30). In patients admitted for COPD exacerbation, the sarcopenia index was related to prognostic characteristics, so that lower values were associated with longer duration of hospital admission, more dyspnoea and greater functional impairment. As this is an index associated with muscle mass, its determination may identify patients who could be the subject of a differentiated therapeutic plan.

La presencia de sarcopenia (pérdida de masa y función muscular) implica peor pronóstico. Sin embargo, su diagnóstico es complejo y no se realiza en la atención clínica habitual. Se ha propuesto un biomarcador como estimador subrogado de la masa muscular esquelética, el denominado índice de sarcopenia ([creatinina sérica/cistatina C] x100) que se asocia a características pronósticas en diversas enfermedades incluyendo pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) estable. El objetivo de nuestro estudio ha sido evaluar de forma prospectiva la potencial información clínica y pronóstica de este biomarcador en agudización de la EPOC. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo, durante un año, de los pacientes consecutivos que ingresan por agudización de su EPOC. Se incluyeron 89 pacientes, 70 varones (79%) y 19 mujeres (21%). Aquellos con valores disminuidos del índice de sarcopenia tenían más disnea y requerían una internación más prolongada. En el análisis de correlación se obtuvo valores con significación estadística del índice con FEV1 (r = 0.23), PaCO2 (r = -0.30) y bicarbonato (r = -0.31), y con la disnea (r = -0.25) y la duración del ingreso (r =- 0.30). En los ingresados por agudización de la EPOC el índice de sarcopenia se relacionó con características pronósticas, de modo que los valores inferiores se asociaron a mayor duración de la internación, más disnea y mayor afectación funcional. Al tratarse de un índice asociado a la masa muscular, su determinación podría identificar a pacientes a incluir en un plan terapéutico diferenciado.

Symptoms in patients with asthma infected by SARS-CoV-2.

INTRODUCTION: Organ tropism of SARS-CoV-2 to the respiratory tract could potentially aggravate asthma. The susceptibility of patients with asthma to develop an exacerbation when they are infected with SARS-CoV-2 is unknown. We aimed to investigate the symptoms presented in patients with asthma who became infected with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients over 14 years of age who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (by RT-PCR) were included (n = 2995). In patients with asthma (n = 77, 2.6%; 44 females), symptoms, therapy and phenotype were recorded. Seventeen (22%) patients had mild asthma, 55 (71%) moderate and five severe (6%). Twenty-six patients with asthma (34%) were asymptomatic, 34 (44%) developed symptoms but did not require hospital admission, and 17 (22%) were hospitalised. One patient was admitted because of asthma exacerbation without pneumonia or other symptoms. Ten patients (13%) had wheezes (six with pneumonia). Comparison of wheezing between patients with non-T2 asthma and the rest of the patients was statistically significant, (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 infection is not a significant cause of asthma exacerbation, although some patients may present wheezing, especially in cases of pneumonia. The severity of asthma does not seem to be associated with symptoms of the disease.

Índice de sarcopenia en pacientes hospitalizados por agudización de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Sarcopenia index in hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation

Resumen La presencia de sarcopenia (pérdida de masa y función muscular) implica peor pronóstico. Sin embargo, su diagnóstico es complejo y no se realiza en la atención clínica habitual. Se ha propuesto un biomarcador como estimador subrogado de la masa muscular esquelética, el denominado índice de sarcopenia ([creatinina sérica/cistatina C] x100) que se asocia a características pronósticas en diversas enfermedades incluyendo pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) estable. El objetivo de nuestro estudio ha sido evaluar de forma prospectiva la potencial información clínica y pronóstica de este biomarcador en agudización de la EPOC. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo, durante un año, de los pacientes consecutivos que ingresan por agudización de su EPOC. Se incluyeron 89 pacientes, 70 varones (79%) y 19 mujeres (21%). Aquellos con valores disminuidos del índice de sarcopenia tenían más disnea y requerían una internación más prolongada. En el análisis de correlación se obtuvo valores con significación estadística del índice con FEV1 (r = 0.23), PaCO (r = -0.30) y bicarbonato (r = -0.31), y con la disnea (r = -0.25) y la duración del ingreso (r =0.30). En los ingresados por agudización de la EPOC el índice de sarcopenia se relacionó con características pronósticas, de modo que los valores inferiores se asociaron a mayor duración de la internación, más disnea y mayor afectación funcional. Al tratarse de un índice asociado a la masa muscular, su determinación podría identificar a pacientes a incluir en un plan terapéutico diferenciado.

Abstract Sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and function) implies a worse prognosis. However, its diagnosis is complex and is not made in routine clinical care. A biomarker has been proposed as a surrogate estimator of skeletal muscle mass, the so-called sarcopenia index ([serum creatinine/cystatine C] x100) which is associated with prognostic features in various diseases including patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate the potential clinical and prognostic information of this biomarker in COPD exacerbation. This is a one-year prospective study of consecutive patients admitted for COPD exacerbation. A total of 89 patients, 70 men (79%) and 19 women (21%) were included. Those with lower values of the sarcopenia index had a higher level of dyspnoea and a longer hospitalization. In the correlation analysis, the index had statistically significant values with FEV1 (r = 0.23), PaCO (r = -0.30), bicarbonate (r = -0.31), dyspnoea (r = -0.25) and length of admission (r = -0.30). In patients admitted for COPD exacerbation, the sarcopenia index was related to prognostic characteristics, so that lower values were associated with longer duration of hospital admission, more dyspnoea and greater functional impairment. As this is an index associated with muscle mass, its determination may identify patients who could be the subject of a differentiated therapeutic plan.

Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Survival in Malignant Pleural Effusion.

BACKGROUND: Efforts have been made to search for parameters that facilitate the prediction of the 3-month survival for clinical decisions in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). We sought to evaluate whether the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) may be a useful marker of 3-month survival in a series of consecutive patients with MPE. METHODS: A total of 81 patients with MPE were included, 46 (57%) of whom were female. Twenty-six patients (32%) died during the first 3 months according to thoracentesis data. RESULTS: The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.73 for PLR. Using a cutoff point of 158, patients with higher PLR values experienced higher mortality at 3 months (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PLR was able to successfully differentiate patients with different survival at 3 months. Outcomes of the PLR (a fast and inexpensive test) could be included among the prognostic factors able to guide the personalized management of MPE.

Asthma prevalence in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection detected by RT-PCR not requiring hospitalization.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of asthma in patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 has been studied and varies widely in the different series. However, the prevalence in SARS-infected patients not requiring hospitalization is not known. The objective of this study was to analyze the presence of asthma in a consecutive series of patients who tested positive in the RT-PCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 and did not require hospital admission. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 218 patients (58% of those who tested positive) did not require hospitalization; they had a median age of 45 years (IQR 34-57) and 57% were female. Six patients (2.8%) had a previous diagnosis of asthma. Only one patient developed a mild aggravation of asthma symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Few patients with asthma were infected by SARS-CoV-2, and this infection was not a significant cause of asthma exacerbation.

Prognostic Value of Hematological Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Pleural Effusion Due to Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Pleural effusions due to heart failure are associated with a high 1-year mortality. Several hematological parameters have been shown to provide prognostic information in patients with cardiovascular diseases. The objective was to assess whether hematological markers can also provide prognostic information in patients with pleural effusion caused by heart failure. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients with pleural effusion due to heart failure who underwent a diagnostic thoracentesis. The hematological parameters evaluated were as follows: neutrophils, lymphocytes, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet count, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume (MPV), and MPV-to-platelet ratio. Patients were divided into two groups: those who died within 1 year and survivors of more than 1 year. Differences and possible correlations were analyzed with non-parametric tests. Diagnostic values were estimated. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent variables. RESULTS: Twenty five of 55 (45%) patients died within 1-year from thoracentesis. Patients who died in this period were older, aged 83 years (73 - 87, median and interquartile range, IQR) vs. 74 (65 - 82); with lower platelet count: 181 x 103 (140 - 258 x 103) vs. 241 x 103 (198 - 324 x 103); and higher MPV/platelet: 48.1 (34.9 - 75.6) vs. 35.6 (27.1 - 42.9). In the regression analysis only the MPV/platelet had statistical significance (p = 0.002). MPV/platelet > 50 had a specificity of 87% for 1-year mortality, and a ratio > 30 had a sensitivity of 84%. CONCLUSIONS: Simple hematological parameters such as platelet count and MPV/platelet, may provide useful prognostic information for predicting 1-year mortality in patients with pleural effusion due to heart failure.

Hiperlactatemia en pacientes hospitalizados por asma: Frecuencia e implicaciones clínicas / Hyperlactatemia in hospitalized patients with asthma. Frequency and clinical implications

Se ha descrito un incremento del lactato sanguíneo en algunos pacientes tratados por agudización del asma. Sin embargo, se desconoce su frecuencia y el significado clínico en la práctica clínica habitual. El objetivo del estudio ha sido evaluar las características asociadas a la presencia de hiperlactatemia en la gasometría arterial de pacientes que requirieron ingreso en la sala de neumonología por agudización del asma. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de las altas hospitalarias de un servicio de neumonología durante 3 años (2015 a 2017) analizando los valores del ácido láctico en la gasometría arterial y su posible relación con datos de antecedentes clínicos, de laboratorio, tratamiento, espirometría, estancia hospitalaria o uso de unidades de cuidados críticos. Se incluyeron 112 pacientes con 182 ingresos. Presentaron en alguna ocasión hiperlactatemia (> 2.2 mmol/l) 32 pacientes (29%). En 42 de los 182 ingresos (23%) se observó aumento de lactato, en quienes tenían mayor estancia hospitalaria (mediana 6 vs. 5 días, p = 0.013). En 8 de los 10 ingresos en unidades de cuidados críticos se observó hiperlactatemia, en general tras recibir el tratamiento broncodilatador. En las gasometrías con hiperlactatemia existía una correlación significativa entre lactato y bicarbonato (r = -0.417, p=0.003) y el exceso de base (r = -0.484, p < 0.001). La hiperlactatemia es relativamente frecuente en las gasometrías realizadas a los pacientes hospitalizados por asma (23% de los ingresos). Los ingresos con hiperlactatemia se asociaron a una internación más prolongada.

Increased levels of lactic acid have been described in patients treated for asthma exacerbation. However, the frequency and clinical significance of hyperlactatemia in real-world practice is unknown. The objective of the study was to evaluate the characteristics associated with hyperlactatemia in blood gas analysis of patients with asthma exacerbation hospitalized in a pulmonary department. This is a retrospective 3-year study (2015 to 2017) of patients discharged from the pulmonary department. The level of lactic acid in the blood gas test and the possible relationship with clinical, laboratory, therapy, spirometric values, hospitalization length and use of critical care resources were analyzed. A total of 112 patients with 182 admissions were included in the study. Thirty-two (29%) patients had hyperlactatemia in at least one blood gas analysis. Elevated lactic acid was observed in 42 of 182 admissions (23%), which had larger length hospital stay (median, 6 vs. 5 days, p = 0.013). Hyperlactatemia was present in 8 of 10 admissions in the critical care units, mainly after receiving bronchodilator therapy. There was a significant correlation between lactate level and bicarbonate level (r = -0.417, p = 0.003) and between lactate level and base excess (r = -0.484, p < 0.001) in cases with hiperlactatemia. Hyperlactatemia is a relatively frequent finding in blood gas analysis of patients hospitalized because of asthma (23% of admissions). These admissions with hiperlactatemia are associated with larger hospital length of stay.

[Hyperlactatemia in hospitalized patients with asthma. Frequency and clinical implications]. / Hiperlactatemia en pacientes hospitalizados por asma. Frecuencia e implicaciones clínicas.

Increased levels of lactic acid have been described in patients treated for asthma exacerbation. However, the frequency and clinical significance of hyperlactatemia in real-world practice is unknown. The objective of the study was to evaluate the characteristics associated with hyperlactatemia in blood gas analysis of patients with asthma exacerbation hospitalized in a pulmonary department. This is a retrospective 3-year study (2015 to 2017) of patients discharged from the pulmonary department. The level of lactic acid in the blood gas test and the possible relationship with clinical, laboratory, therapy, spirometric values, hospitalization length and use of critical care resources were analyzed. A total of 112 patients with 182 admissions were included in the study. Thirty-two (29%) patients had hyperlactatemia in at least one blood gas analysis. Elevated lactic acid was observed in 42 of 182 admissions (23%), which had larger length hospital stay (median, 6 vs. 5 days, p = 0.013). Hyperlactatemia was present in 8 of 10 admissions in the critical care units, mainly after receiving bronchodilator therapy. There was a significant correlation between lactate level and bicarbonate level (r = -0.417, p = 0.003) and between lactate level and base excess (r = -0.484, p < 0.001) in cases with hiperlactatemia. Hyperlactatemia is a relatively frequent finding in blood gas analysis of patients hospitalized because of asthma (23% of admissions). These admissions with hiperlactatemia are associated with larger hospital length of stay.