RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Determination of control level in recurrent angioedema (RAE) is necessary to guide management. Here, we validated a Turkish version of the angioedema control test (AECT) for 4-week (AECT-4wk) and for 3-month (AECT-3mth) and assessed their utility in monitoring RAE. METHOD: The recommended structured translation process for patient-reported outcome measures was completed. The final versions were administered to 51 patients with mast cell-mediated angioedema (MMAE) and 38 patients with hereditary angioedema, and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was determined. Additionally, anchor surveys comprising angioedema activity score for 28 days (AAS-28 day), visual analog score for angioedema control, Likert scale for the control level from the patient's perspective (LS-AEC), angioedema quality of life, short form-12 (SF-12) and patients' assessment of treatment sufficiency were applied. RESULTS: The Turkish AECT versions showed good convergent validity with a substantial correlation with anchor tools and known-group validity. Excellent internal consistency and reproducibility were observed. Equal or more than 10 of 16 points scored with the AECT-4wk and AECT-3mth identified patients with well-controlled disease. The disease activity, control and burden parameters were consistent with the disease control level defined depending on the cut-off point 10 of AECT. Three-point changes in AECT-4wk and -3 mt could detect MCID in disease control in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Turkish AECT versions are valid and reliable tools for assessing and monitoring disease control in patients with RAE. The use of the Turkish versions of the AECT in routine patient care, clinical trials and angioedema research is recommended.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pleural effusion due to congestive heart failure (CHF) typically are transudates. Light's criteria may be insufficient in determining if the pleural effusion is transudative or exudative in patients with CHF. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic performance of the amino-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in pleural fluid and serum for the identification of pleural effusion owing to heart failure. METHODS: The study prospectively evaluated NT-proBNP in serum and pleural fluid from patients with effusion owing to heart failure (n=51) and other causes (n=64). Measurements were made of levels of NT-proBNP by an electrochemiluminiscence immunoassay. The discriminative properties of NT-proBNP levels in identifying pleural effusion due to heart failure were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis and compared to the diagnostic value of finding a transudate by Light's criteria and serum-pleural fluid albumin gradients. RESULTS: Serum and pleural fluid NT-proBNP levels were significantly elevated in patients with pleural effusion owing to heart failure. The area under ROC for the diagnosis of pleural effusion from heart failure was similar for pleural fluid (0.973, 95% CI: 0.914-0.995) and serum (0.968, 95% CI: 0.890-0.989) NT-proBNP. CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP levels in either pleural fluid or serum have high diagnostic values and they are easily useable parameters in the diagnosis of heart failure-related pleural effusion.
