Genetic characteristics involved in COVID-19 severity. The CARGENCORS case-control study and meta-analysis.

Pre-existing coronary artery disease (CAD), and thrombotic, inflammatory, or virus infectivity response phenomena have been associated with COVID-19 disease severity. However, the association of candidate single nucleotide variants (SNVs) related to mechanisms of COVID-19 complications has been seldom analysed. Our aim was to test and validate the effect of candidate SNVs on COVID-19 severity.

Sleep quality in individuals with post-COVID-19 condition: Relation with emotional, cognitive and functional variables.

The study aimed to assess sleep quality in PCC patients and its predictors by analysing its relationship with emotional, cognitive and functional variables, as well as possible differences based on COVID-19 severity. We included 368 individuals with PCC and 123 healthy controls (HCs) from the NAUTILUS Project (NCT05307549 and NCT05307575). We assessed sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD-7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9), global cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA), everyday memory failures (Memory Failures of Everyday Questionnaire, MFE-30), fatigue (Chadler Fatigue Questionnaire, CFQ), quality of life (European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions, EQ-5D), and physical activity levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, IPAQ).

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the management of choledocholithiasis in older patients.

Background: older adults are increasing in number and frequently seek hospital care for acute illness. This study aimed to measure the utilization and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients aged 85 and older in our hospital.

Methods: a single-site, retrospective, observational and descriptive study was performed.

Affectivity, sexuality, and autism spectrum disorder: qualitative analysis of the experiences of autistic young adults and their families.

Background: Autistic people have communication, sensorial, and social difficulties, which on many occasions, make their adaptation on the sexual and affective levels difficult. For this reason, it is important to know the opinion of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families, to offer this perspective to professionals to facilitate adapted health education programs in mental health units.

Methods: This qualitative descriptive design presents the experiences of autistic individuals and their families in relation to the affective-sexual experiences from individual, family, and social perspectives.

Nailfold videocapillaroscopy patterns in systemic sclerosis: implications for cutaneous subsets, disease features and prognostic value for survival.

Objectives: To assess the associations and prognostic value of scleroderma patterns by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and cutaneous subsets.

Methods: At baseline, 1356 SSc patients from the RESCLE registry were compared according to the scleroderma pattern as Late pattern and non-Late pattern, which included Early and Active patterns. Patient characteristics, disease features, survival time and causes of death were analysed.

Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Vedolizumab Versus Ustekinumab After Anti-TNF Failure in Crohn's Disease (Versus-CD): Data from the ENEIDA Registry.

Background: Both vedolizumab and ustekinumab are approved for the management of Crohn's disease [CD]. Data on which one would be the most beneficial option when anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] agents fail are limited.

Aims: To compare the durability, effectiveness, and safety of vedolizumab and ustekinumab after anti-TNF failure or intolerance in CD.

Applicability of the Barcelona scale to assess the quality of cleanliness of mucosa at esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Background And Objectives: There are few scales with prospective validation for the assessment of the upper gastrointestinal mucosal cleanliness during an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The aim of this study was to develop a valid and reproducible cleanliness scale for use during an EGD.

Methods: We developed a cleanliness scale (Barcelona scale) with a score (0-2 points) of five segments of the upper gastrointestinal tract with thorough cleaning techniques (esophagus, fundus, body, antrum, and duodenum).

Sex and gender differences in acute stroke care: metrics, access to treatment and outcome. A territorial analysis of the Stroke Code System of Catalonia.

Introduction: Previous studies have reported differences in the management and outcome of women stroke patients in comparison with men. We aim to analyze sex and gender differences in the medical assistance, access to treatment and outcome of acute stroke patients in Catalonia.

Patients And Methods: Data were obtained from a prospective population-based registry of stroke code activations in Catalonia (CICAT) from January/2016 to December/2019.

The bidirectional effect of stress and functionality in multiple sclerosis and the interaction role of anxiety, coping and social support.

Objective: The present study aims to analyse the bidirectional hypothesis between stress and multiple sclerosis with several measures of stress, impairment and functionality, considering also the interaction role of stress-related psychosocial factors such as anxiety, coping and social support.

Methods: A one-year follow-up was conducted with 26 people with multiple sclerosis. Participants reported i) at baseline, anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support); ii) daily, Ecological Momentary Assessment through self-reported diaries of stressful events and coping strategies; iii) monthly, the perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), iv) trimonthly, the self-reported functionality (Functionality Assessment in multiple sclerosis) and v) at baseline and at the end, neurologist rated impairment (Expanded Disability Status Scale).

Sex Differences in Multimorbidity, Inappropriate Medication and Adverse Outcomes of Inpatient Care: MoPIM Cohort Study.

There is no published evidence on the possible differences in multimorbidity, inappropriate prescribing, and adverse outcomes of care, simultaneously, from a sex perspective in older patients. We aimed to identify those possible differences in patients hospitalized because of a chronic disease exacerbation. A multicenter, prospective cohort study of 740 older hospitalized patients (≥65 years) was designed, registering sociodemographic variables, frailty, Barthel index, chronic conditions (CCs), geriatric syndromes (GSs), polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) according to STOPP/START criteria, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

Is clinical coordination across care levels different according to the secondary care medical speciality? Results from the Catalan health system.

Background: Despite the scarce evidence, some studies suggest that cross-level clinical coordination may vary among secondary care (SC) doctors, influenced by their speciality and organisational model, including degree of decentralisation to primary care (PC). The aim was to determine the differences in experience and perception of cross-level clinical coordination and related factors according to the SC doctor's speciality in the Catalan health system.

Methods: Cross-sectional study, based on an on-line survey using the COORDENA-CAT questionnaire, to SC doctors (n = 1666).

Comprehensive Multimorbidity Patterns in Older Patients Are Associated with Quality Indicators of Medication-MoPIM Cohort Study.

Multimorbidity is increasing and poses a challenge to the clinical management of patients with multiple conditions and drug prescriptions. The objectives of this work are to evaluate if multimorbidity patterns are associated with quality indicators of medication: potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) or adverse drug reactions (ADRs). A multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted including 740 older (≥65 years) patients hospitalised due to chronic pathology exacerbation.

Percutaneous or mini-invasive surgical radiofrequency re-ablation of atrial fibrillation: Impact on atrial function and echocardiographic predictors of short and long-term success.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare percutaneous catheter ablation vs. minimally invasive surgical ablation, evaluating the impact of repeated ablation on atrial function, and evaluating predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence.

Background: When AF ablation fails, re-ablations are required in up to 40% of patients to treat recurrent arrhythmia; surgical ablation is more effective than catheter ablation.

Validation of "the patient evaluation of emotional care during hospitalisation" questionnaire in intensive care unit patients.

Objective: To validate the "Patient Evaluation of Emotional Care During Hospitalization" (PEECH) questionnaire, which assesses hospitalised patients' emotional experiences, in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Interventions: Prospective study. The PEECH consists of three sections and four sub-scales: "level of security", "level of knowing", "level of personal value", and "level of connection".

Neuropsychological impairment in post-COVID condition individuals with and without cognitive complaints.

Unlabelled: One of the most prevalent symptoms of post-COVID condition is cognitive impairment, which results in a significant degree of disability and low quality of life. In studies with large sample sizes, attention, memory, and executive function were reported as long-term cognitive symptoms. This study aims to describe cognitive dysfunction in large post-COVID condition individuals, compare objective neuropsychological performance in those post-COVID condition individuals with and without cognitive complaints, and identify short cognitive exams that can differentiate individuals with post-COVID symptoms from controls.

Effectiveness of virtual reality on functional mobility during treadmill training in children with cerebral palsy: a single-blind, two-arm parallel group randomised clinical trial (VirtWalkCP Project).

Introduction: Treadmill training and virtual reality have been investigated in children with cerebral palsy. However, few studies have assessed the effectiveness of the combination of both treatments on children's functional and balance activities. The project aims to compare the effects of treadmill training with and without virtual reality on walking endurance and speed, static and dynamic balance, gross motor function, functional independence, quality of life and occupational participation in children with spastic cerebral palsy between the ages of 4 and 12 years classified at levels I, II and III of the Gross Motor Function Classification System.

El sentido de coherencia y las habilidades para la vida como factores protectores en personas con prediabetes.

Objetivo: analizar el sentido de coherencia y las habilidades para la vida y su relación con el cumplimiento del estilo de vida saludable.

MÉtodo: estudio observacional transversal en personas con prediabetes atendidas en atención primaria, quienes respondieron a un cuestionario con variables sociodemográficas y hábitos saludables y a los cuestionarios de sentido de coherencia y habilidades para la vida. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, bivariante y un modelo de regresión múltiple.

Determinants and Trends of the Use of Intravenous Thrombolysis for Minor Stroke: A Population-Based Study, 2016 to 2020.

Background: We analyzed the main factors associated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with minor ischemic stroke.

Methods: Data were obtained from a prospective, government-mandated, population-based registry of stroke code patients in Catalonia (6 Comprehensive Stroke Centers, 8 Primary Stroke Centers, and 14 TeleStroke Centers). We selected patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≤5 at hospital admission from January 2016 to December 2020.

Standardized incidence ratios and risk factors for cancer in patients with systemic sclerosis: Data from the Spanish Scleroderma Registry (RESCLE).

Aim: Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are at increased risk of cancer, a growing cause of non-SSc-related death among these patients. We analyzed the increased cancer risk among Spanish patients with SSc using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and identified independent cancer risk factors in this population.

Material And Methods: Spanish Scleroderma Registry data were analyzed to determine the demographic characteristics of patients with SSc, and logistic regression was used to identify cancer risk factors.

The role of specialist nurses in detecting spasticity and related symptoms in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Spasticity is a frequent symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), which may negatively influence daily living activities (ADL).

Objectives: To (1) explore the feasibility to conduct a structured interview by specialist nurses about limitations in ADL; (2) determine the percentage of people with MS (PwMS) with limitations in ADL related to spasticity; (3) to assess the knowledge about spasticity and describe its clinical features.

Design: Observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study in 16 MS units of Catalonia (Spain).

Prediction of peritoneal soiling in acute appendicitis with simple clinical and laboratory data. Prospective, multicenter, cohort study of 2,645 adult patients nationwide.

Background And Aims: In order to facilitate the preoperative prediction of complicated appendicitis, we propose a complementary approach by selecting an endpoint defined by the intraoperative finding of peritoneal soiling (PS).

Methods: Over a 6-month period, 38 centers (5% of all public hospitals) attending emergency general surgery patients on a 24-h, 7-days a week basis, enrolled consecutive adult patients requiring appendectomy. Patients were stratified according to the absence or the finding of PS during the surgical procedure.

Pre-operative prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 in hospitals in Catalonia during the first wave after the resumption of surgical activity.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of non-essential surgical procedures in March 2020. With the resumption of surgical activity, patients undergoing surgery were one of the first population groups to be systematically tested for PCR. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers after the resumption of non-essential surgical activity.