Residential radon and characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

It is not known whether residential radon exposure may be linked to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or have an influence on the functional characteristics or exacerbations of COPD. The aim of this study was therefore to ascertain whether there might be an association between residential radon concentrations and certain characteristics of COPD. We analyzed COPD cases drawn from a case-control study conducted in an area of high radon exposure. Data were collected on spirometric pulmonary function variables, hospital admissions, and smoking. Radon measurements were taken using alpha-track-type CR-39 detectors individually placed in patients' homes. All statistical analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS v22 computer software program. The study included 189 COPD cases (79.4% men; median age 64 years). The median radon concentration was 157 Bq/m3. No differences were found between radon concentration and sex, age or severity of breathing obstruction as measured by FEV1%. It should be noted, however, that 48.1% of patients with FEV1% < 50 had radon concentrations below 100 Bq/m3, as compared to 35.6% with the same severity of obstruction who had over 300 Bq/m3. COPD cases with radon concentrations higher than > 600 Bq/m3 exhibited no different characteristics in lung function. Exposure to radon does not appear to have an influence on the clinical characteristics of smokers and ex-smokers with COPD. As exposure to residential radon increases, there is no trend towards a worsening of FEV1%. Further studies are thus needed to analyze this possible association in never-smokers with COPD.

Effectiveness and Safety of Inhaled Antibiotics in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A Multicentre Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to describe the effectiveness and safety of inhaled antibiotics in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, as well as the patient profile in which they are usually prescribed and the patient groups that can most benefit from this treatment. METHODS: Multicentre retrospective observational cohort study in COPD patients who had received ≥1 dose of inhaled antibiotics in the last 5 years. Clinical data from the two years prior to and subsequent to the start of the treatment were compared. PRIMARY OUTCOME: COPD exacerbations. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: side effects, symptomatology (sputum purulence, dyspnoea), microbiological profile and pathogen eradication. RESULTS: Of 693 COPD patients analyzed (aged 74.1; 86.3% men; mean FEV1=43.7%), 71.7% had bronchiectasis and 46.6% presented chronic bronchial infection (CBI) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). After 1 year of treatment with inhaled antibiotics, there was a significant decrease in the number of exacerbations (-33.3%; P<.001), hospital admissions (-33.3%; P<.001) and hospitalization days (-26.2%; P=.003). We found no difference in effectiveness between patients with or without associated bronchiectasis. Positive patient outcomes were more pronounced in PA-eradicated patients. We found a significant reduction in daily expectoration (-33.1%; P=.024), mucopurulent/purulent sputum (-53.9%; P<.001), isolation of any potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPM) (-16.7%; P<.001), CBI by any PPM (-37.4%; P<.001) and CBI by PA (-49.8%; P<.001). CBI by any PPM and ≥three previous exacerbations were associated with a better treatment response. 25.4% of patients presented non-severe side-effects, the most frequent of these being bronchospasm (10.5%), dyspnoea (8.8%) and cough (1.7%). CONCLUSIONS: In COPD patients with multiple exacerbations and/or CBI by any PPM (especially PA), inhaled antibiotics appear to be an effective and safe treatment, regardless of the presence of bronchiectasis.

Asthma, much more than a respiratory disease: influence of depression and anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study are to compare self-reported depression and anxiety in subjects diagnosed of asthma and healthy controls. METHODS: We designed a case-control study. Subjects were recruited using a consecutive sampling method from a single institution. Two groups were created: Asthma and healthy controls. Data of medical history and demographic background were collected from the medical record. Self-reported depression level was assessed using Beck's depression inventory (BDI). Self-reported anxiety was measured with the "State-trait anxiety inventory" (STAI). RESULTS: Fifty-one subjects with asthma, and fifty healthy patients were included in this study. BDI scores (p<0.001) were higher for asthma (10.22±7.3) than in the control group (5.2±6.56). STAI state (p<0.001) was higher in asthma (42.61±11.5) than in controls (34.88±9.25). STAI trait (p<0.001) showed higher scores in asthma (43.14±10.89) than in controls (34.62±9.19). CONCLUSIONS: These study findings showed that BDI, and STAI trait and state scores are significantly higher in subjects who suffer from asthma than healthy controls.

Indoor Radon Exposure and COPD, Synergic Association? A Multicentric, Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in a Radon-Prone Area.

BACKGROUND: COPD is a multifactorial disease which causes considerable mortality and morbidity worldwide. Previous studies assessing the possible relationship between indoor radon exposure and COPD have shown inconclusive results. METHODS: A multicentric, hospital-based, case-control study was conducted in a Spanish radon-prone area. COPD cases were confirmed by spirometry and controls were selected due to trivial surgery or procedures not related to tobacco consumption. All participants had to have lived for at least 15 years in the same dwelling. Radon measurements were conducted individually in dwellings using alpha-track detectors. Results were obtained using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: 189 cases and 747 controls took part. There was no significant association between residential radon concentrations and COPD onset with a OR of 1.12 (95%CI 0.41-3.06) for individuals exposed to more than 200Bq/m3 compared to those exposed to less than 50Bq/m3. Heavy smokers seem to increase their COPD risk if exposed to higher radon concentrations vs those exposed to lower concentrations. There was a statistically significant synergy index between radon exposure and tobacco consumption, S-index 11.60 (95%CI 3.71-36.26). Indoor radon concentration was higher in never/light smokers with COPD compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: No association between indoor radon and COPD has been observed. However, there might be some effect modification on the COPD risk in heavy smokers when high radon exposure is present. This is supported by the additive synergy observed. Also, a possible association between indoor radon and COPD onset in never and light smokers needs to be further studied.

Efficacy of mepolizumab in usual clinical practice and characteristics of responders.

BACKGROUND: Severe eosinophilic asthma is a high-burden disease. Mepolizumab has been effective in several randomized clinical trials. However, such success might not be applicable to patients treated in usual clinical practice. The objectives of this article are to evaluate the efficacy of mepolizumab in severe uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma under usual clinical practice, and to determine characteristics associated with the response to this treatment. METHODS: We have conducted a retrospective, multicentre study, including all adult patients with severe uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma in Galicia, Spain, on whom mepolizumab treatment was started before June 2020, at least 6 months before the time of inclusion, and had received at least one dose of the drug. Patient characteristics, clinical data, respiratory function and comorbidities were collected at baseline and at the 6-month-follow-up. Responders and super-responders were defined according to clinical response and requirement of systemic corticosteroids. RESULTS: 122 patients (mean age 58 years old) were included. In the follow-up treatment 6 months later, 75.4% of the patients were well-controlled, displaying a significant reduction in blood eosinophil counts (p < 0.001), hospital admissions and disease exacerbations (p < 0.001), and had their systemic glucocorticosteroid dose significantly reduced (p < 0.001). The inhaled corticosteroid dose was also lowered (p < 0.01) after 6 months of treatment. Around two-thirds had a clinically significant increase in FEV1, 95% of the patients were considered responders and 43% super-responders. CONCLUSION: In routine clinical practice, mepolizumab is effective in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma and it has a good safety profile.

Indoor Radon Exposure and COPD, Synergic Association? A Multicentric, Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in a Radon-Prone Area.

BACKGROUND: COPD is a multifactorial disease which causes considerable mortality and morbidity worldwide. Previous studies assessing the possible relationship between indoor radon exposure and COPD have shown inconclusive results. METHODS: A multicentric, hospital-based, case-control study was conducted in a Spanish radon-prone area. COPD cases were confirmed by spirometry and controls were selected due to trivial surgery or procedures not related to tobacco consumption. All participants had to have lived for at least 15 years in the same dwelling. Radon measurements were conducted individually in dwellings using alpha-track detectors. Results were obtained using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: 189 cases and 747 controls took part. There was no significant association between residential radon concentrations and COPD onset with a OR of 1.12 (95%CI 0.41-3.06) for individuals exposed to more than 200Bq/m3 compared to those exposed to less than 50Bq/m3. Heavy smokers seem to increase their COPD risk if exposed to higher radon concentrations vs those exposed to lower concentrations. There was a statistically significant synergy index between radon exposure and tobacco consumption, S-index 11.60 (95%CI 3.71-36.26). Indoor radon concentration was higher in never/light smokers with COPD compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: No association between indoor radon and COPD has been observed. However, there might be some effect modification on the COPD risk in heavy smokers when high radon exposure is present. This is supported by the additive synergy observed. Also, a possible association between indoor radon and COPD onset in never and light smokers needs to be further studied.

Clinical characteristics and survival in never smokers with lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency, clinical characteristics and survival of patients with lung cancer (LC) who have never smoked in comparison to patients who smoke. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study in patients diagnosed with LC by cytohistology between 1999 and 2011. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The χ(2) test was used to estimate the relationship between the variables. RESULTS: A total of 2161 patients were diagnosed with LC, 396 (18.3%) of whom had never smoked. The mean age (±standard deviation) in this group was 72.85±10.52; 64.6% were women and 35.4% men. According to the cytohistology, 55.6% were adenocarcinoma, 20.5% squamous cell, 15% small cell, 2.7% large cell and 6.2% other subtypes. The diagnosis was made in advanced stage (iv) in 61.4%, and 14.4% of the patients received surgical treatment. Survival was 12.4%, with no differences between the two groups. In the group of never smokers, women had better survival than men. CONCLUSIONS: Of the patients diagnosed with LC, 18.3% had never smoked. It was diagnosed mainly in women, at advanced stages and the most common histological type was adenocarcinoma. There were no survival differences compared to the group of smokers.

Obstructive sleep apnea in normal weight patients: characteristics and comparison with overweight and obese patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in normal weight patients and their characteristics, and to compare these with overweight and obese patients. METHODS: We studied all patients with suspected OSA referred to the sleep laboratory from January to December 2009. OSA was diagnosed when the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) was >5 and symptoms were present. MS was diagnosed according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. The patients were distributed into 3 groups according to body mass index (BMI): normal weight (<25kg/m(2)), overweight (25-29.9kg/m(2)) and obese (≥30kg/m(2)). RESULTS: We studied 475 patients: 7.60% normal weight and 56.4% obese. Most patients in the normal weight group were women, snorers, non-smokers, non-drinkers and were significantly younger and with a smaller neck and waist circumference than obese and overweight patients. OSA was diagnosed in 90.10%: 77.70% normal weight. OSA in these patients was mostly mild, and there were differences between the diagnosis of OSA and the BMI classified. MS was diagnosed in 64.40%: 33.33% normal weight. There was a higher probability of MS as the BMI increased. OSA and MS frequency in normal weight patients was 22% and in obese patients was 70.52%. OSA in normal weight patients was related with gender and age. There was no relationship between OSA and MS, or between otorhinolaryngological malformations and OSA in normal weight patients. Eight normal weight patients with OSA were treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of OSA in normal weight patients was lower than in overweight and obese patients. The frequency of concomitant OSA and MS was lower in normal weight patients than in obese subjects. Normal weight patients were mostly women, younger and had no toxic habits. In normal weight patients, age and gender were predictive factors for OSA, but OSA and MS were not related.