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PURPOSE: The pillar for therapeutic decisions in the evolution of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is the patients' prognostic stratification. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a Spanish real-world setting to assess the clinical improvement of PAH patients treated with selexipag measured as changes in the risk profile. Secondary objectives were to describe their baseline characteristics, initial risk status, and variables used to assess patient survival and adverse events. FINDINGS: Total 42 patients (mean age 52.36 [SD: 15.09] years) were included. All had received initial endothelin receptor antagonist treatment and 95.2% dual therapy with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor or riociguat. At 6 to 12 months from baseline, patients risk stratification tripled the percentage of patients with low risk, and a trend towards improved risk stratification (P = 0.122). World Health Organization functional class changed, with more patients in milder classes (P = 0.003), and symptom progression slowed down (P < 0.0001). At 3-years, survival was 85.7% and the estimated median survival time was 2.73 years (SD: 1.351; 95% CI: 2.51-2.95). IMPLICATIONS: Selexipag did not achieve a significant improvement in risk profile, although it did show an excellent survival rate, effectively improved functional class, and delayed symptom progression in real life. Selexipag was well tolerated and showed a favorable safety profile, supporting a clinical benefit for PAH patients.
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BACKGROUND: The value of the phase angle (PhA), measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), could be considered a good marker of the cell mass and the cell damage of a patient; however, there are new techniques, such as muscle ultrasonography, that allow the quantity and quality of muscle to be assessed in a minimally invasive way. The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic value of morphofunctional techniques in the prognosis of mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 86 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with a mean age of 71 years, 82.7% of whom were male. The nutritional risk of the patients was assessed by means of questionnaires, such as the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), and non-invasive functional techniques, including BIA, nutritional ultrasound, and hand grip strength (HGS). Statistical analysis of the sample was performed using JAMOVI version 2.3.22. RESULTS: Correlations were made between the RF-CSA techniques with PhA (r = 0.48, p < 0.001), BCM (r = 0.70, p < 0.001), SMI (r = 0.64, p < 0.001), and HGS (r = 0.54, p < 0.001). The cut-off points for 12-month mortality were PhA = 4.5° (AUC = 0.722, sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 66.6%), BCM = 28.8 kg (AUC = 0.609, sensitivity of 32.4% and specificity of 100.0%), RF-CSA = 3.00 cm2 (AUC = 0.857, sensitivity of 64.4% and specificity of 100.0%), 6MMW = 420 m (AUC = 0.830, sensitivity of 63.27% and specificity of 100.0%), and TUG = 7.2 s (AUC = 0.771, sensitivity of 100.0% and specificity of 56.67%). In addition, a multivariate analysis was performed with RF-CSA, HR = 8.11 (1.39-47.16, p = 0.020), and PhA of 6.35 (1.29-31.15, p = 0.023), taking into account age, sex, and BMI to determine mortality. Finally, a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted with low or normal values for classical parameters (GAP and T6MM) and new parameters (PhA, BCM, RF-CSA, and TUG). CONCLUSION: RF-CSA and PhA were shown to be good prognostic markers of 12-month mortality and could, therefore, be useful screening tools to complement the nutritional assessment of IPF patients.
Subject(s)
Hand Strength , Nutritional Status , Humans , Male , Aged , Female , Quadriceps Muscle/diagnostic imaging , Cross-Sectional Studies , Nutrition Assessment , Electric ImpedanceABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a challenge for our society due to the post-acute sequelae of the disease. Persistent symptoms and long-term multiorgan complications, known as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, can occur beyond 4 weeks from the onset of the COVID-19 infection. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is considered a variety of dysautonomia, which is characterized by chronic symptoms that occur with standing and a sustained increase in heart rate, without orthostatic hypotension. POTS can lead to debilitating symptoms, significant disability, and impaired quality of life. In this narrative review, the etiopathogenic basis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and socioeconomic impact of POTS, as well as other related dysautonomic disorders, after COVID-19 infection and SARS-CoV-2 postvaccination, were discussed. After a search conducted in March 2023, a total of 89 relevant articles were selected from the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. The review highlights the importance of recognizing and managing POTS after COVID-19 infection and vaccination, and the approach to autonomic disorders should be known by all specialists in different medical areas. The diagnosis of POTS requires a comprehensive clinical assessment, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, orthostatic vital signs, and autonomic function tests. The treatment of POTS after COVID-19 infection or vaccination is mainly focused on lifestyle modifications, such as increased fluid and salt intake, exercise, and graduated compression stockings. Pharmacotherapy, such as beta-blockers, fludrocortisone, midodrine, and ivabradine, may also be used in selected cases. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and optimal treatment strategies for this complication.
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Objective.To develop practical recommendations, based on the best available evidence and experience, on the nursing management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods. The usual consensus methodology was used, with a nominal group, systematic reviews (SRs), and Delphi survey. The expert panel, consisting of rheumatology nurses, rheumatologists, a psychologist, a physiotherapist, and a patient, defined the scope, the users, the topics on which to explore the evidence and on which to issue recommendations. Results.Three PICO questions evaluated the efficacy and safety of pulmonary rehabilitation and non-pharmacological measures for the treatment of chronic cough and gastroesophageal reflux by means of SR of the literature. With the results of the reviews, 15 recommendations were established for which the degree of agreement was obtained with a Delphi survey. Three recommendations were rejected in the second round. The 12 recommendations were in patient assessment (n=4); patient education (n=4); and risk management (n=4). Only one recommendation was based on available evidence, while the remaining were based on expert opinion. The degree of agreement ranged from 77% to 100%. Conclusion.This document presents a series of recommendations with the aim of improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients with RA-ILD. Nursing knowledge and implementation of these recommendations can improve the follow-up and prognosis of patients with RA who present with ILD.
Objetivo.Desarrollar recomendaciones prácticas, basadas en la mejor evidencia y experiencia disponible, sobre el manejo de enfermería de los pacientes con artritis reumatoide (AR) y enfermedad pulmonar intersticial (EPI). Métodos. Se utilizó la metodología de consenso en la que un panel de expertos (formado por enfermeras de reumatología, reumatólogos, una psicóloga, una fisioterapeuta y una paciente) definió el ámbito, los usuarios, los temas sobre los que explorar la evidencia y sobre los que emitir recomendaciones. Tres preguntas PICO evaluaron la eficacia y seguridad de la rehabilitación pulmonar y las medidas no farmacológicas para el tratamiento de la tos crónica y el reflujo gastroesofágico mediante la búsqueda de revisiones sistemáticas, excluyendo aquellas cuya calidad era baja, muy baja o críticamente baja, según la herramienta AMSTAR-2. Posteriormente, se hizo una reunión para la formulación de recomendaciones que se presentaron con un resumen de la evidencia a la encuesta Delphi. Resultados.Con los resultados de las revisiones se establecieron 15 recomendaciones cuyo grado de acuerdo osciló entre el 77% y el 100% en la una encuesta Delphi. Tres recomendaciones fueron rechazadas en la segunda ronda: una por la evidencia disponible y los dos restantes se basaron en la opinión de expertos. Las 12 recomendaciones restantes aprobadas se referían a la evaluación del paciente (n=4), a la educación del paciente (n=4) y a la gestión del riesgo (n=4). Conclusión. El conocimiento del consenso Openreumapor parte de enfermería y la aplicación sus 12 recomendaciones basadas en la mejor evidencia y experiencia puede mejorar el seguimiento y el pronóstico de los pacientes con AR que presentan EPI.
Objetivo.Desenvolver recomendações práticas, baseadas na melhor evidência e experiência disponíveis, sobre o manejo de enfermagem de pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR) e doença pulmonar intersticial (DPI). Métodos.Foi utilizada a metodologia de consenso, com grupo nominal, revisões sistemáticas e levantamento Delphi. O painel de especialistas, formado por enfermeiros reumatologistas, reumatologistas, psicólogo, fisioterapeuta e paciente, definiu o escopo, os usuários, os tópicos sobre os quais explorar as evidências e sobre os quais emitir recomendações. Três questões do PICO avaliaram a eficácia e segurança da reabilitação pulmonar e medidas não farmacológicas para o tratamento da tosse crônica e refluxo gastroesofágico por meio de RS. Aqueles cuja qualidade era baixa, muito baixa ou criticamente baixa, de acordo com a ferramenta AMSTAR-2, foram excluídos. Posteriormente, realizou-se uma reunião para formular recomendações que foram apresentadas com um resumo das evidências ao inquérito Delphi. Resultados. Com os resultados das revisões, foram estabelecidas 15 recomendações cujo grau de concordância entre 77% e 100% foi obtido com uma pesquisa Delphi. Três recomendações foram rejeitadas na segunda rodada. As 12 recomendações referiam-se à avaliação do paciente (n=4); à educação do paciente (n=4); e ao gerenciamento de risco (n=4). Apenas uma recomendação foi baseada nas evidências disponíveis, enquanto as demais foram baseadas na opinião de especialistas. Conclusão. Este documento apresenta uma série de recomendações com o objetivo de melhorar o prognóstico e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes com AR-ILD. O conhecimento da enfermagem e a aplicação dessas recomendações podem melhorar o acompanhamento e o prognóstico de pacientes com AR com DPI.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Safety , Efficacy , Nursing , Lung Diseases, Interstitial , ConsensusABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To develop practical recommendations, based on the best available evidence and experience, on the nursing management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: The usual consensus methodology was used, with a nominal group, systematic reviews (SRs), and Delphi survey. The expert panel, consisting of rheumatology nurses, rheumatologists, a psychologist, a physiotherapist, and a patient, defined the scope, the users, the topics on which to explore the evidence and on which to issue recommendations. RESULTS: Three PICO questions evaluated the efficacy and safety of pulmonary rehabilitation and non-pharmacological measures for the treatment of chronic cough and gastroesophageal reflux by means of SR of the literature. With the results of the reviews, 15 recommendations were established for which the degree of agreement was obtained with a Delphi survey. Three recommendations were rejected in the second round. The 12 recommendations were in patient assessment (n=4); patient education (n=4); and risk management (n=4). Only one recommendation was based on available evidence, while the remaining were based on expert opinion. The degree of agreement ranged from 77% to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: This document presents a series of recommendations with the aim of improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients with RA-ILD. Nursing knowledge and implementation of these recommendations can improve the follow-up and prognosis of patients with RA who present with ILD.
