Assessment of risk scores in Covid-19.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the accuracy of commonly used risk scores (PSI and CURB-65) in predicting mortality and need for ICU admission in Covid-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 pneumonia. Patients were followed until home discharge or death. PSI, CURB-65, SMART-COP and MuLBSTA severity scores were assessed on admission. Risk scores were related to mortality and ICU admission. RESULTS: About 249 patients, 143 males (57.4%) were included. The mean age was 65.6 + 16.1 years. Factors associates with mortality in the multivariate analysis were age > 80 years (OR: 13.9; 95% CI 3.8-51.1) (P = .000), lymphocytes < 800 (OR: 2.9; CI 95% 1.1-7-9) (P = .040), confusion (OR: 6.3; 95% CI 1.6-24.7) (P = .008) and NT-proBNP > 500 pg/mL (OR: 10.1; 95% CI 1.1-63.1) (P = .039). In predicting mortality, the PSI score: AUC 0.874 (95% CI 0.808-0.939) and the CURB-65 score: AUC 0.852 (95% CI 0.794-0.909) were the ones that obtained the best results. In the need for ICU admission, the SMART-COP score: AUC 0.749 (95% CI 0.695-0.820) and the MuLBSTA score: AUC 0.777 (95% CI 0.713-0.840) were the ones that obtained better results, with significant differences with PSI and CURB-65. The scores with the lowest value for ICU admission prediction were PSI with AUC of 0.620 (95% CI 0.549-0.690) and CURB-65 with AUC of 0.604 (95% CI 0.528-0.680). CONCLUSIONS: Prognosis scores routinely used for CAP (PSI and CURB-65) were good predictors for mortality in patients with Covid-19 CAP but not for need of hospitalisation or ICU admission. In the evaluation of Covid-19 pneumonia, we need scores that allow to decide the appropriate level of care.

Severe asthma and bronchiectasis.

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the tomographic findings and prevalence of bronchiectasis in our population of patients with severe asthma, and to identify factors associated with the presence of bronchiectasis in these patients. Materials and methods: We retrospectively collected data from the medical histories of patients referred to the asthma unit of our hospital, with a diagnosis of severe asthma between 2015 and 2017. Patients with ABPA, cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency or systemic disease were excluded. High-resolution thorax-computed tomodensitography (HRCT) was performed in all patients. A standardized protocol was applied in data collection. Results: A total of 108 patients comprising 50 men (46%) and 58 women (54%) were included in the study. Of the 108 patients, 59 (55%) had at least one abnormality detected by HRCT, the most commonly reported abnormalities being bronchiectasis (35%), bronchial wall thickening (33%), emphysema (7%), atelectasis area (6%), mosaic attenuation due to air trapping (4%), and "tree in bud" image (2%). Subjects with bronchiectasis were older (p = 0.001), had a longer asthma history (p = 0.048), had poorer pulmonary function tests with lower FVC (p = 0.031), had more severe bronchial obstruction with lower FEV1 (p = 0.008) and had lower FEV1/FVC (p = 0.003). They also experienced more frequent hospitalizations in the previous year (p = 0.019) and received treatment with omalizumab more frequently (p = 0.049). Plasma eosinophil count and IgE levels were comparable in both groups. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of bronchiectasis was associated with ages older than 40 (OR: 8.3; 95% CI: 1.7-41.2) and chronic airflow obstruction (OR: 5.4; 95% CI: 1.9-15.3). Conclusions: We found that in patients with severe asthma, the prevalence of bronchiectasis is high and that bronchiectasis is associated with a longer asthma history, greater severity and, more importantly, chronic airflow obstruction. These findings are still insufficient evidence to considere features of asthma-bronchiectasis overlap syndrome, a distinct phenotype of severe asthma, but bronchiectasis is a frequent phenomenon leading to a more severe disease with frequent exacerbations. The performance of thorax HRCT on patients with severe asthma can help to evaluate management strategies for the disease in order to improve treatment and prognosis.

Objective and Subjective Sleep Efficiency in Adult Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Impact on Quality of Life.

INTRODUCTION: Poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness are common in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), and both are negatively correlated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The objective of our study was to evaluate subjective and objective sleep quality in adult CF patients and its effect on HRQoL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study of CF patients > 18 years of age. Patients underwent nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) and were administered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI) and the Cystic Fibrosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (CFQR 14 + Spain). RESULTS: The study included 23 patients, 14 women (61%). The mean age of the participants was 32 + 18 years. The mean PSQI score was 5.57 + 3.55; 13 (56.5%) of the patients were poor sleepers, and 13% reported poor sleep quality; seven (30%) had sleep latency > 30 min, 10 (43.5%) had sleep efficiency < 85%. Nineteen underwent polysomnography. According to PSG measurements, sleep efficiency was less than 90% in 61% of the patients. Pathological values were found for the following parameters: intra-sleep wakefulness in 12 patients (63%); microarousal index in 12 patients (63%); and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in 2 patients. The desaturation time with SpO2 < 90% (T90) was > 30% in 3 patients. We observed a significant correlation between PSQI and all dimensions of CFQR 14. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective and objective sleep efficiency decreases in adult CF patients. Sleep quality has an impact on HRQoL. The PSQI questionnaire was able to discriminate sleep quality.

Q fever, a rare cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare syndrome in which Coxiella burnetii is a very infrequent etiology. We present the case of a 62-year-old male with progressive pulmonary infiltrates, fever, hepatitis, and bicytopenia despite broad spectrum antibiotics. A thorough clinical evaluation led to a high suspicion of Coxiella burnetii infection, subsequently confirmed through a positive serum polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. HLH diagnosis was established based on the fulfillment of 5/8 diagnostic criteria, obviating the need for a bone marrow biopsy. Targeted antibiotic treatment and dexamethasone led to full recovery within two weeks, eliminating the need for stronger immunosuppressive therapy.

Influenza, SARS-CoV-2 y aspergilosis pulmonar invasora / Influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

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PCR en esputo para el diagnóstico de COVID-19 en un caso con patrón radiológico infrecuente / PCR in Sputum for the Diagnosis of COVID-19 in a Case with Infrequent Radiological Pattern

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Pleural effusion Due to Streptococcus milleri: Case descriptions.

In this study we analyzed the characteristics of patients with pleural effusion secondary to Streptococcus milleri studied retrospectively between January and March 2013 and found seven patients with a mean age of 60 years, 43% of which were smokers and 57% with a drinking habit. The most common associated factors were alcoholism, previous pneumonia and diabetes. Other bacteria were identified as Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacteroides and Prevotella intermedia capillosus in two patients. The mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 28 days; six patients underwent pleural drainage by chest tube and one patient needed surgery due to poor clinical progress. The mean duration of hospitalization was 30 days with satisfactory outcome in all cases, despite some changes in residual function.

[Bronchial carcinoid tumor: study of 60 patients]. / Tumor carcinoide bronquial: análisis de 60 pacientes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the casuistry of bronchial carcinoid tumor in the last 20 years in our hospital and determine survival after surgical treatment. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records from January 1992 to June 2012 of patients diagnosed with carcinoid tumor by the pulmonary service. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (87%) had typical carcinoid and 8 (13%) atypical carcinoid. The mean age at diagnosis was 60 years (SD: 14.4). There was no relationship between consumption of tobacco and carcinoid tumor. Twenty-two per cent were asymptomatic radiographic finding (incidental finding) Three patients showed carcinoid syndrome and one patient had Cushing syndrome. There was a right dominance and the mean lesion size was between 2.1 and 5 cm. Nine per cent had lymph node involvement, predominantly in atypical carcinoid. Overall survival at 3.5 and 10 years was 94%, 86% and 82%. Survival at 5 years was 90% for typical and 86% for atypical and survival at 10 years was 85% for typical and 57% for atypical carcinoids. CONCLUSION: Carcinoid tumors are malignant tumors by their ability to metastasize. In our study, both histological type and staging were predictors of survival.

Pneumothorax as atypical presentation of bronchial carcinoid.

We present a case of pneumothorax associated with an endobronchial carcinoid tumor in a 18-year-old man with dyspnea and chest pain. Additional tests were done, identifying in the chest roentgenogram a complete left pneumothorax with persistent leak, which was confirmed by computed tomography of the chest, and also finding an endobronchial lesion that limited the complete reexpansion of the left lung. Surgical excision was performed, and the lesion was identified as a typical bronchial carcinoid, with satisfactory outcome after the intervention.

Aspergilosis invasora como complicación de infección por virus influenza H3N2 / Invasive Aspergillosis as a Complication of Influenza Virus H3N2 Infection

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Descripción de casos de derrame pleural secundario a Streptococcus milleri / Pleural Effusion Due to Streptococcus milleri: Case Descriptions

Se realiza un análisis retrospectivo de las características de los pacientes con derrame pleural secundario a Streptococcus milleri diagnosticados en nuestro hospital entre enero de 2011 y marzo 2013. Se diagnosticaron 7 pacientes con una edad media de 60 años, el 57% con hábito enólico importante y el 43% fumadores. Los factores asociados más frecuentemente fueron el alcoholismo, la existencia de neumonía previa y diabetes mellitus. En 2 pacientes se identificaron otros gérmenes, como Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacteroides capillosus y Prevotella intermedia. La duración media del tratamiento antibiótico fue de 28 días. En 6 casos (86%) se realizó drenaje pleural con tubo de tórax, y un paciente precisó cirugía por evolución tórpida. La duración media de la hospitalización fue de 30 días, con evolución satisfactoria en todos los casos, aunque con alteración funcional restrictiva residual

In this study we analyzed the characteristics of patients with pleural effusion secondary to Streptococcus milleri studied retrospectively between January and March 2013 and found seven patients with a mean age of 60 years; 43% of them were smokers and 57% with a drinking habit. The most common associated factors were alcoholism, previous pneumonia and diabetes. Other bacteria were identified as Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacteroides and Prevotella intermedia capillosus in two patients. The mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 28 days; six patients underwent pleural drainage by chest tube and one patient needed surgery due to poor clinical progress. The mean duration of hospitalization was 30 days with satisfactory outcome in all cases, despite some changes in residual function

Tumor carcinoide bronquial: análisis de 60 pacientes / Bronchial carcinoid tumor: study of 60 patients

Fundamento y objetivo: Describir las características de los tumores carcinoides bronquiales diagnosticados en nuestro hospital en los últimos 20 años, y determinar su evolución y supervivencia tras tratamiento quirúrgico. Pacientes y método: Revisión retrospectiva de las historias clínicas de los pacientes diagnosticados y tratados de tumor carcinoide bronquial en nuestro centro entre enero de 1992 y junio de 2012. Resultados: Se analizaron 60 pacientes, de los cuales 52 (87%) tenían carcinoide típico y 8 (13%) carcinoide atípico. La edad media (DE) de presentación fue de 60 (14,4) años. No se encontró ninguna relación con el consumo de tabaco. El 22% de los pacientes estaban asintomáticos, siendo un hallazgo radiológico casual. Tres pacientes presentaron síndrome carcinoide y uno síndrome de Cushing. La localización fue de predominio derecho y el tamaño medio de la lesión fue entre 2,1 y 5 cm. El 9% tenía afectación linfática, predominantemente carcinoides atípicos. La supervivencia global a los 3, 5 y 10 años fue del 94, 86 y 82%, respectivamente. La supervivencia a los 5 años fue del 90% para los típicos y del 86% para los atípicos y la supervivencia a los 10 años fue del 85% para los típicos y del 57% para los atípicos. Conclusiones: Los tumores carcinoides son tumores malignos por su capacidad para metastatizar. En nuestro estudio, el tipo histológico y la estadificación fueron factores pronósticos (AU)

Background and objective: To describe the casuistry of bronchial carcinoid tumor in the last 20 years in our hospital and determine survival after surgical treatment. Patients and method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records from January 1992 to June 2012 of patients diagnosed with carcinoid tumor by the pulmonary service. Results: Fifty-two patients (87%) had typical carcinoid and 8 (13%) atypical carcinoid. The mean age at diagnosis was 60 years (SD: 14.4). There was no relationship between consumption of tobacco and carcinoid tumor. Twenty-two per cent were asymptomatic radiographic finding (incidental finding) Three patients showed carcinoid syndrome and one patient had Cushing syndrome. There was a right dominance and the mean lesion size was between 2.1 and 5 cm. Nine per cent had lymph node involvement, predominantly in atypical carcinoid. Overall survival at 3.5 and 10 years was 94%, 86% and 82%. Survival at 5 years was 90% for typical and 86% for atypical and survival at 10 years was 85% for typical and 57% for atypical carcinoids. Conclusion: Carcinoid tumors are malignant tumors by their ability to metastasize. In our study, both histological type and staging were predictors of survival (AU)