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.

Dissociation between physical capacity and daily physical activity in COPD patients. A population-based approach.

Badkground: Physical capacity (PC) and daily physical activity (PA) are two crucial factors in the clinical course of COPD, although they do not always maintain a close relationship. The objectives were to evaluate the frequency of PC-PA dissociation in patients with COPD and subjects without airflow limitation (AL) and to identify its risk factors.

Methods: A sample of 319 COPD patients and 399 subjects without AL was consecutively obtained from a population-based sample of 9092 subjects evaluated in the EPISCAN II study.

Stress in Emergency Healthcare Professionals: The Stress Factors and Manifestations Scale.

Background: Healthcare workers are continuously exposed to a high level of stress, especially emergency department professionals. In the present research, we aimed to determine the internal consistency and validity of the Stress Factors and Manifestations Scale for in-hospital and out-of-hospital emergency workers. Methods: A quantitative, prospective, cross-sectional, and observational study including 269 emergency service professionals.

Relationship between sleep habits and academic performance in university Nursing students.

Background: Sleep disorders are composed of a group of diseases of increasing prevalence and with social-health implications to be considered a public health problem. Sleep habits and specific sleep behaviors have an influence on the academic success of students. However, the characteristics of sleep and sleep habits of university students as predictors of poor academic performance have been scarcely analyzed.

Degree of control of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Spain: SINCON study.

Background: Disease control is an important objective of COPD management. The SINCON study evaluated the level of control in terms of respiratory symptoms and exacerbations in Spanish patients with COPD for ≥2 years.

Methods: SINCON was a descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study that assessed degree of control using a combined index comprising COPD assessment test (CAT), modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC), and number of moderate/severe exacerbations in the last year.

Determinants of medical prescriptions for COPD care: an analysis of the EPOCONSUL clinical audit.

Purpose: Current COPD management recommendations indicate that pharmacological treatment can be stepped up or down, but there are no recommendations on how to make this adjustment. We aimed to describe pharmacological prescriptions during a routine clinical visit for COPD and study the determinants of changing therapy.

Methods: EPOCONSUL is a Spanish nationwide observational cross-sectional clinical audit with prospective case recruitment including 4,508 COPD patients from outpatient respiratory clinics for a period of 12 months (May 2014-May 2015).

The evaluation of a remote support program on quality of life and evolution of disease in COPD patients with frequent exacerbations.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients often present considerable individual medical burden in their symptoms, limitations, and well-being that complicate medical treatment. To improve their overall health status, while reducing the number of exacerbations, a multidisciplinary approach including different elements of care is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a remote support program on COPD patients at high risk of experiencing worsening of their disease and other health-related outcomes.

A Paradox: α-Klotho Levels and Smoking Intensity.

Reports regarding smoking differences in α-klotho expression have provided conflicting results. In the current study we focused on the influence of smoking intensity to serum levels of the aging molecule α-klotho in healthy smokers. 40 middle aged healthy smokers without airway obstruction or restriction were selected for the analysis.

Benefits at 1 year of nocturnal intermittent positive pressure ventilation in patients with obesity-hypoventi lation syndrome.

Background: Patients with the obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) benefit from non-invasive ventilatory support. We assessed the long-term physiopathological response to 12-months of nocturnal ventilatory assistance at home with bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) via nasal mask in patients with this disease.

Methods: A series of 13 non-consecutive patients diagnosed of OHS (5 men and 8 women) with a mean (SD) age of 61.

Abnormalities of the respiratory function and control of ventilation in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Background: Anorexia nervosa is a good model to study the effects of malnutrition on the respiratory system, since it excludes the consequences that some chronic diseases can have on the lung.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess pulmonary function and alterations in the respiratory system in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Methods: Twenty-two women, 12 with anorexia nervosa and 10 healthy volunteers, were studied.

[Analysis of withdrawal from noninvasive mechanical ventilation in patients with obesity-hypoventilation syndrome. Medium term results].

Objective: To evaluate the possibility of cessation of noninvasive mechanical ventilation or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) treatment in patients with obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS).

Material And Methods: A study was carried out on 22 OHS patients who had received NPPV for a minimum of 1 year. Prior to evaluation of the cessation of ventilatory support, all patients underwent the following tests: diurnal and nocturnal arterial blood gases, nocturnal oximetry, nocturnal cardiorespiratory polygraphy, and lung function tests.