Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second Quotient (FEV1Q) as a Prognostic Factor in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients: Comparing Its Predictive Value to Other Lung Function Measurements.

INTRODUCTION: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the first and second motor neurons. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) have conventionally served as indicators of respiratory muscle strength. Recently, FEV1Q (FEV1 divided by the sex-specific first percentile values of absolute FEV1 in adults with lung disease) has been suggested as a predictor of mortality. While FVC has been utilized as a prognostic factor, FEV1Q has not yet been examined. METHODS: This retrospective unicenter study evaluated FEV1Q as a predictor of mortality in ALS patients, comparing its predictive efficacy with other measurements, including FEV1, FVC, sniff nasal inspiratory pressure, and maximal inspiratory pressure. The study utilized univariate analysis for each variable employing the Cox proportional hazards model to determine the statistical significance and predictive power of each measurement. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were included, female predominant (60%) and an average age at diagnosis of 69.2 ± 11 years. Almost all (95%) met the criteria for non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and initiated (93%) during the study period, a mean of 137 days after diagnosis. The mortality rate observed was 57%, occurring at a median of 398 days post-diagnosis. On average, patients underwent 1.7 pulmonary function tests, revealing a decline in various parameters, including FEV1, FEV1Q, and FVC. However, only FEV1Q was a statistically significant predictor of mortality (p < 0.0083) in a Cox regression analysis. A negative coefficient for FEV1Q indicated that higher values were associated with a reduced mortality risk, with an average FEV1Q of 2.68 observed at the time of death. CONCLUSION: FEV1Q emerged as the only statistically significant predictor of mortality among the evaluated respiratory measurements in ALS patients. This study is the first to focus on applying FEV1Q in the clinical evaluation of ALS, marking an initial step in understanding its potential role in patient follow-up. However, further studies are needed before these findings can be incorporated into clinical practice.

Usefulness of the HACOR score in predicting success of CPAP in COVID-19-related hypoxemia.

INTRODUCTION: In COVID-19 associated hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (ARF) without mandatory indication for urgent endotracheal intubation, a trial of CPAP may be considered. We aimed to evaluate HACOR (heart rate, acidosis, consciousness, oxygenation, respiratory rate) score performance in these patients as predictor of CPAP failure. METHODS: Prospective observational multicentric study (three centers in different countries), including adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia admitted to a respiratory intermediate care unit, presenting PaO2/FiO2 < 300 and PaCO2 < 45 mmHg, who received CPAP. One hour after starting CPAP, HACOR was calculated. RESULTS: We enrolled 128 patients, mean age 61,7 years. Mean HACOR at 1 h after starting CPAP was 3,27 ± 3,84 and mean PaO2/FiO2 was 203,30 ± 92,21 mmHg; 35 patients (27,3 %) presented CPAP failure: 29 underwent oro-tracheal intubation and 6 died due to COVID-19 (all having a do-not-intubate order). HACOR accuracy for predicting CPAP failure was 82,03 %, while PaO2/FiO2 accuracy was 81,25 %. CONCLUSION: Although HACOR score had a good diagnostic performance in predicting CPAP failure in COVID-19-related ARF, PaO2/FiO2 has also shown to be a good predictor of failure.

Documento de consenso sobre la docencia del tabaquismo en las facultades de Medicina / Consensus Document on Medical Faculty Education on the Treatment of Smoking

Se presentan los resultados del consenso alcanzado por diferentes expertos en representación de sociedades médicas respiratorias de la Comunidad Latinoamericana y de la Península Ibérica sobre cuáles deben ser los objetivos docentes y competencias asociadas (conocimientos y habilidades), así como los contenidos concretos y la necesaria dedicación horaria que las escuelas de Medicina de dicho ámbito geográfico deberían tener sobre el abaquismo. El documento desarrolla los siguientes aspectos, que cubren todo el espectro del área de conocimiento sobre tabaquismo: epidemiología, bases neurofisiológicas de la dependencia a la nicotina, factores asociados con el inicio y mantenimiento de dicho consumo, enfermedades asociadas con el tabaquismo, diagnóstico, intervención mínima, medidas terapéuticas no farmacológicas, tratamiento farmacológico y prevención

We report the results of a consensus reached by an expert group of representatives from different medical societies in Latin America on the objectives, competencies (knowledge, and skills), content, and duration of smoking cessation education in Latin American medical schools. The document discusses the following aspects: epidemiology, nicotine dependence, factors for initiation and maintenance of tobacco use, smoking-related disorders, diagnosis, minimal intervention, non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation, and prevention of smoking

Consensus Document on Medical Faculty Education on the Treatment of Smoking. / Documento de consenso sobre la docencia del tabaquismo en las facultades de Medicina.

We report the results of a consensus reached by an expert group of representatives from different medical societies in Latin America on the objectives, competencies (knowledge, and skills), content, and duration of smoking cessation education in Latin American medical schools. The document discusses the following aspects: epidemiology, nicotine dependence, factors for initiation and maintenance of tobacco use, smoking-related disorders, diagnosis, minimal intervention, non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation, and prevention of smoking.

[Respiratory and Facial Protection: Current Perspectives in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic]. / Proteção Facial e Respiratória: Perspetivas Atuais no Contexto da Pandemia por COVID-19.

The new SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is an example of an international public health emergency, which is associated with considerable social and economic challenges. At the healthcare level there is the risk that nosocomial outbreaks can be local amplifiers. Adequate infection control practices are of critical importance, which include proper use of personal protective equipment. This equipment must be appropriate to the pathogen transmission route that, in the case of SARS-CoV-2, occurs through droplet and contact routes. The infected individual, when talking, coughing or sneezing, spreads droplets containing the virus, directly contaminating other individuals within one to two meters of distance, as well as the surrounding environment. Airborne transmission may occur when aerosol-generating procedures are performed. Concerning respiratory protection, there is currently weak evidence that the use of respirators provides better protection than surgical masks for SARS-CoV-2 or other viruses (with the exception of aerosol-generating procedures, in which case the use of a respirator is recommended). Eye protection should be guaranteed whenever there is a risk of splashes, droplets or aerosols. The use of different, or higher than necessary, level of personal protective equipment, for the transmission route of the agent, is a form of misuse and can affect its supply for situations when it is clearly indicated. The adequate provision of protective equipment, as well as training of healthcare professionals in its correct use, is highly recommended to ensure safety of care.

A nova pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 é um exemplo de uma emergência de saúde pública de âmbito internacional, associada a consideráveis desafios sociais e económicos. A nível das unidades de saúde há o risco que surtos nosocomiais sejam amplificadores locais. Perante tal, práticas de controlo de infeção são de importância crítica no funcionamento destes serviços, de que faz parte a utilização adequada de equipamento de proteção individual. Este deve ser adequado à via de transmissão do agente que, no caso do SARS-CoV-2, é através de gotícula e contacto. O indivíduo infetado, ao falar, tossir ou espirrar, dissemina gotículas que contêm o vírus, contaminando diretamente outros indivíduos, que estão num raio de um a dois metros, assim como o ambiente. A transmissão por via aérea também poderá ocorrer, no caso de procedimentos geradores de aerossóis. A nível da proteção respiratória existe, atualmente, fraca evidência que a utilização de respiradores permita maior proteção que máscara cirúrgica para o SARS-CoV-2 ou outros vírus(com exceção dos procedimentos geradores de aerossóis, em que a utilização de um respirador é recomendada). A proteção ocular deverá ser garantida sempre que houver risco de salpicos, gotículas ou aerossóis. A utilização incorreta de equipamento de proteção individual, para a via de transmissão do agente ou superior ao necessário, é uma forma de uso indevido e pode afetar o seu suprimento para as situações em que é realmente indicado. A disponibilização deste equipamento de proteção, e formação dos profissionais de saúde na sua correta utilização, é fortemente recomendado para garantir a prestação de cuidados seguros.

Impact of heated humidification with automatic positive airway pressure in obstructive sleep apnea therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact that heated humidification instituted in the beginning of automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) therapy has on compliance with and the side effects of the treatment. METHODS: Thirty-nine treatment-naïve patients with obstructive sleep apnea were randomized into two groups to receive APAP using one of two modalities: with heated humidification (APAPwith group); and without heated humidification (APAPw/o group).Patients were evaluated at 7 and 30 days after APAP initiation. The following parameters were analyzed: compliance with treatment (mean number of hours/night); side effects (dry nose or mouth, nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea); daytime sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale score) and subjective comfort (visual analog scale score). Patients were also evaluated in terms of residual apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), as well as mean pressures and leaks registered in the ventilators. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of mean age (APAPwith: 57.4 +/- 9.2; APAPw/o: 56.5 +/- 10.7 years), AHI (APAPwith: 28.1 +/- 14.0; APAPw/o: 28.8 +/- 20.5 events/hour of sleep), baseline Epworth score (APAPwith: 11.2 +/- 5.8; APAPw/o: 11.9 +/- 6.3) and initial nasal symptoms. Compliance was similar in both groups (APAPwith: 5.3 +/- 2.4; APAPw/o: 5.2 +/- 2.3 h/night). There were no differences in any of the other parameters analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of heated humidification at the beginning of APAP therapy provided no advantage in terms of treatment compliance or side effects of treatment.

Impacto da umidificação aquecida com pressão positiva automática em vias aéreas na terapia do síndroma de apneia obstrutiva do sono / Impact of heated humidification with automatic positive airway pressure in obstructive sleep apnea therapy

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto da umidificação aquecida introduzida no início da terapia com pressão positiva automática em vias aéreas (APAP, do inglês automatic positive airway pressure) na adesão e efeitos secundários. MÉTODOS: Foram randomizados 39 doentes com síndroma de apneia obstrutiva do sono sem terapia prévia em dois grupos de tratamento com APAP: com umidificação aquecida (grupo APAPcom; e sem umidificação (grupo APAPsem). Os doentes foram avaliados 7 e 30 dias após a colocação de APAP. Os parâmetros analisados foram a adesão ao tratamento (número médio de horas/noite), efeitos secundários (secura nasal ou da boca, obstrução nasal e rinorreia), sonolência diurna (escore da escala de sonolência de Epworth) e o conforto subjectivo (escala visual analógica). Foram ainda avaliados o índice de apneia-hipopneia (IAH) residual, pressões e fugas médias registados nos ventiladores. RESULTADOS: Os dois grupos de doentes estudados eram semelhantes no que respeita à média etária (APAPcom: 57,4 ± 9,2; APAPsem: 56,5 ± 10,7 anos), IAH (APAPcom: 28,1 ± 14,0; APAPsem: 28,8 ± 20,5 eventos/hora de sono), Epworth basal (APAPcom: 11,2 ± 5,8; APAPsem: 11,9 ± 6,3) e sintomas nasais iniciais. A adesão foi semelhante nos dois grupos (APAPcom: 5,3 ± 2,4; APAPsem: 5,2 ± 2,3 horas/noite). Não se verificaram diferenças nos outros parâmetros avaliados. CONCLUSÕES: A introdução inicial da umidificação aquecida na terapia com APAP não demonstrou vantagem no que diz respeito à adesão e efeitos secundários.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact that heated humidification instituted in the beginning of automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) therapy has on compliance with and the side effects of the treatment. METHODS: Thirty-nine treatment-naïve patients with obstructive sleep apnea were randomized into two groups to receive APAP using one of two modalities: with heated humidification (APAPwith group); and without heated humidification (APAPw/o group).Patients were evaluated at 7 and 30 days after APAP initiation. The following parameters were analyzed: compliance with treatment (mean number of hours/night); side effects (dry nose or mouth, nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea); daytime sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale score) and subjective comfort (visual analog scale score). Patients were also evaluated in terms of residual apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), as well as mean pressures and leaks registered in the ventilators. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of mean age (APAPwith: 57.4 ± 9.2; APAPw/o: 56.5 ± 10.7 years), AHI (APAPwith: 28.1 ± 14.0; APAPw/o: 28.8 ± 20.5 events/hour of sleep), baseline Epworth score (APAPwith: 11.2 ± 5.8; APAPw/o: 11.9 ± 6.3) and initial nasal symptoms. Compliance was similar in both groups (APAPwith: 5.3 ± 2.4; APAPw/o: 5.2 ± 2.3 h/night). There were no differences in any of the other parameters analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of heated humidification at the beginning of APAP therapy provided no advantage in terms of treatment compliance or side effects of treatment.

[Lung disease and pregnancy]. / Doença respiratória e gravidez.

The presence of underlying respiratory disease in the pregnant woman may implicate complications for the mother and the foetus which are potentially fatal. Pregnancy may also alter the course of the disease, making it fundamental to recognise and prevent its progression. It is important to know the respiratory physiology during pregnancy, in order to better preview the behaviour of these illnesses. In this article, a review of the current literature was performed on some the respiratory diseases that affect the pregnant woman, but are not specifically caused by it. Among these, asthma is one of the most important, given its frequency and the possibility to obtain good control and prevent complications. The frequent under-medication of these patients is one of the main causes of exacerbation and complications; it is therefore necessary to know the safety profile and current indications for the medications used in its treatment. Thromboembolic disease is another very frequent cause of morbidity and mortality, and its diagnosis implicates a major challenge, needing a very high suspicion. Diagnostic exams, namely radiological, are not to be postponed, and the radiation dose used is safe for the foetus.