PIMA Study. Improvement of adherence and quality of life of obstructive sleep apnea under CPAP treatment through anintervention based on the stratifcation and personalization of care plans: a randomized controlled trial / Estudio pima. Mejora de la adherencia y de la calidad de vida de la apnea obstructiva del sueño en tratamiento con cpap a través de una intervención basada en la estratificación y personalización de los planes de atención: un ensayo controlado aleatorizado

Introducción. El tratamiento de primera línea para la apnea obstructiva del sueño (AOS) es la terapia de presión positiva continua en las vías respiratorias (CPAP). La falta de adherencia es el principal problema de la CPAP. Se necesita un paciente motivado. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la adherencia a la CPAP y los resultados relacionados con la salud en pacientes con AOS a través de un programa integral basado en estratificación y planes de atención individualizados, utilizando entrevista motivacional. Métodos. Ensayo controlado aleatorizado multicéntrico realizado en 3 hospitales. El grupo de control siguió el tratamiento habitual. El grupo de intervención (PIMA) siguió el tratamiento con un plan de cuidados adaptado basado en variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y psicológicas, utilizando entrevista motivacional. El resultado principal fue la adherencia (90 y 180 días de tratamiento) y los secundarios fueron la calidad de vida, el estado emocional, las actividades, las relaciones sociales, la competencia percibida y la motivación. Resultados. Se aleatorizaron 213 pacientes (grupo PIMA: 108; grupo de control: 105). Se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el grupo PIMA versus el grupo control en la adherencia a los 90 y 180 días: 129.24 (IC95% 77.25-181.22) p < 0.0001 y 288.30 (IC95% 187.146-389.47) p < 0.0001. La adherencia (horas/día) fue mayor en el grupo PIMA comparado con el grupo control (90 días) con una diferencia de 1.74 horas/día (IC95% 1.18-2.30) p < 0.0001 y a los 180 días con una diferencia de 2.31 (IC95% 1.72-2.91) p < 0.001. Los resultados secundarios mostraron diferencias significativas a favor del grupo PIMA. Conclusiones. Se encontró evidencia de que un programa basado en estratificación y planes de atención personalizados, utilizando entrevistas motivacionales, mejora la adherencia a la CPAP y la calidad de vida (AU)

Introduction. The first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Lack of adherence is the main problem with CPAP. A motivated patient is needed. The objective of this study is to determine adherence to CPAP and health-related outcomes in patients with OSA through a comprehensive program based on stratification and individualized care plans, using motivational interviewing. Methods. Multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in 3 hospitals. Control group followed the usual treatment. Intervention group (PIMA) followed the treatment with an adapted care based on sociodemographic, clinical and psychological variables, using motivational interview. The main outcome was adherence (90 and 180 days of treatment), and the secondary outcomes were quality of life, emotional state, activities, social relationships, perceived competence, and motivation. Results. 213 patients were randomized (intervention group: 108; control group: 105). A statistically significant difference was found in the intervention group versus the control group in adherence at 90 and 180 days: 129.24 (IC95% 77.25-181.22) p< 0.0001 and 288.30 (IC95% 187.146-389.47) p< 0.0001. Adherence (hours/day) was higher in the PIMA group compared to the control group at 90 days with a difference of 1.74 hours/day (IC95% 1.18-2.30) p< 0.0001 and at 180 days with a difference of 2.31 (IC95% 1.72-2.91) p< 0.001. The secondary results showed significant differences in favour of the PIMA group. Conclusions. Evidence was found that a program based on stratification and personalized care plans, using motivational interviewing, improves adherence to CPAP and quality of life (AU)

Role of emphysema and airway obstruction in prognosis of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that the presence of COPD and emphysema is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, but the prognosis significance of these two conditions is not well known. The aim of our study was to analyze the influence of COPD and emphysema in the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-three patients with cytohistologic diagnosis of NSCLC were prospectively collected. The relationship between survival at two years and the following variables: age, sex, smoking habit, comorbid diseases (cardiovascular diseases, previous tumour and COPD), weight loss, presence of emphysema on CT scan, performance status (PS) and treatment, was analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for survival analysis. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, stratified by TNM stage, was used to evaluate prognostic factors. RESULTS: Emphysema was present in 110 patients, associated with COPD in 78 (70.9%). In univariate analysis, survival decreased with age>70 years (p=0.01), presence of emphysema (p=0.02), weight loss (p=0.00001), PS≥2 (p=0.00001) and symptomatic treatment (p=0.0001). Multivariate analyses identified emphysema (HR=1.49 (95% CI 1.11-2.01)), PS≥2 (HR=2.12 (95% CI 1.31-3.38)) and treatment: surgery (HR=0.3 (95% CI 0.15-0.56)) and chemotherapy (HR=0.34 (95% CI 0.31-0.57)) as independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: The presence of emphysema affects the prognostic outcome of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Emphysema should therefore be considered for prognostic studies on comorbidity.

Time to culture conversion in smokers with pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that tobacco smoking slows the sterilisation of sputum culture in pulmonary tuberculosis, but the factors that could delay culture conversion in patients who smoke are not known. Our aim is to identify the factors influencing sputum culture conversion in smokers with pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients with a smoking history and diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis were analysed retrospectively. The relationship between sputum culture status at the second month and the following variables: age, gender, pack-years index, comorbid diseases, number acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in sputum smear examination, radiological findings (cavitary, extensive or limited disease), drug susceptibility pattern and initial treatment, was analysed. The Student t-test, chi-square test and logistic regression model with forward stepwise conditional methods were used for statistical analysis. A p value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Twenty six patients (26.2%): 18 males (22.2%) and 8 females (44%) were sputum culture positive at the end of the second month of treatment. In univariate analysis, culture conversion time was significantly associated with female gender and extensive disease, but in a logistic regression analysis was only correlated with female gender (OR=5.63 95% CI 1.21-20.64-p=0.02). CONCLUSION: In current smokers with pulmonary tuberculosis, the 'time to culture' conversion relates only to the female gender.

[Transbronchial needle aspiration in bronchogenic carcinoma with visible lesions: diagnostic yield and cost]. / Punción transbronquial en el carcinoma broncogénico con lesión visible: rendimiento y coste económico.

BACKGROUND: Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a bronchoscopic technique whose usefulness in diagnosing endobronchial lesions has not yet been clearly established. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether the diagnostic yield of fiberoptic bronchoscopy could be increased, without a negative impact on diagnostic costs, if TBNA were used in combination with conventional diagnostic techniques (bronchial washings and bronchial brushings and forceps biopsy). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cases of 130 patients diagnosed with bronchogenic carcinoma with endoscopically visible lesions were analyzed retrospectively. All had undergone conventional diagnostic procedures; TBNA was also performed if the bronchoscopist considered it was indicated. The final cost was calculated in euros for each diagnosis as the sum of the cost of the procedures needed to reach the diagnosis, including both endoscopic procedures and others (transthoracic needle aspiration, lymph node biopsy). Diagnostic yield and costs in cases diagnosed using only conventional techniques were compared to the yield and costs in cases in which both conventional techniques and TBNA were used. RESULTS: TBNA was performed in 49 patients and provided the diagnosis in 85.7%. Conventional techniques led to cytological and histological diagnosis in 80.2% of the cases, and the combination of conventional techniques and TBNA gave a diagnosis in 89.7% (P=.01). Significant differences were observed in extrinsic compression (conventional 37.5%; conventional+TBNA 100%; P=.01), submucosal infiltration (conventional 54.6%; conventional+TBNA 85%; P=.03), and exophytic mass with necrosis (conventional 80%; conventional+TBNA 100%; P=.01). The mean (SD) cost of diagnosis was euros 381.60 (euros 156.53) using conventional techniques and euros 413.25 (euros 112.91) for conventional techniques in combination with TBNA. By adding TBNA, costs decreased for diagnoses of submucosal infiltration, exophytic mass with necrosis and extrinsic compression, although the saving was significant only for extrinsic compression. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic yield of TBNA is high for endoscopically visible bronchial anomalies suggesting neoplasm, particularly when the lesion is due to extrinsic compression, submucosal infiltration, or exophytic mass with necrosis.

Punción transbronquial en el carcinoma broncogénicocon lesión visible: rendimiento y coste económico / Transbronchial needle aspiration in bronchogenic carcinoma with visible lesions: diagnostic yield and cost

FUNDAMENTO: La punción transbronquial (PTB) es una técnica broncoscópica cuya utilidad en tumores con lesión endobronquial no está claramente establecida.OBJETIVO: Con nuestro trabajo pretendemos estudiar si la combinación de la PTB con las técnicas diagnósticas convencionales (aspirado, cepillado y biopsia bronquiales) incrementa el rendimiento de la fibrobroncoscopia, sin repercutir negativamente en el coste económico (CE) del proceso diagnóstico. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se analizó de forma retrospectiva a 130 pacientes diagnosticados de carcinoma broncogénico con lesión endoscópica visible, a quienes se les practicaron las técnicas convencionales, quedando a criterio del broncoscopista responsable la realización de PTB. Se calculó el coste final por proceso, en euros, constituido por la suma del coste de los procedimientos necesarios para lograr el diagnóstico, en los que se incluían los endoscópicos y otros (punción transtorácica, punción-biopsia ganglionar). Se compararon el rendimiento y el CE entre el grupo de pacientes a los que se practicaron las técnicas convencionales (ACB) y aquellos a los que se añadió PTB (ACB + PTB). RESULTADOS: La PTB se realizó en 49 pacientes y proporcionó el diagnóstico de naturaleza en el 85,7 por ciento de los casos. Con ACB se logró la filiación citohistológica en el 80,2 por ciento de los casos, y en el 89,7 por ciento con ACB + PTB (p = 0,01); se apreciaron diferencias significativas en: compresión extrínseca (ACB: 37,5 por ciento; ACB + PTB: 100 por ciento; p = 0,01), infiltración submucosa (ACB: 54,6 por ciento; ACB + PTB: 85 por ciento; p = 0,03) y masa exofítica con necrosis (ACB: 80 por ciento; ACB + PTB: 100 por ciento; p = 0,01). El CE medio fue de 381,60 ñ 156,53 euros en ACB y 413,25 ñ 112,91 en ACB + PTB; al añadir la PTB se redujo el CE en infiltración submucosa, masa exofítica con necrosis y compresión extrínseca, aunque este ahorro sólo resultó significativo en compresión extrínseca. CONCLUSIÓN: La punción transbronquial es una técnica de elevada rentabilidad en presencia de anomalías endobronquiales indicativas de neoformación, particularmente cuando la lesión visualizada corresponde a compresión extrínseca, infiltración submucosa o masa exofítica con superficie necrótica (AU)

[Non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma in advanced stages: prognostic value of weight loss and clinical implications]. / Carcinoma broncogénico no microcítico en estadios avanzados: influencia pronóstica de la pérdida de peso e implicaciones clínicas.

UNLABELLED: This study of advanced-stage non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma aimed 1) to identify prognostic factors collected at the moment of diagnosis, 2) to determine whether weight loss is a useful parameter to screen for subjects who will receive greater benefit from anticancer therapy.Patients and methods. Eighty-one patients were enrolled after diagnosis of stage III-B and IV non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma and levels of activity < 2 according to Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group classification. The variables studied were age, sex, smoking history, associated disease, clinical data (weight loss, dyspnea, superior vena cava syndrome), laboratory parameters [hemoglobin, serum albumin, total lymphocytes, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), calcium and liver enzymes], tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging, histologic type, activity, treatment received and survival in weeks. The results were analyzed in two groups: 1) the general group consisting of results for all patients, and 2) the no-weight-loss group consisting of results for those whose weight had been stable. Student t, chi-squared, Kaplan Meier, log-rank and Cox's regression model were used to analyze data and survival. RESULTS: Mean survival was 29 weeks (21-37). Survival was significantly related to weight loss, total lymphocytes, serum LDH, TNM and activity level in the general group. Only two factors continued to have prognostic value in the multivariate study: weight loss (OR: 1.48 (1.14-1.92), p = 0.002) and TNM (OR: 0.72 (0.54-0.96), p = 0.02). Among the patients with no weight loss, treatment received and TNM were significantly related to survival in univariable analysis and in Cox's regression model. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience with advanced lung cancer subjected to anticancer therapy, the presence of weight loss is the variable with the greatest prognostic value, such that it may be useful to consider it routinely, along with activity level, to try to identify patients who will receive the most benefit from cytostatic treatment.

Carcinoma broncogénico no microcítico en estadios avanzados: influencia pronóstica de la pérdida de peso e implicaciones clínicas / Non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma in advanced stages: prognostic value of weight loss and clinical implications

OBJETIVOS: Se diseñó un estudio en carcinoma broncogénico no microcítico en estadios avanzados, con los siguientes objetivos: a) identificar factores pronósticos recogidos en el momento del diagnóstico, y b) precisar si la pérdida de peso es un parámetro útil para seleccionar a los sujetos que obtendrían un mayor beneficio del tratamiento oncológico. PACIENTES MÉTODOS: Se incluyó a 81 pacientes diagnosticados de carcinoma broncogénico no microcítico en estadios III-b y IV y con grado de actividad menor de 2 según ECOG. Las variables a estudiar fueron: edad, sexo, antecedentes de tabaquismo, comorbilidad, datos clínicos (pérdida de peso, disnea, síndrome de vena cava superior), parámetros de laboratorio (hemoglobina, albúmina sérica, linfocitos totales, lactatodeshidrogenasa sérica, calcemia y enzimas hepáticas), tipo histológico, grado de actividad, estadificación tumoral (TNM), tratamiento recibido y supervivencia en semanas. Se analizaron dos grupos: grupo general, formado por todos los pacientes, y grupo sin pérdida de peso, constituido por los sujetos en que estaba ausente este síntoma. Para el estudio estadístico y de supervivencia se utilizaron las siguientes pruebas: t de Student, 2, Kaplan-Meier, test de rangos logarítmos y modelos de regresión de Cox. RESULTADOS: La mediana de supervivencia fue de 29 semanas (rango: 21-37). En el grupo general presentaban una relación significativa con la supervivencia los siguientes parámetros: pérdida de peso, linfocitos totales, LDH sérica, TNM y grado de actividad. De éstos, sólo mantenían implicación pronóstica en el estudio multivariado de pérdida de peso (HR: 1,48 [1,14-1,92]; p = 0,002) y la TNM (HR: 0,72 [0,54-0,96]; p = 0,02). En el grupo sin pérdida de peso en el univariado tienen relación significativa el tratamiento recibido y la TNM, conservando ambas una correlación con el pronóstico al incluirlas en modelos de regresión de Cox. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestra experiencia, en carcinoma de pulmón en estadios avanzados subsidiarios de tratamiento oncológico, la pérdida de peso es la variable con mayor poder pronóstico, por lo que podría ser conveniente considerarla de manera rutinaria, conjuntamente con el grado de actividad, para intentar identificar a los pacientes que obtendrían un mayor beneficio del tratamiento citostático (AU)

[Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with hospital treatment. The value of the clinical picture and complementary exams in predicting its etiology]. / Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) con tratamiento hospitalario. Interés de la clínica y exámenes complementarios en la predicción de la etiología.

We studied 162 patients with community-acquired pneumonia admitted for hospital treatment, in order to determine the utility of clinical and ancillary examinations for predicting etiology and guiding the most appropriate empirical treatment. Acute first appearance of symptoms, purulent expectoration, chest sounds indicating lung condensation, pleuritic chest pain and leukocytosis over 12,500/ml were statistically significant in differentiating typical pneumonias from those with atypical behavior patterns. The last two features were the most relevant according to multivariate analysis. We conclude that careful taking of case histories and basic blood testing continue to be relevant and must not be considered anachronistic for the differential diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonias.