Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has become an increasingly prevalent complication in oncological patients, negatively impacting their quality of life and casting a shadow over their prognosis. Owing to the pathophysiological mechanisms involved and the heterogeneous nature of the underlying disease, this entity is both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Advances in the understanding of MPE have led to a shift in the treatment paradigm towards a more personalized approach.

Ultrasound in the Study of Thoracic Diseases: Innovative Aspects.

Thoracic ultrasound (TU) has rapidly gained popularity over the past 10 years. This is in part because ultrasound equipment is available in many settings, more training programmes are educating trainees in this technique, and ultrasound can be done rapidly without exposure to radiation. The aim of this review is to present the most interesting and innovative aspects of the use of TU in the study of thoracic diseases.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Pleural Effusion. Recommendations of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery. Update 2022.

Pleural effusion (PE) is a common yet complex disease that requires specialized, multidisciplinary management. Recent advances, novel diagnostic techniques, and innovative patient-centered therapeutic proposals have prompted an update of the current guidelines. This document provides recommendations and protocols based on a critical review of the literature on the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and new therapeutic options in PE, and addresses some cost-effectiveness issues related to the main types of PE.

Survivin is a negative prognostic factor in malignant pleural effusion.

Background: Survivin is a well-known member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family, and has been related to increased tumour aggressivity, both in tissue and in pleural fluid.

Objectives: In patients with malignant pleural effusion, we sought to investigate the changes in pleural fluid survivin concentrations induced by talc instillation into the pleural space. Those changes were also examined in relation to pleurodesis outcome and patient survival.

Predictive factors for moderate or severe exacerbations in asthma patients receiving outpatient care.

Background: Asthma exacerbations are important events that affect disease control, but predictive factors for severe or moderate exacerbations are not known. The objective was to study the predictive factors for moderate (ME) and severe (SE) exacerbations in asthma patients receiving outpatient care.

Methods: Patients aged > 12 years with asthma were included in the study and followed-up at 4-monthly intervals over a 12-month period.

Is the bronchodilator test an useful tool to measure asthma control?

Introduction: Asthma control includes the control of symptoms and future risk. We sought to evaluate the usefulness of the degree of spirometric reversibility of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) as the target parameter of control.

Methodology: Patients with bronchial asthma were followed up for one year.

Predictors of 10-year smoking abstinence in smokers abstinent for 1 year after treatment.

Aims: To identify factors predicting long-term relapse to smoking in people attending smoking treatment services who have maintained at least 1 year abstinence.

Design: Observational, prospective study with multiple logistic regression used to model predictors of relapse between 1 and 10 years from cessation using variables measured pre-cessation.

Setting And Participants: Among smokers receiving behavioural support for cessation in a clinic in Spain, in some cases with nicotine patches or bupropion, 366 had remained abstinent after 1 year of follow-up and were included into the study.

MicroRNA clusters: dysregulation in lung adenocarcinoma and COPD.

Lung adenocarcinoma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are pulmonary diseases that share common aetiological factors (tobacco smoking) and probable dysregulated pathways. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in regulating numerous physiological and pathological processes. The purpose of this study was to assess global miRNA expression patterns in patients with COPD and/or adenocarcinoma to elucidate distinct regulatory networks involved in the pathogenesis of these two smoking-related diseases.

Current and future options for the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.

Introduction: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a frequent problem faced by clinicians, but tumor pleural involvement can be seen without effusion.

Areas Covered: Imaging, pleural fluid analysis, biomarkers for MPE, needle pleural biopsy and thoracoscopy. To prepare this review, we performed a search using keywords: 'diagnosis' + 'malignant' + 'pleural' + 'effusion' (all fields) in PubMed, and found 4106 articles overall (until 16 January 2013, 881 in the last 5 years).

Identification of oxidative stress related proteins as biomarkers for lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in bronchoalveolar lavage.

Lung cancer (LC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly coexist in smokers, and the presence of COPD increases the risk of developing LC. Cigarette smoke causes oxidative stress and an inflammatory response in lung cells, which in turn may be involved in COPD and lung cancer development. The aim of this study was to identify differential proteomic profiles related to oxidative stress response that were potentially involved in these two pathological entities.

Management of malignant pleural effusions.

Purpose Of Review: Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are one of the most common problems faced by clinicians and, since there is no optimum treatment available, they deserve efforts aimed to improve their management.

Recent Findings: We have reviewed the most recent articles regarding treatment of MPE, with special emphasis on pleurodesis and indwelling pleural catheter placement. Although iodopovidone, silver nitrate and doxycycline are useful, talc continues to be the most effective agent available for pleurodesis.

[Comparison of the Asthma Control Test (ACT) with lung function, levels of exhaled nitric oxide and control according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)].

Introduction: The current goal of asthma treatment is to achieve and maintain control. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the ACT (Asthma Control Test) questionnaire and the levels of control according to GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) to establish the cut-off points for the ACT and evaluate its relationship with lung function and fractionated exhaled nitric oxide level (FeNO).

Patients And Methods: A multi-centre prospective study including 441 patients followed up in an outpatient Chest Clinic.

[Evaluation of a strategy for the control of tuberculosis in a health district of andalusia, Spain].

Background: Tuberculosis in Spain and Andalusia, the incidence rates above those of surrounding countries. Many authors emphasize the need for improved epidemiological information, the organization of health services and social support to patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results obtained after developing a strategy involving the three elements outlined in the Primary Care District of Andalusia.