Indication of CPAP without a sleep study in patients with high pretest probability of obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of clinical criteria (CC) for diagnosis and initiation of empirical treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared with the treatment decision based on sleep studies (polysomnography or respiratory polygraphy), guidelines, and experience of participating physicians. METHODS: This was a simulated intention-to-treat study in a retrospective (G1) and prospective (G2) cohort. Four observers (two per group) called CC1 and CC2 reviewed the sleep questionnaires and indicated CPAP if the patients presented snoring, frequent apneas (≥ 3-4/week), body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2, sleepiness (Epworth > 11), or tiredness (at least 3-4 times per week) and some comorbidity (hypertension, coronary/cerebrovascular event, diabetes). Ten independent observers formed two groups of five (FD1 and FD2) and were blinded to each other's opinion. These observers in FD1 and FD2 decided CPAP treatment based on guidelines of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) or guidelines of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and factored in their own opinion. Sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), and positive/negative likelihood ratios (LR+/-) were calculated with the test method: CC1/2, and the reference method: majority decision of FD1/2. RESULTS: A total of 653 patients (264 women, 40%) were studied. Median age was 54 years, BMI 28 kg/m2, and apnea hypopnea index (AHI) 16.5 events/h. S ranged from 21 to 25% (p 0.60), Sp 96.1 to 97.6% (p 0.39), and LR+ of clinical criteria 6.4 to 8.9 (p 0.52). CONCLUSION: CPAP indication without a previous sleep study showed a low sensitivity (≅ 22%) but a specificity greater than 95% in patients with high pretest probability for OSA (snoring, report of frequent apneas, BMI > 25 kg/m2 and sleepiness or tiredness plus comorbidity).

Mapping the Common Barriers to Optimal COPD Care in High and Middle-Income Countries: Qualitative Perspectives from Clinicians.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) poses a significant global health burden despite being largely preventable and treatable. Despite the availability of guidelines, COPD care remains suboptimal in many settings, including high-income countries (HICs) and upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), with varied approaches to diagnosis and management. This study aimed to identify common and unique barriers to COPD care across six countries (Australia, Spain, Taiwan, Argentina, Mexico, and Russia) to inform global policy initiatives for improved care. Methods: COPD care pathways were mapped for each country and supplemented with epidemiological, health-economic, and clinical data from a targeted literature review. Semi-structured interviews with 17 respiratory care clinicians were used to further validate the pathways and identify key barriers. Thematic content analysis was used to generate the themes. Results: Six themes were common in most HICs and UMICs: "Challenges in COPD diagnosis", "Strengthening the role of primary care", "Fragmented healthcare systems and coordination challenges", "Inadequate management of COPD exacerbations", "Limited access to specialized care" and, "Impact of underfinanced and overloaded healthcare systems". One theme, "Insurance coverage and reimbursement challenges", was more relevant for UMICs. HICs and UMICs differ in patient and healthcare provider awareness, primary care involvement, spirometry access, and availability of specialized care. Both face issues with healthcare fragmentation, guideline adherence, and COPD exacerbation management. In addition, UMICs also grapple with resource limitations and healthcare infrastructure challenges. Conclusion: Many challenges to COPD care are the same in both HICs and UMICs, underscoring the pervasive nature of these issues. While country-specific issues require customized solutions, there are untapped possibilities for implementing global respiratory strategies that support countries to manage COPD effectively. In addition to healthcare system-level initiatives, there is a crucial need for political prioritization of COPD to allocate the essential resources it requires.

Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Associated With Cognitive Impairment: Possible Causality Factor / [La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica estable asociada a deterioro cognitivo: posible factor de causalidad]

BACKGRUOUND: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a preventable and underdiagnosed pathology, can be defined as a progressive and poorly reversible limitation to airflow as a result of a persistent inflammatory response due to inhalation of harmful substances, particularly tobacco smoke. The disease has a systemic impact. Among other conditions, it may increase the risk of cognitive impairment along with its associated consequences. METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional, observational and analytical design. The space were COPD patients who visited in two health institutions from June 2017 to September 2018. Non-probabilistic and convenience sampling. Data were collected on demographics, tobacco consumption, comorbidities (Charlson index), a validated scale for dyspnea (MCRm), the main symptom in COPD and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) were applied along with a history of exacerbation of the disease. The severity of COPD was evaluated by spirometry according to GOLD guideline. Cognitive impairment was assessed using Neuropsi. OUTCOMES: The final sample consisted of 44 subjects. According to spirometry and GOLD, 7 patients (15.9%) classified in group 1 (mild), 19 (43.2%) in group 2 (moderate), 11 (25%) in group 3 (severe) and 7 (15.9%) in group 4 (very serious). Of the 44 patients recruited, 28 (63.6%) had normal cognitive function and 16 (36.3%) had some degree of cognitive impairment. Memory was the most compromised function. CONCLUSION: Difficulties in recruitment impeded reaching the expected sample size. However, a trend was observed favoring the association. It is important to insist on avoiding smoking because it seems to increase the risk of cognitive impairment that further disrupts the quality of life and makes treatment difficult.

Introducción: La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) se define como limitación progresiva y poco reversible al flujo aéreo a consecuencia de una respuesta inflamatoria por inhalación sustancias, en particular humo del tabaco. La enfermedad tiene repercusión sistémica y entre otras, puede aumentar el riesgo de deterioro cognitivo. Materiales y Métodos: Diseño prospectivo, transversal, observacional y analítico. El universo fueron pacientes EPOC que consultaron en dos instituciones de salud desde junio de 2017 a septiembre de 2018. Muestreo no probabilístico, por conveniencia. Se recogieron datos demográficos, de comorbilidades, se aplicó la escalaMCRm de disnea y se valoraron antecedentes de exacerbación de la enfermedad. La gravedad de la EPOC se reconoció por espirometría de acuerdo a GOLD. El deterioro cognitivo fue evaluado mediante el Neuropsi. Resultados: La muestra final incluyó 44 sujetos. De acuerdo a espirometría y GOLD 7 pacientes (15,9 %) clasificaron en el grupo 1 (leve), 19 (43,2 %) en el 2 (moderado), 11 (25 %) en el 3 (grave) y 7 (15,9 %) en el 4 (muy grave). De los 44 pacientes reclutados, 28 (63,6 %) presentaron una función cognitiva normal y 16 (36,3 %), algún grado de  alteración cognitiva. La memoria fue la función más comprometida. Conclusiones: Dificultades en el reclutamiento impidieron alcanzar el tamaño de muestra esperado. Sin embargo, se observó una tendencia a favor de la asociación. Resulta importante insistir en evitar el tabaquismo pues este parece incrementar el riesgo de deterioro cognitivo que perturba aún más la calidad de vida y dificulta el tratamiento.

CPAP indication based on clinical data and oximetry for patients with suspicion of obstructive sleep apnea: A multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The usefulness of pulse oximetry for the management of obstructive sleep apnea is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy for indication of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based on clinical and oximetry data as compared to polysomnography (PSG). METHODS: This multicenter observational study involved seven sleep laboratories. Patients with suspicion of OSA who completed a standardized sleep questionnaire and a diagnostic PSG were enrolled. Eight observers logged on to a website independently and blindly. Seven observers only accessed the clinical data, curve and pulse oximetry results (Os-SO2-test method), while the eighth observer had full access to all indicators of PSG (O-PSG-reference method). Once observers assessed the information available on the website, they had to choose between three CPAP treatment options (yes/no/do not know) based on their knowledge and criteria. RESULTS: 411 subjects (228 men), median age 54 years, were available for evaluation. Os-SO2 had lower sensitivity (S), greater specificity (Sp) and positive likelihood ratio (PLR) to prescribe CPAP in patients more symptomatic (Epworth Sleepiness Scale-ESS > 10 or comorbidities) than those with fewer symptoms (ESS < 11 without comorbidities) (S 45-75% versus 45-91%, p 0.028); Sp 93.8-100% versus 68.5-96.6%, p 0.004; PLR > 10 versus 2.9-17, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Due to its low false positive rate, a strategy based on pulse oximetry and clinical data was a consistent tool to indicate CPAP treatment in most symptomatic patients with a suspicion of OSA.

[Pulmonary mucormycosis in a patient with diabetes mellitus: favorable evolution under medical treatment]. / Mucormicosis pulmonar y diabetes mellitus: buena respuesta al tratamiento medico. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía.

Pulmonary mucormycosis is a relatively uncommon but an important opportunistic fungal infection in immunocompromised patients. It may be acquired by inhalation of spores into the lungs. The pathogenic hallmark of mucormycosis is vascular invasion resulting in thrombosis and tissue infarction/necrosis. The diagnosis can be difficult since presentation does not differ from other forms of pneumonia. Risk factors include neutropenia, haematologic malignancies, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, skin burns and deferoxamine therapy in dialysis patients. Early recognition, control of underlying diseases and medical-surgical aggressive management are warranted to better outcomes. Pulmonary mucormycosis has a high mortality and medical treatment strategy alone has been associated in several studies to greater mortality. We describe a case of pulmonary mucormicosis with favorable evolution only under medical treatment. We reviewed the bibliography.

Apnea Obstructiva de Sueño: revisando los criterios de severidad y transitando el sendero del aprendizaje / Obstructive Sleep Apnea: reviewing the criteria for severity and walking the learning path

La Apnea Obstructiva de Sueño (AOS) está incluida en el grupo de Trastornos Respiratorios Vinculados al Sueño (TRVS) entre los cuales es por lejos la más prevalente. Si combinamos su elevada prevalencia, por lo menos comparable a la de la EPOC, el impacto cardiovascular y sobre la calidad de vida y la tasa de subdiagnóstico, que oscila en el 80%, deberíamos considerarla como un serio problema para la salud para el que contamos hoy con medidas de prevención y tratamiento