The Relationships Between Muscle Power and Physical Activity in Older Men With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine the potential relationship between muscle power of the lower extremities and the physical activity in older men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Forty-four men (70.3 ± 6.

Transbronchial Cryobiopsy in Interstitial Lung Disease: Are We on the Right Path?

Background: A definitive and specific diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) often requires a histologic analysis of the lung parenchyma. A transbronchial biopsy with forceps has a limited diagnostic yield for idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. The incorporation of a transbronchial lung cryobiopsy for diagnosing ILD appears to be very promising, although there are only a few published studies in this regard.

[Diagnosis of tuberculosis infection].

The prevalence of tuberculosis infection varies between countries, with an estimate in adults in Spain of 25%. The technique for its diagnosis, in spite of its antiquity, is tuberculin. Even today, this test continues to be in use in the majority of countries.

[Sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. Concept, diagnosis and medical treatment].

The sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) is characterised by daytime sleepiness, cardiorespiratory and cognitive disorders, secondary to repeated episodes of obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. This disease is highly prevalent in the general population and has damaging effects on the cardiovascular system; it increases the incidence of traffic accidents due to excessive somnolence, reduces the quality of life and is associated with an excess of mortality. It usually affects obese patients and the most important symptoms are snoring and repeated respiratory pauses.

[Spirometry in primary care in Navarre, Spain].

Objective: To analyze the use and quality of spirometry in primary care settings in Navarre, Spain.

Patients And Methods: A questionnaire was completed simultaneously by professionals responsible for spirometry in all of the primary health care centers in Navarre. Data were collected on availability, model of spirometer, frequency of use, calibration, methods, personnel responsible for testing, and training of personnel.

[Tuberculosis as an occupational disease].

Health workers are exposed to numerous infectious diseases from which the patients they attend are suffering and that have been recognised as occupational infectious diseases. Those most frequently reported are acquired by the haematogenous path, especially hepatitis due to virus B. Numerous infectious diseases are transmitted through airways and until the coming of acute severe respiratory syndrome caused by a coronavirus, tuberculosis was one of the most dreaded.

[Diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome: the situation in Navarra (Spain)].

Objective: To assess the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in Navarra (Spain) and to know the characteristics of patients treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) in our community.

Method: All patients receiving nasal n-CPAP from the public health service of Navarra in July 2000 were enrolled. A nurse visited each patient and filled in a form with epidemiological data, and patient and clinical characteristics.