Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: application of a new diagnostic algorithm to a time series of the disease.

Background: The diagnostic criteria for Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) have changed over time. Our aim is to apply a recent diagnostic algorithm to a historical series of patients diagnosed with HP to assess its distribution according to current diagnostic criteria and the diagnostic confidence achieved.

Research Design And Methods: Application to each patient the algorithm criteria.

Effect of an intensive tobacco cessation program on the smoker narrative: A content analysis and grounded theory.

Introduction: The smoker's narrative during smoking quitting provides insight into aspects not fully explored in daily clinical practice. The aim of the study was to analyze the smoker narrative using two types of methodologies: content analysis and grounded theory, before and after smoking cessation intervention, provided to the smoker in a specialized Smoking Cessation Unit accredited by the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery.

Methods: A prospective observational study of current smokers included in a tobacco cessation program between 2017 and 2020 was conducted at the Smoking Cessation Unit of Santiago de Compostela Health Area, Spain.

Analysis of the quality of e-Consultations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: The quality of e-Consultations in the COPD is unknown. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the quality of referrals; (ii) to define the characteristics of patients referred from Primary Care (PC) to the Unit of Pulmonology; and (iii) to describe differences between accepted and rejected patients.

Methods: A retrospective, observational study of e-Consultations requested by PC for suspected COPD throughout 2022.

A pulmonary rehabilitation program reduces hospitalizations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A cost-effectiveness study.

Background: Although pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is a scarcity of data demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and effectiveness of PR in reducing exacerbations.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study in 200 patients with COPD was conducted to determine the number of exacerbations 1 year before and after their participation in a PR program. Quality of life was measured using the COPD assessment test and EuroQol-5D.

Characteristics of pleural effusion due to amyloidosis.

The characteristics of patients with pleural amyloidosis (PA) are poorly known. A systematic review was performed of studies reporting clinical findings, pleural fluid (PF) characteristics, and the most effective treatment of PA. Case descriptions and retrospective studies were included.

Pleural effusion due to nonmalignant gastrointestinal disease.

Although pleural effusion is a frequent finding in clinical practice, determining its aetiology may be challenging, and up to 20% of cases remain undiagnosed. Pleural effusion may occur secondary to a nonmalignant gastrointestinal disease. A gastrointestinal origin is confirmed based on a review of the medical history of the patient, thorough physical examination and abdominal ultrasonography.

Cost-Effectiveness of a New Outpatient Pulmonology Care Model Based on Physician-to-Physician Electronic Consultation.

Introduction: This study assesses the impact of an electronic physician-to-physician consultation program on the waiting list and the costs of a Pulmonology Unit.

Materials And Methods: A prepost intervention study was conducted after a new ambulatory pulmonary care protocol was implemented and the capacity of the unit was adopted. In the new model, physicians at all levels of healthcare send electronic consultations to specialists.

Response to inhaled ceftazidime in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and chronic bronchial infection unrelated to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Introduction: Inhaled antibiotics reduce the frequency of exacerbations. The objective was to assess the efficacy of inhaled ceftazidime in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) and concomitant chronic bronchial infection (CBI) caused by potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPM) other than Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA).

Material And Method: Quasi-experimental study in 21 patients with exacerbations who developed CBI by a PPM other than PA.

Sarcoidosis. Disease progression based on radiological and functional course: Predictive factors.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multiorgan granulomatous disease with a variable course.

Oobjectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the patients that are more likely to experience disease progression.

Methods: A retrospective study in patients ≥18 years.

Health outcomes: Towards the accreditation of respiratory medicine departments.

National health systems must ensure compliance with conditions such as equity, efficiency, quality, and transparency. Since it is the right of society to know the health outcomes of its healthcare system, our aim was to develop a proposal for the accreditation of respiratory medicine departments in terms of care, teaching, and research, measuring health outcomes using quality of care indicators. The management tools proposed in this article should be implemented to improve outcomes and help us achieve our objectives.

Evaluation of the impact of an integrated care pathway for pulmonary embolism: a quasi-experimental pre-post study.

Background: An integrated care pathway (ICP) is intended to improve the management of prevalent resource-consuming, life-threatening diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the quality of patient care improved with the establishment of a dedicated unit for pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-post study (pre: years 2010-2013; post: 2015-2020; year 2014, "washing" period) of PE patients ≥18 years (January 2010-June 2020).

Health Outcomes: Towards the Accreditation of Respiratory Medicine Departments.

National health systems must ensure compliance with conditions such as equity, efficiency, quality, and transparency. Since it is the right of society to know the health outcomes of its healthcare system, our aim was to develop a proposal for the accreditation of respiratory medicine departments in terms of care, teaching, and research, measuring health outcomes using quality of care indicators. The management tools proposed in this article should be implemented to improve outcomes and help us achieve our objectives.

Malignant Pleural Effusion: Diagnosis and Management.

Symptomatic malignant pleural effusion is a common clinical problem. This condition is associated with very high mortality, with life expectancy ranging from 3 to 12 months. Studies are contributing evidence on an increasing number of therapeutic options (therapeutic thoracentesis, thoracoscopic pleurodesis or thoracic drainage, indwelling pleural catheter, surgery, or a combination of these therapies).

Impact of cardiovascular risk factors on the clinical presentation and survival of pulmonary embolism without identifiable risk factor.

Background: The nature of pulmonary embolism (PE) without identifiable risk factor (IRF) remains unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential relationship between cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and PE without IRF (unprovoked) and assess their role as markers of disease severity and prognosis.

Methods: A case-control study was performed of patients with PE admitted to our hospital [2010-2019].

Impact of sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome on diabetic neuropathy. A systematic review.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus and sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome appear to be related, but it is not well defined whether there is an increased risk of peripheral neuropathy in patients with both diseases. For this reason, we conducted a systematic review.

Methods: Bibliographic search in 3 electronic databases using a predefined strategy and the PRISMA methodology.

Diagnosis of infectious pleural effusion using predictive models based on pleural fluid biomarkers.

Introduction: Diagnosis of pleural infection (PI) may be challenging. The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a clinical prediction model for the diagnosis of PI based on pleural fluid (PF) biomarkers.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on pleural effusion.

The Combined Use of Pleural Fluid Parameters Improves Diagnostic Accuracy in Complicated Pleural Infection/Empyema.

Introduction: Identifying infectious pleural effusions (IPE) that will progress to complicated infection or empyema is challenging. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a model based on multiple biochemical parameters in pleural fluid can predict which IPEs will produce empyema.

Methods: A prospective study was performed of all cases of IPEs treated in our unit.

Management of pleural infections.

The management of infected pleural effusion is complex. Therapeutic resolution requires determining the following: appropriate antibiotic regimen, the need for pleural drainage, the optimal drainage tube size, and the need for intrapleural therapy or surgery. Areas covered: An updating of the latest advances in the management of parapneumonic pleural effusion based on the best evidence available is provided.

Urinothorax: a systematic review.

Background: The characteristics of patients with urinothorax (UT) are poorly defined.

Methods: A systematic review was performed searching for studies reporting clinical findings, pleural fluid (PF) characteristics, and the most effective treatment of UT. Case descriptions and retrospective studies were included.

Factors Influencing Hospital Stay for Pulmonary Embolism. A Cohort Study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing hospital stay due to pulmonary embolism.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized between 2010 and 2015. Patients were identified using information recorded in hospital discharge reports (ICD-9-CM codes 415.

Predictive models of malignant transudative pleural effusions.

Background: There are no firm recommendations when cytology should be performed in pleural transudates, since some malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) behave biochemically as transudates. The objective was to assess when would be justified to perform cytology on pleural transudates.

Methods: Consecutive patients with transudative pleural effusion (PE) were enrolled and divided in two groups: malignant and non-MPE.