Improving Anxiety Related to Chronic Pain Through a Sleep Circadian Intervention Program: A Pilot Study.

The limitations of pharmacological treatments for chronic pain have become increasingly evident: dependency, side effects, resistance, and diminishing efficacy. The urgent need for innovative solutions has become a compelling focus for improving patient outcomes. Innovative non-pharmacological approaches, such as sleep management, as a strategy to reduce opioid consumption and pain control are needed.

Occupational Exposures, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Tomographic Findings in the Spanish Population.

Self-reported occupational exposure was previously associated with COPD in the Spanish population. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between occupational exposure to various chemical and biological agents, COPD, emphysema, and the bronchial wall area, which was determined by lung computed tomography (CT) in 226 individuals with COPD and 300 individuals without COPD. Lifetime occupational exposures were assessed using the ALOHA(+) job exposure matrix, and CT and spirometry were also performed.

TGF-β1 overexpression in severe COVID-19 survivors and its implications for early-phase fibrotic abnormalities and long-term functional impairment.

Introduction: In post-COVID survivors, transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1) might mediate fibroblast activation, resulting in persistent fibrosis.

Methods: In this study, 82 survivors of COVID-19-associated ARDS were examined at 6- and 24-months post-ICU discharge. At 6-months, quantitative CT analysis of lung attenuation was performed and active TGF-β1 was measured in blood and exhaled breath condensate (EBC).

The Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Subclinical Target Organ Damage in Patients With Resistant Hypertension.

Introduction: Among all patients with hypertension, those with resistant hypertension (RH) have the highest rates of subclinical organ damage (SOD). The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is high in RH patients, and it could contribute to SOD. We aimed to investigate how OSA and its treatment are related to SOD in a large cohort of RH patients.

Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment on the Arteriole-to-Venule Ratio in Patients With Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Trial.

Background And Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the arteriolar-to-venular ratio (AVR) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Patients And Methods: A prospective, randomized, unblinded, and controlled clinical trial with parallel groups was performed. From a base of 138 patients, 83 were randomized to either CPAP or control.

Effect of physical activity in lymphocytes senescence burden in patients with COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is regarded as an accelerated-age disease in which chronic inflammation, maladaptive immune responses, and senescence cell burden coexist. Accordingly, cellular senescence has emerged as a potential mechanism involved in COPD pathophysiology. In this study, 25 stable patients with COPD underwent a daily physical activity promotion program for 6 mo.

Long-term effect of obstructive sleep apnoea management on blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension: the SARAH study.

Background: There is a close relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and resistant hypertension (RH). However, studies assessing the long-term effect of diagnosing and treating OSA on blood pressure (BP) control in these patients are lacking.

Methods: To address this gap, we recruited 478 RH patients from hypertension units and followed them prospectively after they were screened for OSA through a sleep study.

Endothelial dysfunction and persistent inflammation in severe post-COVID-19 patients: implications for gas exchange.

Background: Understanding the enduring respiratory consequences of severe COVID-19 is crucial for comprehensive patient care. This study aims to evaluate the impact of post-COVID conditions on respiratory sequelae of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: We examined 88 survivors of COVID-19-associated severe ARDS six months post-intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.

Medium-Term Disability and Long-Term Functional Impairment Persistence in Survivors of Severe COVID-19 ARDS: Clinical and Physiological Insights.

Background: Although the medium- and long-term sequelae of survivor of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of any cause have been documented, little is known about the way in which COVID-19-induced ARDS affects functional disability and exercise components. Our aims were to examine the medium-term disability in severe COVID-19-associated ARDS survivors, delineate pathophysiological changes contributing to their exercise intolerance, and explore its utility in predicting long-term functional impairment persistence.

Methods: We studied 108 consecutive subjects with severe COVID-19 ARDS who remained alive 6 months after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.

Motivation and Confidence about Physical Activity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: Health Benefits Matter to Patients.

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) has shown great benefits in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, their PA is below average. Motivational factors associated with PA in COPD have not been widely studied and could be a target for improving adherence to PA. The objective of our study was to identify and understand the different motivational and confidence factors related to low levels of PA in a COPD cohort.

Characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea related to insulin resistance.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with multiple comorbidities, including diabetes. Its development is preceded by alterations in the initial phase of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by insulin resistance. This study aims to evaluate the role of intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation characteristic of OSA on the risk of insulin resistance among apneic patients without diabetes.

Dynamic hyperinflation is a risk factor for mortality and severe exacerbations in COPD patients.

Objective: To assess if dynamic hyperinflation is an independent risk factor for mortality and severe exacerbations in COPD patients.

Methods: A cohort of 141 patients with stable COPD and moderate to very severe airflow limitation, treated according to conventional guidelines, was followed for a median of 9 years. Clinical characteristics were recorded and arterial blood gases, pulmonary function tests, 6-min walk and incremental exercise test with measurement of respiratory pattern and operative lung volumes were performed.

Dysregulation in CD39/CD73 Axis May Trigger the Upsurge of the Immune Suppressive Agent Adenosine in OSA Patients.

Introduction: Although higher incidence of cancer represents a major burden for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, the molecular pathways driving this association are not completely understood. Interestingly, adenosinergic signaling has emerged as a powerful immune checkpoint driving tumor development and progression.

Methods: Here, we explored the expression of the adenosinergic ecto-enzymes CD39 and CD73 in T-lymphocytes of OSA patients without any evidence of cancer, as well as their soluble forms in plasma (sCD39 and sCD73), along with adenosine.

SARS-CoV-2 S protein activates NLRP3 inflammasome and deregulates coagulation factors in endothelial and immune cells.

Background: Hyperinflammation, hypercoagulation and endothelial injury are major findings in acute and post-COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 S protein has been detected as an isolated element in human tissues reservoirs and is the main product of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. We investigated whether the S protein alone triggers pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant responses in primary cultures of two cell types deeply affected by SARS-CoV-2, such are monocytes and endothelial cells.

Association between occupational exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory symptoms in the Spanish population.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of occupational exposure on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory symptoms in the general Spanish population.

Methods: This was a study nested in the Spanish EPISCAN II cross-sectional epidemiological study that included participants who had completed a structured questionnaire on their occupational history, a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, and forced spirometry. The data were analyzed using Chi-square and Student's t tests and adjusted models of multiple linear regression and logistic regression.

PSGL-1: a novel immune checkpoint driving T-cell dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea.

Introduction: Although higher incidence of cancer represents a major burden for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, the molecular pathways driving this association are not completely understood. Recently, the adhesion receptor P-selectin glycoprotein-1 (PSGL 1) has been identified as a novel immune checkpoint, which are recognized major hallmarks in several types of cancer and have revolutionized cancer therapy.

Methods: The expression of PSGL-1 and its ligands VISTA and SIGLEC-5 was assessed in the leucocytes of OSA patients and control subjects exploring the role of intermittent hypoxia (IH) using models.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Effect on Progression of Retinal Disease in Patients with Sleep Apnea and Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with impaired glycemic control and a higher risk of vascular complications, such as diabetic retinopathy. However, the effect of apnea-hypopnea suppression on retinal disease progression is unclear. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for the reduction of retinal lesions in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and OSA.

Prevalence, Knowledge and Perceptions of Smoking and Tobacco Products and Vape Among SEPAR Members.

Introduction: The professional dedicated to respiratory health has an exemplary role in tobacco control, promoting smoking cessation in their patients. However, multiple circumstances cause a low implementation. Therefore, the objective of the study is to identify the consumption, knowledge and perception of tobacco and its emerging products in a representative sample of professionals involved in the treatment of respiratory patients integrated into the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR).

Tobacco Patterns and Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Results From a Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: There is still uncertainty about which aspects of cigarette smoking influence the risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to estimate the COPD risk as related to duration of use, intensity of use, lifetime tobacco consumption, age of smoking initiation and years of abstinence.

Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study based on data from the EPISCAN-II study (n=9092).