High dose rate endoluminal brachytherapy in the treatment of endobronchial lesions - experience of a single institution and literature review.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of Iridium-192 high-dose-rate endobronchial brachytherapy (HDR-EBT) for palliation of symptoms and for curative intent.

Material And Methods: This is a retrospective study of a prospectively registered cohort of 31 patients with endobronchial lesions treated with HDR-EBT at our institution between 2008 and 2020. Eighteen patients were treated with palliative intent and 13 curative intent; 4 of them as a boost to external radiation therapy (XRT).

Economic Impact and Clinical Outcomes of Omalizumab Add-On Therapy for Patients with Severe Persistent Asthma: A Real-World Study.

Background: Omalizumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody indicated as add-on therapy to improve asthma control in patients with severe persistent allergic asthma.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate social, healthcare expenditure and clinical outcomes changes after incorporating omalizumab into standard treatment in the control of severe asthma.

Methods: In this multicentre retrospective study, a total of 220 patients were included from 15 respiratory medicine departments in the regions of Andalusia and Extremadura (Spain).

Factors Associated with Depression in COPD: A Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Depression is a prevalent comorbidity in COPD and has an impact on the prognosis of these patients, thereby making it important to study the factors associated with depression in patients with COPD.

Method: A multicenter, observational and cross-sectional study was conducted to study the factors associated with depression in patients with COPD measured by the hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) questionnaire. We analyzed anthropometric variables and the number of exacerbations in the previous year and calculated the 6-min walking test and the body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise (BODE) index.

Clinical outcomes and cost analysis of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Exacerbations are a major cause of disability, hospital admissions, and increased healthcare costs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigated the clinical outcomes of outpatients with moderate to severe exacerbated COPD and their related costs.

Methods: An observational study on the outcomes of ambulatory exacerbations of COPD was conducted.

Factors associated with high healthcare resource utilisation among COPD patients.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) places a huge economic burden on healthcare systems, especially patients with frequent exacerbations and co-morbidities.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with high utilisation of healthcare resources in a population of patients with COPD.

Method: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study with the aim of identifying the factors associated with high resource utilisation among patients with COPD.

Factors associated with hospital admission for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that require hospital admission have a major impact on the progression of disease and generate high health costs.

Method: A multi-center, cross-sectional, observational, study was conducted with the aim to identify factors associated with hospital admission in patients with COPD. We obtained data of socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics, quality of life, respiratory symptoms, anxiety and depression, physical activity and pulmonary function tests.

Endoscopic sealing of bronchopleural fistulas with submucosal injection of a tissue expander: a novel technique.

The occurrence of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF) continues to represent a challenging management problem, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. A novel and successful technique that uses submucosal injection of a tissue expander for bronchoscopic occlusion of BPFs has been designed. This method may be used either alone or in combination with bronchoscopic instillation of n-butyl-cyanoacrylate glue.

CPAP titration: Different methods for similar clinical results.

Background: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the main treatment for obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for CPAP titration. However, alternative methods have been sought to titrate CPAP at less expense in terms of time and resources.