Epidemiological, clinical and economic burden of alopecia areata in Spain: a real-world retrospective study. The PETALO study.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes non-scarring hair loss. Data are lacking on the epidemiology and clinical and economic burden of AA in Spain. To estimate the prevalence and incidence of AA in Spain and describe sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and associated costs.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish SABA Reliance Questionnaire (SRQ) among patients with asthma.

Background: Patient beliefs about their asthma and its treatment may contribute to overreliance on short-acting β-agonist (SABA) therapy, leading to increased risk for potentially life-threatening exacerbations. The SABA Reliance Questionnaire (SRQ) is a validated tool for evaluating patients beliefs about SABAs that may lead to overreliance and overuse.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the SRQ.

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding-Visual Analog Scale, an Easy-to-Use Tool for Excessive Menstrual Blood Loss That Interferes with Quality-of-Life Screening in Clinical Practice.

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is defined as excessive menstrual blood loss that interferes with quality of life (QoL). The methods for assessing HMB are not suited for clinical practice. We analyzed the validity of a combined visual analog scale (VAS) tool assessing the intensity of menstrual bleeding (VASInt) and its impact on activities of daily living (VASImp) to identify women with HMB.

The Burden of Progressive Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Disease: A DELPHI Approach.

Introduction: The term progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) describes patients with fibrotic ILDs who, irrespective of the aetiology of the disease, show a progressive course of their disease despite current available (and non-licensed) treatment. Besides in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, little is known about management and the burden of patients with fibrotic ILD, particularly those with a progressive behaviour.

Methods: Using the Delphi method, 40 European experts in ILD management delivered information on management of (progressive) fibrosing ILD and on the impact of the disease on patients' quality of life (QoL) and healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU).

Evaluation of a New Digital Automated Glycemic Pattern Detection Tool.

Background: Blood glucose meters are reliable devices for data collection, providing electronic logs of historical data easier to interpret than handwritten logbooks. Automated tools to analyze these data are necessary to facilitate glucose pattern detection and support treatment adjustment. These tools emerge in a broad variety in a more or less nonevaluated manner.

Patient assessment of onset of action and overall satisfaction with ebastine fast-dissolving tablets in allergic rhinitis.

Aim: To evaluate patient perception of the onset of action and overall satisfaction with a fast-dissolving tablet (FDT) formulation of ebastine in patients with intermittent or persistent allergic rhinitis.

Patients And Methods: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter, pharmacy-based survey involving adult patients (>18 years) with allergic rhinitis who presented with a prescription for ebastine FDT. Via a telephone interview, patients were asked to evaluate the characteristics of ebastine FDT in comparison with their previous experience with other antihistamines.

Efficacy of vardenafil and influence on self-esteem and self-confidence in patients with severe erectile dysfunction.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of vardenafil in a population of Spanish men with erectile dysfunction (ED), its influence on patients' self-esteem and self-confidence, and its effect on their quality of life.

Main Outcome Measures: Efficacy was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) domain, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, the Johnson and McCoy Self-Confidence scale, the Medical Outcome Short Form (SF-36) scale, items 2 and 3 of the Sexual Encounter Profile questionnaire, and the Global Assessment Question (GAQ). Safety assessments included laboratory tests, physical exam, electrocardiogram, vital signs, and adverse events.

[Non-randomized evaluation studies (TREND)].

Nonrandomized intervention trials are needed when randomized clinical trials cannot be performed. To report the results from nonrandomized intervention studies transparently, the TREND (Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs) checklist should be used. This implies that nonrandomized studies should follow the remaining methodological tools usually employed in randomized trials and that the uncertainty introduced by the allocation mechanism should be explicitly reported and, if possible, quantified.

Drug utilization study in patients with Crohn's disease in Spain.

Objective: To discover the therapeutic strategies for Crohn's disease used in Spain and to analyse the factors associated with the use of each treatment.

Design: Observational, cross-sectional study of patients with Crohn's disease who attended hospitals in Spain.

Methods: Two structured questionnaires were used, one completed by gastroenterologists about demographic clinical data and disease activity, and the other a telephone interview with the patients to obtain epidemiological and drug utilization data.

[Effect of antihypertensive therapy on pulse pressure].

Background: Pulse pressure (difference between systolic and diastolic pressure) is an important prognostic factor for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in elderly hypertensives. However, data regarding the effect of antihypertensive treatment on pulse pressure (PP) are scarce. In the present study, we evaluate the effect of six classes of antihypertensive drugs on PP in an elderly hypertensive cohort.

Quality of life in functional dyspepsia.

Our purpose was to assess the quality of life of functional dyspepsia patients using the SF-36 generic scale and the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS). In all, 328 dyspeptic patients were included in a multicenter, prospective, observational study. Both scales were filled out at baseline and one and three months after a prokinetic agent was given as a single-drug therapy.