Influencia de los ítems respiratorios del COPD Assessment Test (CAT) en la decisión de ingreso de las agudizaciones de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) atendidos en urgencias hospitalarias / Influence of the COPD Assessment Test respiratory item score on the decision to hospitalize patients with disease exacerbation in a hospital emergency department

Objetivos. El CAT (COPD Assessment Test) es un cuestionario de calidad de vida que mide el impacto que la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) está teniendo en el bienestar y vida diaria de los pacientes. Consta de 8 ítems divididos en 4 respiratorios y 4 no respiratorios. Conocer el impacto de las puntuaciones de los ítems respiratorios y no respiratorios en la puntuación CAT total, en diferentes momentos de la exacerbación de EPOC (24 horas antes de la exacerbación o basal, en la exacerbación, a los 15 días y a los 2 meses). Secundariamente, se valoró la in- fluencia de los ítems respiratorios de la puntuación CAT total, en la decisión de ingreso de los pacientes atendidos por exacerbación de EPOC (EA-EPOC) en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH). Método. Estudio de cohortes prospectivo. Se reclutaron pacientes que acudían al SUH con síntomas compatibles con EA-EPOC. La variable “Paciente respiratorio altamente sintomático”(PRAS) se definió como el paciente que tiene 3 puntos o más en al menos 3 de los 4 ítems respiratorios del CAT basal. Las variables de resultado fueron para el primer objetivo: la puntuación CAT total y desglosada por ítems, en los 4 momentos estudiados. Para el segundo objetivo fue el ingreso hospitalario. Resultados. Se incluyeron 587 pacientes. La media de la puntuación CAT total basal fue 13,48 (7,29), en urgencias fue 24,86 (7,25), a los 15 días fue 14,7 (7,47) y a los 2 meses 13,45 fue (7,36). La proporción sobre la puntuación CAT basal total de los ítems respiratorios fue de 53,4% (20,76) y en el momento de llegar a urgencias del 48,2% (11,47). Los PRAS fueron 82 (14,0%). Ingresaron 359 pacientes (61,2%). [...]

Objectives. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) measures quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as disease impact on activities of daily living. The questionnaire consists of 8 items related to breathing (cough, phlegm, chest tightness, and breathlessness) and other symptoms (low energy level, sleep disturbances, limitations on daily activities, and confidence when leaving the home). We investigated the relative impact of respiratory versus nonrespiratory scoring on the total CAT score at different moments in the course of COPD exacerbations: baseline (24 hours before an exacerbation), during the exacerbation, 15 days later, and 2 months later. To assess the influence of the respiratory item score on decisions to hospitalize patients treated for exacerbated COPD in our hospital emergency department (ED). Methods. Prospective cohort study. We recruited patients who came to our ED for symptoms consistent with exacerbated COPD. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded. Clinical information, including treatments started in the ED and CAT scores, were also recorded. The event was defined as highly symptomatic if the patient’s score was 3 points or higher on at least 3 of the 4 respiratory items at baseline. The outcome measures for the first objective were the total CAT score and item scores at the 4 time points before (baseline), during (ED), and after the exacerbation. The outcome for the second objective was hospital admission. Results. A total of 587 patients were included. The mean (SD) total CAT score was 13.48 (7.29) at baseline, 24.86 (7.25) in the ED, 14.7 (7.47) at 15 days, and 13.45 (7.36) at 2 months. The respiratory item scores accounted for a mean 53.4% (20.76%) of the total score at baseline and 48.2% (11.47%) of the total score in the ED. Eighty-two patients (14.0%) were classified as being highly symptomatic. A total of 359 (61.2%) were admitted. [...]

Influence of the COPD Assessment Test respiratory item score on the decision to hospitalize patients with disease exacerbation in a hospital emergency department. / Influencia de los ítems respiratorios del COPD Assessment Test (CAT) en la decisión de ingreso de las agudizaciones de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) atendidos en urgencias hospitalarias.

OBJECTIVES: The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) measures quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as disease impact on activities of daily living. The questionnaire consists of 8 items related to breathing (cough, phlegm, chest tightness, and breathlessness) and other symptoms (low energy level, sleep disturbances, limitations on daily activities, and confidence when leaving the home). We investigated the relative impact of respiratory versus nonrespiratory scoring on the total CAT score at different moments in the course of COPD exacerbations: baseline (24 hours before an exacerbation), during the exacerbation, 15 days later, and 2 months later. To assess the influence of the respiratory item score on decisions to hospitalize patients treated for exacerbated COPD in our hospital emergency department (ED). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study. We recruited patients who came to our ED for symptoms consistent with exacerbated COPD. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded. Clinical information, including treatments pleustarted in the ED and CAT scores, were also recorded. The event was defined as highly symptomatic if the patient's score was 3 points or higher on at least 3 of the 4 respiratory items at baseline. The outcome measures for the first objective were the total CAT score and item scores at the 4 time points before (baseline), during (ED), and after the exacerbation. The outcome for the second objective was hospital admission. RESULTS: A total of 587 patients were included. The mean (SD) total CAT score was 13.48 (7.29) at baseline, 24.86 (7.25) in the ED, 14.7 (7.47) at 15 days, and 13.45 (7.36) at 2 months. The respiratory item scores accounted for a mean 53.4% (20.76%) of the total score at baseline and 48.2% (11.47%) of the total score in the ED. Eighty-two patients (14.0%) were classified as being highly symptomatic. A total of 359 (61.2%) were admitted. Predictors of hospital admission were classification as highly symptomatic, odds ratio (OR, 3.045; 95% CI, 1.585-5.852, P .001), dyspnea at rest (OR, 2.906; 95% CI:1.943-4.346, P .001), and start of the following treatments in the ED: oxygen therapy (OR, 4.550; 95% CI, 3.056-6.773; P .0001), diuretic (OR, 1.754; 95% CI, 1.091-2.819; P = .02), and intravenous antibiotics (OR, 1.536; 95% CI, 1.034-2.281; P = .03). The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.763-0.836). CONCLUSION: Hospital admission from the ED is highly likely in patients with COPD exacerbation who have high baseline CAT scores, dyspnea at rest in the ED, and require oxygen therapy, diuretics, or intravenous antibiotics in the ED. The total CAT score and scores on respiratory items provide a tool for tailoring pharmacalogic and nonpharmacologic treaments and can facilitate follow-up evaluations.

OBJETIVO: El CAT (COPD Assessment Test) es un cuestionario de calidad de vida que mide el impacto que la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) está teniendo en el bienestar y vida diaria de los pacientes. Consta de 8 ítems divididos en 4 respiratorios y 4 no respiratorios. Conocer el impacto de las puntuaciones de los ítems respiratorios y no respiratorios en la puntuación CAT total, en diferentes momentos de la exacerbación de EPOC (24 horas antes de la exacerbación o basal, en la exacerbación, a los 15 días y a los 2 meses). Secundariamente, se valoró la influencia de los ítems respiratorios de la puntuación CAT total, en la decisión de ingreso de los pacientes atendidos por exacerbación de EPOC (EA-EPOC) en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH). METODO: Estudio de cohortes prospectivo. Se reclutaron pacientes que acudían al SUH con síntomas compatibles con EA-EPOC. La variable "Paciente respiratorio altamente sintomático"(PRAS) se definió como el paciente que tiene 3 puntos o más en al menos 3 de los 4 ítems respiratorios del CAT basal. Las variables de resultado fueron para el primer objetivo: la puntuación CAT total y desglosada por ítems, en los 4 momentos estudiados. Para el segundo objetivo fue el ingreso hospitalario. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 587 pacientes. La media de la puntuación CAT total basal fue 13,48 (7,29), en urgencias fue 24,86 (7,25), a los 15 días fue 14,7 (7,47) y a los 2 meses 13,45 fue (7,36). La proporción sobre la puntuación CAT basal total de los ítems respiratorios fue de 53,4% (20,76) y en el momento de llegar a urgencias del 48,2% (11,47). Los PRAS fueron 82 (14,0%). Ingresaron 359 pacientes (61,2%). Los predictores de ingreso hospitalario fueron: PRAS (OR 3,045, IC 95%: 1,585-5,852, p 0,001), disnea de reposo (OR 2,906, IC 95%: 1,943-4,346, p 0,001) y algunos tratamientos instaurados en el SUH (oxigenoterapia: OR 4,550, IC 95%: 3,056-6,773, p 0,001; diurético: OR 1,754, IC 95%: 1,091-2,819, p = 0,02; y antibiótico iv: OR 1,536, IC 95%: 1,034-2,281, p = 0,03). Este modelo logra un área bajo la curva COR de 0,80 (IC 95%: 0,763-0,836). CONCLUSIONES: En pacientes con EA-EPOC atendidos en urgencias, la alta puntuación de ítems respiratorios en el CAT basal, la disnea de reposo a su llegada al SUH y varios de los tratamientos instaurados en urgencias (oxigenoterapia, diuréticos y antibioterapia intravenosa) demostraron tener buena capacidad de predicción de ingreso hospitalario. La puntuación CAT total así como la puntuación en los ítems respiratorios del mismo son una herramienta que podría ayudar al clínico a individualizar el tratamiento o los controles posteriores.

Modelling the risk of hospital admission of lab confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infected patients in primary care: a population-based study.

The objectives of this study are to develop a predictive model of hospital admission for COVID-19 to help in the activation of emergency services, early referrals from primary care, and the improvement of clinical decision-making in emergency room services. The method is the retrospective cohort study of 49,750 patients with microbiological confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The sample was randomly divided into two subsamples, for the purposes of derivation and validation of the prediction rule (60% and 40%, respectively). Data collected for this study included sociodemographic data, baseline comorbidities, baseline treatments, and other background data. Multilevel analyses with generalized estimated equations were used to develop the predictive model. Male sex and the gradual effect of age were the main risk factors for hospital admission. Regarding baseline comorbidities, coagulopathies, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes with organ damage, and liver disease were among the five most notable. Flu vaccination was a risk factor for hospital admission. Drugs that increased risk were chronic systemic steroids, immunosuppressants, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and NSAIDs. The AUC of the risk score was 0.821 and 0.828 in the derivation and validation samples, respectively. Based on the risk score, five risk groups were derived with hospital admission ranging from 2.94 to 51.87%. In conclusion, we propose a classification system for people with COVID-19 with a higher risk of hospitalization, and indirectly with it a greater severity of the disease, easy to be completed both in primary care, as well as in emergency services and in hospital emergency room to help in clinical decision-making.Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04463706.

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.

Influencia de la calidad de vida en la decisión de ingreso y los resultados adversos a dos meses en los pacientes atendidos por exacerbación de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en un servicio de urgencias / Quality of life in exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease emergencies: influence on the decision to admit patients and relation to poor outcome at 2 months

OBJETIVO: Estudiar la influencia de la calidad de vida en la toma de decisión de ingreso y los resultados adversos a 2 meses en pacientes atendidos en urgencias por exacerbación de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EAEPOC). MÉTODO: Estudio cohortes prospectivo que incluyó a pacientes atendidos por EAEPOC en un SUH entre noviembre de 2011 y septiembre de 2012. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, datos clínicos, el cuestionario CAT, la escala de disnea mMRC y la escala Borg de disnea en cuatro momentos diferentes (basal, urgencias, 15 días o alta y a los 2 meses, t0, t1, t2 y t3 respectivamente). Las variables de resultado fueron el ingreso hospitalario, la revisita y el reingreso en los dos primeros meses tras la atención en urgencias. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 191 pacientes [edad media de 74,9 (DE 10,2) años, (90,6%) hombres, 97 (56,4%) con exacerbación leve]. La mediana de la puntuación CAT fue de 14,5 (RIC 9-21) en t0, de 20 (RIC 15-28) en t1, de 16 (RIC 10-22) en t2 y de 14,5 (RIC 10-21) en t3. Ciento veintitrés (64,4%) casos, 68 (35,6%) revisitaron urgencias y 39 (20,4%) reingresaron en planta en los 2 primeros meses. Un alto impacto en relación a un bajo impacto en la calidad de vida en t1 se asoció de forma independiente con el ingreso hospitalario (OR ajustada 3,7; IC95% 1,0-13,2 p = 0,043) y en t2 con la revisita a urgencias en los 2 primeros meses (OR ajustada 3,6; IC95% IC 1,1-11,7; p = 0,031). Los pacientes con un cambio mínimo en el CAT en t0 y en t2 fue un factor independiente de revisita a los 2 meses (OR ajustada 2,9; IC95% 1,2-7,4 p = 0,023). El análisis estratificado en función del ingreso o alta directa desde urgencias mostró que estos hallazgos solo son estadísticamente significativos en la población hospitalizada por EAEPOC. CONCLUSIONES: La escala CAT podría ser una herramienta de utilidad a la hora de predecir el ingreso hospitalario y la revista en los 2 primeros meses, especialmente en la población ingresada por EAEPOC (AU)

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of quality of life on the decision to admit patients attended for exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a hospital emergency department (ED) and to explore the association with poor outcome at 2 months. METHODS: Prospective study of a cohort of patients with exacerbated COPD attended in an ED between November 2011 and September 2012. We collected sociodemographic and clinical data as well as scores on the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the modified scale of the Medical Research Council, and the Borg scale for Perceived Dyspnea at the following times: baseline (clinically stable) (t0), on exacerbation (emergency) (t1), 15 days later or on discharge (t2), and 2 months after the emergency (t3). The outcome measures were hospital admission, revisits to the ED, and readmission within 2 months of the exacerbation. RESULTS: A total of 191 patients treated for exacerbated COPD were included. The mean (SD) age was 74.9 (10.2) years; 173 (90.6%) were men. The exacerbations were mild in 97 cases (56.4%). The median (interquartile range) CAT scores were 14.5 (9-21), 20 (15-28), 16 (10-22), and 14.5 (10-21) at t0, t1, t2 and t3, respectively. One hundred twenty-three patients (64.4%) were admitted, 68 (35.6%) revisited the ED, and 39 (20.4%) were readmitted within 2 months. A high level of disease impact on quality of life at t1 (vs low impact) was independently associated with hospital admission (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.7; 95% CI, 1.0-13.2; P=.043). Impact on t2 was associated with a revisit within 2 months (adjusted OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1-11.7; P=.031). Minimal change between the t1 and t2 CAT scores was independently associated with an ED revisit within 2 months (adjusted OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-7.4; P=.023). When the data for patients discharged from the ED were analyzed separately from those for admitted patients, the differences were statistically significant only for those who had been hospitalized. CONCLUSION: The CAT score could be useful for predicting hospital admissions and revisiting within 2 months, especially in patients admitted for exacerbated COPD

[Quality of life in exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease emergencies: influence on the decision to admit patients and relation to poor outcome at 2 months]. / Influencia de la calidad de vida en la decisión de ingreso y los resultados adversos a dos meses en los pacientes atendidos por exacerbación de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en un servicio de urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: To study the influence of quality of life on the decision to admit patients attended for exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a hospital emergency department (ED) and to explore the association with poor outcome at 2 months. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study of a cohort of patients with exacerbated COPD attended in an ED between November 2011 and September 2012. We collected sociodemographic and clinical data as well as scores on the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the modified scale of the Medical Research Council, and the Borg scale for Perceived Dyspnea at the following times: baseline (clinically stable) (t0), on exacerbation (emergency) (t1), 15 days later or on discharge (t2), and 2 months after the emergency (t3). The outcome measures were hospital admission, revisits to the ED, and readmission within 2 months of the exacerbation. RESULTS: A total of 191 patients treated for exacerbated COPD were included. The mean (SD) age was 74.9 (10.2) years; 173 (90.6%) were men. The exacerbations were mild in 97 cases (56.4%). The median (interquartile range) CAT scores were 14.5 (9-21), 20 (15-28), 16 (10-22), and 14.5 (10-21) at t0, t1, t2 and t3, respectively. One hundred twenty-three patients (64.4%) were admitted, 68 (35.6%) revisited the ED, and 39 (20.4%) were readmitted within 2 months. A high level of disease impact on quality of life at t1 (vs low impact) was independently associated with hospital admission (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.7; 95% CI, 1.0-13.2; P=.043). Impact on t2 was associated with a revisit within 2 months (adjusted OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1-11.7; P=.031). Minimal change between the t1 and t2 CAT scores was independently associated with an ED revisit within 2 months (adjusted OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-7.4; P=.023). When the data for patients discharged from the ED were analyzed separately from those for admitted patients, the differences were statistically significant only for those who had been hospitalized. CONCLUSION: The CAT score could be useful for predicting hospital admissions and revisiting within 2 months, especially in patients admitted for exacerbated COPD.

OBJETIVO: Estudiar la influencia de la calidad de vida en la toma de decisión de ingreso y los resultados adversos a 2 meses en pacientes atendidos en urgencias por exacerbación de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EAEPOC). METODO: Estudio cohortes prospectivo que incluyó a pacientes atendidos por EAEPOC en un SUH entre noviembre de 2011 y septiembre de 2012. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, datos clínicos, el cuestionario CAT, la escala de disnea mMRC y la escala Borg de disnea en cuatro momentos diferentes (basal, urgencias, 15 días o alta y a los 2 meses, t0, t1, t2 y t3 respectivamente). Las variables de resultado fueron el ingreso hospitalario, la revisita y el reingreso en los dos primeros meses tras la atención en urgencias. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 191 pacientes [edad media de 74,9 (DE 10,2) años, (90,6%) hombres, 97 (56,4%) con exacerbación leve]. La mediana de la puntuación CAT fue de 14,5 (RIC 9-21) en t0, de 20 (RIC 15-28) en t1, de 16 (RIC 10-22) en t2 y de 14,5 (RIC 10-21) en t3. Ciento veintitrés (64,4%) casos, 68 (35,6%) revisitaron urgencias y 39 (20,4%) reingresaron en planta en los 2 primeros meses. Un alto impacto en relación a un bajo impacto en la calidad de vida en t1 se asoció de forma independiente con el ingreso hospitalario (OR ajustada 3,7; IC95% 1,0-13,2 p = 0,043) y en t2 con la revisita a urgencias en los 2 primeros meses (OR ajustada 3,6; IC95% IC 1,1-11,7; p = 0,031). Los pacientes con un cambio mínimo en el CAT en t0 y en t2 fue un factor independiente de revisita a los 2 meses (OR ajustada 2,9; IC95% 1,2-7,4 p = 0,023). El análisis estratificado en función del ingreso o alta directa desde urgencias mostró que estos hallazgos solo son estadísticamente significativos en la población hospitalizada por EAEPOC. CONCLUSIONES: La escala CAT podría ser una herramienta de utilidad a la hora de predecir el ingreso hospitalario y la revista en los 2 primeros meses, especialmente en la población ingresada por EAEPOC.

Appropriateness of diagnostic effort in hospital emergency room attention for episodes of COPD exacerbation.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the adequacy of diagnostic effort in the emergency departments of Spanish hospitals with respect to episodes of exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted between 2007 and 2010 in 15 hospitals in Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid and the Basque Country. The study population included cases of COPD exacerbation attended at the emergency departments of the participating hospitals. Diagnostic efforts were considered sufficient and appropriate when the emergency room conducted a clinical evaluation including electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, arterial blood gas analysis and spirometry. RESULTS: 2852 episodes of COPD exacerbation attended in hospital emergency departments were assessed. 91.4% of the patients were male, with a mean age of 72.8 (SD 9.5) years, and 45.6% had had a previous emergency admission. The diagnostic effort was considered adequate in 60.1% of the episodes (95% CI: 58.3-61.9). The inter-hospital range of variation(25-75) was 1.67 and the coefficient of variation was 28.3%. In multivariate analysis, adjusting for hospital, date of admission and previous hospitalization, among the male patients, the OR for adequate diagnostic effort was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.04-1.84) CONCLUSION: With respect to diagnostic effort, inequities were observed in our assessment of episodes of COPD exacerbation attended in the emergency departments of Spanish public hospitals. In a high percentage of cases (40%), proper assessment was not conducted. Moreover, inter-individual and inter-hospital differences were observed.

Revisión de la literatura sobre medidas psicométricas para personas con un trastorno de la alimentación / Literature review and psychometric instruments for people with eating disorder

Se presenta una revisión sistemática de los objetivos clínicos y las características psicométricas de los instrumentos de evaluación creados para personas con un Trastorno de la Conducta Alimentaria (TCA). Asimismo se valoran las deficiencias y las competencias de cada instrumento. La búsqueda bibliográfica se realizó consultando las bases de datos de Medline y Premedline (OVID), EBSCO, PsychInfo (1974-2003), PUB MED, buscadores de Internet y Catalogo de TEA ediciones. Se encontraron 30 instrumentos creados en lengua inglesa y 4 instrumentos en castellano. Todos los instrumentos en castellano eran adaptaciones de cuestionarios creados originalmente en otros países. Los instrumentos cumplían una gran variedad de propósitos clínicos (emitir un diagnóstico, detectar un TCA en la población, evaluar las conductas y cogniciones básicas) pero ninguno de ellos tenía como objetivo medir Calidad de Vida Relacionada con la Salud (CVRS) en personas con un TCA (AU)

A systematic review of clinical purpose and psychometric characteristics of measures designed for people with eating disorders (ED) is presented. Likewise, capabilities and weaknesses of each measure are assessed. A literature search was made, consulting the following databases: Medline and Premedline (OVID), EBSCO, PsychInfo (1974-2003), PUB MED, Internet search engines (mainly Google) and TEA Ediciones Catalogue. Thirty of the instruments found were in English and four were adaptations to Spanish -none of them were originally issued in Spanish. The measures met a range of clinical purposes such as issuing a diagnosis, screening eating disorders and assessing basic behaviors and cognition. None of the instruments were intended to measure health related quality of life in eating disorders (AU)