The BRICS (Bronchiectasis Radiologically Indexed CT Score): A Multicenter Study Score for Use in Idiopathic and Postinfective Bronchiectasis.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to develop a simplified radiological score that could assess clinical disease severity in bronchiectasis. METHODS: The Bronchiectasis Radiologically Indexed CT Score (BRICS) was devised based on a multivariable analysis of the Bhalla score and its ability in predicting clinical parameters of severity. The score was then externally validated in six centers in 302 patients. RESULTS: A total of 184 high-resolution CT scans were scored for the validation cohort. In a multiple logistic regression model, disease severity markers significantly associated with the Bhalla score were percent predicted FEV1, sputum purulence, and exacerbations requiring hospital admission. Components of the Bhalla score that were significantly associated with the disease severity markers were bronchial dilatation and number of bronchopulmonary segments with emphysema. The BRICS was developed with these two parameters. The receiver operating-characteristic curve values for BRICS in the derivation cohort were 0.79 for percent predicted FEV1, 0.71 for sputum purulence, and 0.75 for hospital admissions per year; these values were 0.81, 0.70, and 0.70, respectively, in the validation cohort. Sputum free neutrophil elastase activity was significantly elevated in the group with emphysema on CT imaging. CONCLUSIONS: A simplified CT scoring system can be used as an adjunct to clinical parameters to predict disease severity in patients with idiopathic and postinfective bronchiectasis.

Etiology of Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis in Adults and Its Correlation to Disease Severity.

RATIONALE: Testing for underlying etiology is a key part of bronchiectasis management, but it is unclear whether the same extent of testing is required across the spectrum of disease severity. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to identify the etiology of bronchiectasis across European cohorts and according to different levels of disease severity. METHODS: We conducted an analysis of seven databases of adult outpatients with bronchiectasis prospectively enrolled at the bronchiectasis clinics of university teaching hospitals in Monza, Italy; Dundee and Newcastle, United Kingdom; Leuven, Belgium; Barcelona, Spain; Athens, Greece; and Galway, Ireland. All the patients at every site underwent the same comprehensive diagnostic workup as suggested by the British Thoracic Society. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the 1,258 patients enrolled, an etiology of bronchiectasis was determined in 60%, including postinfective (20%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease related (15%), connective tissue disease related (10%), immunodeficiency related (5.8%), and asthma related (3.3%). An etiology leading to a change in patient's management was identified in 13% of the cases. No significant differences in the etiology of bronchiectasis were present across different levels of disease severity, with the exception of a higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-related bronchiectasis (P < 0.001) and a lower prevalence of idiopathic bronchiectasis (P = 0.029) in patients with severe disease. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should not be guided by disease severity in suspecting specific etiologies in patients with bronchiectasis, although idiopathic bronchiectasis appears to be less common in patients with the most severe disease.

Evaluation of interventions on road traffic injuries in Peru: a qualitative approach.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of interventions on road traffic injuries (RTI) going beyond the assessment of impact to include factors underlying success or failure is an important complement to standard impact evaluations. We report here how we used a qualitative approach to assess current interventions implemented to reduce RTIs in Peru. METHODS: We performed in-depth interviews with policymakers and technical officers involved in the implementation of RTI interventions to get their insight on design, implementation and evaluation aspects. We then conducted a workshop with key stakeholders to analyze the results of in-depth interviews, and to further discuss and identify key programmatic considerations when designing and implementing RTI interventions. We finally performed brainstorming sessions to assess potential system-wide effects of a selected intervention (Zero Tolerance), and to identify adaptation and redesign needs for this intervention. RESULTS: Key programmatic components were consistently identified that should be considered when designing and implementing RTI interventions. They include effective and sustained political commitment and planning; sufficient and sustained budget allocation; training, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of implemented policies; multisectoral participation; and strong governance and accountability. Brainstorming sessions revealed major negative effects of the selected intervention on various system building blocks. CONCLUSIONS: Our approach revealed substantial caveats in current RTI interventions in Peru, and fundamental negative effects on several components of the sectors and systems involved. It also highlighted programmatic issues that should be applied to guarantee an effective implementation and evaluation of these policies. The findings from this study were discussed with key stakeholders for consideration in further designing and planning RTI control interventions in Peru.

Calidad de sueño en pobladores de una comunidad andina a 3200 msnm en Perú: Ancash-Perú / Sleep quality of andean inhabitants at 3200 m. Ancash-Perú

Objetivo: Describir la calidad de sueño en los pobladores andinos de Huaripampa-Ancash (3 200 msnm). Material y métodos: Se utilizó el Índice de Calidad de Sueño de Pittsburgh (ICSP). Se calculó el tamaño de la muestra (n=92) mediante el método de proporciones, y se realizó una aleatorización sistemática de casas, encuestando a los pobladores presentes que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Resultados: Se encuestaron a 83 pobladores, 46% fueron hombres, la edad media fue de 40,59 +/- 17,5 (18-65 años) y la mediana del puntaje del PSQI fue de 6 más menos 4,5 (RIC) [2-18]. Se encontró que 53 (63,8%) fueron malos durmientes. La alteración de sueño más frecuente fue el insomnio, presente en 47% de la población. Conclusiones: La alteración del sueño es un problema frecuente en esta población. Una herramienta como la del Índice de calidad de sueño de Pittsburgh, con algunas modificaciones, puede ser implementada en poblaciones rurales-andinas.

Objective: To describe the sleep quality in the inhabitants of Huaripampa-Ancash. Material and methods: We usedthe Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Using the method of proportions was calculated the sample size (n = 92), and there was a systematic randomization of houses, surveying the present inhabitants that meet the inclusion criteria. Results: There were surveying a total of 83 inhabitants, 38 (46%) were men, mean age was 40.59 +/- 17.5 (18-65 years old) and the average score of PSQI was 6 +/- 4.5 [2 -18], 53 (63.8%) of the population were poor sleepers. The most frequent disruption of sleep was insomnia, which was present in 39 (47%) inhabitants. Conclusions: Symptoms associated with various sleep disorders are common in rural Andean population. A tool such as the sleep quality index in Pittsburgh, with some modifications, can be implemented in rural Andean populations.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous return and Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome.

We present an adult woman with total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) and Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome that was diagnosed intraoperatively during a planned atrial secundum defect closure. Surgical repair of TAPVR was performed with good outcome.

A large pediculated myxoma of the left ventricle causing outflow obstruction in a young man.

We report a case of a large mobile myxoma of the left ventricle that caused obstruction of the outflow tract. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography defined the extent and location of the mass providing crucial information for surgical treatment, which was successful.