Ultrasound for diagnosis of interstitial lung disease in diffuse connective tissue diseases.

Patients with diffuse connective tissue diseases frequently develop interstitial lung disease, which carries a worse prognosis and shortens survival. High-resolution computed tomography is the first-choice test, and is competitive with histopathology, however, the cost and radiation may limit its use, particularly for screening. Lung ultrasound is a rapid, accessible, reproducible, and inexpensive study that is useful for diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. Furthermore, extensive training is not required to identify the alterations associated with these lung diseases. B lines and pleural irregularities compose the ultrasonographic interstitial syndrome, although, it must be kept in mind that it is not specific, and it is necessary to rule out haemodynamic, cardiovascular, and infectious abnormalities. This review highlights the elevated prevalence of this lung condition in the main rheumatological diseases, with emphasis on the usefulness of pulmonary ultrasound.

Pretransplantation liver function impacts on the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a study of 455 patients.

Liver dysfunction is frequent before allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). However, its characteristics and impact on transplantation outcomes are uncertain, especially in the reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) setting. We analyzed 455 patients receiving an allo-SCT in 3 Spanish centers. Pretransplantation aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), total bilirubin, and international normalized ratio were analyzed. Pretransplantation liver function test abnormalities were found in 94 (22%) patients. The most frequent cause of pretransplantation liver dysfunction was isolated elevation of GGT/AP (n = 49, 53%). Patients with high bilirubin levels before allo-SCT showed higher 4-year nonrelapse mortality (4y-NRM) (hazard ratio [HR] 2 [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-3.8] P = .02) and patients with high GGT levels showed higher 100-day NRM and lower 4-year overall survival (OS) (HR 3.4 [95% CI 1.8-6.7] P < .001, and HR 2 [95% CI 1.4-3], P = .001), respectively. High levels of transaminases did not influence on survival or mortality. In conclusion, hepatic dysfunction before allo-SCT is frequent and has an impact on transplantation outcomes. The best indicator of liver dysfunction still has to be determined.

Association between stages of change regarding weight reduction in patients with cardiovascular risk factors: A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Background: There is very low-quality evidence that the transtheoretical stages of change model combined with physical activity or diet, or both, can result in significant improvements in dietary and physical activity habits. Objective: To evaluate the association between stages of change on weight reduction, after a nutritional intervention, in patients with cardiovascular risk. Methods: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, patients >18 years old with body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 and at least two cardiovascular risk factors were distributed to an intervention or control group. The intervention group received, according to stage of change, a multidisciplinary intervention formed by a nutritionist, a psychologist, a chef and a physiotherapist to improve healthy eating, while the control group was given a nutritional prescription. Stage of change from the transtheoretical model, anthropometric variables, physical activity, and 24-hour recall of food intake were measured at baseline and 12 months postintervention. The main outcomes were change in weight, waist and hip circumferences. Results: We included 188 subjects (intervention group= 93, control group= 95), where 75% were female, 68.6% had obesity, and mean age 50.3±13. After 12-months, subjects in the intervention group that were ready to change showed a greater decrease in weight and energy intake, with differences between ready to change vs not ready to change subjects and an interaction between intervention group and ready to change. Conclusions: An intervention with a multidisciplinary team can be as effective as the current standard of care in promoting weight loss when taking into account baseline stage of change.

RESUMEN Introducción: existe poca evidencia sobre el efecto de la etapa de cambio del modelo transteórico en conjunto con actividad física, dieta, o ambas, en los hábitos dietéticos y de actividad física. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de una intervención nutricional y la etapa de cambio inicial sobre la reducción de peso después de una intervención nutricional en pacientes con riesgo cardiovascular. Métodos: Ensayo clínico controlado aleatorizado. Pacientes >18 años con índice de masa corporal ≥25 kg/m2 y al menos 2 factores de riesgo cardiovascular fueron asignados a: grupo intervención o grupo control. El grupo de intervención recibió de acuerdo a la etapa de cambio una intervención multidisciplinaria formada por: nutricionista, psicólogo, chef y fisioterapeuta, mientras que el grupo control solo recibió prescripción nutricional habitual. Se evaluaron al inicio del estudio y 12 meses después de la intervención: etapa de cambio del modelo transteórico, variables antropométricas, actividad física y recordatorio de 24 horas. Resultados: se incluyeron 188 sujetos (grupo intervención 93, grupo control 95), 75% eran mujeres, 68,6% tenían obesidad, con promedio de 50.3±13. Después de 12 meses, los sujetos en el grupo de intervención que estaban listos para el cambio, mostraron una mayor disminución en el peso y en el consumo calórico, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la interacción grupo y etapa de cambio. Conclusiones: Una intervención con un equipo multidisciplinario puede ser tan eficaz como el tratamiento habitual para promover la pérdida de peso cuando se tiene en cuenta la etapa de cambio basal.

Proyecto de nutrición infantil sostenible: niños / Maintainable infant feeding project: children

Apunta a mejorar el estado nutricional de los niños menores de cinco años pertenecientes a comunidades rurales en extrema pobreza de Piura, Cajamarca, Puno y Huaraz, mediante la capacitación intensiva de sus madres en aspectos de nutrición y salud materno-infantil, la puesta en marcha de un sistema de vigilancia nutricional y de salud en cada una de las comunidades participantes y mediante la motivación del esfuerzo colectivo de las comunidades rurales en favor de la salud de la niñez