Effect of synbiotic supplementation on children with atopic dermatitis: an observational prospective study.

The objective of this observational single-cohort prospective study was to assess the effect of synbiotic supplementation for 8 weeks in children with atopic dermatitis (AD). The synbiotic product contained Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, fructooligosaccharide, galactooligosaccharide, and biotin. Patients were examined at baseline and at 8 weeks. Effectiveness of treatment was assessed with the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. A total of 320 children (mean age 5.1 years, range 0-12 years) were included. The mean (SD) SCORAD index decreased from 45.5 (15.5) at baseline to 19.4 (14.6) at the end of treatment (P < 0.001), VAS score for pruritus decreased from 5.7 (2.2) to 2.3 (2.2) (P < 0.001), and VAS score for sleep decreased from 3.1 (2.5) to 1.1 (1.8) (P < 0.001). Percentage of children with moderate-severe disease decreased from 92.4% at baseline to 28.1% at week 8. In the multiple linear regression analysis, higher baseline SCORAD index (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.41-0.61) and higher adherence (OR 7.29; 95% CI 1.85-12.73) were significantly associated with greater decrease in SCORAD index.Conclusion: Supplementation with the multistrain synbiotic product may improve AD in children. What is known: • Pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, troublesome condition with limited treatment options, which has been shown to be associated with dysbiosis in the intestinal microflora. • Results of controlled clinical trials (RCTs) on the effect of probiotics in children with AD have been disparate, although overall, the data favor probiotics over placebo, with multistrain supplements associated with better improvements in AD. What is new: • The results of this observational, prospective, open-label, single-cohort study on 320 children with AD younger than 12 years old suggest that supplementation with multistrain synbiotics (Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, fructooligosaccharide, galactooligosaccharide, and biotin) helps to improve AD symptoms in children. • More than 80% of children experienced improvement in AD symptoms, as measured by Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index and assessed by parents and physicians. The main predictive factors for improvement was adherence to synbiotic treatment and high baseline SCORE index; the change in SCORAD did not depend on age, gender, presence of concomitant treatment, duration, and type of AD (persistent vs with flares), other concomitant allergies or history of parental allergy.

Comprehensive Observational Study in a Large Cohort of Asthma Patients after Adding LAMA to ICS/LABA.

INTRODUCTION: Adding LAMA to LABA/ICS is recommended to improve control in patients with persistent asthma. METHODS: This observational, retrospective, before-and-after study considered patients diagnosed with asthma who started LABA/ICS + LAMA treatment (triple therapy, TT) between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2018 and had been treated with LABA/ICS (dual therapy, DT) in the year before. Changes in lung function and exacerbation rates, healthcare resource utilization, and healthcare and non-healthcare costs (€2019) were estimated in patients with asthma in clinical practices in Spain. Data from computerized medical records from seven Spanish regions were collected ±1 year of LAMA addition. RESULTS: 4740 patients (64.1 years old [SD: 16.3]) were included. TT reduced the incidence of exacerbations by 16.7% (p < 0.044) and the number of patients with exacerbations by 8.5% (p < 0.001) compared to previous DT. The rate of patients with severe exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids and their hospitalization rates significantly decreased by 22.5% and 29.5%. TT significantly improved FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC, saving €571/patient for society. Younger patients with asthma (18-44 years old) and patients with severe asthma (FEV1 < 60%) performed better upon the initiation of TT. CONCLUSIONS: TT reduced asthma exacerbations, improved lung function and reduced healthcare costs vs. DT, particularly in patients requiring systemic corticosteroids to treat severe exacerbations.

[Assessment of the health-related quality of life impact in female with mixed urinary incontinence]. / Afectación de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en mujeres con incontinencia urinaria mixta.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment on female with urinary incontinence (UI) may be a useful indicator in the management of early treatment depending on the sort of UI which is dominant: Stress UI or Urge UI. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the HRQoL of female with mixed UI, comparing the impact of symptoms of Urge UI and Stress UI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is an epidemiologic, cross-sectional and multicenter study. HRQoL of 1,100 women with mixed UI was evaluated using the Spanish version of "King's Health Questionnaire" (KHQ). Personal data of patients were also collected along with medical records and clinical data related to diagnostic and treatment of UI. RESULTS: Urinary infection was the most frequent medical record found. Mean time since start of UI symptoms was 4 years and 44% of patients had been received some treatment for UI. It was observed a higher use of sanitary napkins (63.9%) than pantyliners (36%) and diapers (11.2%). Mean global score of the KHQ was 42.2 (S.D.= 18.7); higher impact on HRQoL was shown in dimensions: UI impact, Urinary problems and Physical Limitations. Urge UI symptoms cause higher impact on HRQoL than Stress UI symptoms (p< 0.0001). The logistic regression model performed for global KHQ score showed that variables strongly associated were Urge UI, genital prolapse and coital UI symptom. CONCLUSIONS: Women with mixed UI showed and important impact on HRQoL. This impact is strongly associated with presence of symptoms of Urge UI.

[Prevalence of urinary incontinence and hyperactive bladder in the Spanish population: results of the EPICC study]. / Prevalencia de incontinencia urinaria y vejiga hiperactiva en la población española: resultados del estudio EPICC.

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing interest on Urinary Incontinence (UI) in our country, nocturnal enuresis and Overactive Bladder (OAB), there are no epidemiologic studies on the prevalence of these health problems in the different affected groups of the general population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is an epidemiologic, observational, multicentre and national study. Data were collected by means of personal interviews in 5 representative areas from Spain and in 4 groups of population: 1) working women (25- 64-years-old); 2) working men (50- 64-years-old); 3) children attending primary school (6- 11-years-old); and 4) elderly institutionalized subjects (over 65-years-old) with no mental impairment. The Interview addressed to adult population included two parts: 1) socio-demographic variables and clinical history; and 2) data about OAB and UI symptoms. The Interview addressed to children included socio-demographic variables and questions about liquid intake and urine control. RESULTS: Percentage of answer to interview in the different groups varied between 79.7% and 98%. Prevalence of isolate OAB and UI in working women were 2.69% and 4.01% respectively; in men were 3.55% and 0.56%; in elderly were 9.14% and 15.16%. In total, 9.94% (95%CI = 8.9-11.04) of the women under study suffer one or both health problems; this percentage was 5.14% (95% CI= 3.89-6.63) in men and 53.71% (95% CI= 50.56-56.85) in elderly. Prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in children was 7.82% (95% CI= 6.62-9.17). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of OAB and/or UI in Spain is near 10% of women between 25 and 64 years, is around 5% in men between 50 and 64 years and it is over 50% in persons over 65 years; prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in children between 6 and 11 years is around 8%.

[Comorbidity associated to overactive bladder syndrome]. / Comorbilidad asociada al síndrome de vejiga hiperactiva.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the percentage of patients with Overactive Bladder (OB) attending urology or gynaecology outpatient clinics who show associated diseases which complicate their clinical state and quality of life. METHODS: This is an epidemiologic, cross-sectional and multicentre real world trial. 1,659 patients with OB were studied in urology or gynaecology outpatient clinics. Demographic data, anthropometric data, presence of chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, ischemic cardiopathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cognitive damaged, cataract, movement disability and constipation), presence of associated diseases (falls, lower urinary tract infections, genital skin infections, depression, sexual dysfunction and sleep disorders), presence of urinary incontinence symptoms and impact on quality of life according to ICIQ-UI SF score. RESULTS: Mean age (S.D) of studied sample was 59.2 (12.9) years and 73.6% were female. Most patients lived in urban settings (67.3%), had primary studies or less (56.8%) and had active work or at home work (66.2%). Most frequent diseases associated to OB were genital skin infections, lower urinary tract infections and sleep disorders. Sexual dysfunction was more frequent in males than in females; lower urinary tract infections, genital skin infections and depression were more frequent in females than in males. Patients with these diseases showed higher ICIQ-UI SF scores than patients without them, indicating higher impact. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of associated diseases in patients with OB is frequent in males and females and it is associated to higher impact in patient's life. It seems relevant to pay attention in detecting them through the medical history of patients consulting about OB or urinary incontinence symptoms.

[Control of blood pressure in Spanish hypertensive population attended in primary health-care. PRESCAP 2006 Study]. / Control de la presión arterial en la población hipertensa española atendida en atención primaria. Estudio PRESCAP 2006.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: More information is needed on hypertension control and its evolution in clinical practice. This study aimed to determine the degree of blood pressure (BP) control in Spanish hypertensive patients attended in primary care (PC) and to determine the factors associated with poor BP control. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional, multicenter study, carried out in PC settings throughout Spain. Hypertensive patients >or= 18 years, with antihypertensive treatment (>or= 3 months) were consecutively recruited. BP measurement was performed in surgery hours (morning and evening) following standardized methods and averaging 2 consecutive readings. BP control was regarded as optimum when BP values were < 140/90 mmHg in general population and <130/80 mmHg in patients with diabetes, chronic renal disease or cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: 10,520 hypertensive patients were included (53.7% women), mean age (SD) 64.6 (11.3) years. 41.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40.5-42.4) presented good systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) control, 46.5% (95% CI, 45.5-47.4) only SBP control and 67.1% (95% CI, 66.2-68.0) only DBP control. 55.6% of patients were treated with combination therapy (41.2% 2 drugs, 11.7% 3 and 2.8% more than 3). BP control was significantly (p<0.001) higher in the evening measurement (48.9%) than in the morning measurement (40.5%), and if patients had taken the treatment before measurement (42.0%) compared with those who had not taken it (38.8%). Factors such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption and surgery hour were associated with poor BP control (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the PRESCAP 2006 study indicate that 4 out of 10 hypertensive patients treated in PC in Spain have an optimal BP control. The degree of control of arterial hypertension has improved remarkably with respect to the PRESCAP 2002 study.

[Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in hypertensive aged women treated in primary care. MERICAP Study]. / Prevalencia de enfermedad renal crónica en mujeres hipertensas de edad avanzada atendidas en atención primaria. Estudio MERICAP.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Information about the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the population treated in primary care is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of CKD in Spanish hypertensive women aged 64 years or older, and to determine possible associated factors. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study including women with a diagnosis of hypertension selected by consecutive sampling in primary care. CKD was diagnosed when glomerular filtration rate was<60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (MDRD). We assessed sociodemographic and clinical data, cardiovascular risk factors, and the presence of cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: The sample included 3782 women with a mean age of 73.6 ± 6.1 years. CKD (glomerular filtration rate<60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) was present in 53.4% (95% CI: 51.8-55.0). Masked CKD (serum creatinine<1.2mg/dl) was present in 25.7% (95% CI: 26.3-29.1). The prevalence increased with age (51% in those younger than 75 and 60.7% in women older than 84 (P<.001). With respect to those with normal renal function, hypertensive women having CKD were older, showed higher values of blood pressure, and had more frequently dyslipidemia, elevated plasma glucose, target organ damage and cardiovascular disease (P<.001). In a multivariate analysis, CKD was associated with coronary heart disease (OR: 1.9), hyperglycemia (OR: 1.6), hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.5), and elevated diastolic blood pressure (OR: 1.4). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of hypertensive women aged 64 years have CKD and of these about half have normal creatinine values.

[Blood pressure control in hypertensive Spanish population attended in primary care setting. The PRESCAP 2010 study]. / Control de la presión arterial en la población hipertensa española asistida en atención primaria. Estudio PRESCAP 2010.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at determining the degree of blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive patients attended in primary care (PC) settings. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional, multicenter study. Hypertensive patients ≥18 years under antihypertensive treatment attended in Spanish PC settings were included. BP control was regarded as optimum when BP values were <140/90mmHg in general population and <130/80mmHg in patients with diabetes, chronic renal disease or cardiovascular disease. BP control was also calculated for all patients when it was <140/90mmHg. RESULTS: A total of 12,961 hypertensive patients (52.0% women) with a mean age of 66.3 (±11.4) years were included. A percentage of 46.3 (95% CI: 45.4-47.1) presented good systolic BP and diastolic BP control; 61.1% (IC 95%: 60.2-61.9) of patients presented good BP control<140/90. A percentage of 63.6% was treated with combination therapy (44.1% with 2 drugs, 19.5% with 3 or more). BP control was significantly higher in evening measurements (50.4%) than in morning measurements (45.1%), and in patients who had taken the treatment before the visit (47.9%) compared with those who had not (30.5%). Factors such as not taking the medication before the visit, heavy alcohol consumption and dyslipemia were the risk factors mostly associated with a poor BP control (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Five out of 10 hypertensive patients treated in PC settings have an optimal BP control. The degree of control of arterial hypertension has improved with respect to the PRESCAP 2006 study.