[Home Respiratory Therapies: SEPAR Technical Document for Institutional Decision Support]. / Terapias respiratorias domiciliarias: documento técnico de la Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica (SEPAR) de apoyo institucional a la toma de decisiones.

Home Respiratory Therapies (HRT) encompass a variety of treatments for patients with chronic respiratory diseases, administered at home over extended periods. The Service Providers of HRT (SPHRT) collaborate with hospital resources to address chronic respiratory diseases, acting as strategic partners. The contracting of HRT in the public health system involves contests where the SPHRT present technical and economic offers. The purpose of this document is to provide a technical basis that can assist professionals, SPHRT, and the administration in making decisions when calling for, evaluating, and deciding on such contests.

Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease: Treatment Guidelines and Recommendations for Referral and Multidisciplinary Continuity of Care.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) constitutes a major public health problem, and it is anticipated that its prevalence will continue to increase in the future. Its progressive nature requires a continuous and well-coordinated care approach. The follow-up for COPD should primarily focus on disease screening and control, which includes monitoring of pulmonary function, prevention of exacerbations, identification of aggravating factors and comorbidities, as well as ensuring treatment adequacy and adherence. However, existing clinical practice guidelines and consensus documents offer limited recommendations for the follow-up. In this context, we undertake a review of COPD treatment and the continuity of care recommendations endorsed by several scientific societies. Moreover, we underscore the importance of the involvement of nursing and community pharmacy in this process, as well as the utilization of quality indicators in the provision of care for the disease.

Prevalence, Knowledge and Perceptions of Smoking and Tobacco Products and Vape Among SEPAR Members.

Introduction: The professional dedicated to respiratory health has an exemplary role in tobacco control, promoting smoking cessation in their patients. However, multiple circumstances cause a low implementation. Therefore, the objective of the study is to identify the consumption, knowledge and perception of tobacco and its emerging products in a representative sample of professionals involved in the treatment of respiratory patients integrated into the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR). Methods: Descriptive analysis of a structured online interview addressed to 5340 SEPAR members. Results: In a sample of 802 respondents, more than 33% have smoked at some time and 6.6% continue to smoke. More than 66% consider smoking as a chronic disease. More than 90% consider their role model important and advise their patients to quit smoking, but less than half carry out a smoking intervention. Only 35% of them believe that the ban on smoking in health centers is always complied. More than 75% do not consider nicotine delivery devices an option for smoking cessation or harm reduction. 22% are unaware of water pipes and 29% of heated tobacco. Conclusions: Professionals specialized in respiratory diseases are highly sensitized to smoking. Despite this, there are still weak points such as the insufficient implementation of smoking cessation interventions or the scant training in smoking and in new emerging products.

Introducción: El profesional dedicado a la salud respiratoria tiene un papel ejemplar en el control del tabaquismo, promoviendo el abandono del hábito tabáquico en sus pacientes. Sin embargo, múltiples circunstancias provocan una baja implementación. Por tanto, el objetivo del estudio es identificar el consumo, el conocimiento y la percepción sobre el tabaco y sus productos emergentes en una muestra representativa de profesionales implicados en el tratamiento de pacientes respiratorios integrados en la Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica (SEPAR). Métodos: Análisis descriptivo de una entrevista estructurada en línea dirigida a 5.340 miembros de la SEPAR. Resultados: En una muestra de 802 encuestados, más del 33% ha fumado alguna vez y el 6.6% sigue fumando. Más del 66% considera el tabaquismo como una enfermedad crónica. Más del 90% considera importante su modelo a seguir y aconseja a sus pacientes que dejen de fumar, pero menos de la mitad realiza una intervención para dejar de fumar. Solo el 35% de ellos cree que la prohibición de fumar en los centros de salud se cumple siempre. Más del 75% no considera que los dispositivos de suministro de nicotina sean una opción para dejar de fumar o reducir los daños. El 22% desconoce las pipas de agua y el 29% el tabaco calentado. Conclusiones: Los profesionales especialistas en enfermedades respiratorias están altamente sensibilizados al tabaquismo. A pesar de ello, aún existen puntos débiles como la insuficiente implantación de intervenciones para dejar de fumar o la escasa formación en tabaquismo y en nuevos productos emergentes.

[Blue Lungs in Covid-19 Patients: A Step beyond the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Thromboembolism using MDCT with Iodine Mapping]. / Pulmones azules en pacientes COVID-19: un paso más allá del diagnóstico de tromboembolismo pulmonar mediante TCMD con mapa de yodo.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic capacity of pulmonary angiography with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and iodine mapping in the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in patients with Covid-19 disease. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of 81 consecutive patients admitted with Covid-19 respiratory infection who underwent MDCT for clinical suspicion of PTE (sudden dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis, severe respiratory failure (SRF) not corrected with high O2 flow) and/or raised D-dimer. RESULTS: Of the 81 patients studied [64 (79.01%) men], acute PTE was identified in 22 (27.16%), bilaterally in 13 (59.09%), and 13 (59,09%) showed areas of hypoperfusion. Of the 59 (72.83%) patients without PTE, hypoperfusion was observed in 41 (69.49%) (attributable in one case to pulmonary emphysema). In 18 (22.2%) of the total number of patients, neither PTE nor hypoperfusion were seen. A crazy paving pattern is a risk factor for developing PTE (OR 1.94; 95% CI 0.28-13.57), as are consolidations (OR 1.44; 95% CI 0.24-8.48) and septal thickening/bronchiectasis (OR 1.47; 95% CI 0.12-17.81).Patients with O2-refractory SRF showed a 6.36-fold higher risk for hypoperfusion on the iodine map. CONCLUSION: By adding the functional image to the anatomical image, pulmonary angiography with MDCT and iodine mapping can demonstrate not only PTE in main, lobar and segmental arteries, but also the presence of hypoperfusion in distal vessels. This makes it a highly useful tool for the accurate diagnosis and therapeutic orientation of patients with Covid-19 lung involvement.

Pulmones azules en pacientes COVID-19: un paso más allá del diagnóstico de tromboembolismo pulmonar mediante TCMD con mapa de yodo / Blue Lungs in Covid-19 Patients: A Step beyond the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Thromboembolism using MDCT with Iodine Mapping

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la capacidad diagnóstica de la angiografía pulmonar con tomografía computarizada multidetector (TCMD) y mapa de yodo en el diagnóstico del tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP), en pacientes con enfermedad por coronavirus COVID-19. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional retrospectivo sobre 81 pacientes consecutivos ingresados con infección respiratoria por COVID-19, a los que se realizó TCMD ante la sospecha clínica de TEP [disnea súbita, dolor torácico, hemoptisis, insuficiencia respiratoria grave (IRG) que no corrige con flujo elevado de O2] y/o elevación del D-dímero. RESULTADOS: De los 81 pacientes estudiados, 64 (79,01%) varones, identificamos TEP agudo en 22 (27,16%), en 13 (59,09%) bilateral y en 13 (59,09%) con áreas de hipoperfusión. De los 59 (72,83%) pacientes sin TEP en 41 (69,49%) se observó hipoperfusión (en un caso atribuible a enfisema pulmonar). En 18 (22,2%) del total de pacientes no se vio ni TEP ni hipoperfusión. El patrón «crazy paving» es un factor de riesgo para desarrollar TEP (OR1,94; IC95% 0,28-13,57), así como los patrones «consolidaciones» (OR 1,44; I C95% 0,24-8,48) y «engrosamiento septos/bronquiectasias» (OR 1,47; IC 95% 0,12-17,81). Los pacientes con IRG refractaria al O2 mostraron un riesgo 6,36 veces superior para el hallazgo de hipoperfusión en el mapa de yodo. CONCLUSIÓN: La angiografía pulmonar con TCMD y mapa de yodo, al añadir la imagen funcional a la anatómica, es capaz de demostrar, además del TEP en arterias principales, lobares y segmentarias, la presencia de hipoperfusión en vasos distales, lo cual la convierte en una herramienta de gran utilidad para la adecuada orientación diagnóstica y terapéutica de los pacientes con afectación pulmonar por COVID-19

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic capacity of pulmonary angiography with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and iodine mapping in the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in patients with Covid-19 disease. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of 81 consecutive patients admitted with Covid-19 respiratory infection who underwent MDCT for clinical suspicion of PTE (sudden dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis, severe respiratory failure (SRF) not corrected with high O2 flow) and/or raised D-dimer. RESULTS: Of the 81 patients studied [64 (79.01%) men], acute PTE was identified in 22 (27.16%), bilaterally in 13 (59.09%), and 13 (59,09%) showed areas of hypoperfusion. Of the 59 (72.83%) patients without PTE, hypoperfusion was observed in 41 (69.49%) (attributable in one case to pulmonary emphysema). In 18 (22.2%) of the total number of patients, neither PTE nor hypoperfusion were seen. A crazy paving pattern is a risk factor for developing PTE (OR 1.94; 95% CI 0.28-13.57), as are consolidations (OR 1.44; 95% CI 0.24-8.48) and septal thickening/bronchiectasis (OR 1.47; 95% CI 0.12-17.81). Patients with O2-refractory SRF showed a 6.36-fold higher risk for hypoperfusion on the iodine map. CONCLUSION: By adding the functional image to the anatomical image, pulmonary angiography with MDCT and iodine mapping can demonstrate not only PTE in main, lobar and segmental arteries, but also the presence of hypoperfusion in distal vessels. This makes it a highly useful tool for the accurate diagnosis and therapeutic orientation of patients with Covid-19 lung involvement

Encephalopathy in severe SARS-CoV2 infection: Inflammatory or infectious?

Concerning the letter by Moriguchi et al., we describe our experience with a case of encephalopathy with and atypical damage on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a patient with severe infection due to the SARS-CoV2 virus. A 56-year-old woman, without previous pathologies, developed cough, fever, and respiratory failure for five days, after returning from a 6-day trip to Venice. Chest radiography shows a large bilateral interstitial infiltrate. In the first 24 hours, she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for severe respiratory failure and positive protein chain reaction-PCR in nasal exudate. She needed intubation for ten days. In the first 48 hours outside the ICU, she developed an acute confusional syndrome (hyperactive delirium). Neurological examination showed temporal-spatial disorientation and incoherent fluent speech. An electroencephalogram (EEG) showed generalized hypovoltaic activity. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed a bilateral and symmetrical increase in the supratentorial white matter's signal intensity, with a discrete thickening of both temporal lobes, with a slight increase in signal intensity and a sequence of normal diffusion. The lumbar puncture showed no changes (glucose 71 mg/dL, protein 30 mg/dL, 1 leukocyte). Within 72 hours of starting symptoms, she was neurologically asymptomatic. Our final diagnosis was an inflammatory encephalopathy related to a SARS-CoV2 infection.

COVID-19 y la neumología del siglo XXI: ¿Reto u oportunidad? / COVID-19 and xxi century pulmonology: challenge or opportunity?

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Factores relacionados con el mayor porcentaje de ingresos por asma en mujeres. Estudio FRIAM / Factors Related With the Higher Percentage of Hospitalizations Due to Asthma Amongst Women: the FRIAM Study

Introducción: Las mujeres ingresan por exacerbaciones de asma con mayor porcentaje que los varones, sin que se conozcan claramente los motivos. El objetivo del estudio es explorar las posibles causas que expliquen este hecho. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio prospectivo multicéntrico en pacientes ingresados por asma durante 2 años en servicios de neumología. Mediante cuestionario se recogieron: características demográficas, variables previas al ingreso y durante el mismo que incluían adherencia, ansiedad-depresión, hiperventilación, y control del asma. Resultados: Se recogieron datos de 183 ingresos: 115 mujeres (62,84%). Las mujeres eran de mayor edad (52,4±18,3/43,4±18,7; p=0,02); había mayor porcentaje con prescripción de corticosteroides inhalados (63,2/47,1%; p=0,03) y síndrome de hiperventilación (57,3/35,9%; p=0,02), y una estancia media mayor (7,3±3,4/5,9±3,6; p=0,02). El porcentaje de fumadoras era menor (21,2/38,8%; p=0,01), y el FEV1 al ingreso era más bajo (58,2%±15,9/67,5%±17,4; p=0,03).En el rango de 40 a 60 años se demostró una asociación entre ser mujer y la variable ingresos previos. De forma independiente, también se asociaron el sexo y la obesidad, con un OR de 16,1 (IC 95%, 1,6-156,7) y de 4,8 (IC 95%, 1,06-22), respectivamente. Conclusiones: El porcentaje de ingresos por asma fue mayor en mujeres. Ser mujer entre 40 y 60 años se asocia con ingresos previos y constituye un factor de riesgo para ingreso por asma, en el que la hipótesis hormonal durante el climaterio podría explicar parte de los hechos. La poliposis y la obesidad son factores de riesgo, independientemente del sexo(AU)

Introduction: The reason why there is a higher hospitalization rate due to asthma exacerbations amongst women is unclear. The objective of this study is to explore the possible causes that may explain this fact. Methods: A multi-center, prospective study including asthma patients hospitalized in the pulmonary medicine departments during a two-year period. By means of a questionnaire, the following data were collected: demographic characteristics and treatment compliance, anxiety-depression, hyperventilation and asthma control, both prior to and during the hospitalization. Results:183 patients were included, 115 (62.84%) of whom were women. The women were older (52.4±18.3/43.4±18.7; P=.02), were more frequently prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (63.2%/47.1%; P=.03) and had a higher rate of hyperventilation syndrome (57.3/35.9; P=.02) and a longer mean hospital stay (7.3±3.4/5.9±3.6; P=.02). The percentage of smokers among the women was lower (21.2%/38.8%; p=0.01) and the FEV1 was lower at admittance (58.2% ±15.9/67.5%±17.4; P=.03).In the 40 to 60-year-old age range, an association was demonstrated between being female and the «previous hospitalizations» variable (OR, 16.1; 95% CI, 1.6-156.7); sex and obesity were also independently associated (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.06-22).Conclusions: In this cohort, the rate of hospitalization for asthma was higher in women than in men. Being a woman between the ages of 40 and 60 is associated with previous hospitalizations and is a risk factor for asthma-related hospitalization. This situation could partially be explained by the hormonal changes during menopause, where polyposis and obesity are independent risk factors(AU)

Factors related with the higher percentage of hospitalizations due to asthma amongst women: the FRIAM study.

INTRODUCTION: The reason why there is a higher hospitalization rate due to asthma exacerbations amongst women is unclear. The objective of this study is to explore the possible causes that may explain this fact. METHODS: A multi-center, prospective study including asthma patients hospitalized in the pulmonary medicine departments during a two-year period. By means of a questionnaire, the following data were collected: demographic characteristics and treatment compliance, anxiety-depression, hyperventilation and asthma control, both prior to and during the hospitalization. RESULTS: 183 patients were included, 115 (62.84%) of whom were women. The women were older (52.4 ± 18.3/43.4 ± 18.7; P=.02), were more frequently prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (63.2%/47.1%; P=.03) and had a higher rate of hyperventilation syndrome (57.3/35.9; P=.02) and a longer mean hospital stay (7.3 ± 3.4/5.9 ± 3.6; P=.02). The percentage of smokers among the women was lower (21.2%/38.8%; p=0.01) and the FEV(1) was lower at admittance (58.2% ± 15.9/67.5% ± 17.4; P=.03). In the 40 to 60-year-old age range, an association was demonstrated between being female and the 'previous hospitalizations' variable (OR, 16.1; 95% CI, 1.6-156.7); sex and obesity were also independently associated (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.06-22). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, the rate of hospitalization for asthma was higher in women than in men. Being a woman between the ages of 40 and 60 is associated with previous hospitalizations and is a risk factor for asthma-related hospitalization. This situation could partially be explained by the hormonal changes during menopause, where polyposis and obesity are independent risk factors.

[Role of oxidative stress in respiratory diseases and its monitoring]. / Papel del estrés oxidativo en las enfermedades respiratorias y su monitorización.

Together with inflammation and subsequent remodeling of airways, an imbalance between oxidative and anti-oxidative agents is generated during the development of numerous pulmonary diseases. This process seems to be involved in both the pathogenesis and chronification of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), SOAS, interstitial lung diseases and cystic fibrosis. Reactive oxygen species including superoxide anion, hidroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are synthetised as a response of inflammatory cells and are responsible of the oxidation of nucleic acids, proteins and membrane lipids, leading to cell damage and enhanced inflammation. Until recently, it was difficult to quantify the airway production of reactive oxidative species (ROS). In fact, it has been only in the last few years when it has been possible to determine indirectly the levels of ROS in expired air and in tissue of asthmatic patients. The analysis of exhaled air is a single, reproducible and non-invasive technique which is useful in the study of volatile and non-volatile gases generated in different conditions. The determination of exhaled nitric oxide and carbon monoxide (CO) has a great usefulness in the assessment of asthma. Nitric oxide seems to be closely related to the physiopathology of asthma and COPD. In fact, it is correlated with the levels of sputum eosinophils and with the response to the treatment with steroids. Yet a correlation with the degree of airflow obstruction and the seriousness of the process has not been found. Exhaled CO is another indirect marker of inflammation and it is increased in asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis and bronchectases. Even though numerous studies have shown its usefulness as a marker of inflammation and in the response to corticosteroids, its clinical application has limitations. In particular, it is not a specific and exclusive marker of oxidative stress and its levels are highly influenced by tobacco smoke. On the other hand, the association between exhaled CO and FEV1 is not clear and no relationship has been proved so far with the improvement of pulmonary function after steroid therapy and with the decrease of maximum expiratory flow at relapses. In this Review, we describe the advances in the knowledge of oxidative stress as a decisive factor in the pathogenesis of prevalent pulmonary diseases, as well as the methods allowing its analysis and monitoring.

Papel del estrés oxidativo en las enfermedades respiratorias y su monitorización / Role of oxidative stress in respiratory diseases and its monitoring

En el desarrollo de numerosas enfermedades pulmonares, junto con la inflamación y el consiguiente remodelado de las vías aéreas, se genera un desequilibrio entre los agentes oxidantes y antioxidantes, denominado estrés oxidativo. Este fenómeno se ha implicado tanto en la patogenia como en la cronificación del asma, la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), el síndrome de apneas obstructivas durante el sueño, las neumopatías intersticiales y la fibrosis quística. Las especies reactivas oxidantes, incluido el anión superóxido (O2), los radicales hidroxilo y el peróxido de hidrógeno (H2O2), se sintetizan como respuesta de las células inflamatorias y serán causantes de la oxidación de los ácidos nucleicos, de las proteínas y de los lípidos de membrana, lo que causa daño celular y potencia la inflamación. Hasta hace poco tiempo era difícil cuantificar la producción de las especies reactivas oxidantes en las vías aéreas. De hecho, ha sido en los últimos años cuando ha resultado posible determinar, de forma indirecta, sus valores en el aire exhalado y en el tejido de pacientes asmáticos. El análisis de aire exhalado es una técnica sencilla, reproducible y no invasiva de gran utilidad en el estudio de gases volátiles y no volátiles generados en distintas entidades. La determinación del óxido nítrico y del monóxido de carbono (CO) exhalados ha demostrado ser un procedimiento de gran utilidad en la valoración del asma. El óxido nítrico parece estar íntimamente relacionado con la fisiopatología del asma y la EPOC. De hecho, guarda relación con el número de eosinófilos en esputo y con la respuesta al tratamiento esteroideo, sin que haya sido posible encontrar relación con el grado de obstrucción al flujo aéreo ni con la gravedad del proceso. El CO exhalado es otro marcador indirecto de la inflamación, que se encuentra elevado en el asma, la EPOC, la fibrosis quística y las bronquiectasias. Aunque existen numerosos estudios que demuestran su utilidad como marcador de la inflamación y de la respuesta al tratamiento esteroideo, su aplicación clínica tiene limitaciones: no es un marcador específico y exclusivo de estrés oxidativo y sus valores están muy influidos por el humo del tabaco. Por otra parte, la asociación entre el CO exhalado y el volumen espirado durante el primer segundo es incierta y no se ha probado que guarde relación con la mejora de la función pulmonar tras el tratamiento esteroideo, así como con el descenso del flujo espiratorio máximo en las exacerbaciones. En esta revisión se describen los avances en el conocimiento del estrés oxidativo como factor decisivo en la patogenia de enfermedades pulmonares de gran prevalencia, así como de las técnicas que permiten su análisis y monitorización

Together with inflammation and subsequent remodeling of airways, an imbalance between oxidative and anti-oxidative agents is generated during the development of numerous pulmonary diseases. This process seems to be involved in both the pathogenesis and chronification of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), SOAS, interstitial lung diseases and cystic fibrosis. Reactive oxygen species including superoxide anion, hidroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are synthetised as a response of inflammatory cells and are responsible of the oxidation of nucleic acids, proteins and membrane lipids, leading to cell damage and enhanced inflammation. Until recently, it was difficult to quantify the airway production of reactive oxidative species (ROS). In fact, it has been only in the last few years when it has been possible to determine indirectly the levels of ROS in expired air and in tissue of asthmatic patients. The analysis of exhaled air is a single, reproducible and non-invasive technique which is useful in the study of volatile and non-volatile gases generated in different conditions. The determination of exhaled nitric oxide and carbon monoxide (CO) has a great usefulness in the assessment of asthma. Nitric oxide seems to be closely related to the physiopathology of asthma and COPD. In fact, it is correlated with the levels of sputum eosinophils and with the response to the treatment with steroids. Yet a corrleation with the degree of airflow obstruction and the seriousness of the process has not been found. Exhaled CO is another indirect marker of inflammation and it is increased in asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis and bronchectases. Even though numerosus studies have shown its usefulness as a marker of inflammation and in the response to corticosteroids, its clinical application has limitations. In particular, it is not a specific and exclusive marker of oxidative stress and its levels are highly influenced by tobacco smoke. On the other hand, the association between exhaled CO and FEV1 is not clear and no relationship has been proved so far with the improvement of pulmonary function after steroid therapy and with the decrease of maximum expiratory flow at relapses. In this Review, we describe the advances in the knowledge of oxidative stress as a decisive factor in the pathogenesis of prevalent pulmonary diseases, as well as the methods allowing its analysis and monitoring