CT-Based Intraoperative Navigation for Quick Identification of the Stylomastoid Foramen During Hypoglossal-Facial Nerve Anastomosis.

AIM: To present the ability of standard intraoperative neuronavigation to reliably identify the stylomastoid foramen, thus providing a quick and effective recognition of the facial nerve at its exit from the skull base. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We describe the technical nuances of this procedure by presenting two surgical cases who underwent hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis for complete facial nerve palsy occurring post removal of a giant vestibular schwannoma 6 months earlier. RESULTS: CT-based neuronavigation allowed a quick and reliable identification of the stylomastoid foramen and of the facial nerve at its exit from the skull. The entire procedure lasted for 3 hours. Three months after the anastomosis, the first signs of facial muscle reinnervation were visible. CONCLUSION: The use of neuronavigation during hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis is a simple and cost-effective strategy to decrease operative duration and increase surgical effectiveness.

SARS-CoV-2 viral load in nasopharyngeal swabs is not an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome.

The aim was to assess the ability of nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load at first patient's hospital evaluation to predict unfavorable outcomes. We conducted a prospective cohort study including 321 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 through RT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swabs. Quantitative Synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA cycle threshold values were used to calculate the viral load in log10 copies/mL. Disease severity at the end of follow up was categorized into mild, moderate, and severe. Primary endpoint was a composite of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and/or death (n = 85, 26.4%). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load over the second quartile (≥ 7.35 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.003) and second tertile (≥ 8.27 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.01) were associated to unfavorable outcome in the unadjusted logistic regression analysis. However, in the final multivariable analysis, viral load was not independently associated with an unfavorable outcome. Five predictors were independently associated with increased odds of ICU admission and/or death: age ≥ 70 years, SpO2, neutrophils > 7.5 × 103/µL, lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 300 U/L, and C-reactive protein ≥ 100 mg/L. In summary, nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load on admission is generally high in patients with COVID-19, regardless of illness severity, but it cannot be used as an independent predictor of unfavorable clinical outcome.

Relationship Between Clinical Control, Respiratory Symptoms and Quality of Life for Patients with COPD.

Background: The concept of clinical control has been proposed as an instrument for evaluating patients with COPD. However, the possible association between clinical control, reduced symptom severity and HRQoL has yet to be confirmed. Methods: This multicentre, prospective and observational study was carried out in 15 pulmonology clinics in Spain. The patients were followed up for six months, with a baseline visit (V0), followed by visits at three months (V1) and six months (V2). Clinical control was determined at V1, with the application of both clinical criteria and the COPD assessment test (CAT). All patients reported their symptoms by a validated symptom diary (E-RS) using a portable device, and their HRQoL was assessed using the EQ5D questionnaire. The relationship between clinical control and E-RS and HRQoL during follow-up was assessed with t-test. Results: A total of 126 patients were screened. After application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 93 were finally included (mean age 66 ± 8 years, 84.9% male), with a mean FEV1 predicted of 49.8% ± 16.5%. Of these patients, 44 (47.3%) achieved clinical control at V1, according to CAT criteria, and 50 (53.8%), according to clinical criteria. The E-RS scores differed between controlled and uncontrolled patients at all time points, both according to CAT (mean differences of -4.6, -5.6 and -6.2 units at V0, V1 and V2, respectively, p<0.005 for all comparisons) and to clinical criteria (mean differences of -3.3, -5-6 and -4.99 units, respectively, p<0.005 for all comparisons). The controlled patients also presented a significantly better HRQoL, measured by the EQ5D questionnaire (mean difference 0.13 and 0.10 at V2 by CAT or clinical criteria, respectively, p<0.05). Conclusion: Clinical control in patients with COPD, whether measured by CAT or by clinical criteria, is associated with a lower symptom load and a better HRQoL.

High performance of rapid influenza diagnostic test and variable effectiveness of influenza vaccines in Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance of rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDT) and influenza vaccines' effectiveness (VE) during an outbreak setting. METHODS: We compared the performance of a RIDT with RT-PCR for influenza virus detection in influenza-like illness (ILI) patients enrolled during the 2016/17 season in Mexico City. Using the test-negative design, we estimated influenza VE in all participants and stratified by age, virus subtype, and vaccine type (trivalent vs quadrivalent inactivated vaccines). The protective value of some clinical variables was evaluated by regression analyses. RESULTS: We enrolled 592 patients. RT-PCR detected 93 cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 55 of AH3N2, 141 of B, and 13 A/B virus infections. RIDT showed 90.7% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity for influenza A virus detection, and 91.5% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity for influenza B virus detection. Overall VE was 33.2% (95% CI: 3.0-54.0; p = 0.02) against any laboratory-confirmed influenza infection. VE estimates against influenza B were higher for the quadrivalent vaccine. Immunization and occupational exposure were protective factors against influenza. CONCLUSIONS: The RIDT was useful to detect influenza cases during an outbreak setting. Effectiveness of 2016/17 influenza vaccines administered in Mexico was low but significant. Our data should be considered for future local epidemiological policies.

A Case of Double Anatomic Variation: Diagnostic Efficacy of Combination of Ultrasound and Neurophysiology.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this paper is to underline that the association of physical examination, electrophysiology, and ultrasound was crucial in identifying the correct disease and atypical characteristics of its presentation, in turn, providing proper information for both surgical treatment and a rehabilitation program. Fibular nerve compression is a common finding in the adult population, and it is more frequent at the fibular head. The clinical picture may be characterized by motor and/or sensory deficits. The same symptoms may sometimes be suggestive of root impairment. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 39-year-old man who came to our laboratory with a diagnosis of multimetameric lumbosacral radiculopathy. The patient reported a history of ankle numbness and transient foot drop. Neurophysiologic examination showed peripheral axonal damage at tibialis anterior and lateral gastrocnemius muscles. A nerve ultrasound showed the presence of a conflict between a fibular exostosis and the fibular nerve. Furthermore, the fibular nerve presented an anatomic variation supplying the lateral gastrocnemius muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound was crucial in recognizing the cause of the atypical presentation and avoiding a misdiagnosis. Also, it allowed the identification of the appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, as well as preventing irreversible nerve damage. As a result, critical information was presented to the surgeon for surgical treatment.

Ultrasound Diagnosis of Postoperative Complications of Nerve Repair.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injuries often undergo surgical repair, but poor postoperative functional recovery is frequently observed. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe 4 cases of traumatic nerve lesions in whom postoperative recovery was prevented by complications such as detachment of nerve sutures or neuroma growth. To the best of our knowledge, no similar cases have been reported in literature so far. It is important to obtain an early diagnosis of such condition because it prevents recovery and delays reintervention, which should be performed before complete muscle denervation and atrophy. CONCLUSION: Nerve ultrasound is a valuable tool in traumatic nerve injury and has proven to be useful in postoperative follow-up, especially in diagnosing surgical complications such as detachment of nerve direct sutures.

Research highlights from the 2017 ERS International Congress: airway diseases in focus.

For another year, high-quality research studies from around the world transformed the annual ERS International Congress into a vivid platform to discuss trending research topics, to produce new research questions and to further push the boundaries of respiratory medicine and science. This article reviews only some of the high-quality research studies on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis and chronic cough that were presented during the congress through the Airway Diseases Assembly (ERS Assembly 5) and places them into the context of current knowledge and research challenges.

Tratamiento con esteroides sistémicos en agudización grave de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica: empleo de pautas cortas en práctica clínica habitual y relación con la estancia hospitalaria / Treatment With Systemic Steroids in Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations: Use of Short Regimens in Routine Clinical Practice and Their Impact on Hospital Stay

Introducción: Se desconoce si en la práctica clínica habitual se siguen las recomendaciones de las guías de práctica clínica con respecto al tratamiento de las exacerbaciones de la EPOC con pautas cortas (PC) de corticoesteroides sistémicos (CS). Método: Estudio de cohortes, prospectivo y observacional en pacientes que ingresan por una agudización grave de su EPOC. La variable principal fue porcentaje de pacientes que recibían PC de CS como tratamiento en la exacerbación grave (dosis acumulada total de 200 a 300 mg y una duración de 5-6 días). Las variables secundarias fueron porcentaje de pacientes con duración o dosis corta, dosis en las primeras 24 horas, días de CS intravenosos y duración de la estancia hospitalaria (EH). Se realizó regresión lineal simple con días de estancia hospitalaria como variable dependiente y análisis multivariante con factores asociados a estancia hospitalaria. Resultados: Se evaluaron 158 pacientes; 4,4% (7) pacientes recibieron una PC de CS. El 8,7% recibió un tratamiento corto y el 15,8% una duración reducida. La mediana de dosis y duración de CS fue 602,5 mg (rango intercuartílico: 430-850) y 14 (rango intercuartílico: 4-36) días respectivamente. Observamos asociación entre más días de CS y una mayor EH (p < 0,001) y una mayor dosis de CS intrahospitalaria e incremento de EH (p < 0,001).Los factores asociados con EH fueron dosis de CS intrahospitalaria recibida (0,01 [IC 95%: 0,007-0,013]; p < 0,001), días de tratamiento esteroideo (0,14 [IC 95%: 0,03-0,25]; p = 0,009) y PAFI (cociente pO2/FiO2) al ingreso (-0,012 [IC 95%: -0,012 a -0,002]; p = 0,015). Conclusiones: Las pautas de CS empleadas en la práctica clínica habitual son más prolongadas y a una mayor dosis que las recomendadas, asociando una mayor estancia hospitalaria (AU)

Introduction: It is not known whether clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of COPD exacerbations with short coursesofsystemic corticosteroids(SC-SCS) are followed in clinical practice. Method: Prospective, observational cohort study in patients admitted due to severe COPD exacerbation. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who received SC-SCS as treatment for severe exacerbation (doses of 200-300 mg for 5-6 days). Secondary variables were percentageof patients with duration or reduced dose, dose in the first 2 4hours, days of intravenous systemic corticosteroids (SCS), and duration of hospital length of stay (LOS). Simple linear regression was performed with LOS as a dependent variable and multivariate analysis with factors associated with LOS. Results: 158 patients were evaluated. 4.4% (7) patients received SC-SCS, 8.7% received a reduced dose and duration was reduced in 15.8%. The median dose and duration of SCS were 602.5mg (200-1625) and 14 (4-36) days, respectively. We observed an association between days of SCSand LOS (P < .001) and doses of intrahospitalSCSand LOS (P < .001). Factors associated with LOS were doses of intrahospitalSCS received (.01 [95% CI:.007-.013]; P < 0.001), days of steroid treatment (.14 [95% CI .03-.25], P = .009) and PAFI (pO2/FiO2 ratio) at admission (-.012 [95% CI: -.012 to -.002], P = .015). Conclusions: The SCS schedules used in routine clinical practice are longer and administered at a higher dose than recommended, leading toa longer hospital stay (AU)

Treatment With Systemic Steroids in Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations: Use of Short Regimens in Routine Clinical Practice and Their Impact on Hospital Stay. / Tratamiento con esteroides sistémicos en agudización grave de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica: empleo de pautas cortas en práctica clínica habitual y relación con la estancia hospitalaria.

INTRODUCTION: It is not known whether clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of COPD exacerbations with short coursesofsystemic corticosteroids(SC-SCS) are followed in clinical practice. METHOD: Prospective, observational cohort study in patients admitted due to severe COPD exacerbation. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who received SC-SCS as treatment for severe exacerbation (doses of 200-300mg for 5-6 days). Secondary variables were percentageof patients with duration or reduced dose, dose in the first 24hours, days of intravenous systemic corticosteroids (SCS), and duration of hospital length of stay (LOS). Simple linear regression was performed with LOS as a dependent variable and multivariate analysis with factors associated with LOS. RESULTS: 158 patients were evaluated. 4.4% (7) patients received SC-SCS, 8.7% received a reduced dose and duration was reduced in 15.8%. The median dose and duration of SCS were 602.5mg (200-1625) and 14 (4-36) days, respectively. We observed an association between days of SCSand LOS (P<.001) and doses of intrahospitalSCSand LOS (P<.001). Factors associated with LOS were doses of intrahospitalSCS received (.01 [95% CI:.007-.013]; P<0.001), days of steroid treatment (.14 [95% CI .03-.25], P=.009) and PAFI (pO2/FiO2 ratio) at admission (-.012 [95% CI: -.012 to -.002], P=.015). CONCLUSIONS: The SCS schedules used in routine clinical practice are longer and administered at a higher dose than recommended, leading toa longer hospital stay.

High levels of anti-tuberculin (IgG) antibodies correlate with the blocking of T-cell proliferation in individuals with high exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of anti-tuberculin antibodies in the T-cell proliferation in response to tuberculin and Candida antigens in individuals with different levels of tuberculosis (TB) risk. METHODS: Sixteen high-risk TB individuals, 30 with an intermediate TB risk (group A), and 45 with a low TB risk (group B), as well as 49 control individuals, were studied. Tuberculin skin test (TST) results were analyzed and serum levels of antibodies (IgG and IgM) against purified protein derivative (PPD) were measured by ELISA. Tuberculin and Candida antigens were used to stimulate T-cell proliferation in the presence of human AB serum or autologous serum. RESULTS: High levels of anti-tuberculin IgG antibodies were found to be significantly associated with the blocking of T-cell proliferation responses in cultures stimulated with tuberculin but not with Candida antigens in the presence of autologous serum. This phenomenon was particularly frequent in high-risk individuals with high levels of anti-tuberculin IgG antibodies in the autologous serum when compared to the other risk groups, which exhibited lower levels of anti-tuberculin antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Although cellular immunity plays a central role in the protection against TB, humoral immunity is critical in the control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in high-risk individuals with latent TB infection.

Heridas penetrantes cardíacas: comentario a propósito de una publicación de 1945 / Penetrating heart wounds: comments about a 1945 publication

A raíz de una publicación de 1945, se realiza una revisión acerca de las heridas penetrantes cardíacas: Los conceptos que han resistido el paso del tiempo, los que han cambiado, y las nuevas tendencias. Se compara con la publicación de hace 70 años y se ofrecen algunas conclusiones...

Following a 1945 publication, a brief review about penetrating heart wounds is performed: The concepts that have stood the test of time, those have changed, and the new trends. We compare with the publication of 70 years ago and offer some conclusions...

Exercise training in patients with chronic respiratory failure due to kyphoscoliosis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Research has provided evidence for the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of exercise training in patients with COPD. However, little is known about the impact of exercise training in patients with chronic respiratory failure due to kyphoscoliosis. We evaluated the effect of an exercise training program on exercise capacity, muscle strength, dyspnea, and quality-of-life indices in subjects with chronic respiratory failure due to kyphoscoliosis. METHODS: The 34 subjects were clinically stable, had been receiving nighttime home mechanical ventilation for ≥ 6 months, and were randomly assigned to the exercise group (n = 17) or the control group (n = 17). The exercise group conducted cycle and strength training on 3 non-consecutive days per week for 12 weeks. We measured pulmonary function, exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength, dyspnea scores, and quality of life. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was carried out on the data from 16 subjects in the exercise group and in 11 subjects in the control group. Three of the lung-function parameters in the exercise group significantly changed: PaCO2 (P = .04), inspiratory pressure (P = .03), and expiratory pressure (P = .04); and endurance time (P = .002) and shuttle walk distance (P = .001) increased significantly. The exercise group had significantly greater improvements in peripheral muscle strength, dyspnea, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic respiratory failure due to kyphoscoliosis, exercise training improved exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength, dyspnea, and quality of life. (Deutschen Register Klinischer Studien DRKS00000443).

Dynamique identitaire, implication et representations sociales du travail: dinâmica identitária e implicação / Social representations of work: identity dynamic and psychosocial involvement / Representações sociais do trabalho

Dans cette recherche, on étudie l'impact des modalités d'ancrage de la représentation sociale du travail en fonction du statut professionnel (cadres / employés) pour une population de salariés de la fonction publique française. La représentation du travail que le groupe « cadres ¼ mobilise renvoie aux pratiques professionnelles, celle du groupe « employés ¼ renvoie) à une dimension économique et sociale qui s'exprime par l'importance accordée au salaire et aux relations de travail. L'examen des résultats montre que les éléments de la dimension normative d'un groupe correspondent aux éléments fonctionnels de l'autre groupe, mettant ainsi en évidence la nature de l'asymétrie des groupes étudiés.Cette différence représentationnelle est fondée sur la compositionqualitative des noyaux centraux des représentations du travail des deux groupes étudiés (objectivation différente). La discussion portenotamment sur le lien entre les résultats obtenus et l'implication au travail.

In this research we study the impact of anchoring modalities of social representations of work for two groups of French employees supposed to have a different social status in work. On the one side we can see the group "cadre" is particularly oriented by the pragmatic aspects of professional activity, on the other side, the representation of "work" for the group "employés" is oriented by economical and social principles. The results show an opposition between normative dimensions organizing the social representations of one group and a functional dimension structuring the representation of the other group, emphasizing the asymmetrical relation between groups. It shows that the differences of representations are based on a processes group and therefore they have and show different degrees of involvement in job. This difference between groups based on the qualitative composition of central nucleus of social representations of work leads to differences in involvement on work.

Nesta pesquisa, estudamos o impacto das modalidades da ancoragem da representação social do trabalho de acordo com o estatuto profissional (gerentes e empregados) para uma população de funcionários (assalariados) do serviço público francês. A representação do trabalho do grupo "quadros" refere-se às práticas profissionais, o grupo "empregados" refere-se a uma dimensão econômica e social que se expressa pela importância dada aos salários e relações de trabalho. O exame dos resultados mostra que os elementos da dimensão normativa de um grupo correspondem aos elementos funcionais do outro grupo, ressaltando assim a natureza da diferença assimétrica dos grupos estudados. Essa representação baseia-se na composição qualitativa dos núcleos centrais das representações dos dois grupos estudados (objetivação diferente). A discussão centra-se sobretudo na relação entre resultados e « implicação ¼ (envolvimento) no trabalho.

Determination of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with COPD: a comparison of different assays.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory pulmonary disorder with systemic inflammatory manifestations that are mediated by circulating acute-phase reactants. This study compared an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to a nephelometric technique for the measurement of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) and investigated how the choice of assay influenced the estimation of inflammation in patients with stable COPD. METHODS: CRP and SAA concentrations measured by ELISA and nephelometry in 88 patients with COPD and 45 control subjects were used to evaluate the performance of these methods in a clinical setting. RESULTS: With both assays, the concentrations of CRP and SAA were higher in COPD patients than in controls after adjustment for age and sex. There was a moderate correlation between the values measured by ELISA and those measured by nephelometry (logCRP: r = 0.55, p < 0.001; logSAA: r = 0.40, p < 0.001). However, the concentrations of biomarkers determined by nephelometry were significantly higher than those obtained with ELISA for CRP (mean difference = 2.7 (9.4) mg/L) and SAA (mean difference = 0.31 (14.3) mg/L). CONCLUSION: Although the serum CRP and SAA concentrations measured by ELISA and nephelometry correlated well in COPD patients, the ELISA values tended to be lower for CRP and SAA when compared with nephelometric measurements. International standardization of commercial kits is required before the predictive validity of inflammatory markers for patients with COPD can be effectively assessed in clinical practice.

Overexpression of Aquaporin-1 in lung adenocarcinomas and pleural mesotheliomas.

Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is the main water channel responsible for water transport through many epithelia and endothelia. The latest evidence pointed toward an important role of this protein also in gas permeation, angiogenesis, cell proliferation and migration. In the present work we studied the expression of AQP1 by immunohistochemical staining of 92 lung biopsies from patients diagnosed with a pleuro-pulmonary tumor (71 lung and 21 pleural neoplasms). AQP1 expression was analyzed comparing the results among the different histological patterns and against 9 control cases (5 parenchyma and 4 healthy pleura). Clear staining of AQP1 was detected in 39 of the 92 tumors analyzed. In parenchyma, AQP1 was more frequently detected in primary lung adenocarcinomas (55%, P<0.001); in contrast, small cell carcinomas were the least AQP1 expressive tumors studied (93% of negative staining, P<0.05). Carcinomas analyzed in pleura (mesotheliomas and metastatic adenocarcinomas) also revealed strong expression of AQP1. High expression of this protein was detected in small capillaries in areas near or surrounding the tumor, and novel intense AQP1 immunostaining was detected over thicker alveolar walls in alveoli inside or next to the tumoral tissue regardless of the tumor type. An important role of AQP1 in tumor angiogenesis is sustained by the abundant expression of this protein in the endothelia of tumor capillaries. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the potential pathophysiological role of this protein in pleuro-pulmonary neoplasms.

Ultrasound diagnosis of peroneal nerve variant in a child with compressive mononeuropathy.

We report on a 6-year-old child presenting with subacute foot drop. Neurophysiologic and radiologic studies revealed a peroneal nerve compression secondary to fibular exostosis. Before undergoing surgical removal of the exostosis, the patient underwent further neurophysiologic and ultrasonographic evaluation that showed the presence of an accessory peroneal nerve branch that caused gastrocnemius involvement. Findings at surgery confirmed the supposed anatomical variant. Both nerve components were carefully preserved during the operative procedure. The association of ultrasonographic and neurophysiologic studies was crucial in identifying the etiopathologic mechanism and anatomical picture and provided clinicians and surgeons with important information in planning the procedure.

Efectividad de un programa de orientación cognitiva con y sin tratamiento sustitutivo con nicotina en la cesación tabáquica en pacientes hospitalizados / Effectiveness of a Cognitive Orientation Program With and Without Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Stopping Smoking in Hospitalised Patients

IntroducciónAnalizamos la eficacia de una intervención conductual-cognitiva de alta intensidad frente a una intervención mínima iniciada durante un ingreso hospitalario, y si la combinación con tratamiento sustitutivo con nicotina (TSN) puede aumentar las tasas de abstinencia a los 12 meses de seguimiento.MétodoSe estudiaron 2.560 fumadores activos durante un ingreso hospitalario. De ellos, 717 fumadores rehusaron entrar en el estudio y tras una intervención mínima se les solicitaba poder telefonearlos al año para preguntar si continuaban fumando. El resto, 1.843 fumadores recibieron tratamiento cognitivo de alta intensidad y fueron aleatorizados para recibir o no TSN. El seguimiento tras el alta se realizaba en consultas externas o con sesiones telefónicas.ResultadosAl año de seguimiento, el 7% de los que rehusaron entrar en el estudio se mantenían sin fumar frente al 27% de los que entraron en el estudio (p<0,001). Existían diferencias significativas entre el grupo que realizó solo tratamiento conductual (21% de abstinencia) frente al grupo que además realizó TSN (33% de abstinencia; p=0,002). En este último grupo existían diferencias significativas (p=0,03) entre los que realizaron el seguimiento en consultas (39% de abstinencia) frente a los que hicieron el control telefónico (30%). En el análisis multivariante, los predictores de abstinencia a los 12 meses fueron: haber utilizado TSN (OR 12,2; 95% de CI, 5,2–32; p=0,002) y mayor puntuación en el test de Richmond (OR 10,1; 95% de CI, 3,9–24,2; p=0,01).ConclusionesUna intervención de orientación cognitiva iniciada en fumadores ingresados aumenta las tasas de abstinencia a los 12 meses frente a una intervención mínima, y aún aumenta de forma más significativa dichas tasas si se le añade TSN(AU)

IntroductionWe analysed the effectiveness of a high intensity behavioural-cognitive intervention compared to minimal intervention started during a hospital stay, to see if the combination of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can increase the quitting rate at 12 months of follow up.MethodA total of 2560 active smokers were studied during their hospital stay. Of these, 717 smokers refused to enter the study and after a minimal intervention they were asked if we could telephone them after one year to ask if they still smoked. The remaining 1843 smokers who received high intensity cognitive therapy were randomised to receive or not receive NRT. The follow up after discharge was carried out by outpatient visits or with telephone sessions.ResultsAt one year of follow up, 7% of those who declined to enter the study had stopped smoking compared to 27% of those who entered the study (p<0.001). There were significant differences between the group that only had behavioural therapy (21% stopped) compared to the group that also had NRT (33% stopped; p=0.002). In this latter group there were significant differences (p=0.03) between those who had follow up in clinics (39% stopped) compared to those who were followed up telephone sessions (30%). In the multivariate analysis, the predictors of quitting at 12 months were: to have used NRT (OR 12.2; 95% CI, 5.2–32; p=0.002) and a higher score in the Richmond Test (OR 10.1; 95% CI, 3.9–24.2; p=0.01).ConclusionsA cognitive type intervention started on smokers when admitted to hospital increases quitting rates at 12 months, compared to a minimal intervention, and these rates increase even more significantly if NRT is added(AU)

Effectiveness of a cognitive orientation program with and without nicotine replacement therapy in stopping smoking in hospitalised patients.

INTRODUCTION: We analysed the effectiveness of a high intensity behavioural-cognitive intervention compared to minimal intervention started during a hospital stay, to see if the combination of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can increase the quitting rate at 12 months of follow up. METHOD: A total of 2560 active smokers were studied during their hospital stay. Of these, 717 smokers refused to enter the study and after a minimal intervention they were asked if we could telephone them after one year to ask if they still smoked. The remaining 1843 smokers who received high intensity cognitive therapy were randomised to receive or not receive NRT. The follow up after discharge was carried out by outpatient visits or with telephone sessions. RESULTS: At one year of follow up, 7% of those who declined to enter the study had stopped smoking compared to 27% of those who entered the study (p<0.001). There were significant differences between the group that only had behavioural therapy (21% stopped) compared to the group that also had NRT (33% stopped; p=0.002). In this latter group there were significant differences (p=0.03) between those who had follow up in clinics (39% stopped) compared to those who were followed up telephone sessions (30%). In the multivariate analysis, the predictors of quitting at 12 months were: to have used NRT (OR 12.2; 95% CI, 5.2-32; p=0.002) and a higher score in the Richmond Test (OR 10.1; 95% CI, 3.9-24.2; p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A cognitive type intervention started on smokers when admitted to hospital increases quitting rates at 12 months, compared to a minimal intervention, and these rates increase even more significantly if NRT is added.

Modified BODE indexes: Agreement between multidimensional prognostic systems based on oxygen uptake.

AIM: It has been recently shown that the original BODE index has a high degree of correlation with two modified BODE indexes using maximal oxygen uptake expressed either as mL/min/kg (mBODE) or as the percentage predicted (mBODE%). In this study we investigated the agreement between the two modified BODE indexes (mBODE and mBODE%) in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: A total of 169 patients with stable COPD were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Differences between the two mBODE indexes were assessed using kappa coefficients and Bland-Altman plots. One out of every three patients underwent the six-minute walking test to investigate the agreement with the original BODE index. RESULTS: Correlations between the two mBODE indexes with each other (r = 0.96, P < 0.001) and with the original BODE index (mBODE r = 0.88, P < 0.001; mBODE% r = 0.93, P < 0.001) were excellent. However, the two mBODE indexes were significantly different from each other (mBODE 5.27 +/- 2.3 versus mBODE% 4.31 +/- 2.5; P < 0.001). The kappa coefficients were significantly lower (entire study group k = 0.5, P < 0.001) for every GOLD stage. The mean difference between the two mBODE indexes was 0.8 +/- 0.6 units. Differences with the original BODE were higher for the mBODE (1.8 +/- 0.9) than for the mBODE% (0.6 +/- 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: The new mBODE indexes are highly correlated but significantly different from each other. The differences between the novel indexes deserve further scrutiny.

Factors associated with quality of life in patients with chronic respiratory failure due to kyphoscoliosis.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with chronic respiratory failure due to kyphoscoliosis (CHRF-KS) constitute a specific population with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQL). Thus far, no studies have examined factors related to HRQL. The objective of the present study was to identify clinical, functional and exertion-related factors associated with HRQL. METHODS: We investigated 27 patients (12 males). Respiratory function tests, dyspnea ratings, peripheral and respiratory muscle function and exercise testing were performed. The Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ) was used to assess HRQL. Bivariate correlations were used to investigate the relationships between CRDQ dimensions and the clinical, functional and exertion-related characteristics of the study participants. RESULTS: The general characteristics of the study sample were as follows: age: 61 (IQR: 12) years, FVC: 32.6% (IQR: 10.2) and pCO2: 48 mmHg (IQR: 8.7). Peripheral muscle strength, dyspnea and exercise capacity were identified as significant factors associated with poorer HRQL. The CRDQ dimensions of fatigue and emotional function showed greater correlations with the patients' general characteristics. Dyspnea CRDQ scores did not correlate with dyspnea in any of the scales used. CONCLUSION: Of the various factors examined, dyspnea, exercise capacity and peripheral muscle strength have been identified as significant factors associated with HRQL in CHRF-KS patients.