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.

[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.

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.

Prognostic Value of Hematological Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Pleural Effusion Due to Heart Failure.

Background: Pleural effusions due to heart failure are associated with a high 1-year mortality. Several hematological parameters have been shown to provide prognostic information in patients with cardiovascular diseases. The objective was to assess whether hematological markers can also provide prognostic information in patients with pleural effusion caused by heart failure.

[Hyperlactatemia in hospitalized patients with asthma. Frequency and clinical implications].

Increased levels of lactic acid have been described in patients treated for asthma exacerbation. However, the frequency and clinical significance of hyperlactatemia in real-world practice is unknown. The objective of the study was to evaluate the characteristics associated with hyperlactatemia in blood gas analysis of patients with asthma exacerbation hospitalized in a pulmonary department.

Serum uric acid to creatinine ratio in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Serum uric acid (UA), the final product of purine degradation, has been shown to be increased in the hypoxic state. We assessed whether the presence of higher values of serum UA and serum UA to creatinine ratio is associated with clinical or functional characteristics in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fifty-nine consecutive stable patients with COPD, without comorbid conditions, were included.

Red cell macrocytosis in COPD patients without respiratory insufficiency: a brief report.

Red cell macrocytosis has been frequently described in hypoxemic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, macrocytosis is not related to hyoxemia. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of macrocytosis (defined as mean corpuscular volume (MCV) higher than 94fl) in stable COPD patients without respiratory insufficiency, and to analyze the possible relationship between its presence and clinical and functional parameters.