[Toward personalized and integrated treatment of patients with COPD].

The concept of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is broad and generic. In clinical practice and research, the definition of COPD is based on the extent of airflow obstruction measured through spirometry. However, it is currently known that this disease encompasses a complex variety of cellular, anatomical, functional and clinical manifestations that could allow distinct COPD phenotypes to be defined.

[Pulmonary circulation: what has 2010 brought?].

In both thromboembolic disease and pulmonary hypertension, 2010 has been a prodigious year for interesting publications. Some data have helped to elucidate the factors associated with a greater risk of thromboembolic disease, such as long journeys and certain polymorphisms. New recommendations on diagnosis have been made, giving a greater role to computed tomography angiography.

Relationship between tobacco consumption and health-related quality of life in adults living in a large metropolitan area.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and tobacco consumption in adult individuals (over the age of 15). The study was based on individual data from the City of Madrid Health Survey (ESCM05). Subjects were divided into three groups according to tobacco consumption: smokers, nonsmokers, and ex-smokers.

The influence of heart disease on characteristics, quality of life, use of health resources, and costs of COPD in primary care settings.

Background: To evaluate the influence of heart disease on clinical characteristics, quality of life, use of health resources, and costs of patients with COPD followed at primary care settings under common clinical practice conditions.

Methods: Epidemiologic, observational, and descriptive study (EPIDEPOC study). Patients > or = 40 years of age with stable COPD attending primary care settings were included.

[Impact of anemia on COPD].

The frequency of anemia may be higher than expected in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Some studies have detected a prevalence of 33%, contrasting with the common idea that associates COPD with secondary polyglobulia. Among the risk factors associated with the development of anemia in these patients are advanced age, the severity of airflow obstruction and reduction in body mass index.

[COPD and endocrine and metabolic alterations].

The clinical course and therapeutic management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be affected by the presence of comorbid diseases, which also usually worsen prognosis. Among the endocrinological and metabolic alterations that can be associated with COPD are diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome and malnutrition. There are several possible etiopathogenic mechanisms that intervene in the association between COPD and distinct endocrine and metabolic disorders, such as smoking and systemic inflammation, influenced by distinct cytokines among other factors.

Health, treatment and health care resources consumption profile among Spanish adults with diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aims: To describe the health, treatment and health care resources consumption profile among Spanish adults with diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and compare it with that of non-diabetic COPD patients.

Patients And Methods: An observational and descriptive epidemiological study (EPIDEPOC study). The study included patients with stable COPD and aged > or =40 years, evaluated in primary care.

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is commonly associated with heart failure. Individuals with COPD have a 4.5-fold greater risk of developing heart failure than those without.

Characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Spain from a gender perspective.

Background: The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical and management characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in men and women, to determine possible gender-associated differences between the two groups of patients.

Methods: An observational and descriptive epidemiological study (EPIDEPOC study). The study included patients with stable COPD and aged >or= 40 years, evaluated in primary care.

[Positron emission tomography for the study of solitary pulmonary nodules].

Solitary pulmonary nodules are a major clinical challenge for all doctors involved in their study. The aim is always to avoid missing malignant lesions but also to avoid performing unnecessary diagnostic tests. The most recent research suggests that in the near future chest computed tomography will become even more widely used for the early detection of lung cancer.

Control of persistent asthma in Spain: associated factors.

Introduction: The main objective of asthma treatment is tailored control for each patient. However, despite the excellent therapeutic arsenal currently available, many patients remain unable to achieve adequate control of this disease.

Objective: The main objective this study was to evaluate the degree of control and the determinants of asthma in patients with persistent asthma in Spain in usual clinical practice.

Determinants and predictors of the cost of COPD in primary care: a Spanish perspective.

Objectives: 1) To estimate the annual cost of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) followed in primary care in Spain; 2) To analyze the possible cost predictor variables.

Patients And Methods: A multicenter, epidemiological, observational, descriptive study. Sociodemographic data, severity of disease, associated comorbidity, treatment followed by patients, quality of life (SF-12 questionnaire), health care resource utilization in the previous 12 months and duration of working disability due to COPD were collected.

Negative impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the health-related quality of life of patients. Results of the EPIDEPOC study.

Background: COPD is currently the fourth cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Patients with COPD experience a progressive deterioration and disability, which lead to a worsening in their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this work is to assess the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of patients with stable COPD followed in primary care and to identify possible predictors of disease.

Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in children with Down syndrome: polygraphic findings in 108 children.

Study Objectives: To assess the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in a nonselected group of children with Down syndrome and to determine significant predisposing factors for this condition.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Tertiary care university hospital in Madrid, Spain.

Pulmonary infection due to Mycobacterium szulgai.

A 75-year-old man was admitted with cough, purulent sputum, fatigue and weight loss of 10 kg of some months' duration. His chest radiograph showed poorly defined opacities in the right lung. Eleven years before admission an epidermoid carcinoma of the right lung had been diagnosed and a right bilobar resection had been performed.