Adherence to inhaled corticosteroids in patients with asthma prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The electronic prescription refill rate (EPRR) of 183 consecutive patients was determined over a 19-month retrospective study period, divided into 7 months PRE (Sep-19 to Mar-20) and 12 months POST pandemic (Apr-20 to Mar-21), in order to compare adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in patients with asthma prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic (PRE), an average of 0.58 inhalers/month were refill from the pharmacy; [SD 0.

[Comparison of adherence as assessed by the Test of Adherence to Inhalers and Pharmacy Refill Records, in Asthma Patients. REFARMA study].

Introduction: Clinical guidelines recommend the combined use of "self-completed questionnaires such as the Test of Adherence to Inhalers (TAI)" and the pharmacy refill rate (PRR) to determine adherence, but evidence based on comparative studies to support these recommendations is limited. Our objective was to determine adherence to inhalers in asthmatic patients, using the TAI and the PRR, as well as the correlation and concordance between both methods.

Methods: Multicentre cross-sectional study including the first 196 consecutive adult asthmatic patients, of whom 183 were on maintenance treatment with Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS).

Long-term mental health impact of COVID-19 on primary care health workers in northern Spain: Results from a two-phase longitudinal study.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of the general population, and in particular of health professionals. Primary care personnel are at greater risk due to being highly exposed to the disease and working regularly in direct contact with patients suffering COVID-19. However, there is not sufficient evidence on the long-term psychological impact these professionals may suffer.

The effectiveness of early colchicine administration in patients over 60 years old with high risk of developing severe pulmonary complications associated with coronavirus pneumonia SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): study protocol for an investigator-driven randomized controlled clinical trial in primary health care-COLCHICOVID study.

Background: There is no strong evidence that any drug is beneficial either for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 disease or for post-exposure prophylaxis. Therefore, clinical research is crucial to generate results and evaluate strategies against COVID-19. Primary care (PC) centers, the first level of care in the health system, are in a favorable position to carry out clinical trials (CD), as they work with a large volume of patients with varied profiles (from acute to chronic pathologies).

Sputum Microbiome Dynamics in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients during an Exacerbation Event and Post-Stabilization.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects up to 65 million people worldwide, and COPD exacerbation causes tissue damage and subsequent loss of lung function. It is a multifactorial event in which respiratory infections are involved, but little is known about its dynamics.

Objectives: The objective of our study was to determine the microbiome composition during an exacerbation event and post-stabilization.

Impact of a homeopathic medication on upper respiratory tract infections in COPD patients: Results of an observational, prospective study (EPOXILO).

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disorder in which airflow is obstructed. Viral or bacterial upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) may lead to exacerbations. Homeopathic medication administration to COPD patients during the influenza-exposure period may help to reduce the frequency of common URTIs.