Is Obesity a Problem in New Cystic Fibrosis Treatments?

Introduction: Malnutrition has always been a problem in CF (cystic fibrosis) patients; however, new treatments with CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein) modulators have led to weight gain, with some patients at risk of overweight and obesity.

Objective: Our study aimed to analyze the evolution of BMI (body mass index) after one year of treatment with triple therapy and the factors associated with weight gain in CF patients undergoing treatment with triple therapy with CFTR protein modulators (ETI) (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor).

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, longitudinal, multicenter study in patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, aged 18 years or older, with at least one F508del allele and who underwent ETI therapy for at least one year, from 2020 to 2023.

Respiratory syncytial virus incidence and typing in the last six seasons in the north of Spain (Asturias). Genetic characterization during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Respiratory syncytial virus is associated with lower respiratory tract infections. As several types and genotypes can circulate at the same time, genomic characterization is important for timely epidemiological control and treatment measures. In the last 6 seasons (2017-2023), 191 236 nasopharyngeal swabs were processed for respiratory viruses to determine the etiology of acute respiratory infections, describe the incidence and distribution of RSV types and enrich the data of epidemiological molecular studies on RSV in Spain.

Q fever, a rare cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare syndrome in which is a very infrequent etiology. We present the case of a 62-year-old male with progressive pulmonary infiltrates, fever, hepatitis, and bicytopenia despite broad spectrum antibiotics. A thorough clinical evaluation led to a high suspicion of infection, subsequently confirmed through a positive serum polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis.

The Human Mycobiome in Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Current Situation and Future Perspectives.

Microbes play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and asthma. While the role of bacterial pathogens has been extensively studied, the contribution of fungal species to the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases is much less understood. The recent introduction of next-generation sequencing techniques has revealed the existence of complex microbial lung communities in healthy individuals and patients with chronic respiratory disorders, with fungi being an important part of these communities' structure (mycobiome).

Effectiveness and Safety of Inhaled Antibiotics in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A Multicentre Observational Study.

Background: We aimed to describe the effectiveness and safety of inhaled antibiotics in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, as well as the patient profile in which they are usually prescribed and the patient groups that can most benefit from this treatment.

Methods: Multicentre retrospective observational cohort study in COPD patients who had received ≥1 dose of inhaled antibiotics in the last 5 years. Clinical data from the two years prior to and subsequent to the start of the treatment were compared.

Results in clinical practice in the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma with mepolizumab: a real-life study.

Objective: Add-on therapy with monoclonal antibodies is the recommended therapy for severe asthmatic patients refractory to maintenance treatment. In randomized control trials, mepolizumab reduced the number of exacerbations, the need of oral corticosteroids (OCS), increased asthma control, and lung function in a population of uncontrolled severe eosinophilic asthmatic patients. In this piece of work, we aimed to assess mepolizumab efficacy and safety in a cohort of patients with severe eosinophilic asthma in real-life conditions.

Assessment of risk scores in Covid-19.

Objective: To analyse the accuracy of commonly used risk scores (PSI and CURB-65) in predicting mortality and need for ICU admission in Covid-19.

Material And Methods: Prospective study of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 pneumonia. Patients were followed until home discharge or death.

Predictive value of the modified Bhalla score for assessment of pulmonary exacerbations in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the predictive value of the modified Bhalla score in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for assessment of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We also describe the relationship between this score and pulmonary function test results.

Methods: We performed a multicenter and prospective study where adult patients with CF were included consecutively over 18 months.

Compassionate Use of Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor in Cystic Fibrosis: Spanish Experience.

Background: The most common cystic fibrosis (CF)-causing mutation is deltaF508 (F508del), which is present in 28% of CF Spanish patients. While the literature based on real-life studies on CF patients homozygous F508del treated with lumacaftor/ivacaftor is limited, it demonstrates the need for better strategies to prevent related adverse events (AEs) as well as the development of newer drugs.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, observational study to describe the effects of lumacaftor/ivacaftor treatment in real-life in Spain.

High rates of tuberculin skin test positivity due to methotrexate therapy: False positive results?

Rationale: The tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon ? release assays (IGRAs) are commonly used for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening. Unexpectedly high TST positivity rates have been reported in patients with rheumatic diseases, and methotrexate is frequently used in this population. We hypothesized that methotrexate use could be associated with false-positive TST results.

Tuberculosis Costs in Spain and Related Factors.

Objective: To analyze the direct and indirect costs of diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (TB) and associated factors.

Patients And Methods: Prospective study of patients diagnosed with TB between September 2014 and September 2015. We calculated direct (hospital stays, visits, diagnostic tests, and treatment) and indirect (sick leave and loss of productivity, contact tracing, and rehabilitation) costs.