The Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery Lung Cancer Cooperative Group-II registry. A descriptive study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The seventh edition of the TNM classification, together with undeniable advantages, has limitations. The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Staging Committee has designed an international prospective study to improve this classification. A group of thoracic surgeons and pulmonologists was established in the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) Oncology area, and created a registry of new lung cancer (LC) cases to participate in this project. The aim of this paper is to describe the main characteristics of the patients included. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, observational, multicentre, multiregional data collection (epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and, especially, anatomical extension) study, according to the IASLC protocol, to analyse its prognostic value. RESULTS: Two thousand, four hundred and nineteen patients (83.6% men) from 28 hospitals were included. Ninety-six percent of the men and 54% of the women were smokers or ex-smokers. Chest/abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning was performed in over 90% and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scanning in 51.5% of cases. Among the 1035 patients who underwent surgery, 77% had early stages (ia to iib), and 61.6% of those treated using other methods had stage iv. Respiratory comorbidity was higher in men (47.9% versus 21.4%). The most common histological subtype was adenocarcinoma (34%), especially in non-smoking women (69.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of women and adenocarcinomas, as well as those resected at an early stage, increased among LC cases in Spain.

[Bronchiectasis in the elderly. Study of serum levels of immunoglobulin G subclasses]. / Bronquiectasias en pacientes mayores de 65 años. Estudio de los valores séricos de las subclases de inmunoglobulina G.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To analyze the serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses in a broad range of elderly patients with bronchiectasis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Data were collected from all patients who had a high-resolution chest computerized axial tomography diagnosis of bronchiectasis in our center. We gathered data related to case history, respiratory symptoms, forced spirometry, general laboratory tests, immunoglobulin concentration (including IgG subclasses), Mantoux test, sputum culture and staining, paranasal sinus X-rays/computerized axial tomography, and a specific etiologic evaluation based on the available clinical evidence. RESULTS: A total of 128 patients were included -mean age (standard deviation): 71.6 (5.1) years; range: 65-88; 44.5% males- and 20.3% of them had chronic sputum colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 28.1% cases had a post-infectious nature and in 40.6% the etiology was unknown. Sixteen patients (12.5%) had decreased levels of at least one of the sIgG compared to normal values. The most frequent deficiency corresponded to IgG2 levels. These subjects showed a characteristic profile of bronchiectasis with an increased lung extension of the disease (p = 0.02); greater presence of cylindrical and diffuse bronchiectasis (p = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively), greater percentage of an unknown etiology (p = 0.004); greater presence of paranasal sinus X-ray abnormalities (p = 0.004) and increased number of past repeated upper airway infections (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased serum levels of IgG subclasses might be associated with a characteristic profile of bronchiectasis in elderly patients in whom other etiologies have been ruled out.

Bronquiectasias en pacientes mayores de 65 años. Estudio de los valores séricos de las subclases de inmunoglobulina G / Bronchiectasis in the elderly. Study of serum levels of immunoglobulin G subclasses

Fundamento y objetivo: Analizar los valores séricos de las subclases de inmunoglobulina G (IgG) en un amplio número de pacientes mayores de 65 años con bronquiectasias. Pacientes y método: De todos los pacientes mayores de 65 años diagnosticados en nuestro centro de bronquiectasias mediante tomografía computarizada de alta resolución de tórax, se recogieron de forma prospectiva datos relativos a la historia clínica, síntomas, espirometría forzada, estudio analítico, determinación de la concentración de inmunoglobulinas, incluidas las subclases de IgG, Mantoux, tinción y cultivo de esputo, radiografía/tomografía computarizada de senos paranasales y estudio etiológico específico según sospecha clínica. Resultados: Se incluyó en el estudio a 128 pacientes, con una edad media (desviación estándar) de 71,6 (5,1) años (extremos: 65-88 años); un 44,5% eran varones. El 20,3% presentó colonización crónica por Pseudomonas aeruginosa. La causa conocida más frecuente de bronquiectasias fue la infecciosa (28,1%), si bien el 40,6% permaneció con etiología desconocida. Dieciséis pacientes (12,5%) presentaron alguna disminución de los valores séricos de las subclases de IgG respecto a los valores de normalidad, siendo la más frecuente la disminución de los valores de IgG2. Estos pacientes mostraron un perfil de bronquiectasias peculiar: de forma significativa, presentaron una mayor extensión pulmonar (p = 0,02), mayor porcentaje de formas difusas y cilíndricas (p = 0,02 y 0,01, respectivamente), mayor porcentaje de formas con etiología no conocida (p = 0,004), mayor afectación de los senos paranasales (p = 0,004) y mayor prevalencia pasada de infecciones respiratorias de las vías altas de repetición (p = 0,03). Conclusiones: La disminución de los valores séricos de las subclases de IgG podría asociarse a la aparición de bronquiectasias con un perfil peculiar en pacientes mayores de 65 años en los que se ha descartado otra posible causa

Background and objective: To analyze the serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses in a broad range of elderly patients with bronchiectasis. Patientes and method: Data were collected from all patients who had a high-resolution chest computerized axial tomography diagnosis of bronchiectasis in our center. We gathered data related to case history, respiratory symptoms, forced spirometry, general laboratory tests, immunoglobulin concentration (including IgG subclasses), Mantoux test, sputum culture and staining, paranasal sinus X-rays/computerized axial tomography, and a specific etiologic evaluation based on the available clinical evidence. Results: A total of 128 patients were included ­mean age (standard deviation): 71.6 (5.1) years; range: 65-88; 44.5% males­ and 20.3% of them had chronic sputum colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 28.1% cases had a post-infectious nature and in 40.6% the etiology was unknown. Sixteen patients (12.5%) had decreased levels of at least one of the sIgG compared to normal values. The most frequent deficiency corresponded to IgG2 levels. These subjects showed a characteristic profile of bronchiectasis with an increased lung extension of the disease (p = 0.02); greater presence of cylindrical and diffuse bronchiectasis (p = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively), greater percentage of an unknown etiology (p = 0.004); greater presence of paranasal sinus X-ray abnormalities (p = 0.004) and increased number of past repeated upper airway infections (p = 0.03) Conclusions: Decreased serum levels of IgG subclasses might be associated with a characteristic profile of bronchiectasis in elderly patients in whom other etiologies have been ruled out