Nutriepigenomics and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: potential role of dietary and epigenetics factors in disease development and management.

Over recent decades, a number of studies have revealed the possible role of different types of diets, as well as the nutritional elements they are made up of, in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To date, dietary factors have been identified to play a role in the prevention of COPD, with evidence from antioxidant nutrients, vitamins, and fiber intake. Additionally, certain dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, together with other Western diets, provide evidence of the influence on COPD development, promoting lung health through nutritional approaches, and giving us an opportunity for intervention.

Step-Up and Step-Down Treatment Approaches for COPD: A Holistic View of Progressive Therapies.

Recent advances in inhaled drugs and a clearer definition of the disease have made the task of managing COPD more complex. Different proposals have been put forward which combine all the available treatments and the different clinical presentations in an effort to select the best therapeutic options for each clinical context. As COPD is a chronic progressive disease, the escalation of therapy has traditionally been considered the most natural way to tackle it.

International Consensus Document on Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The main aim of this international consensus document on obstructive sleep apnea is to provide guidelines based on a critical analysis of the latest literature to help health professionals make the best decisions in the care of adult patients with this disease. The expert working group was formed primarily of 17 scientific societies and 56 specialists from a wide geographical area (including the participation of 4 international societies), an expert in methodology, and a documentalist from the Iberoamerican Cochrane Center. The document consists of a main section containing the most significant innovations and a series of online manuscripts that report the systematic literature searches performed for each section of the international consensus document.

Integrating Comorbidities and Phenotype-Based Medicine in Patient-Centered Medicine in COPD.

Despite recent notable innovations in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), no major advances in patient-centered medicine have been achieved. Current guidelines base their proposals on the average results from clinical trials, leading to what could be termed 'means-based' medical practice. However, the therapeutic response is variable at the patient level.

Implications of a Change of Paradigm in Alpha1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Augmentation Therapy: From Biochemical to Clinical Efficacy.

Ever since the first studies, restoring proteinase imbalance in the lung has traditionally been considered as the main goal of alpha1 antitrypsin (AAT) replacement therapy. This strategy was therefore based on ensuring biochemical efficacy, identifying a protection threshold, and evaluating different dosage regimens. Subsequently, the publication of the results of the main clinical trials showing a decrease in the progression of pulmonary emphysema has led to a debate over a possible change in the main objective of treatment, from biochemical efficacy to clinical efficacy in terms of lung densitometry deterioration prevention.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and the Respiratory System.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that always affects the respiratory muscles. It is characterized by degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Respiratory complications are the most common causes of death in ALS and typically occur within 3 to 5 years of diagnosis.