Spanish translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the Questionnaire for Diabetes-Related Foot Disease (Q-DFD).

PURPOSE: To translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the Questionnaire for Diabetes-Related Foot Disease (Q-DFD), originally created and validated in Australia, for its use in Spanish-speaking patients with diabetes mellitus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation were based on international guidelines. The Spanish version of the survey was applied to a community-based (sample A) and a hospital clinic-based sample (samples B and C). Samples A and B were used to determine criterion and construct validity comparing the survey findings with clinical evaluation and medical records, respectively; while sample C was used to determine intra- and inter-rater reliability. RESULTS: After completing the rigorous translation process, only four items were considered problematic and required a new translation. In total, 127 patients were included in the validation study: 76 to determine criterion and construct validity and 41 to establish intra- and inter-rater reliability. For an overall diagnosis of diabetes-related foot disease, a substantial level of agreement was obtained when we compared the Q-DFD with the clinical assessment (kappa 0.77, sensitivity 80.4%, specificity 91.5%, positive likelihood ratio [LR+] 9.46, negative likelihood ratio [LR-] 0.21); while an almost perfect level of agreement was obtained when it was compared with medical records (kappa 0.88, sensitivity 87%, specificity 97%, LR+ 29.0, LR- 0.13). Survey reliability showed substantial levels of agreement, with kappa scores of 0.63 and 0.73 for intra- and inter-rater reliability, respectively. CONCLUSION: The translated and cross-culturally adapted Q-DFD showed good psychometric properties (validity, reproducibility, and reliability) that allow its use in Spanish-speaking diabetic populations.

Pathogenesis and therapeutics of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis.

Interstitial lung disease is a common manifestation in systemic sclerosis and is considered as one of the two main causes of death among these patients. Although the pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease related to systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD) is very complex and not yet fully understood, diverse mechanisms such as vascular injury, altered immunological response and inflammatory activation have been proposed. Vascular injury is considered as the earliest event in the pathogenesis of this disease and has been associated with an excessive formation of alveolar capillaries, circulating endothelial cells, and increased expression of endothelin-1. Different cells like myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and T lymphocytes are involved in the inflammatory activation. Meanwhile, lymphocyte activation, release of several cytokines and autoantibody production play an important role in the immunological response. To date, the treatment of SSc-ILD is not totally defined, as studies have shown mixed results. Given the high progression of the disease, it is difficult to enroll patients for clinical trials. Therefore, there is lack of evidence to guide therapeutic approaches. Throughout this paper, we present evidence supporting that the combination of glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide is considered the best regimen for patients with SSc-ILD. In addition, we present data regarding the use of azathioprine, mycophenolate, anti-fibrosing agents, bosentan, rituximab, and imatinib mesylate as alternative therapies. Finally, for patients who are unresponsive to pharmacologic interventions, we present data regarding the efficacy of highdose immunosuppression with autologous transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells, and lung transplantation.