Soporte telemático de autogestión para pacientes con apnea obstructiva del sueño en tratamiento con CPAP: aspectos metodológicos y resultados preliminares del ensayo clinico telesas / Telematic self-management support for patients with obstructive sleep apnea under CPAP treatment: methodological aspects and preliminary results of the telesas clinical trial

Objetivo: Comprobar si un programa de telemedicina mejora el cumplimiento con CPAP, alcanzando un uso de, al menos, 4 horas al día en el 90% de los pacientes. Realizamos un estudio piloto para comprobar la viabilidad de un proyecto multicéntrico en el que perfeccionaremos dicho programa. Metodología: Pacientes con AOS severa poco sintomáticos en tratamiento con CPAP fueron randomizados a seguimiento habitual o seguimiento habitual más un programa de telemedicina durante 6 meses. Dentro de este programa, las variables de telemonitorización, la aparición de efectos secundarios y la presencia de sueño reparador eran analizadas para generar alarmas e instrucciones al paciente para la autogestión precoz de los problemas presentados con la CPAP. Resultados: 60 pacientes fueron randomizados, 33 al grupo intervención y 27 al grupo control, sin diferencias significativas en las variables basales. El 80% eran hombres con un rango de edad entre los 24 y 75 años. Solo hubo un abandono en el grupo control. Conclusiones: El uso de nuestro programa de telemedicina no ha supuesto ningún problema para los pacientes incluidos a pesar de la horquilla amplia de edad, siendo viable el desarrollo de un estudio a mayor escala con una herramienta de telemedicina perfeccionada. (AU)

Basis: poor compliance with CPAP is a problem at a clinical and research level, assuming the expected results are not achieved. The benefits of using telemedicine in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are inconclusive, with its positive effect on compliance being the most consistent in the literature. Objective: to check if a telemedicine program improves compliance with CPAP, reaching use of at least 4 hours a day in 90% of patients. We carried out a pilot study to verify the viability of a multicenter project in which we will perfect this program. Method: patients with severe OSA with few symptoms on CPAP treatment were randomized to usual follow-up or usual follow-up plus a telemedicine program for 6 months. Within this program, the telemonitoring variables, the appearance of side effects and the presence of restorative sleep were analyzed to generate alarms and instructions to the patient for early self-management of the problems presented with CPAP. Preliminary results: 60 patients were randomized, 33 to the intervention group and 27 to the control group, with no significant differences in the baseline variables. 80% were men with an age range between 24 and 75 years. There was only one dropout in the control group. Conclusions: the use of our telemedicine program has not posed any problems for the included patients despite the wide age range, making it feasible to develop a larger-scale study with an improved telemedicine tool. (AU)

Summary of recommendations and key points of the consensus of Spanish scientific societies (SEPAR, SEMICYUC, SEMES; SECIP, SENEO, SEDAR, SENP) on the use of non-invasive ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy with nasal cannulas in adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients with severe acute respiratory failure.

Non-invasive respiratory support (NIRS) in adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) comprises two treatment modalities, non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy. However, experts from different specialties disagree on the benefit of these techniques in different clinical settings. The objective of this consensus was to develop a series of good clinical practice recommendations for the application of non-invasive support in patients with ARF, endorsed by all scientific societies involved in the management of adult and pediatric/neonatal patients with ARF. To this end, the different societies involved were contacted, and they in turn appointed a group of 26 professionals with sufficient experience in the use of these techniques. Three face-to-face meetings were held to agree on recommendations (up to a total of 71) based on a literature review and the latest evidence associated with 3 categories: indications, monitoring and follow-up of NIRS. Finally, the experts from each scientific society involved voted telematically on each of the recommendations. To classify the degree of agreement, an analogue classification system was chosen that was easy and intuitive to use and that clearly stated whether the each NIRS intervention should be applied, could be applied, or should not be applied.

Management proposal for non-invasive respiratory support in pneumonia caused by COVID-19. From pathogenesis to clinical practice / Apoyo respiratorio no invasivo en neumonía causada por covid-19. De la patogenia a la práctica clínica

La nueva pandemia producida por un beta-coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 presenta algunos hechos diferenciales con las pandemias anteriores también producidas por beta-coronavirus (síndrome respiratorio agudo severo - SARS y síndrome respiratorio de Oriente Medio - MERS). El soporte respiratorio consiste en oxigenoterapia convencional, oxigenoterapia nasal de alto flujo, ventilación mecánica no invasiva, CPAP (presión positiva continua en las vías respiratorias) y ventilación mecánica invasiva. Puede ser que este tipo de tratamiento haya salvado más vidas que otros tratamientos utilizados durante la pandemia. Aunque algunos componentes del apoyo no invasivo, como la oxigenoterapia nasal de alto flujo, la ventilación no invasiva y la CPAP, tenían dudas sobre su eficacia al comienzo de la pandemia, se han utilizado ampliamente en todo el mundo. Por otro lado, COVID-19 presenta hallazgos patológicos distintivos que probablemente causan cambios fisiológicos diferentes a la dificultad respiratoria clásica del adulto y, en consecuencia, pueden conducir a diferentes escalas y ajustes del soporte respiratorio. En estas líneas revisaremos la evidencia clínica de la eficacia del soporte respiratorio no invasivo en la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda hipoxémica antes de la pandemia, los cambios patológicos, patogénicos y funcionales descritos en esta neumonía y cómo estos pueden afectar también la aplicación del soporte respiratorio, como la forma en que hoy debemos aplicar el soporte respiratorio (AU)

The new pandemic produced by a beta-coronavirus, SARS-Cov-2 presents some differential facts with the previous pandemics also produced by beta-coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome--SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome--MERS). The respiratory support consists of conventional oxygen therapy, high-flow nasal oxygen therapy, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), and invasive mechanical ventilation. May be this type of treatment has saved more lives than other treatments used during the pandemic. Although some components of noninvasive support such as high-flow nasal oxygen therapy, noninvasive ventilation, and CPAP had uncertainties regarding their efficacy at the beginning of the pandemic, they have been used widely throughout the world. On the other hand, COVID-19 presents distinctive pathological findings that probably cause physiological changes different from the classical respiratory distress of the adult and consequently can lead to different scaling and adjustments of respiratory support. In these lines we will review the clinical evidence of the efficacy of non-invasive respiratory support in hypoxemic acute respiratory failure before the pandemic, the pathological, pathogenic and functional changes described in this pneumonia and how these can affect the application of respiratory support as well as the way in which today we must apply respiratory support (AU)

Summary of recommendations and key points of the consensus of Spanish scientific societies (SEPAR, SEMICYUC, SEMES; SECIP, SENEO, SEDAR, SENP) on the use of non-invasive ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy with nasal cannulas in adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients with severe acute respiratory failure. / Sumario de las recomendaciones y puntos clave del Consenso de las Sociedades Científicas Españolas (SEPAR, SEMICYUC, SEMES; SECIP, SENeo, SEDAR, SENP) para la utilización de la ventilación no invasiva y terapia de alto flujo con cánulas nasales en el paciente adulto, pediátrico y neonatal con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda grave.

Non-invasive respiratory support (NIRS) in adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) comprises two treatment modalities, non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy. However, experts from different specialties disagree on the benefit of these techniques in different clinical settings. The objective of this consensus was to develop a series of good clinical practice recommendations for the application of non-invasive support in patients with ARF, endorsed by all scientific societies involved in the management of adult and pediatric/neonatal patients with ARF. To this end, the different societies involved were contacted, and they in turn appointed a group of 26 professionals with sufficient experience in the use of these techniques. Three face-to-face meetings were held to agree on recommendations (up to a total of 71) based on a literature review and the latest evidence associated with 3 categories: indications, monitoring and follow-up of NIRS. Finally, the experts from each scientific society involved voted telematically on each of the recommendations. To classify the degree of agreement, an analogue classification system was chosen that was easy and intuitive to use and that clearly stated whether the each NIRS intervention should be applied, could be applied, or should not be applied.

Cambios en la prevalencia de síntomas de asma e hiperreactividad bronquial en el seguimiento de dos cohortes poblacionales de la ciudad de Huelva / Changes in the prevalence of asthma symptoms and bronchial hyper-reactivity in the follow-up of two population groups of the Huelva city

Objetivo: Analizar los cambios en la prevalencia de síntomas asmáticos e hiperreactividad bronquial (HB) que ocurren con la edad en dos cohortes de adolescentes y adultos jóvenes de la ciudad de Huelva. Material y métodos: Se ha realizado una segunda evaluación en el seguimiento de las dos poblaciones estudiadas entre 1991 y1993: jóvenes adolescentes de 11 a 16 años (n= 714), incluidos en el Estudio de Enfermedades Respiratorias de Huelva (EERH-I), y adultos jóvenes de 20-44 años (n=271), incluida en el Estudio Europeo de Enfermedades Respiratorias (ECRHS-I) de la ciudad de Huelva, a las que se realizaron cuestionario de síntomas respiratorios(SR) y prueba de hiperreactividad bronquial inespecífica con metacolina (MT). En la segunda evaluación, realizada con un seguimiento promedio de 9 años, se consiguió estudiar a 401 de los “niños - adolescentes” y 204 de los “adultos jóvenes”. Al igual que en la fase previa, se ha realizado en ambas población es el mismo cuestionario sobre síntomas respiratorios, una espirometría y una prueba de provocación bronquial inespecífica con metacolina. Se comparan las prevalencias de sibilancias (Sib), HB y asma encontradas en la misma población (niños o adultos), en ambos cortes trasversales (1991 y 2.001). Se comparan los resultados obtenidos entre ambas poblaciones. Resultados: Entre los años 1991 a 2001, tanto en jóvenes como en adultos, se incrementan los síntomas respiratorios, especialmente las sibilancias y la disnea, en reposo y al ejercicio. La hiperreactividad bronquial se incrementa claramente en los jóvenes(p<0.001) y sólo ligeramente en los adultos (NS). Como consecuencia de lo anterior, el diagnóstico epidemiológico de asma (sibilancias+ HB) se incrementó de forma significativa sólo en los jóvenes. Otro dato destacable en los niños era que recibían tratamiento para el asma sólo la mitad de los que estaban diagnosticados de asma por un médico y que éstos eran menos que los que referían haber tenido sibilancias en los últimos 12 meses. La discrepancia entre sibilancias y diagnóstico de asma era más evidente en adultos. Conclusiones: En la década de los 90 y en la ciudad de Huelva, una ciudad con elevada prevalencia de sibilancias (Sib) y nivel medio-bajo de hiperreactividad bronquial (HB) y asma, los SR y la HB se van incrementando durante la adolescencia y se estabilizan en la edad adulta. Esto podría explicarse tanto por la historia natural de la enfermedad como por la diferente influencia de las condiciones ambientales en las diferentes edades

Objective: To analyze the changes in the prevalence of asthmatic symptoms and bronchial hyper-reactive (BHR) conditions, which occur with age, in two groups of adolescents and young adults from the city of Huelva. Material and Methods: A second follow-up evaluation was performed on the two populations studied between 1991 and 1993:adolescents between 11 and 16 years of age (n = 714), included in the Study of Breathing Illnesses of Huelva (EERH-I), and young adults 20-44 years old (n=271), included in the European Study of Breathing Illnesses (ECRHS-I) of the city of Huelva. A questionnaire about breathing symptoms (BS) and a non-specific test of bronchial hyper-reactivity with methacholine (MT) were administered. In the second evaluation, carried out with an average follow up of 9 years, it was possible to study 401 of those “child-adolescents” and 204 of those “young adults.” The same as in the previous phase, both populations were administered the same questionnaire about breathing symptoms, aspirometry and a non-specific bronchial provocation test with methacholine was performed. The prevalence of wheezing, BHR and asthma found in the same population (children or adults) was compared in both cross samples (1991 and 2001). The results obtained were compared between both populations. Results: Between the years 1991 and 2001, both in adolescents and adults, the breathing symptoms increased, especially wheezing and dyspnea, at rest and at exercise. Bronchial hyper-reactivity had a clear increase in the adolescents (p < 0.001) and only a slight increase in the adults (NS). As a consequence of the above, the epidemiologic diagnosis of asthma (wheezing + BHR) increased significantly in adolescents. Another outstanding fact in the children was that only half of those medically diagnosed with asthma received treatment for their asthma, and amongst these, there were fewer that said they had experienced wheezing in the last 12 months. The discrepancy between wheezing and the diagnosis of asthma was more evident in adults. Conclusions: In the 90s and in the city of Huelva, a city with a high prevalence of wheezing and medium-low level of bronchial hyper-reactivity (BHR) and asthma, BS and the HR have increased during adolescence and stabilized in adulthood. This could be explained both by the natural evolution of the disease and by the different influences of the environmental conditions at the different ages

Causa inusual de tos crónica / Unusual cause of chronic cough

La tos crónica es un problema frecuente y tachado de idiopático en bastantes ocasiones al olvidar que su causa puede estar fuera de la vía aérea.Con nuestro caso ponemos de manifiesto que el estudio de la tos crónica no es fácil y que a veces es necesario ampliar las posibilidades más allá de las causas más habituales, recurriendo a los estudios complementarios.Con este objetivo presentamos a una paciente con implantación de placa de titanio a nivel cervical y que presentaba tos crónica que no respondía a tratamientos antitusígeno y antirreflujo. La pruebas de imagen en este caso son cruciales para el diagnóstico, pudiendo visualizar como el tejido blando desarrollado como respuesta inflamatoria a nivel retrofaríngeoes causa de la sintomatología

Chronic cough is a frequent problem that is labeled as idiopathic quite often when it is overlooked that its cause may be outside of the airways.With our case, we manifest that the study of chronic cough is not easy and that it is sometimes necessary to expand the possibilities beyond the most usual causes, resorting to complementary studies.With this objective, we present the case of a patient with a titanium plaque implantation on the cervical level who had chronic cough that did not respond to anti-cough and anti-reflex treatments. The imaging tests in this case are crucial for the diagnosis, it being possible to visualize how the soft tissue developed as an inflammatory response on the retropharyngeal level is the cause of the symptoms