Efecto agudo del ejercicio físico de intensidad moderada sobre las variables espirométricas en sujetos asmáticos broncodilatados. Prueba piloto / Acute effect of moderate-intensity exercise on spirometric variables in broncodilated asthmatic subjects. A pilot study

RESUMEN Introducción: el broncoespasmo inducido por el ejercicio (BIE) ocurre entre el 70 y 80 % de los asmáticos y su aparición es más frecuente al terminar una sesión de ejercicio físico, principalmente de intensidad vigorosa. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto agudo que puede tener el ejercicio físico de intensidad moderada sobre las variables espirométricas en sujetos asmáticos broncodilatados. Metodología: se realizó un estudio cuasi-experimental de tipo antes y después. Se incluyeron diez sujetos (edad promedio = 23 ± 4 años), los cuales fueron divididos en dos grupos: cinco sujetos asmáticos y cinco sanos. Los dos grupos realizaron 10 minutos de calentamiento, 20 minutos de ejercicio en banda sin fin al 60 % de la frecuencia cardíaca de entrenamiento, seguido de 5 minutos de recuperación. La función pulmonar fue evaluada antes del ejercicio y 15 minutos después del ejercicio. Resultados: se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre grupos (con asma 6 % vs. sin asma -1 %, p = 0,03) en los cambios pre y pos del ejercicio de la relación del volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo (VEF1) sobre la capacidad vital forzada (CVF). El análisis multivariado mostró que la CVF post ejercicio en el grupo con asma fue significativamente menor que el del grupo sin asma, ajustado por evaluación basal y masa corporal total. Conclusión: el ejercicio de intensidad moderada en banda sin fin, no mostró diferencias clínicamente significativas sobre los cambios del pre y post ejercicio de las variables espirométricas estudiadas, puesto que estos cambios en VEF1 o CVF no superaron el 10 % teniendo como referencia la evaluación basal.

SUMMARY Background: Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm (BIE) occurs in 70 % to 80 % of asthmatics and its occurrence is more frequent at the end of a session of physical exercise, mainly of vigorous intensity. Objective: To evaluate the acute effect of moderateintensity physical exercise on spirometric variables in asthmatic subjects. Methodology: A before-and-after type quasi-experimental design. Ten subjects were included (mean age= 23 ± 4 years), which were divided into two groups: five asthmatic subjects and five healthy subjects. Both groups performed 10 min of warm-up, 20 min of treadmill exercise at an intensity of 60 % of the Heart Rate Reserve, and a final cool-down of 5 minutes. Lung function was assessed before and 15 minutes after exercise. Results: There were statistically significant differences between groups (with asthma = 6 % vs. without asthma = -1 %, p = 0.03) in the pre-post-exercise changes of the ratio of the forced expiratory volume in one second and the forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC). The multivariate analysis showed that post-exercise FVC in subjects with asthma was significantly lower than in subjects without asthma, after adjusting for the baseline assessment and total body mass. Conclusion: Moderate-intensity exercise on a treadmill did not shows clinically significant differences on the changes pre-post exercise of the studied spirometric variables, since the changes on FEV1 or FVC did not exceed 10 % having as reference the baseline evaluation.

Mechanical thrombectomy in orally anticoagulated patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke according to the oral anticoagulation medication taken at the time of stroke onset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study of prospectively collected data based on data from the registry the Madrid Stroke Network was performed. We included consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy and compared the frequency of intracranial hemorrhage and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months according to anticoagulation status. RESULTS: The study population comprised 502 patients, of whom 389 (77.5%) were not anticoagulated, 104 (20.7%) were taking vitamin K antagonists, and 9 (1.8%) were taking direct oral anticoagulants. Intravenous thrombolysis had been performed in 59.8% and 15.0% of non-anticoagulated and anticoagulated patients, respectively. Rates of intracranial hemorrhage after treatment were similar between non-anticoagulated and anticoagulated patients, as were rates of recanalization. After 3 months of follow-up, the mRS score was ≤2 in 56.3% and 55.7% of non-anticoagulated and anticoagulated patients, respectively (P=NS). Mortality rates were similar in the two groups (13.1%and12.4%, respectively). Among anticoagulated patients, no differences were found for intracranial bleeding, mRS score, or mortality rates between patients taking vitamin K antagonists and those taking direct oral anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical thrombectomy is feasible in anticoagulated patients with acute ischemic stroke. The outcomes and safety profile are similar to those of patients with no prior anticoagulation therapy.

Do people with epilepsy have a different lifestyle?

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases. Its high prevalence, economic relevance and impact on daily life make it crucial that we study this condition in further detail. Our study seeks to investigate whether the lifestyle of people diagnosed with epilepsy is different to that of people without epilepsy, in order to better understand our patients. METHODS: We designed and delivered a questionnaire about quality of life and daily habits to patients from our hospital's Epilepsy Unit. We also delivered the questionnaire to a control group with similar demographic characteristics. Lifestyle differences between patients and control group members were analyzed. Patients were further divided according to the type of epilepsy, time since diagnosis, seizure frequency and pharmacotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 278 people were interviewed (85 patients, 193 controls). There was no difference in educational level, marital status and healthy habits (sports, reading and diet) between the groups. However, patients with epilepsy were more often unemployed (p<0.05) and had a healthier lifestyle (lower body mass index, lower alcohol consumption and a tendency towards smoking less). Anxiolytic-antidepressant intake was higher in patients with epilepsy. In terms of the type of epilepsy, patients with focal epilepsy exercised more than those with generalized epilepsy; no other statistically significant differences were found between the individuals studied. DISCUSSION: Epilepsy diagnosis does not seem to negatively alter the daily life of patients; in fact, many adopt a healthier lifestyle after diagnosis. The risk of antidepressant/anxiolytic intake is, however, higher, which could reflect the impact this chronic condition still has at a social level.