Evaluation of the genetic risk for COVID-19 outcomes in COPD and differences among worldwide populations.

Background: Populations seem to respond differently to the global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Recent studies show individual variability in both susceptibility and clinical response to COVID-19 infection. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) constitute one of COVID-19 risk groups, being already associated with a poor prognosis upon infection.

COPD profiles and treatable traits using minimal resources: identification, decision tree and stability over time.

Background And Objective: Profiles of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often do not describe treatable traits, lack validation and/or their stability over time is unknown. We aimed to identify COPD profiles and their treatable traits based on simple and meaningful measures; to develop and validate a decision tree and to explore profile stability over time.

Methods: An observational, prospective study was conducted.

Functional Status Following Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Responders and Non-Responders.

The 6 min walking test (6MWT) has been largely studied. Less is, however, known about responders and non-responders to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in other meaningful activities. We explored responders and non-responders and the predictors of response to PR in the 1 min sit-to-stand test (1 min STS) and the 6MWT and compared both measures in classifying responders.

Saliva as a non-invasive specimen for COPD assessment.

Background: People with COPD have been reported to bear a distinct airway microbiota from healthy individuals based on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and sputum samples. Unfortunately, the collection of these samples involves relatively invasive procedures and is resource-demanding, limiting its regular use. Non-invasive samples from the upper airways could constitute an interesting alternative, but its relationship with COPD is still underexplored.

What Motivates Patients with COPD to Be Physically Active? A Cross-Sectional Study.

Motivation can be broadly defined as what moves people to act. Low motivation is a frequently reported factor for the reduced physical activity (PA) levels observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study assessed patients' motives to be physically active, according to three pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) participation groups (Never PR, Previous PR and Current PR) and explored whether these motives were related to the PA levels and clinical characteristics.

Construct validity of the brief physical activity assessment tool for clinical use in COPD.

Introduction: Low physical activity (PA) levels are associated with poor health-related outcomes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Thus, PA should be routinely assessed in clinical practice.

Objectives: This study assessed the construct validity of the Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool (BPAAT) for clinical use in COPD and explored differences in age, sex and COPD grades.

Minimal Clinically Important Differences for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures of Fatigue in Patients With COPD Following Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Background: Fatigue is a burdensome and prevailing symptom in patients with COPD. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves fatigue; however, interpreting when such improvement is clinically relevant is challenging. Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for instruments assessing fatigue are warranted to better tailor PR and guide clinical decisions.

Minimal Clinically Important Differences for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures of Cough and Sputum in Patients with COPD.

Background: Cough and sputum are highly prevalent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has shown to be effective in managing these symptoms. However, the interpretation of the magnitude of PR effects is hindered by the lack of minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs).

Update of the Mexican College of Rheumatology Guidelines for the Pharmacological Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, 2018.

Unlabelled: Therapeutic advances in rheumatoid arthritis require periodic review of treatment guidelines.

Objective: To update the Mexican College of Rheumatology guidelines on the pharmacological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Method: Board certified rheumatologists from different health institutions and regions of the country participated.

Ambulatory Versus Laboratory Polysomnography in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Comparative Assessment of Quality, Clinical Efficacy, Treatment Compliance, and Quality of Life.

Study Objectives: This study has as its primary objective to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of type II ambulatory polysomnography (Amb-PSG) versus type I attended laboratory polysomnography (Lab-PSG) in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Its secondary objective is to evaluate the clinical efficacy, quality of life (QoL), and treatment adherence after diagnosis.

Methods: An observational study of patients with OSA (n = 225) in whom diagnosis was made via Amb-PSG (n = 114) or Lab-PSG (n = 111).

Educational interventions to improve inhaler techniques and their impact on asthma and COPD control: a pilot effectiveness-implementation trial.

To assess the impact that educational interventions to improve inhaler techniques have on the clinical and functional control of asthma and COPD, we evaluated 44 participants before and after such an intervention. There was a significant decrease in the number of errors, and 20 patients (46%) significantly improved their technique regarding prior exhalation and breath hold. In the asthma group, there were significant improvements in the mean FEV1, FVC, and PEF (of 6.

Assessment of Inhalation Technique in Clinical and Functional Control of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma affect almost 300 million individuals. Inhaled therapy is often associated with technical errors reducing efficacy and compliance.

Objective: To evaluate the inhalation technique and its relation with clinical and functional control in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Treating severe systemic lupus erythematosus with rituximab. An open study.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that may be associated to high morbidity and mortality. Disease course is variable and unpredictable and although the prognosis and survival of these patients has dramatically improved, treatment of severe multiorganic organic affection in this condition remains a therapeutic challenge. Since B lymphocytes have an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE, it is expected that the targeting of these cells exerts a significant therapeutic effect in SLE patients with severe multiorganic manifestations.