[Cyclooxygenase-2 polymorphisms and bronchoalveolar lavage cellularity of sarcoidosis]. / El polimorfismo COX2.8473t>C del gen de la ciclooxigenasa-2 está asociado al cociente CD4/CD8 del lavado broncoalveolar en la sarcoidosis.

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have found cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its polymorphisms to be associated with sarcoidosis, being it significantly decreased in alveolar macrophages, with no information on the relationship between these polymorphisms and the rest of cells in bronchoalveolar layage (BAL). The present study aimed to investigate the potential association between COX-2 gene polymorphisms and the BAL cell profile including the CD4/CD8 ratio. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study involved six hospitals in Spain. Patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis with a BAL performed were included. The following variables were recorded: age, gender, initial diagnostic methods, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels, pulmonary function tests, radiological stage, and the cellularity and CD4/CD8 ratio from BAL. Genotyping of four COX-2 polymorphisms (COX2.5909T>G, COX2.8473T>C, COX2.926G>C, and COX2.3050G>C) was undertaken on DNA extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes using fluorescent hybridization probes. The relationship between the polymorphisms and the cellularity was done by means of a multiple linear regression, adjusting for gender. RESULTS: A total of 51 sarcoid patients (23 males, mean age: 45 +/- 15 years) were studied. CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher among homozygote allele C carriers of the polymorphism COX2.8473T>C (CC 11.2 +/- 5.5 vs. CT+TT 4.4 +/- 3.5; p = 0.022; beta = 7.43; 95% CI 1.38 - 13.48). Although several differences were observed in other cell groups, they did not reach the statistical significance level. CONCLUSIONS: In patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis, there seems to be a relationship between COX2.8473 polymorphism and CD4/CD8 ratio from BAL.

Serum levels of soluble mesothelin-related peptides in malignant and nonmalignant asbestos-related pleural disease: relation with past asbestos exposure.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) results from malignant transformation of mesothelial cells. Past asbestos exposure represents a major risk factor for MPM and other benign pleural disease. Soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP) have been regarded as a promising serum biomarker for MPM. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of SMRP in malignant and nonmalignant asbestos-related pleural disease. PATIENTS: Four groups of patients were investigated: group 1 composed of 48 healthy subjects, group 2 composed of 177 patients with previous asbestos exposure and no pleural disease, group 3 composed of 36 patients with MPM, and group 4 composed of 101 patients with previous asbestos exposure and benign pleural disease. Serum SMRP levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Serum SMRP levels were significantly higher among group 3 than the other three groups. There were no differences in SMRP concentrations between groups 2 and 4. Subjects exposed to asbestos had higher SMRP concentrations than normal control subjects regardless of the presence of pleural disease. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for SMRP values was 0.75 (95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.83). The SMRP level at 0.55 nmol/L/L was determined as the most optimal cutoff value with resulting sensitivity and specificity of 72% and 72% for the diagnosis of MPM. CONCLUSIONS: These data attest to good diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of SMRP for the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. We have also shown that serum SMRP levels might serve as a marker of asbestos exposure.

Using PICO Methodology to Answer Questions About Smoking in COPD Patients. / Preguntas y respuestas relacionadas con tabaquismo en pacientes con EPOC. Aplicación de metodología con formato PICO.

The ALAT and SEPAR Treatment and Control of Smoking Groups have collaborated in the preparation of this document which attempts to answer, by way of PICO methodology, different questions on health interventions for helping COPD patients to stop smoking. The main recommendations are: (i)moderate-quality evidence and strong recommendation for performing spirometry in COPD patients and in smokers with a high risk of developing the disease, as a motivational tool (particularly for showing evidence of lung age), a diagnostic tool, and for active case-finding; (ii)high-quality evidence and strong recommendation for using intensive dedicated behavioral counselling and drug treatment for helping COPD patients to stop smoking; (iii)high-quality evidence and strong recommendation for initiating interventions for helping COPD patients to stop smoking during hospitalization with improvement when the intervention is prolonged after discharge, and (iv)high-quality evidence and strong recommendation for funding treatment of smoking in COPD patients, in view of the impact on health and health economics.

Prevalence, Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Smoking Among SEPAR Members. / Prevalencia, conocimiento y actitudes acerca del consumo de tabaco en los miembros de SEPAR.

The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of smoking among SEPAR members, and their approach to smoking cessation in their patients. An online survey was completed by 640 members (496 pulmonologists, 45 nurses, 34 thoracic surgeons, 37 physiotherapists, and 28 other specialists). Of the members interviewed, 5% confessed that they were smokers: 3.5% pulmonologists; 8.9% nurses; 8.8% thoracic surgeons, and 13.5% physiotherapists. A total of 96% of members assign a lot or quite a lot of importance to setting an example; 98% of members always or often ask their patients about their smoking habit. The most effective anti-smoking intervention, according to 77% of members, is a combination of drugs and psychological support. These results are an indicator of the awareness and commitment of SEPAR members to smoking and its cessation.

Neumotórax bilateral espontáneo secundario y neumomediastino en paciente con EPID por artritis reumatoide / Bilateral secondary spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis-induced DILD

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Clinical application of the COPD assessment test: longitudinal data from the COPD History Assessment in Spain (CHAIN) cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) has been proposed for assessing health status in COPD, but little is known about its longitudinal changes. The objective of this study was to evaluate 1-year CAT variability in patients with stable COPD and to relate its variations to changes in other disease markers. METHODS: We evaluated the following variables in smokers with and without COPD at baseline and after 1 year: CAT score, age, sex, smoking status, pack-year history, BMI, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), lung function, BODE (BMI, obstruction, dyspnea, exercise capacity) index, hospital admissions, Hospital and Depression Scale, and the Charlson comorbidity index. In patients with COPD, we explored the association of CAT scores and 1-year changes in the studied parameters. RESULTS: A total of 824 smokers with COPD and 126 without COPD were evaluated at baseline and 441 smokers with COPD and 66 without COPD 1 year later. At 1 year, CAT scores for patients with COPD were similar (± 4 points) in 56%, higher in 27%, and lower in 17%. Of note, mMRC scale scores were similar (± 1 point) in 46% of patients, worse in 36%, and better in 18% at 1 year. One-year CAT changes were best predicted by changes in mMRC scale scores (ß-coefficient, 0.47; P < .001). Similar results were found for CAT and mMRC scale score in smokers without COPD. CONCLUSIONS: One-year longitudinal data show variability in CAT scores among patients with stable COPD similar to mMRC scale score, which is the best predictor of 1-year CAT changes. Further longitudinal studies should confirm long-term CAT variability and its clinical applicability. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01122758; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Los profesionales sanitarios no deben colaborar con la Industria Tabaquera / Health care professionals should not collaborate with the Tobacco Industry

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Recommendations for fitness for work medical evaluations in chronic respiratory patients. Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR).

Chronic respiratory diseases often cause impairment in the functions and/or structure of the respiratory system, and impose limitations on different activities in the lives of persons who suffer them. In younger patients with an active working life, these limitations can cause problems in carrying out their normal work. Article 41 of the Spanish Constitution states that «the public authorities shall maintain a public Social Security system for all citizens guaranteeing adequate social assistance and benefits in situations of hardship¼. Within this framework is the assessment of fitness for work, as a dual-nature process (medico-legal) that aims to determine whether it is appropriate or not to recognise a person's right to receive benefits which replace the income that they no longer receive as they cannot carry out their work, due to loss of health. The role of the pulmonologist is essential in evaluating the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and functional capacity of respiratory patients. These recommendations seek to bring the complex setting of fitness for work evaluation to pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons, providing action guidelines that allow them to advise their own patients about their incorporation into working life.

¿Qué ha cambiado en la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en los últimos años? / What has changed in community-acquired pneumonia in recent years?

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Formación a partir de la troncalidad / Medical Training after the Core Curriculum Model

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Evaluating respiratory patient disability.

The evaluation of the disabilities of patients with respiratory disease is regulated by the Spanish Ministry of Labor and Social Security, as are disabilities of any other type. We believe, however, that in respiratory pathologies this evaluation is especially complicated because, as they are chronic processes, they inter-relate with other systems. Furthermore, they tend to have occasional exacerbations; therefore, normal periods may alternate with other periods of important functional limitations. The present document arises from the desire of SEPAR to update this topic and to respond to the requests of respiratory disease patient associations who have asked us to do so. In this paper, we analyze the current situation of work disability legislation as well as the determination of degrees and percentages, including the current criteria for assigning disabilities due to respiratory tract deficiencies. Lastly, we propose work guidelines that would improve the existing scenario and outline this evaluation for specific pathologies.

Día mundial del pulmón / World Lung Day

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Preguntas y respuestas relacionadas con tabaquismo en pacientes con EPOC. Aplicación de metodología con formato PICO / Using PICO Methodology to Answer Questions About Smoking in COPD Patients

Los grupos de control y tratamiento del tabaquismo de ALAT y SEPAR han colaborado para la realización de este documento en el que se da respuesta, siguiendo metodología PICO, a diferentes interrogantes relacionados con la asistencia sanitaria para ayudar a dejar de fumar a los pacientes con EPOC. Sus principales recomendaciones son: a)evidencia moderada y recomendación fuerte para realizar espirometría en pacientes con diagnóstico o en fumadores con alto riesgo de padecer EPOC, como instrumento de motivación, en particular evidenciando la edad pulmonar, y con fines diagnósticos y de búsqueda activa de casos; b)evidencia alta y recomendación fuerte para utilizar asesoramiento conductual intenso y específico y tratamiento farmacológico para ayudar a dejar de fumar a fumadores con EPOC; c)evidencia alta y recomendación fuerte para iniciar intervenciones para ayudar a dejar de fumar a fumadores con EPOC mientras se encuentran hospitalizados mejorando al mantener la intervención tras el alta, y d)evidencia alta y recomendación fuerte para la financiación del tratamiento del tabaquismo en fumadores con EPOC por su impacto sobre la salud y la economía de la salud (AU)

The ALAT and SEPAR Treatment and Control of Smoking Groups have collaborated in the preparation of this document which attempts to answer, by way of PICO methodology, different questions on health interventions for helping COPD patients to stop smoking. The main recommendations are: (I) moderate-quality evidence and strong recommendation for performing spirometry in COPD patients and in smokers with a high risk of developing the disease, as a motivational tool (particularly for showing evidence of lung age), a diagnostic tool, and for active case-finding; (II) high-quality evidence and strong recommendation for using intensive dedicated behavioral counselling and drug treatment for helping COPD patients to stop smoking; (III)high-quality evidence and strong recommendation for initiating interventions for helping COPD patients to stop smoking during hospitalization with improvement when the intervention is prolonged after discharge, and (IV) high-quality evidence and strong recommendation for funding treatment of smoking in COPD patients, in view of the impact on health and health economics (AU)

Año SEPAR 2015-16: EPOC y tabaco. ¿Qué podemos esperar? / SEPAR Year 2015-16: COPD and Smoking. What Awaits?

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