The effect of physical activity on asthma incidence over 10†years: population-based study.

Although there are many health benefits from being active, there was no benefit observed in this study from vigorous physical activity in reducing the risk of asthma onset in middle-aged adults https://bit.ly/3bEtHDn.

Rinoconjuntivitis y asma ocupacional por alergia a harina de trigo sarraceno / Rhinoconjunctivitis and Occupational Asthma due to Buckwheat Flour Allergy

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Airway responsiveness to methacholine and incidence of COPD: an international prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: It has been debated, but not yet established, whether increased airway responsiveness can predict COPD. Recognising this link may help in identifying subjects at risk. OBJECTIVE: We studied prospectively whether airway responsiveness is associated with the risk of developing COPD. METHODS: We pooled data from two multicentre cohort studies that collected data from three time points using similar methods (European Community Respiratory Health Survey and Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases in Adults). We classified subjects (median age 37 years, 1st-3rd quartiles: 29-44) by their level of airway responsiveness using quintiles of methacholine dose-response slope at the first examination (1991-1994). Then, we excluded subjects with airflow obstruction at the second examination (1999-2003) and analysed incidence of COPD (postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC below the lower limit of normal) at the third examination (2010-2014) as a function of responsiveness, adjusting for sex, age, education, body mass index, history of asthma, smoking, occupational exposures and indicators of airway calibre. RESULTS: We observed 108 new cases of COPD among 4205 subjects during a median time of 9 years. Compared with the least responsive group (incidence rate 0.6 per 1000/year), adjusted incidence rate ratios for COPD ranged from 1.79 (95% CI 0.52 to 6.13) to 8.91 (95% CI 3.67 to 21.66) for increasing airway responsiveness. Similar dose-response associations were observed between smokers and non-smokers, and stronger associations were found among subjects without a history of asthma or asthma-like symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that increased airway responsiveness is an independent risk factor for COPD. Further research should clarify whether early treatment in patients with high responsiveness can slow down disease progression.

Mucus hypersecretion in asthma is associated with rhinosinusitis, polyps and exacerbations.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial hypersecretion is a poorly studied symptom in asthma. The aim of the study was to determine the specific characteristics of asthmatics with bronchial hypersecretion. METHODS: A total of 142 asthmatics (21.8% men; mean age 49.8 years) were prospectively followed for one year. Mucus hypersecretion was clinically classified into two severity categories: daily sputum production and frequent expectoration but not every day. Clinical and pulmonary function variables associated with mucus hypersecretion were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Daily cough was recorded in 28.9% of patients and sputum production daily or most of the days in 52.1%. Patients with mucus hypersecretion had more dyspnoea, poorer asthma control and quality of life, had suffered from more exacerbations and showed anosmia associated with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis more frequently. Factors associated to mucus hypersecretion were anosmia, one exacerbation or more in the previous year and FEV1/FVC <70% (AUC 0.75, 95% CI 0.66-0.85) for the first definition of hypersecretion, and anosmia, poor asthma control and age (AUC 0.75, 95% CI 0.67-0.83) for the second definition. CONCLUSIONS: Mucus hypersecretion is frequent in patients with asthma, and is associated with chronic upper airways disease, airway obstruction, poor asthma control and more exacerbations.

Leisure-time vigorous physical activity is associated with better lung function: the prospective ECRHS study.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed associations between physical activity and lung function, and its decline, in the prospective population-based European Community Respiratory Health Survey cohort. METHODS: FEV1 and FVC were measured in 3912 participants at 27-57 years and 39-67 years (mean time between examinations=11.1 years). Physical activity frequency and duration were assessed using questionnaires and used to identify active individuals (physical activity ≥2 times and ≥1 hour per week) at each examination. Adjusted mixed linear regression models assessed associations of regular physical activity with FEV1 and FVC. RESULTS: Physical activity frequency and duration increased over the study period. In adjusted models, active individuals at the first examination had higher FEV1 (43.6 mL (95% CI 12.0 to 75.1)) and FVC (53.9 mL (95% CI 17.8 to 89.9)) at both examinations than their non-active counterparts. These associations appeared restricted to current smokers. In the whole population, FEV1 and FVC were higher among those who changed from inactive to active during the follow-up (38.0 mL (95% CI 15.8 to 60.3) and 54.2 mL (95% CI 25.1 to 83.3), respectively) and who were consistently active, compared with those consistently non-active. No associations were found for lung function decline. CONCLUSION: Leisure-time vigorous physical activity was associated with higher FEV1 and FVC over a 10-year period among current smokers, but not with FEV1 and FVC decline.

Impacto del asma en la vida sexual de los pacientes. Un estudio de casos y controles / Impact of Asthma on the Sexual Functioning of Patients. A Case-Control Study

Introducción: Las limitaciones de la vida sexual de los pacientes con enfermedades crónicas desempeñan un importante papel en su calidad de vida. La información disponible sobre el impacto de la enfermedad asmática en la vida sexual de las personas es muy limitada. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal, observacional y multicéntrico. Se reclutaron pacientes asmáticos y sujetos sanos, a los que se les efectuó una entrevista en la que se recogieron datos demográficos y clínicos y en donde además cumplimentaron los siguientes cuestionarios: la escala Goldberg Anxiety-Depression Scale (GADS) para la valoración de la existencia de comorbilidad psiquiátrica, y en varones el Índice Internacional de la Función Eréctil (IIEF) y en mujeres el Índice de la Función Sexual Femenina (FSFI). Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 276 casos, de los que 172 eran asmáticos (63 hombres y 109 mujeres) con una media de edad de 42 (± 14) años y 104 controles (53 hombres y 51 mujeres) con una media de edad de 39 (± 12) años. El asma presentaba una evolución de 15 años y su gravedad se distribuía: 6,4% intermitente, 17,9% persistente leve, 47,4% moderada y 28,2% grave. La enfermedad se consideró controlada en un 57,7%, parcialmente controlada en un 28,2% y no controlada en un 14,1%. Las mujeres asmáticas presentaron una mayor limitación de la vida sexual que las mujeres del grupo control, con una puntuación total del FSFI de 22,1 (± 9) frente a 26,5 (± 6,8), respectivamente (p < 0,005). Y los varones asmáticos, una significativa mayor disfunción eréctil, con una puntuación total del IIFE de 59,5 (± 12,5) frente a 64,3 (± 8,2), respectivamente (p < 0,05). Se observó además una relación entre la existencia de problemas sexuales y un peor control del asma. Conclusiones: La enfermedad asmática condiciona una peor calidad de vida sexual en las personas afectadas. Estos resultados deberían promover, en la práctica clínica habitual, el interés de los profesionales sanitarios por determinar y paliar las posibles limitaciones sexuales de sus pacientes con asma (AU)

Introduction: Sexual limitations play an important role in the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases. Very limited information is available on the impact of asthma on the sexual functioning of these individuals. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study. Asthma patients and healthy individuals were recruited. All subjects participated in an interview in which demographic and clinical data were recorded, and completed the Goldberg Anxiety-Depression Scale (GADS) to evaluate the presence of concomitant psychiatric disease. Men also completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and women, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results: A total of 276 cases were included, comprising 172 asthma patients (63 men and 109 women) with a mean age of 42 (± 14) years, and 104 controls (52 men and 51women) with a mean age of 39 (± 12) years. Time since onset of asthma was 15 years and severity distribution was: 6.4% intermittent, 17.9% mild persistent, 47.4% moderate, and 28.2% severe. Disease was considered controlled in 57.7%, partially controlled in 28.2%, and uncontrolled in 14.1%. Women with asthma had greater sexual limitations than women in the control group, with a total FSFI score of 22.1 (± 9) compared to 26.5 (± 6.8), respectively (P < .005). Men with asthma had significantly more severe erectile dysfunction with a total IIEF score of 59.5 (± 12.5) compared to 64.3 (± 8.2) in male controls (P < .05). An association was also observed between sexual problems and poorer asthma control. Conclusions: Asthma is associated with a poorer sexual quality of life among patients. These results should arouse the interest of healthcare professionals in detecting and alleviating possible sexual limitations among their asthma patients in routine clinical practice (AU)

Impact of Asthma on the Sexual Functioning of Patients. A Case-Control Study. / Impacto del asma en la vida sexual de los pacientes. Un estudio de casos y controles.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual limitations play an important role in the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases. Very limited information is available on the impact of asthma on the sexual functioning of these individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study. Asthma patients and healthy individuals were recruited. All subjects participated in an interview in which demographic and clinical data were recorded, and completed the Goldberg Anxiety-Depression Scale (GADS) to evaluate the presence of concomitant psychiatric disease. Men also completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and women, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS: A total of 276cases were included, comprising 172asthma patients (63 men and 109 women) with a mean age of 42 (±14) years, and 104 controls (52men and 51women) with a mean age of 39 (±12) years. Time since onset of asthma was 15 years and severity distribution was: 6.4% intermittent, 17.9% mild persistent, 47.4% moderate, and 28.2% severe. Disease was considered controlled in 57.7%, partially controlled in 28.2%, and uncontrolled in 14.1%. Women with asthma had greater sexual limitations than women in the control group, with a total FSFI score of 22.1 (±9) compared to 26.5 (±6.8), respectively (P<.005). Men with asthma had significantly more severe erectile dysfunction with a total IIEF score of 59.5 (±12.5) compared to 64.3 (±8.2) in male controls (P<.05). An association was also observed between sexual problems and poorer asthma control. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma is associated with a poorer sexual quality of life among patients. These results should arouse the interest of healthcare professionals in detecting and alleviating possible sexual limitations among their asthma patients in routine clinical practice.

Pauta de tres meses de rifampicina e isoniacida para el tratamiento de la infección latente tuberculosa / Three-month course of rifampicin and isoniazid for the treatment of latent tuberculous infection

Fundamento y objetivos: La isoniacida (H) es la medicación de referencia utilizada para el tratamiento de la infección latente tuberculosa (ILT). La duración del tratamiento con H y su hepatotoxicidad suponen un serio obstáculo para su cumplimentación. En distintas guías clínicas se recomienda la pauta de 3 meses con rifampicina (R) e H como una alternativa aceptable a la de 6–9 meses con H. En el presente estudio presentamos nuestra experiencia con esta nueva pauta. Pacientes y método: A partir del año 2001 se empezó a ofertar la pauta de 3RH a los individuos mayores de 14 años, reclutados en el estudio de contactos. Se consideró buena adherencia cuando el paciente así lo manifestó y acudió a los controles mensuales programados. Se realizaron análisis hepáticos basales en aquellos pacientes que tenían riesgo de hepatotoxicidad y en todos los pacientes mayores de 35 años. En todos los casos se realizó un control hepático al primer mes de tratamiento y en cuanto presentaron síntomas de intolerancia. Se cruzaron las bases de datos de contactos y casos de tuberculosis para estimar el número de individuos que enfermaron de tuberculosis. Resultados: Entre los años 2000–2008 se indicó tratamiento para la ILT en 547 contactos. El 7,8% rechaza el tratamiento, el 34,1% con la pauta de 6H, el 63,5% con la pauta de 3RH y el 2,3% a otras pautas. Un total de 84,97% (147/173) de los pacientes con la pauta de 6H y un 92,55% (302/322) con la pauta de 3RH completaron el tratamiento (p=0,024). Abandonaron por hepatotoxicidad el 2,37% (4/169) y el 1,6% (5/313) de los pacientes con pauta de 6H y 2RH, respectivamente (p=0,33). No hubo enfermos entre los pacientes que completaron el tratamiento en ninguna de las 2 pautas de estudio. Conclusión: Hubo una mayor adherencia (estadísticamente significativa) y menor hepatotoxicidad con la pauta de 3RH. Ambas pautas demostraron una total efectividad (AU)

Background and objectives: Isoniazid (I) is the drug of choice for treating latent tuberculous infection (LTI). Duration of treatment with I and its liver toxicity represent a serious drawback for a correct enforceability. In several clinical guides, a 3-month course with rifampicin (Rif) and I is recommended as an acceptable alternative to the 6–9 month course with I. Here we present our experience with this new regimen.Patients and methods: From 2001, the 3-month regimenm with Rif and I was offered to patients older than 14 years, who were recruited in the contacts study. A good adherence was considered when the patient manifested so and he/she went to the scheduled monthly controls. We performed baseline liver analyses in those patients at risk of hepatotoxicity and in all patients older than 35 years. In all cases, a liver laboratory control was done at the first month of treatment and whenever patients had symptoms suggestive of intolerance. Databases of tuberculosis controls and contacts were crossed to evaluate the number of individuals who developed tuberculosis.Results: Between 2000 and 2008, treatment for LTI was indicated in 547 contacts (7.8% refused treatment, 34.1% with the 6-month I course, 63.5% with the 3-month Rif and I course and 2.3% with other regimens). A total of 84.97% (147/173) patients with the 6-month I regimen and 92.55% (302/322) with the 3-month Rif and I course fulfilled the treatment (p=0,024). 2.37% (4/169) and 1.6% (5/313) patients with the 6-month I course and 3-month Rif and I course, respectively, withdrew because of hepatotoxicity (p=0,33). There were no patients among those who fulfilled the treatment in any of the 2 study arms.Conclusion: There was a higher adherence (statistically significant) and lower hepatotoxicity with the 3-month Rif and I regimen. Both regimens showed a full effectivity (AU)

[Three-month course of rifampicin and isoniazid for the treatment of latent tuberculous infection]. / Pauta de tres meses de rifampicina e isoniacida para el tratamiento de la infección latente tuberculosa.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Isoniazid (I) is the drug of choice for treating latent tuberculous infection (LTI). Duration of treatment with I and its liver toxicity represent a serious drawback for a correct enforceability. In several clinical guides, a 3-month course with rifampicin (Rif) and I is recommended as an acceptable alternative to the 6-9 month course with I. Here we present our experience with this new regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2001, the 3-month regimen with Rif and I was offered to patients older than 14 years, who were recruited in the contacts study. A good adherence was considered when the patient manifested so and he/she went to the scheduled monthly controls. We performed baseline liver analyses in those patients at risk of hepatotoxicity and in all patients older than 35 years. In all cases, a liver laboratory control was done at the first month of treatment and whenever patients had symptoms suggestive of intolerance. Databases of tuberculosis controls and contacts were crossed to evaluate the number of individuals who developed tuberculosis. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2008, treatment for LTI was indicated in 547 contacts (7.8% refused treatment, 34.1% with the 6-month I course, 63.5% with the 3-month Rif and I course and 2.3% with other regimens). A total of 84.97% (147/173) patients with the 6-month I regimen and 92.55% (302/322) with the 3-month Rif and I course fulfilled the treatment (p=0.024). 2.37% (4/169) and 1.6% (5/313) patients with the 6-month I course and 3-month Rif and I course, respectively, withdrew because of hepatotoxicity (p=0.33). There were no patients among those who fulfilled the treatment in any of the 2 study arms. CONCLUSION: There was a higher adherence (statistically significant) and lower hepatotoxicity with the 3-month Rif and I regimen. Both regimens showed a full effectivity.