Performance of questionnaires aimed at detecting sleep disorders in patients attending a hypertension center.

Introduction: Hypertension (HT) and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSA) are prevalent and frequently related pathologies. The predictive value of screening questionnaires in cardiovascular settings is not totally clear and could be useful to select candidates for the sleep test. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study in adults with suspected HT referred to a day-care hospital. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Berlin, and STOP-BANG (SBQ) questionnaire were checked against data from home-based respiratory polygraphy (RP). We calculated sensitivity (S) and specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), and the area under the ROC curve (AUC-ROC) for each questionnaire and their combinations. Results: We analyzed 382 patients; 234 men (61.3%) and 148 women, mean age: 54.5 ± 13.7 years, body mass index (BMI): 33.1 ± 7.8 kg/m2, ESS: 7.4 ± 4.7. Seventy-eight percent had an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >5 events per hour (eV/h) and 58% presented >15 eV/h (mean: 17.5 ± 9.3 eV/h). With regard to clinically significant OSA (AHI > 15 eV/h), 5 SBQ components showed S: 100% (CI: 97-100) and Sp: 98% (CI: 95-99) with a NPV of 100, a PPV of 97.8, and an AUC-ROC of 0.90 (p < 0.0001). ESS > 10 + high-risk Berlin did not perform as effectively. Conclusion: In a population of HT patients, SBQ > 5 performed better at identifying patients with >15 eV/hour with a high discrimination power.

Prevalence of sleep apnea and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with hypertension in a day hospital model.

INTRODUCTION: To identify patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome at a specialized hypertension center, we administered questionnaires and used respiratory polygraphy (RP). RESULTS: We studied 168 patients (64.8% men and 35.2% women). Patients' body mass index (BMI) was 34.7 ± 6.79 and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores were 8.01 for male and 8.92 for women (p = 0.69). RP recordings revealed AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) of 18.03 ± 15.7, an ODI (Oxygen Desaturation Index) of 18.6 ± 15.2, and a time oxygen saturation <90% (%) of 20.8 ± 24.3. Around 44% of patients had an AHI of >15 events/h, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was recommended to 69 patients (41.07%). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) showed high values in AHI > 15/h (p = 0.050), and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) did not correlate with AHI > 15; right IMT: 0.83 ± 1.3 versus 0.78 ± 0.13 mm (p = 0.41) and 0.82 ± 0.16 versus 0.78 ± 0.19 mm (p = 0.40). However, we find correlation with carotid plaque (p = 0.046). The ACC/AHA calculator revealed a gradual increase in the risk of cardiovascular events: 8.7% with AHI < 5/h, and 30.3% in severe OSA. CONCLUSIONS: In hypertension (HT) patients, RP revealed a high prevalence of OSA associated with carotid artery disease, high PWV, and increased cardiovascular risk.

[Hospital admissions in patients with chronic home ventilation]. / Internaciones en pacientes con ventilación domiciliaria crónica.

Home mechanical ventilation represents a standard of care in the insufficiency of the ventilatory pump. The follow-up model could change the hospitalization rate. In order to study hospitalizations in patients with home mechanical ventilation, a descriptive study was designed on a systematic collection database. Participants were patients with non-invasive ventilation or invasive mechanical ventilation consecutively included in a day hospital program between July 2014 and December 2016. Hospitalizations and their modality one year before and after the program were analyzed. Ninety four patients participated; 52 men (55%), age 64.4 ± 15.9 years; mean body mass index; 28.60 ± 8.46 kg/m2; 50% had obesity. Eighty patients (85%) received home mechanical ventilation; non-invasive in 77 cases and invasive in three (4%). Thirty two patients were re-admitted to the hospital in one year of follow-up. There were significant differences between the global admission rate before and after the program (0.68 ± 0.47 vs. 0.42 ± 0.50 hospitalizations per patient) p 0.044, intensive care unit hospitalizations; 32 vs. 14, p 0.005 and days in ICU (12.9 ± 7.75 vs. 10.57 ± 7.5) p 0.048. The population to whom home mechanical ventilation was offered had a high hospitalization rate that was reduced by this follow-up model.

[Fatal interstitial lung disease associated with maximum androgen blockade]. / Neumonía intersticial inducida por bloqueo androgénico máximo como tratamiento de cáncer de próstata avanzado: Report of one case.

Maximum androgen blockade is the standard endocrine treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Interstitial lung disease in different degrees of severity, with low mortality and excellent response to treatment may appear with its use. We report a 77 years old patient with advanced prostate cancer who developed severe and progressive respiratory failure associated to bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, attributed to the direct effect of maximum androgen blockade. Despite the therapeutic efforts, the patient died. Lung pathology revealed Usual Interstitial Pneumonia.

Utility of the STOP-BANG components to identify sleep apnea using home respiratory polygraphy.

BACKGROUND: Utility of questionnaires to estimate the probability of obstructive sleep apneas (OSA) is varying, and it is challenging to know the performance of STOP (Snore, Tired, Observed apnea, and Pressure)-BANG (BMI, Age, Neck and Gender) with simplified methods. To assess the performance of STOP-BANG and its ability to predict sleep apnea in patients with high pre-test like-hood to present OSA referred for a home respiratory polygraphy (RP) were studied. METHOD: A cross-sectional study of patients recruited over 26 months was performed. They were asked to complete the STOP-BANG questionnaire during evaluation prior to RP and were evaluated according to different apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) cut-offs. Areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and multiple logistic regression models were calculated. RESULTS: Eight hundred sixty-nine patients were studied; 557 were male (64.1 %) with a median age of 52.82 ± 14.43 years, a body mass index (BMI) of 32.88 ± 8.51, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score of 7.95 ± 5.17. The performance for AHI ≥5/h (ROC area) was: STOP 0.62, BANG 0.66, and STOP-BANG 0.69. The best sensitivity (S)-specificity (Sp) relationship for AHI ≥5/h was found with 5 components in any combination (S 56.02 %; Sp 70 %). For AHI ≥30/h, STOP was 0.68, BANG 0.66 and STOP-BANG 0.73 and the best S-Sp relationship was obtained with 5 components (S 68 %; Sp 63.6 %). Six variables (snoring, observed apneas, high blood pressure (HBP), BMI >35, neck perimeter >40 cm, and male gender) showed the best performance for AHI >30/h; ROC area 0.76. CONCLUSION: STOP-BANG shows different discrimination power for AHI >5 and ≥30/h using RP. Five components in any combination have acceptable diagnostic S to identify patients with severe OSA. STOP-BANG performed best to identify AHI ≥30/h.

Performance of the NOSE Questionnaire in Mask Selection for Home CPAP Titration.

Introduction Many patients abandon CPAP treatment because they find the mask uncomfortable. Therefore, specialists may benefit from the predictive value of airway assessment tools. Objective To identify nasal ventilation failure through the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who undergo home-based auto-adjusting CPAP titration and to determine whether there is a correlation between NOSE score and the type of mask selected. Materials and Methods In this prospective correlational study, the NOSE scale was used in terms of mask selection and titration indicators. Patients were classified based on their NOSE score: > or < 50. Results We included 303 patients; 226 men (74.5%), BMI: 33.2 ± 6.1 kg/m 2 , neck circumference (cm): 42.8 ± 3.6 and Epworth (ESS) score: 9.2 ± 5.6, mild OSA: 12 (3.9%), moderate OSA: 127 (41.9%), and severe OSA: 164 (54.1%). The mean NOSE score was 24.3 ± 22.8 and 42 patients (13.8%) had NOSE scores > 50. Indicators for both groups were: compliance (5.9 ± 1.3 vs. 5.8 ± 1.4 hours) p: 0.41, therapeutic pressure (9.1 ± 2.0 vs. 8.8 ± 1.6 cm of H 2 O) p: 0.23, residual AHI (2.3 ± 1.8 vs. 2.8 ± 2.6 events/hour) p: 0.25, and leaks (20.5 ± 10.6 vs. 21.3 ± 10.7 liters/minute) p: 0.64. According to adjusted multiple regression, a NOSE of > 50 was not a predictor of mask selection. Conclusions A > 50 NOSE score was not a predictor of mask selection, and it was not correlated to titration performance.

The Cervical Fat Tissue Volume is a Predictor for Moderate to Severe OSA.

Objective Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder characterized by recurrent pharyngeal obstruction during sleep, in which upper airway anatomy plays a key role in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to describe whether the quantification of cervical fat tissue volume (CFTV) obtained by Computed Tomography (CT)cephalometry is related to the severity of OSA. Methods Retrospective study between 2018 and 2020 in those patients > 18 years old, with diagnosis of OSA who performed a volumetric cephalometric imaging. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the images was performed and CFTV was measured. Results 91 patients were included in this study of which: without OSA (n: 7), mild (n: 19), moderate (n: 39) and severe OSA (n: 26). We observed a progressive increase of CFTV related to OSA severity has been observed (without OSA: 58.9 ml (47.9-87.5), mild: 59.1ml (48.4-78.3), moderate: 71 ml (42.6-127.1) and severe OSA 103.6 ml (81-153); p < 0.01); nevertheless, no differences were found in the airway volume and neck area. It was showed a significant correlation between CFTV and OSA indicators: AHI, ODI and T90 (Sp r: 0.48; 0.38 and 0.36; p < 0.01 respectively). CFTV cut-off value to discriminate AHI >15 ev/h with best sensitivity-specificity relationship was 64.1 ml with an area under the curve of 0.6 ± 0.06. Multivariate analysis showed that CFTV is a predictor for moderate to severe OSA (OR:3.05, IC95%: 1.14-8.17). Conclusion Cervical fat quantification by CT cephalometry correlates with OSA severity in adults. Fat volume > 64.1 ml increased more than three times the risk of OSA moderate to severe.

[Life care of a cohort of patients with home chronic ventilatory support]. / Trayectoria vital de pacientes con soporte ventilatorio crónico domiciliario.

INTRODUCTION: Home mechanical ventilation in chronic respiratory failure improves quality of life and decreases hospitalizations. In order to know clinical characteristics, resource consumption and survival, we proposed an analysis of the vital trajectory during six years. METHODS: Descriptive and retrospective study. Information was obtained from the clinical history of the day hospital program. Kaplan Meier type survival curves were made. We included 100 patients, 57% men, age 65 ± 13 years and body mass index of 29.1 ± 8.6 kg/m2. Thirty had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 23 had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 18 obesity hypoventilation syndrome, other neuromuscular diseases in 16 cases, diaphragmatic dysfunction in 10, and chest wall restriction in 3 patients. Ninety-eight received non-invasive ventilation and two invasive cases through tracheostomy. 80% used spontaneous-timed mode (S/T); 14.6%, spontaneous (S); 4% average volume-assured pressure support ventilation (AVAPS) and 1.3% control pressure. Non-invasive compliance was: 7.8 ± 2.6 hours/day. RESULTS: After the start of home ventilation, hospitalizations were reduced (0.2, SD: 0.38 vs. 0.5 SD: 0.5, p < 0.001) and days of hospitalization per episode (5.14, SD: 17.7 vs. 10.45 SD: 16.69, p < 0.001). Median survival was two years with a better vital prognosis in COPD (3 years on average) vs. neuromuscular disease (< 2 years) p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: patients with home mechanical ventilation showed a reduction in the days of hospitalization after starting ventilation. Better survival was observed in COPD in relation to neuromuscular disease.

Introducción: La ventilación mecánica domiciliaria en insuficiencia respiratoria crónica, mejora calidad de vida y disminuye hospitalizaciones. Para conocer características clínicas, consumo de recursos y supervivencia, propusimos un análisis de la trayectoria vital durante seis años. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se obtuvo información de la historia clínica del programa de hospital de día. Se confeccionaron curvas de supervivencia tipo Kaplan Meier. Incluimos 100 pacientes, 57% hombres, edad 65 ± 13 años e índice de masa corporal de 29.1 ± 8.6 kg/m2. Treinta tenían enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), 23 esclerosis lateral amiotrófica, 18 síndrome obesidad hipoventilación, otras enfermedades neuromusculares (ENM) en 16 casos, disfunción diafragmática en 10 y restricción por caja torácica en 3 pacientes. Noventa y ocho recibieron ventilación no invasiva y en dos casos invasiva mediante traqueostomía. El 80% utilizó modo spontaneous-timed (S/T); 14.6%, spontaneous (S); 4% average volume-assured pressure support ventilation ("AVAPS") y 1.3% presión control. El cumplimiento en no invasiva fue: 7.8 ± 2.6 horas/día. Resultados: Luego del inicio de la ventilación domiciliaria se redujeron las hospitalizaciones (0.2, DS: 0.38 vs. 0.5 DS: 0.5, p < 0.001) y los días de internación por episodio (5.14, DS: 17.7 "vs." 10.45 DS: 16.69, p < 0.001). La supervivencia media fue de dos años con mejor pronóstico vital en EPOC (3 años de media) vs. enfermedad neuromuscular (< 2 años) p < 0.05. Conclusiones: los pacientes con ventilación mecánica domiciliaria mostraron reducción de los días de hospitalización luego de comenzado el soporte ventilatorio. Se observó mejor supervivencia en EPOC en relación a enfermedad neuromuscular.

Compliance to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea - long-term assessment.

INTRODUCTION: To assess CPAP acquirement, compliance, and dropout rates among OSA patients three years after the prescription. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We assessed CPAP acquirement (Acq), compliance (Comp), and dropout (Dout) through a telephone survey. We interviewed 156 patients; ESS: 9.9±5.7, AHI>15ev/hour in 96.4%. 92 patients had accessed CPAP therapy (58.9%) and 67 (72.8%) were still using it. Dropout was reported by 25 (27.2%). The Comp group was older (p<0.01), had more men (p<0.001), higher ESS scores (p<0.03) and a higher level of specialist follow-up (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusted showed; follow-up by experts (OR: 4.39; p<0.05) and ESS>10 (OR: 1.25; p<0.05) increased CPAP compliance. CONCLUSION: There is a high number of patients without CPAP therapy acquirement. Long-term compliance was found in ¾ of the study population in symptomatic patients followed up by specialists. Finally, 43% had effective treatment.

Contribution of pulse oximetry in relation to respiratory flow events in a home-based approach aimed at diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pulse oximetry with manual analysis against all signals of respiratory polygraphy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study estimated sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp) and positive/negative likelihood ratio (LR+/-) of the oxygen desaturation index (ODI-test) and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI-reference). RESULTS: 3854 patients (61.5% men) were included. Age, BMI, Epworth sleepiness scale and AHI were: 55 years (44-65), 30.9kg/m2 (27-36), 7 points (4-11), and 14 events/hour (6-25), respectively. 18% showed an AHI <5 events/hour, 34% = 5 and <15, 27% = or > 15 and < 30, and 31% > 30. The S, Sp, and LR+/- of ODI for AHI = 5 events/hour was 93%, 92%, 12 and 0.08 with an accuracy of 93%. For AHI = 15 events/hour, the values were: S 94%, Sp 94%, LR+ 15 and LR- 0.06 and 94% accuracy (r(2) Spearman: 0.92). CONCLUSION: In a population at a high risk for OSA, home-based pulse oximetry had a diagnostic accuracy > 90% when is compared against all respiratory signals obtained from simplified home sleep testing.

Efficacy of a Nasal Spray Containing Iota-Carrageenan in the Postexposure Prophylaxis of COVID-19 in Hospital Personnel Dedicated to Patients Care with COVID-19 Disease.

BACKGROUND: Iota-Carrageenan (I-C) is a sulfate polysaccharide synthesized by red algae, with demonstrated antiviral activity and clinical efficacy as nasal spray in the treatment of common cold. In vitro, I-C inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can a nasal spray with Iota-Carrageenan be useful in the prophylaxis of COVID-19 in health care workers managing patients with COVID-19 disease? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a pilot pragmatic multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessing the use of a nasal spray containing I-C in the prophylaxis of COVID-19 in hospital personnel dedicated to care of COVID-19 patients. Clinically healthy physicians, nurses, kinesiologists and other health care providers managing patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive four daily doses of I-C spray or placebo for 21 days. The primary end point was clinical COVID-19, as confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing, over a period of 21 days. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04521322). RESULTS: A total of 394 individuals were randomly assigned to receive I-C or placebo. Both treatment groups had similar baseline characteristics. The incidence of COVID-19 differs significantly between subjects receiving the nasal spray with I-C (2 of 196 [1.0%]) and those receiving placebo (10 of 198 [5.0%]). Relative risk reduction: 79.8% (95% CI 5.3 to 95.4; p=0.03). Absolute risk reduction: 4% (95% CI 0.6 to 7.4). INTERPRETATION: In this pilot study a nasal spray with I-C showed significant efficacy in preventing COVID-19 in health care workers managing patients with COVID-19 disease. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT04521322.

[Prevalence and characteristics of obstructive sleep apneas according to severity]. / Prevalencia y características de apneas obstructivas de sueño según gravedad.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition. OSA is defined as very severe when the apneas/ hypopneas index (AHI) is greater than 60 events/hour. However, its prevalence remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics from patients with OSA according to severity. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients > 18 years, assessed by respiratory polygraph. We evaluated a total of 5670 patients with a mean of age of 54.4 ± 14.3 years old, of which 3606 were included in the OSA group. The overall prevalence of very severe OSA was 4.8%, being higher in men than in women (6.8 vs 1.9%). This group of patients was younger than the less severe groups (54.7 ± 13.9: mild OSA; 56.5 ± 12.9: moderate OSA; 57.9 ± 13.0: severe OSA vs 51.5 ± 12.9 years in the very severe patients; p < 0.0001). The results showed a significant increase in the body mass index (BMI) of patients with very severe OSA (31.6 ± 6.9: mild OSA, 32.8 ± 6.6: moderate OSA, 34.0 ± 6.8 severe OSA vs 37.1 ± 8.5 extreme severity; p < 0.0001), with similar results in men, but not in women. Finally, drowsiness due to ESS > 10, showed a significant increase in the very severe group of both sexes; 43.2% vs 31.5% (severe OSA); 26.4% (moderate OSA) and 23.8% (mild OSA). Very severe OSA presented a prevalence of 4.8% of patients with OSA. According to previous publications in other studied populations, we found that patients with very severe OSA are younger and more obese than the less severe groups.

La apnea obstructiva del sueño (AOS) constituye una afección prevalente. Se define AOS muy grave cuando el índice de apneas/hipopneas (IAH) es mayor a 60 eventos/hora. Sin embargo, su prevalencia sigue siendo incierta. El objetivo de este estudio fue d escribir la prevalencia y características de pacientes con AOS según la gravedad. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de pacientes > 18 años, evaluados mediante poligrafía respiratoria. Fueron evaluados 5670 de los cuales se incluyeron 3606 pacientes con AOS, con una media de edad de 54.4 ± 14.3 años. La prevalencia global de AOS muy grave fue de 4.8%, siendo mayor en hombres que en mujeres (6.8 vs. 1.9). Este grupo resultó más joven que los grupos de menor gravedad (54.7 ± 13.9: AOS leve; 56.5 ± 12.9: AOS moderado; 57.9 ± 13.1: AOS grave vs. 51.5 ± 12.9 años en los muy graves; p < 0.0001). Los resultados mostraron un aumento significativo del índice de masa corporal en aquellos con AOS muy grave (31.6 ± 6.9: AOS leve, 32.8 ± 6.6: AOS moderado, 34.0 ± 6.8 AOS grave vs. 37.1 ± 8.5 de gravedad extrema; p < 0.0001), con resultados similares en hombres, pero no en mujeres. Finalmente, la somnolencia por ESS > 10, mostró un aumento significativo en el grupo muy graves de ambos sexos; 43.2% vs. un 31.5% (AOS grave); 26.4% (AOS moderado) y un 23.8% (AOS leve). El AOS muy grave presenta una prevalencia del 4.8% de los pacientes con AOS. En acuerdo con publicaciones previas en otras poblaciones estudiadas, encontramos que los pacientes con AOS muy graves, son más jóvenes y obesos que los grupos de menor gravedad.

Patterns of pulmonary function in smoking and nonsmoking patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.

Pulmonary involvement is a prominent feature in systemic sclerosis and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. A restrictive ventilatory defect is typical and static lung volumes are usually reduced in patients with ILDs. The possibility of obstruction of small airways in progressive systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been suggested by widespread bronchiolectasis and peribronchial fibrosis noted at necropsy. A total of 46 patients with a diagnosis of SSc were retrospectively included in this study. Patients were classified according to their smoking status (never smokers, n = 34 and ex or current smokers, n = 12). Patients were also compared on the basis of the presence or not of an obstructive pattern on spirometry. The purpose of this study was to establish if SSc patients who are smokers have a different pattern of pulmonary function involvement. Our hypothesis was that smoking habit was not the only cause of air trapping and that the existence of small airway involvement secondary to SSc itself cannot be excluded.

Impact of Mask Type on the Effectiveness of and Adherence to Unattended Home-Based CPAP Titration.

OBJECTIVES: To compare interfaces performance during home-based automatic titration (APAP). METHODS: Retrospective study based on APAP titration from Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) patients. RESULTS: 707 patients, 513 men (70.6%), were titrated. Masks were 104 pillows (14.7%), group I (GI); 532 nasal (75.2%), group II (GII); and 71 oronasal masks (10%), group III (GIII). We found differences in effective pressure to the device (P90/P95) (GI: 7.13±1.9 vs. GII: 8.3±2.1 vs. GIII: 9.3±2.6 cmH2O, p <0.001) but not in final pressure titrated manually (GI: 7.9±1.4 vs. GII: 8.6±1.6 vs. GIII: 9.2±1.9 cm of H2O, p >0.5), where lower residual AHI for pillows was p <0.001 and leaks for nasal were p <0.001. No differences were found in compliance (hours) (GI: 6.3±1.2 vs. GII: 6.2±1.1 vs. GIII: 6.1±1.0, p <0.4). CONCLUSION: During auto-adjusting titration by CPAP-naïve patients, nasal masks had lower leak rates and nasal pillows presented a similar performance.

Performance of Epworth Sleepiness Scale and tiredness symptom used with simplified diagnostic tests for the identification of sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and tiredness symptom with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in a population referred to home sleep tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This correlational study assessed adult patients through questionnaires and respiratory polygraphy (RP). We estimated sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), predictive values (PV), odds ratio (OR) adjusted multivariate model and area under ROC curve for each sex and severity. RESULTS: We analyzed 4424 patients, 2761 (62.4%) men and 1663 women, aged 53.6 (42-65 years old) with BMI of 31.3 (25.5-36.1). 78.4% had AHI >5 events/hour. RP (ev/h) indicators were (men vs. women): AHI of 22.8±19.2 vs. 13.2±13.3, ODI of 22.7±19.9 vs. 14.0±13.7, and T <90%: 19.3±26.1 vs. 15.6±25.3. Men presented higher severity levels, night-time hypoxemia and CPAP indications (52.2 vs. 29.2%) p<0.0001. ESS > 10 was found in 25% of population: 8±5.15 in men vs. 7.6±5.1 in women, p<0.001. 12% of men (as compared to 31.5% of women) with ESS > 10 had a normal AHI. 72% of women reported tiredness (vs. 66.1% of men). The R2 between Epworth Scale and AHI showed: 0.022 (CI95%: 0.111-0.185) p<0.0001 in men and 0.0019 (CI95%: -0.004 to 0.092) p>0.074 in women. Logistic regression showed Epworth Sleepiness Scale >10 for each AHI severity category (OR between 1.38 and 1.31 with p<0.05) and tiredness for AHI >30 ev/h only in men (p<0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Epworth Sleepiness Scale >10 demonstrated a low screening performance only when present in male patients. Tiredness performed worse. Due to its limited value in the identification of sleep apnea patients, subjective somnolence should be considered in the context of an objective evaluation.

[Secondary syphilis with pulmonary involvement]. / Sífilis secundaria con compromiso pulmonar.

We present the case of a 62-year-old woman who consulted for fever (38°), stabbing thoracic pain (on one side), and pruritic skin lesions. She underwent peripheral blood tests, chest X-rays and CT. Her symptoms were interpreted as severe communityacquired pneumonia. After a treatment with antibiotics, her skin lesions persisted, and other symptoms were only partially relieved. A skin biopsy was performed, which revealed Treponema pallidum. Such finding was confirmed through positive serum VDRL and FTA-ABS tests. The patient received 4 doses of benzathine penicillin G with favorable evolution of skin lesions and improvement of radiological images.

La sífilis es una enfermedad de transmisión sexual causada por una espiroqueta, Treponema palidum. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 62 años de edad, que consultó por fiebre de 38°, dolor torácico en puntada de costado y lesiones pruriginosas en piel. Se realizó examen de laboratorio de sangre periférica, radiografía y tomografía de tórax. Recibió tratamiento antibiótico y fue diagnosticada como neumonía aguda de la comunidad. Debido a la respuesta parcial de los síntomas y persistencia de lesiones pruriginosas se realizó biopsia de piel que informó Treponema palidum, el cual fue confirmado con test serológico VDRL y FtA-abs positivo. La paciente recibió 4 dosis de penicilina G benzatínica con favorable evolución de las lesiones en piel y mejoría de las imágenes radiológicas.

Increase in the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea in elderly people.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases with age. However, older adults have limited perception of the symptoms related with poor sleep quality. OBJECTIVES: To know the frequency and characteristics of age-related OSA in a large population with clinical suspicion of sleep apnea. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study. OSA was studied by respiratory polygraphy (RP). Patients were grouped by age (G): GI was between 18-45; GII: 46-65 and GIII > 65 years old. Other demographic characteristics, symptoms and RP indicators were compared. Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS) was used to analyze symptoms. RESULTS: We included 2491 patients with sleep apnea symptoms. OSA frequency (AHI > 15) in each group was 33.2 % in GI; 45.8 in GII and 50.3 in GIII (p < 0.001). Despite the significant increase in OSA severity, GIII group reported fewer symptoms (ESS: 6.0; p < 0.001). Multivariate adjusted analysis showed that the odds ratio of having OSA is three times as high at age > 65 (OR: 3.32 (2.29 - 4.88) p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As in previous reports, OSA prevalence in our population was higher among the elderly. The early identification of this syndrome in a population with poor perception of symptoms would aid to improve patient management.

[Synchronous pulmonary adenocarcinoma and primary lymphoma of lung mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue]. / Adenocarcinoma pulmonar sincrónico y linfoma primario de tejido linfoide asociado a mucosa pulmonar.

The lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), are uncommon entities, of low grade of malignancy with very infrequent or no lymph node involvement. They represent about 80% of the primary pulmonary lymphomas. The synchronous appearance with lung adenocarcinoma is an extremely rare finding. We present the case of an ex-smoker 68-year-old man, in whom, in the follow-up of a pulmonary nodule, a second pulmonary nodule was found. The surgical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of both neoplasms.

Los linfomas derivados del tejido linfoide asociado a las mucosas (MALT) son entidades poco frecuentes, de bajo grado de malignidad con escaso o nulo compromiso ganglionar y representan cerca del 80% de los linfomas primarios pulmonares. La aparición sincrónica con adenocarcinoma de pulmón es un hallazgo extremadamente infrecuente. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 68 años, ex-tabaquista, en quien durante el seguimiento de un nódulo pulmonar se identificó un segundo nódulo y la biopsia quirúrgica confirmó el diagnóstico de ambas neoplasias.

[New argentine consensus of respiratory rehabilitation 2008]. / Nuevo Consenso Argentino de Rehabilitación Respiratoria ActualizaciOn 2008.

Respiratory rehabilitation (RR) is a multidisciplinary program of care for patients with chronic respiratory impairment, individually tailored, designed to optimize physical and social performance and patient autonomy. It is particularly indicated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with exercise intolerance. The objectives of respiratory rehabilitation are: reduction in symptoms and exercise intolerance, improvement of health-related quality of life, and reduction of health costs. A group of neumonologists, nutritionists and physical therapists performed a systematic review of the evidence in RR to update previous local guidelines. Inclusion and exclusion criteria, guidelines for initial evaluation and follow up and resources needed are defined. Training characteristics are recommended regarding frequency of the visits, intensity, progression and duration of the exercise training. Aerobic training was recommended for lower limb (1A), upper limb (1B). Strength training must be added (1B). Respiratory muscle training and other physiotherapy techniques were recommended only for specific patients (1C). In addition recommendations have been made for educational objectives of the program including smoking cessation, nutritional and psychological support. The positive impact of RR on reductions of health care costs and reductions on hospitalizations (Evidence A) and mortality (Evidence B) were analized. Respiratory rehabilitation is a key component in the modern treatment of COPD patients. This consensus statement was prepared based on the most recent scientific evidence and adjusted to the local environment with the aim of being implemented nationally.

Patients' preferences and the efficacy of a hybrid model of a minimal contact nasal mask in patients with sleep apnea treated with CPAP.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate patient's satisfaction, efficacy and adherence to CPAP with a hybrid nasal mask (DW) we tested patients with OSA in unattended setting under real-life conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, comparative study using DW mask 7 days against habitual mask in patients adapted to CPAP therapy. RESULTS: We analyzed 52 patients: 35 men (67%) with IAH mean; 24.3±12.3 events/hour. At baseline mean compliance of 5.42±1.83 hours/night. After using DW mask, patients reported fewer marks, more comfort, greater partners acceptance, easier to use and was ranked higher to preventing leaks; p<0.05, and adherence (1 more hour per night, p>0.0042).Differences were not found in pressure 90th-95th percentile (9.6±9.2 cm of H2O, p<0.5), leaks (19.8±17 liters/min. p<0.37) or residual AHI (3.38±3.05 events/hour. p<0.93). CONCLUSION: In an uncontrolled non-randomized study, patients can use DW mask with similar leak level and better adherence as compared to conventional masks.