Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in patients admitted with COPD: Associated factors.

AIM: To establish amongst a cohort of patients admitted with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which factors were associated with their level of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior prior to the admission event. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study. Nine Spanish hospitals participated. Patients were recruited consecutively. Variables relating to the patients' clinical baseline status were recorded, including the COPD Assessment test, the HADS anxiety-depression test, comorbidities and the Yale Physical Activity Survey. Data relating to admission and up to two months after discharge were also recorded. RESULTS: 1638 COPD patients were studied, with a mean age of 72.39 (SD 10.33), 76.56 % male, FEV1 49.41 % (SD19.19), Charlson index 2. The level of PA at baseline was 30.79 points (SD 22.43). Multivariable linear regression analysis identified the following as being associated with low PA: older age, obesity, higher level of hemoglobin, lower score of Barthel index, which means disability, health related quality of life (EuroQoL-5d and CAT) and dyspnea. Variables associated with sedentary behavior were: older age, presence of obstructive apnea syndrome, higher disability, presence of depressive symptoms and dyspnea. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of hospitalized COPD patients, we have found several variables, some of them modifiable, associated with physical activity/inactivity and sedentary behavior.

Variables related to health-related quality of life among breast cancer survivors after participation in an interdisciplinary treatment combining mindfulness and physiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment increase the potential psychological impact on breast cancer survivors (BCS). The objective of this study was to assess the effects of an interdisciplinary intervention during follow-up in BCS and identify variables related to improvements in HRQoL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a non-randomised quasi-experimental design performed on an outpatient basis in a hospital gynaecology and oncology unit, 60 BCS were assigned to an interdisciplinary experimental group (EG) or a usual care group (CG). The EG underwent 12 sessions of an interdisciplinary program which included Mindfulness and physiotherapy, for 120 min per day, once a week for 6 weeks. At baseline, at 6 weeks and at 3 months after the intervention, participants of EG and CG completed an assessment of HRQoL (EuroQol and EORTC-QLQ-C30) and symptomatology of anxiety and depression. Additionally, EG completed an assessment of satisfaction with the treatment. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi-square and Fisher tests and generalised linear models. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, statistically significant differences were apparent in global and cancer-related health symptoms such as fatigue and pain in the EORTC QLQ-C30 and in anxiety and depression, among the EG (n = 30) compared with the CG (n = 30). Patients receiving the intervention reported a high degree of satisfaction with the treatment. Three months after the intervention, patients in the EG continued to show statistically significant improvements compared with the CG. In addition, allocation to the EG was identified as a variable related to improvement of HRQoL (EORTC QLQ-C30) in the multivariable model. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that a 6-week interdisciplinary intervention may improve HRQoL and symptomatology of anxiety and depression in BCS patients at 3 months. The study presents data that the intervention for BCS appears promising and warrants further study in a randomised controlled trial.

Change in physical activity related to admission for exacerbation in COPD patients.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of hospitalizations on levels of physical activity (PA) and whether other factors were associated with subsequent changes in PA. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study with a nested case-control study, with follow-up 60 days from the index hospital admission. Nine hospitals participated in the study. Patients were recruited consecutively. Several variables and questionnaires of the clinical baseline status of the patients were recorded including: the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the Hospital Anxiety-Depression scale (HADS), comorbidities and the Yale Physical Activity Survey. Patients' data related to admission and up to two months after discharge were also recorded. RESULTS: 883 patients were studied: 79.7% male; FEV1 48%; Charlson index 2; 28.7% active smokers. The baseline PA level for the total sample was 23 points. A statistically significant difference in PA was found between patients readmitted up to 2 months after the index admission and those not readmitted (17vs. 27, p < 0.0001). Multivariable linear regression analysis identified the following as predictors of the decrease of PA from baseline (index admission) up to 2 months follow-up: admission for COPD exacerbation in the two months prior to the index admission; readmission up to 2 months after the index admission; baseline HAD depressive symptoms, worse CAT score, and patient-reported "need for help". CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of admitted COPD patients, we identified a strong relationship between hospitalization for exacerbation and PA. In addition, some other potentially modifiable factors were found associated with the change in PA level after an admission.

Quality Indicators and Outcomes in a Prospective Cohort of Colorectal Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Some quality indicators of proper health care in patients with colorectal cancer have been established. AIMS: Our goal was to evaluate the relationship between performing of certain procedures or treatments, included as quality indicators, and some outcomes of indicators in the follow-up of colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer that underwent surgery and were followed at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years. CT scanning, colonoscopy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were evaluated in relation to various clinical outcomes and PROM changes over 5 years. Multivariable generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate their effect on mortality, complications, recurrence, and PROM changes (HAD, EQ-5D, EORTC-Q30) at the next follow-up. RESULTS: CT scanning or colonoscopy was related to a decrease in the risk of dying, while chemotherapy at a specified moment was related to an increased risk. In the case of recurrence, CT scanning and chemotherapy showed statistically increased the risk, while all the procedures and treatments influenced complications. Regarding PROM scales, CT scanning, colonoscopy, and radiotherapy showed statistically significant results with respect to an increase in anxiety and decrease in quality of life measured by the EORTC. However, undergoing radiotherapy at a specified moment increased depression levels, and overall, receiving radiotherapy decreased the quality of life of the patients, as measured by the EuroQol-5d. CONCLUSIONS: After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and severity of the disease, performing certain quality indicators of proper health care in patients with colorectal cancer was related to less mortality but higher adverse outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02488161.

Anxiety, depression, health-related quality of life, and mortality among colorectal patients: 5-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measurement represents an important outcome in cancer patients. We describe the evolution of HRQoL over a 5-year period in colorectal cancer patients, identifying predictors of change and how they relate to mortality. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study including colorectal cancer (CRC) patients having undergone surgery in nineteen public hospitals who were monitored from their diagnosis, intervention and at 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year periods thereafter by gathering HRQoL data using the EuroQol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires. Multivariable generalized linear mixed models were used. RESULTS: Predictors of Euroqol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) changes were having worse baseline HRQoL; being female; higher Charlson index score (more comorbidities); complications during admission and 1 month after surgery; having a stoma after surgery; and needing or being in receipt of social support at baseline. For EORTC-QLQ-C30, predictors of changes were worse baseline EORTC-QLQ-C30 score; being female; higher Charlson score; complications during admission and 1 month after admission; receiving adjuvant chemotherapy; and having a family history of CRC. Predictors of changes in HADS anxiety were being female and having received adjuvant chemotherapy. Greater depression was associated with greater baseline depression; being female; higher Charlson score; having complications 1 month after intervention; and having a stoma. A deterioration in all HRQoL questionnaires in the previous year was related to death in the following year. CONCLUSIONS: These findings should enable preventive follow-up programs to be established for such patients in order to reduce their psychological distress and improve their HRQoL to as great an extent as possible. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02488161.

Effect of comorbidities on long-term outcomes of colorectal cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work is to evaluate the association of comorbidities with various outcomes in patients diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer who underwent surgery. Data were gathered on sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, disease course, and the EuroQol EQ-5D and EORTC QLQ-C30 scores, up to 5 years after surgery. The main outcomes of the study were mortality, complications, readmissions, reoperations, and changes in PROMs up to 5 years. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression models were used in the analyses. RESULTS: Mortality at some point during the 5-year follow-up was related to cardiocerebrovascular, hemiplegia and/or stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, cancer, and dementia. Similarly, complications were related to cardiovascular disease, COPD, diabetes, hepatitis, hepatic or renal pathologies, and dementia; readmissions to cardiovascular disease, COPD, and hepatic pathologies; and reoperations to cerebrovascular and diabetes. Finally, changes in EQ-5D scores at some point during follow-up were related to cardiocerebrovascular disease, COPD, diabetes, pre-existing cancer, hepatic and gastrointestinal pathologies, and changes in EORTC QLQ-C30 scores to cardiovascular disease, COPD, diabetes, and hepatic and gastrointestinal pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: Optimising the management of the comorbidities most strongly related to adverse outcomes may help to reduce those events in these patients.

Predictors of short-term COPD readmission.

COPD readmissions have a great impact on patients' quality of life and mortality. Our goal was to identify factors related to 60-day readmission. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study with a nested case-control study, with 60 days of follow-up after the index admission. Patients readmitted were matched, by age, baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s and month at admission, with patients admitted in the same period but not readmitted at 2 months. Data were collected on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and health-related quality of life data at the index admission and events from discharge to readmission within 60 days. Conditional logistic (60-day readmission) and Cox (days to readmission) regression models were constructed. Both multivariable analyses identified the following as predictors: any admission in the preceding 2 months (OR: 2.366; HR: 1.918), hematocrit at ED arrival ≤ 35% (OR: 2.949; HR: 1.570), pre-existing cardiovascular disease (valvular disease or myocardial infarction) (OR: 1.878; HR: 1.490); NIMV at discharge (OR: 0.547; HR: 0.70); no appointment with a specialist after discharge (OR: 5.785; HR: 3.373) and patient-reported need for help at home (OR: 2.978; HR: 2.061). The AUC for the logistic model was 0.845 and the c-index for the Cox model was 0.707. EuroQol EQ-5D score before the admission was correlated with a lower risk of readmission (OR: 0.383; HR: 0.670). As conclusions, we have identified factors related to 60-day readmission and summarized the findings in easy-to-use scoring scales that could be incorporated into the daily clinical routine and may help establish preventive measures to reduce future readmissions.Registration: Clinical Trial Registration NCT03227211.

Complications and diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided 18G tru-cut versus end-cut percutaneous core needle biopsy of solitary solid lung nodules.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous biopsy has demonstrated high accuracy in diagnosis of lung nodules, but the technique is not innocuous and a yield decrease in lesions smaller than 20 mm has been reported. We carried out a prospective study to evaluate and compare the complications and efficacy of percutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) of solitary solid lung nodules, which were performed with two types of automatic guns. METHODS: 330 consecutive CT-guided CNB were included. Tru-cut or end-cut 18G devices were used alternatively. Nodules were categorized by their size: ≤10 mm, 11-20 mm and >20 mm. Incidence of complications such as pneumothorax or hemoptysis and factors influencing them (nodule size and depth within lung parenchyma) were evaluated. Diagnostic accuracy of CNB achieved in the three groups of nodules regarding the two different needles were calculated and statistically evaluated and compared. RESULTS: We performed 68 CNB in nodules ≤10 mm, 130 in 11-20 mm and 132 in >20 mm. Pneumothorax appeared in 24.2% of them, but only 5.7% required drainage. Hemoptysis was developed in 9.4% and abundant hemoptysis with hypoxemia was observed in only 4.2% of patients. Regarding appearance of complications between the two needle types, no significant differences were found. A higher risk of hemoptysis was observed in nodules ≤10 mm (OR = 3.87; 95% CI = 1.24-12.06, P = 0.019) and in those located deeper in pulmonary parenchyma (OR = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.04-4.69, P = 0.038). End-cut needles reached a diagnostic accuracy of 93.7%, 92.1% and 98.3%, in nodules sized ≤10 mm, 11-20 mm and >20 mm, respectively. Corresponding results for tru-cut were 84.7%, 88.5% and 92.1%. In spite of differences reaching up to 9% in smaller nodules, intra-group results were not significant. CONCLUSION: Both needles have similar complications rate. Despite not having observed statistically significant differences between the two types of needles, end-cut devices have demonstrated a higher diagnostic yield in the three groups of nodules and could be a more suitable option especially for CNB of nodules ≤10 mm.

Classification of subtypes of patients with eating disorders by correspondence analysis.

BACKGROUND: Grouping eating disorders (ED) patients into subtypes could help improve the establishment of more effective diagnostic and treatment strategies. AIM: To identify clinically meaningful subgroups among subjects with ED using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted of all outpatients diagnosed for an ED at an Eating Disorders Outpatient Clinic to characterize groups of patients with ED into subtypes according to sociodemographic and psychosocial impairment data, and to validate the results using several illustrative variables. In all, 176 (72.13%) patients completed five questionnaires (clinical impairment assessment, eating attitudes test-12, ED-short form health-related quality of life, metacognitions questionnaire, Penn State Worry Questionnaire) and sociodemographic data. ED patient groups were defined using MCA and cluster analysis. Results were validated using key outcomes of subtypes of ED. RESULTS: Four ED subgroups were identified based on the sociodemographic and psychosocial impairment data. CONCLUSION: ED patients were differentiated into well-defined outcome groups according to specific clusters of compensating behaviours.

Predictors of mortality of COVID-19 in the general population and nursing homes.

The factors that predispose an individual to a higher risk of death from COVID-19 are poorly understood. The goal of the study was to identify factors associated with risk of death among patients with COVID-19. This is a retrospective cohort study of people with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from February to May 22, 2020. Data retrieved for this study included patient sociodemographic data, baseline comorbidities, baseline treatments, other background data on care provided in hospital or primary care settings, and vital status. Main outcome was deaths until June 29, 2020. In the multivariable model based on nursing home residents, predictors of mortality were being male, older than 80 years, admitted to a hospital for COVID-19, and having cardiovascular disease, kidney disease or dementia while taking anticoagulants or lipid-lowering drugs at baseline was protective. The AUC was 0.754 for the risk score based on this model and 0.717 in the validation subsample. Predictors of death among people from the general population were being male and/or older than 60 years, having been hospitalized in the month before admission for COVID-19, being admitted to a hospital for COVID-19, having cardiovascular disease, dementia, respiratory disease, liver disease, diabetes with organ damage, or cancer while being on anticoagulants was protective. The AUC was 0.941 for this model's risk score and 0.938 in the validation subsample. Our risk scores could help physicians identify high-risk groups and establish preventive measures and better follow-up for patients at high risk of dying.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04463706.

Prescripción de antibióticos en niños en Atención Primaria. Estudio en un área administrativa de Osakidetza-Servicio Vasco de Salud / Prescription of antibiotics in children in primary care. Study in an administrative area of Osakidetza-Basque Health Service

INTRODUCCIÓN: según los estudios disponibles, el consumo de antibióticos en niños es elevado en España. No obstante, puede haber grandes diferencias territoriales incluso entre áreas geográficas pequeñas. El objetivo del estudio es conocer la prescripción de antibióticos en la edad pediátrica y describir sus características en el área administrativa de la Organización Sanitaria Integrada (OSI) Barrualde-Galdakao del Servicio Vasco de Salud-Osakidetza. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: se han estudiado retrospectivamente las prescripciones antibióticas realizadas a niños de 0 a 13 años a lo largo de los años 2015, 2016 y 2017. Los datos han sido extraídos de la base de datos Presbide del Servicio Vasco de Salud-Osakidetza. Se han determinado tasas de episodios tratados con antibiótico y su prevalencia, así como tipos de antibióticos utilizados. RESULTADOS: se han analizado 56 974 prescripciones de antibiótico dispensado a 40 824 niños a lo largo de tres años. El número de episodios tratados con antibiótico por 1000 niños/año fue de 465,20. El porcentaje de niños que recibió al menos una dispensación antibiótica/año fue de 30,72. La máxima incidencia de prescripción se dio en niños de uno y dos años (826 y 827 episodios tratados/1000 niños/año respectivamente). El 64,61% de las dispensaciones fueron de amoxicilina. CONCLUSIÓN: nuestras cifras de prescripción de antibióticos en niños son elevadas en comparación con los países poco prescriptores del norte de Europa y sensiblemente inferiores a los datos disponibles de estudios hechos en España y de otros países del área mediterránea

INTRODUCTION: based on the current literature, the consumption of antibiotics in children is high in Spain. However, there may be large differences even between small geographic areas. The objective of the study was to establish the frequency of antibiotic prescription in the paediatric age group and describe the characteristics of these prescriptions in the in the Barrualde-Galdakao integrated health care area of the Osakidetza-Basque Health System. METHODS: we made a retrospective analysis of antibiotic prescriptions made to children aged 0 to 13 years in years 2015, 2016 and 2017. We retrieved the data from the Presbide database of the Osakidetza-Basque Health System. We calculated rates of antibiotic-treated episodes and the prevalence of antibiotic use, and analysed the distribution by type of antibiotic. RESULTS: we analysed 56 974 antibiotic prescriptions dispensed to 40 824 children over a 3-year period. The number of antibiotic-treated episodes per 1000 children/year was 465.20. The percentage of children who received at least one antibiotic per year was 30.72. The highest rates of antibiotic use occurred in children aged 1 and 2 years (826 and 827 episodes treated/1000 children/year respectively), and 64.61% of the dispensed prescriptions were for amoxicillin. CONCLUSION: The frequency of antibiotic use in children found in our study was high compared to countries with a low frequency of antibiotic prescription in Europe and significantly lower compared to the results of other studies conducted in Spain and other Mediterranean countries

Multicentre prospective study of drug-eluting bead chemoembolisation safety using tightly calibrated small microspheres in non-resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and tolerability of transarterial drug-eluting bead chemoembolisation (DEB-TACE) using tightly calibrated 100-µm microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHOD: This multicentre prospective study included 131 patients with a 2-year follow-up. All patients had Child-Pugh scores ≤ B7, a good performance status, and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A or B. Beads were loaded with 50 mg of doxorubicin per millilitre. Overall, 223 nodules were treated (mean size: 27.6 mm, average number of nodules per patient: 1.7). Toxicity was assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.03 and response according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours. The primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints included technical success, post-embolisation syndrome (PES), local tumour response, and 2-year survival. RESULTS: A total of 214 DEB-TACE procedures were performed (mean per patient: 1.64), with a technical success rate of 97.6 % and a PES rate of 9.3 %. Major complications occurred in 6.8 % of patients and 4.1 % of procedures. There were no treatment-related deaths. Doxorubicin dose was an independent predictor of complications (p = 0.01). Four patients were lost to follow-up and 18 received liver transplants. Objective response rates were 74.6 %, 45.7 %, and 44.1 % at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. The cumulative 24-month overall survival rate was 55.96 %. Median survival was 22 months (interquartile range = 13-24). Co-morbidities and tumour response were independent predictors of survival (p = 0.0012 and 0.0052, respectively). Complications did not affect survival (p = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: DEB-TACE with tightly calibrated 100-µm beads is safe and not associated with increases in biliary toxicity or complications. Tumour response and survival are in the expected range for chemoembolisation therapy. (Clinical trials ID: NCT02670122).

Short-term mortality risk score for de novo acute heart failure (ESSIC-FEHF).

BACKGROUND: Different variables are playing a role in prognosis of acute heart failure. OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to create and validate a risk score to predict mortality in patients with a first episode of acute heart failure during the first 2 months after the first hospitalization. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: We recruited patients diagnosed with a first episode of acute heart failure. MAIN MEASURES: We collected data on sociodemographic characteristics; medical history; symptoms; precipitating factors; signs and symptoms of congestion; echocardiographic parameters; aetiology; vital signs and laboratory findings; and response to initial treatment (yes/no). A Cox proportional hazard regression model was built with mortality during the first 2 months after the index episode as the dependent variable. A risk score is presented. KEY RESULTS: The mortality rate during the first 2 months after a first episode of heart failure was 5%. Age, systolic blood pressure, serum sodium, ejection fraction and blood urea nitrogen were selected in the internal validation, as was right ventricular failure. A risk score was developed. Both the model and the score showed good discrimination and calibration properties when applied to an independent cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Our ESSIC-FEHF risk score showed excellent properties in the derivation cohort and also in a cohort from a different time period. This score is expected to help decision making in patients diagnosed with heart failure for the first time.

Predictors of readmission and reoperation in patients with colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of readmission and reoperation on colon or rectal cancer patients in clinical and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and to identify predictors of these events up to 1 year after surgery. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer who underwent surgery at 1 of 22 hospitals. Medical history, clinical parameters, and PROMs were evaluated as possible predictors. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression and survival models were used in the analyses to create the clinical prediction rules. Models were developed in a derivation sample and validated in a different sample. RESULTS: Readmission and reoperation were related to clinical outcomes and changes in some PROMs. Predictors of readmission in colon cancer were ASA class (odds ratio (OR) 4.5), TNM (OR for TNM III 3.24, TNM IV 4.55), evidence of residual tumor (R2) (OR 3.96), and medical (OR 1.96) and infectious (OR 2.01) complications within 30 days after surgery, while for rectal cancer, the predictors identified were age (OR 1.03), R2 (OR 6.48), infectious complications within 30 days (OR 2.29), hemoglobin (OR 3.26), lymph node ratio (OR 2.35), and surgical complications within 1 month (OR 3.04). Predictors of reoperation were TNM IV (OR 5.06), surgical complications within 30 days (OR 1.98), and type and site of tumor (OR 1.72) in colon cancer and being male (OR 1.52), age (OR 1.80), stoma (OR 1.87), and surgical complications within 1 month (OR 1.95) in rectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical prediction rule models are easy to use and could help to develop and implement interventions to reduce preventable readmissions and reoperations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02488161 Identifier: NCT02488161.

Stage- and age-adjusted cost-effectiveness analysis of laparoscopic surgery in rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: It has been argued that laparoscopy should be a standard treatment in rectal cancer due to its greater technical complexity. The objective of this study was to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis to compare laparoscopy with open surgery for rectal cancer adjusting for age and clinical stage. METHODS: A real-world prospective cost-effectiveness cohort study was conducted with data on costs and effectiveness at individual patient level. A "genetic matching" algorithm was used to correct for selection bias. After balancing the sample groups, combined multivariate analysis of total costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) was performed using seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) models. These models were first constructed without interactions and, subsequently, effects of any age-stage interaction were analyzed. RESULTS: The sample included 601 patients (400 by laparoscopy and 201 by open surgery). Crude cost-effectiveness analysis indicated that overall laparoscopy was cheaper and associated with higher QALYs. The SUR models without interactions showed that while laparoscopy remained dominant, the incremental effectiveness decreased to the point that it offered no statistically significant benefits over open surgery. In the subgroup analysis, at advanced stages of the disease, although none of the coefficients were significant, the mean incremental effectiveness (QALYs value) for laparoscopy was positive in younger patients and negative in older patients. Further, for advanced stages, the mean cost of open surgery was lower in both age subgroups but differences did not reach statistical significance. In early stages, laparoscopy cost was significantly lower in the subgroup younger than 70 and higher in the older subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: The cost-effectiveness of laparoscopy in surgery for rectal cancer justifies this being the standard surgical procedure in young patients and those at initial stages. The choice of procedure should be discussed with patients who are older and/or in advanced stages of the disease. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02488161.

Utilidad del COPD Asessment Test (CAT) para valorar la recuperación y la mala evolución en la exacerbación de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test: usefulness for monitoring recovery and predicting poor course of disease after exacerbations

Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad del cuestionario COPD Asessment Test (CAT) para valorar la recuperación de la exacerbación de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EA-EPOC). Evaluar si la puntuación CAT aumenta la capacidad predictiva de mala evolución de una escala de gravedad para EA-EPOC. Método: Estudio de cohortes prospectivo multicéntrico. Se reclutaron pacientes que consultaron en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) participantes con síntomas compatibles con EA-EPOC. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, datos clínicos, cuestionario CAT y escala de disnea modificada del Medical Research Council (mMRC). Las variables resultado fueron: puntuación CAT dos meses tras EA-EPOC y mala evolución durante el ingreso o una semana después en pacientes dados de alta directamente desde los SUH. Resultados: Se incluyeron 501 pacientes. La mediana (RIC) de la puntuación CAT fue de 13 (RIC 7-18) en el día previo a EA-EPOC, 25 (19-30) en el momento de la consulta por EA-EPOC, y 13 (7-18) a dos meses. La diferencia entre la puntuación CAT el día previo a EA-EPOC y 2 meses del cuestionario no fue estadísticamente significativa según la gravedad de la EPOC basal, leve, moderada y grave-muy grave (p = 0,585, p = 0,419 y p = 0,436). Presentaron una mala evolución a corto plazo 91 pacientes (18,2%). La escala de gravedad con el cuestionario CAT obtuvo un área bajo la curva de la característica operativa del receptor de 0,701 (IC 95% 0,640-0,762) y sin el cuestionario CAT de 0,667 (IC 95% 0,616-0,737), esta diferencia no fue estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,088). Conclusiones: La escala CAT puede ser una herramienta de utilidad a la hora de supervisar la recuperación de la EAEPOC. Su inclusión como variable predictora en una escala de gravedad podría ser de utilidad clínica

Objectives: To assess the usefulness of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) for evaluating recovery from an acute exacerbation of chronic COPD. To assess whether the CAT score used along with a COPD exacerbation severity scale can better predict risk of a poor course of disease. Methods: Prospective multicenter cohort study enrolling patients who attended hospital emergency departments with symptoms of exacerbated COPD. We recorded sociodemographic and clinical data and information from 2 questionnaires: the CAT and the modified dyspnea scale of the Medical Research Council (mMRC). Measures of clinical outcome in this study were the CAT score 2 months after the COPD exacerbation and poor course of disease during the hospital stay or 1 week after discharge from the emergency department if patients were not hospitalized. Results: The cohort included 501 patients. The median (interquartile range) CAT score was 13 (7-18) on the day before the exacerbation, 25 (19-30) during emergency care for the exacerbation, and 13 (7-18) 2 months later. The difference between the CAT scores before the exacerbation and 2 months later was not statistically significant when the cohort was stratified by severity of baseline COPD (mild, moderate, and severe/very severe) (P=.585, P=.419, and P=.4357). The short-term course of disease was poor for 91 patients (18.16%). Combining the mMRC and the CAT scores to predict poor short-term outcome gave an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.701 (95% CI, 0.640-0.762). The AUC for the mMRC score without the CAT score was 0.667 (95% CI, 0.616- 0.737). The difference between the AUCs was not statistically significant (P=.088). Conclusions: The CAT score may be useful for monitoring recovery from a COPD exacerbation. Combining the CAT score and a COPD severity score may be useful for predicting clinical course after an exacerbation

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test: usefulness for monitoring recovery and predicting poor course of disease after exacerbations. / Utilidad del COPD Asessment Test (CAT) para valorar la recuperación y la mala evolución en la exacerbación de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the usefulness of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) for evaluating recovery from an acute exacerbation of chronic COPD. To assess whether the CAT score used along with a COPD exacerbation severity scale can better predict risk of a poor course of disease. METHODS: Prospective multicenter cohort study enrolling patients who attended hospital emergency departments with symptoms of exacerbated COPD. We recorded sociodemographic and clinical data and information from 2 questionnaires: the CAT and the modified dyspnea scale of the Medical Research Council (mMRC). Measures of clinical outcome in this study were the CAT score 2 months after the COPD exacerbation and poor course of disease during the hospital stay or 1 week after discharge from the emergency department if patients were not hospitalized. RESULTS: The cohort included 501 patients. The median (interquartile range) CAT score was 13 (7-18) on the day before the exacerbation, 25 (19-30) during emergency care for the exacerbation, and 13 (7-18) 2 months later. The difference between the CAT scores before the exacerbation and 2 months later was not statistically significant when the cohort was stratified by severity of baseline COPD (mild, moderate, and severe/very severe) (P=.585, P=.419, and P=.4357). The short-term course of disease was poor for 91 patients (18.16%). Combining the mMRC and the CAT scores to predict poor short-term outcome gave an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.701 (95% CI, 0.640-0.762). The AUC for the mMRC score without the CAT score was 0.667 (95% CI, 0.616- 0.737). The difference between the AUCs was not statistically significant (P=.088). CONCLUSION: The CAT score may be useful for monitoring recovery from a COPD exacerbation. Combining the CAT score and a COPD severity score may be useful for predicting clinical course after an exacerbation.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la utilidad del cuestionario COPD Asessment Test (CAT) para valorar la recuperación de la exacerbación de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EA-EPOC). Evaluar si la puntuación CAT aumenta la capacidad predictiva de mala evolución de una escala de gravedad para EA-EPOC. METODO: Estudio de cohortes prospectivo multicéntrico. Se reclutaron pacientes que consultaron en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) participantes con síntomas compatibles con EA-EPOC. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, datos clínicos, cuestionario CAT y escala de disnea modificada del Medical Research Council (mMRC). Las variables resultado fueron: puntuación CAT dos meses tras EA-EPOC y mala evolución durante el ingreso o una semana después en pacientes dados de alta directamente desde los SUH. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 501 pacientes. La mediana (RIC) de la puntuación CAT fue de 13 (RIC 7-18) en el día previo a EA-EPOC, 25 (19-30) en el momento de la consulta por EA-EPOC, y 13 (7-18) a dos meses. La diferencia entre la puntuación CAT el día previo a EA-EPOC y 2 meses del cuestionario no fue estadísticamente significativa según la gravedad de la EPOC basal, leve, moderada y grave-muy grave (p = 0,585, p = 0,419 y p = 0,436). Presentaron una mala evolución a corto plazo 91 pacientes (18,2%). La escala de gravedad con el cuestionario CAT obtuvo un área bajo la curva de la característica operativa del receptor de 0,701 (IC 95% 0,640-0,762) y sin el cuestionario CAT de 0,667 (IC 95% 0,616-0,737), esta diferencia no fue estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,088). CONCLUSIONES: La escala CAT puede ser una herramienta de utilidad a la hora de supervisar la recuperación de la EAEPOC. Su inclusión como variable predictora en una escala de gravedad podría ser de utilidad clínica.

Predictors of mortality during hospitalization and 3 months after discharge in elderly people with and without dementia.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess mortality during hospitalization and 3 months after discharge in elderly people with and without dementia, and to identify variables that might predict mortality. Methods: A prospective matched cohort study was conducted involving 195 inpatients with dementia and 204 inpatients without dementia. Information on sociodemographic, and clinical data were gathered. Patients completed questionnaires on premorbid basic (Barthel, BI) and instrumental activities of daily living (Lawton and Brody), quality of life (EuroQoL5-D; Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease), burden of the caregiver (Zarit). Data were collected on admission and 3 months after discharge. Descriptive analyses, univariable analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to identify risk factors associated with mortality at 90 days. Results: For patients with dementia the following variables were predictors of mortality: having complications during admission, age >84 years, myocardial infarction, >145 sodium and lower BI. For patients without dementia, having lower BI, adverse events during hospitalization, older patient age, sodium >145, no surgery during admission, and more than 2 classes of medication at admission were predictors of mortality. Conclusion: Adequate nutritional support should be initiated to optimize the clinical outcome of these patients.

Predictors of one and two years' mortality in patients with colon cancer: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Tools to aid in the prognosis assessment of colon cancer patients in terms of risk of mortality are needed. Goals of this study are to develop and validate clinical prediction rules for 1- and 2-year mortality in these patients. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with colon cancer who underwent surgery at 22 hospitals. The main outcomes were mortality at 1 and 2 years after surgery. Background, clinical parameters, and diagnostic tests findings were evaluated as possible predictors. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression and survival models were used in the analyses to create the clinical prediction rules. Models developed in the derivation sample were validated in another sample of the study. RESULTS: American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System (ASA), Charlson comorbidity index (> = 4), age (>75 years), residual tumor (R2), TNM stage IV and log of lymph nodes ratio (> = -0.53) were predictors of 1-year mortality (C-index (95% CI): 0.865 (0.792-0.938)). Adjuvant chemotherapy was an additional predictor. Again ASA, Charlson Index (> = 4), age (>75 years), log of lymph nodes ratio (> = -0.53), TNM, and residual tumor were predictors of 2-year mortality (C-index:0.821 (0.766-0.876). Chemotherapy was also an additional predictor. CONCLUSIONS: These clinical prediction rules show very good predictive abilities of one and two years survival and provide clinicians and patients with an easy and quick-to-use decision tool for use in the clinical decision process while the patient is still in the index admission.