Disease Modification in Asthma: Are We on the Right Way? A Multidisciplinary Expert Delphi Consensus (MODIASTHMA Consensus).

Purpose: With the advent of biological therapies, emerging concepts regarding establishing new targets in asthma management, such as disease modification, have entered the debate among the scientific community. The definitions that form the conceptual basis of this goal need to be agreed upon.

Methods: A multidisciplinary expert group was assembled as the steering committee.

GEMA 5.3. Spanish Guideline on the Management of Asthma.

The Spanish Guideline on the Management of Asthma, better known by its acronym in Spanish GEMA, has been available for more than 20 years. Twenty-one scientific societies or related groups both from Spain and internationally have participated in the preparation and development of the updated edition of GEMA, which in fact has been currently positioned as the reference guide on asthma in the Spanish language worldwide. Its objective is to prevent and improve the clinical situation of people with asthma by increasing the knowledge of healthcare professionals involved in their care.

[A Study of the Prevalence of Asthma in the General Population in Spain].

Introduction: Asthma is a disease with high prevalence, which affects all age groups and generates high health and social care costs. Studies carried out in a number of populations show great variability in its prevalence, even in geographically close populations, with data suggesting a relevant influence of socio-economic factors. At present, we do not have reliable data on the prevalence of this disease in the adult population of Spain.

Role of Leptin as a Link between Asthma and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Asthma and obesity are considered as highly prevalent diseases with a great impact on public health. Obesity has been demonstrated to be an aggravating factor in the pathogenesis of asthma. Adipose tissue secretes proinflammatory cytokines and mediators, including leptin, which may promote the development and severity of asthma in obese patients.

Consensus document on asthma and smoking of the Regional Asthma Forum of SEPAR.

The prevalence of active smoking in adults with asthma is similar in the total population. Smoking is associated with worse clinical control of the disease, a rapid reduction of lung function and a variable response to corticoids. Tobacco consumption negatively affects the quality of life of asthmatic patients as well as increasing the number of medical visits and hospital admissions due to exacerbations.

Economic Impact and Clinical Outcomes of Omalizumab Add-On Therapy for Patients with Severe Persistent Asthma: A Real-World Study.

Background: Omalizumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody indicated as add-on therapy to improve asthma control in patients with severe persistent allergic asthma.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate social, healthcare expenditure and clinical outcomes changes after incorporating omalizumab into standard treatment in the control of severe asthma.

Methods: In this multicentre retrospective study, a total of 220 patients were included from 15 respiratory medicine departments in the regions of Andalusia and Extremadura (Spain).

Impact of Asthma on the Sexual Functioning of Patients. A Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Sexual limitations play an important role in the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases. Very limited information is available on the impact of asthma on the sexual functioning of these individuals.

Materials And Methods: Cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study.

Guidelines for severe uncontrolled asthma.

Since the publication, 9 years ago, of the latest SEPAR (Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery) Guidelines on Difficult-to-Control Asthma (DCA), much progress has been made in the understanding of asthmatic disease. These new data need to be reviewed, analyzed and incorporated into the guidelines according to their level of evidence and recommendation. Recently, consensus documents and clinical practice guidelines (CPG) addressing this issue have been published.

"Causes of death in asthma, COPD and non-respiratory hospitalized patients: a multicentric study".

Background: There is limited information on the causes of death in asthma patients.To determine the causes of death in hospitalized asthmatic patients and to compare with those observed in COPD patients and non-respiratory individuals, with a particular interest in associations with previous cardiovascular disease.

Methods: Retrospective case-control study which analyzed the deaths of all hospitalized patients admitted for any reason during January, April, July and October of 2008 in 13 Spanish centers.