Contribution of Anemia to Multidimensional Indices for Predicting Mortality in Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Background: Severe exacerbations are a significant predictor of poor prognosis and mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Multidimensional indices, such as the BODE (BMI, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity) and ADO indices (age, dyspnea severity, and airflow obstruction), outperform single-variable assessments in predicting survival. However, anemia, a strong predictor of mortality in both the general population and COPD patients, has not been included in the prediction indices.

The Impact of Anemia on Long-Term Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Purpose: Anemia is a risk factor for mortality within the general population and is notably prevalent among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our objective was to investigate the impact of anemia on the long-term mortality risk of hospitalized COPD patients. Additionally, we aimed to identify the cause of mortality to assess whether it was different in relation to the presence of anemia.

Transcriptomic Profiling of Pleural Effusions: Differences in Malignant and Infectious Fluids.

: Different cellular and molecular processes are involved in the production of malignant and infectious pleural effusions. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for these differences or their consequences remain incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to identify differences in gene expression in pleural exudates of malignant and infectious aetiology and establish the possible different biological processes involved in both situations.

Cross-cultural adaptation to Spanish of the Perceived Sensitivity to Medicines scale.

Background And Objective: Patients' views regarding the actions and side effects of medicines can be measured with the Perceived Sensitivity to Medicines (PSM) scale. The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the PSM scale for use in the Spanish population.

Materials And Methods: The translation and cultural adaptation of the PSM scale and a pretest of the Spanish version were carried out with 50 patients receiving outpatient care in various specialties.

First evidence of microplastics isolated in European citizens' lower airway.

Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in all environmental locations, including the atmosphere. However, few studies have investigated the presence of airborne MPs in the human respiratory system. Our research purpose was to investigate these pollutants in the lower human airways of 44 adult European citizens, using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collection as a minimally invasive method, that enables the detection of these pollutants in living patients.

Prediction of three-month readmission based on haematological parameters in patients with severe COPD exacerbation.

Introduction: Approximately one-third of patients hospitalised for an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are readmitted to the hospital within 90 days. It is of interest to identify biomarkers that predict relapse in order to prevent readmission in these patients. In our prospective study of patients admitted for COPD exacerbation, we aimed to analyse whether routine haematological parameters can help predict the three-month readmission risk.

[Sarcopenia index in hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation].

Sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and function) implies a worse prognosis. However, its diagnosis is complex and is not made in routine clinical care. A biomarker has been proposed as a surrogate estimator of skeletal muscle mass, the so-called sarcopenia index ([serum creatinine/cystatine C] x100) which is associated with prognostic features in various diseases including patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Symptoms in patients with asthma infected by SARS-CoV-2.

Introduction: Organ tropism of SARS-CoV-2 to the respiratory tract could potentially aggravate asthma. The susceptibility of patients with asthma to develop an exacerbation when they are infected with SARS-CoV-2 is unknown. We aimed to investigate the symptoms presented in patients with asthma who became infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Predictive factors for cardiac conduction abnormalities with hydroxychloroquine-containing combinations for COVID-19.

This longitudinal, prospective cohort study aimed to assess risk of QTc interval prolongation and its predicting factors in subjects treated with combinations containing hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for COVID-19. Moderate-to-severe QTc prolongation during therapy was defined as a QTc interval >470 ms in men or >480 ms in women. Patients were treated under strict cardiac supervision.

Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Survival in Malignant Pleural Effusion.

Background: Efforts have been made to search for parameters that facilitate the prediction of the 3-month survival for clinical decisions in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). We sought to evaluate whether the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) may be a useful marker of 3-month survival in a series of consecutive patients with MPE.

Methods: A total of 81 patients with MPE were included, 46 (57%) of whom were female.

Asthma prevalence in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection detected by RT-PCR not requiring hospitalization.

Introduction: The prevalence of asthma in patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 has been studied and varies widely in the different series. However, the prevalence in SARS-infected patients not requiring hospitalization is not known. The objective of this study was to analyze the presence of asthma in a consecutive series of patients who tested positive in the RT-PCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 and did not require hospital admission.