Increased Urinary Erythropoietin Excretion in Severe Sleep Apnea-Hipoapnea Syndrome: The Effect of CPAP.

Introduction: Tissue hypoxia stimulates the production of erythropoietin (EPO), the main effect of which is, in turn, to stimulate erythropoiesis. Sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) is an entity characterized by repeated episodes of hypoxemia during sleep.

Objective: To analyze whether hypoxemia stimulated increased urinary excretion of EPO, and if so, to evaluate if treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can inhibit this phenomenon.

Long-term Impact of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy on Arrhythmia and Heart Rate Variability in Patients With Sleep Apnea.

Introduction: Autonomic dysfunction can alter heart rate variability and increase the incidence of arrhythmia. We analyzed the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on this pathophysiological phenomenon in patients with severe sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

Methods: Consecutive patients with recently diagnosed severe sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome were prospectively considered for inclusion.

Obstructive sleep apnea in patients with typical atrial flutter: prevalence and impact on arrhythmia control outcome.

Background: The clinical yield of cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) radiofrequency ablation of atrial flutter (AF) is limited by a high incidence of atrial fibrillation (AFib) in the long term. Among other acknowledged variables, the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could favor incomplete arrhythmia control in this setting. We assessed the impact of CPAP in reducing the occurrence of AFib after CTI ablation.

Omalizumab therapy in severe asthma: experience from the Spanish registry--some new approaches.

Objective: The efficacy of omalizumab in severe asthma has been widely demonstrated. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of omalizumab in a real-life setting in Spain, particularly in those patients with immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels out of range.

Methods: Totally 266 uncontrolled severe asthma patients receiving high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) plus long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) were recruited.

[Safety and tolerability of bronchodilators in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

The most effective bronchodilators in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are beta(2)-adrenergic and anticholinergic agents. When administered via inhalation and at recommended doses, these drugs are well tolerated and generally safe. beta-Adrenergic agents show systemic effects such as an increase in heart rate, QT prolongation, hypopotassemia and tremor.

A case-control study of the relation between plasma selenium and asthma in European populations: a GAL2EN project.

Background: There is evidence that selenium levels are relatively low in Europe and may be falling. Low levels of selenium or low activity of some of the enzymes dependent on selenium have been associated with asthma.

Methods: The GA(2)LEN network has organized a multicentre case-control study in Europe to assess the relation of plasma selenium to asthma.

The relation between paracetamol use and asthma: a GA2LEN European case-control study.

Studies from the UK and USA suggest that frequent use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) may increase the risk of asthma, but data across Europe are lacking. As part of a multicentric case-control study organised by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN), it was examined whether or not frequent paracetamol use is associated with adult asthma across Europe. The network compared 521 cases with a diagnosis of asthma and reporting of asthma symptoms within the last 12 months with 507 controls with no diagnosis of asthma and no asthmatic symptoms within the last 12 months across 12 European centres.

Dyspnoea at rest and at the end of different exercises in patients with near-fatal asthma.

Blunted perception of dyspnoea under resistive loading has been observed in patients with a history of near-fatal asthma (NFA). The perception of dyspnoea at rest and at the end point of various exercises was assessed in such patients. Respiratory function and exercise capacity (6-min walking distance, incremental cycloergometry and inspiratory threshold loading) were assessed in seven NFA and eight non-NFA patients.

[Global muscle dysfunction and exacerbation of COPD: a cohort study].

Background And Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate on a prospective fashion the effects of clinical relapses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on both peripheral and respiratory skeletal muscle functions.

Patients And Method: We included 49 patients (males, 63 [11] years) who were assigned to three cohorts: a) COPD patients who were hospitalized in a conventional ward because of a relapse of their disease; b) patients hospitalized in conventional wards because of another lung disease or a pulmonary nodule; and c) COPD patients whose disease was stabilized (outpatients). Sequential measurements were made by means of anthropometry, serum biochemistry and body bioimpedance (BIA).

Health-related quality of life in asthma: a comparison between the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire.

The aim of the study is to compare the performance of the Juniper Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) in a sample of asthmatic patients, representative of a broad spectrum of asthma severity. We studied 116 patients with a mean age (SD) of 42.6 (18.

Adaptation of the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire to a second language preserves its critical properties: the Spanish version.

To test the metric proprieties of the Spanish version of the Juniper Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), we studied 116 adult asthmatic patients with a wide range of disease severity (53 patients were recruited from the respiratory outpatient department, 38 from a primary health care centre and 25 were patients admitted into hospital due to acute asthma). The patients were assessed twice, at recruitment and after 2 months. The AQLQ showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.

[Effects of Sjögren's syndrome on pulmonary function impairment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

The influence of Sjögren syndrome (SS) on pulmonary function impairment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients has been few studied. The aim of this study was to analyse the pulmonary function impairment in RA patients, and to establish differences between patients associated or not to SS. Pulmonary function of 57 patients, non smokers and without another pulmonary disease, diagnosed of RA were studied.

[The quality-of-life questionnaire with asthma patients: the Spanish version of the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire].

This paper describes the translation to Castilian and adaptation of a quality of life measurement instrument: the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). The AQLQ, developed by Juniper et al, contains 32 items, 5 of which relate to habitual activities that the patient can choose from among a list of 26 possibilities. Answers are given on a scale of 7 points.

[Indications, performance and complications of bronchofibroscopy in the aged].

Bronchofibroscopy is a widely used exploration for the diagnosis of several pulmonary processes. However, its use in aged patients, these being considered a high risk group, is still a controversial issue. The aim of this study was to analyze the indications, diagnostic performance and complications of the bronchofibroscopy in the elderly and to determine if there are any differences with respect to the adult population.