Initial Treatment with Biological Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: We aimed to analyse the effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of initial treatment with biological therapies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Qualitative study. A group of RA experts was selected.

Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine Long-Acting Antiretroviral Therapy Administered Every 2 Months is Cost-Effective for the Treatment of HIV-1 in Spain.

Introduction: Current antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) have improved outcomes for people living with HIV. However, the requirement to adhere to lifelong daily oral dosing may be challenging for some people living with HIV, leading to suboptimal adherence and therefore reduced treatment effectiveness. Treatment with long-acting (LA) ART may improve adherence and health-related quality of life.

Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Combined with the Resilience Model to Decrease Depression and Anxiety Symptoms and Increase the Quality of Life in ESRD Patients Treated with Hemodialysis.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) combined with the resilience model (CBI + R) vs CBI alone on depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and quality of life of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis replacement therapy.

Method: Fifty-three subjects were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The control group ( = 25) was provided with treatment strategies based on a cognitive behavioral approach, while the experimental group ( = 28) were given the same techniques plus resilience model strategies.

Experts document on methotrexate use in combined therapy with biological or targeted synthetic disease modifying drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: We aimed to develop recommendations for the management of methotrexate (MTX) when considering the combination with biological (b) or targeted synthetic (ts) disease modifying drugs (DMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Eleven experts on RA were selected. Two coordinators formulated 13 questions about the combination therapy of MTX with bDMARDs or tsDMARDs.

Resilience: A Protective Factor from Depression and Anxiety in Mexican Dialysis Patients.

Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent psychological disorders in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) that have a negative clinical impact. The purpose of our study was to identify factors associated with the presence of depression and anxiety, in a sample of ESRD patients treated with hemodialysis. We included 187 patients from two dialysis facilities, age 18-65 years.

Restless Legs Syndrome - Clinical Features.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is one of the most common neurologic conditions, with an estimated prevalence in European and North American heritage populations of about 2% to 5%. Because RLS diagnosis is essentially clinical, a careful evaluation of the symptoms is mandatory. It is important to exclude RLS mimics and evaluate factors that could exacerbate RLS symptoms.

Potential Benefits of the Self-Administration of Subcutaneous Methotrexate with Autoinjector Devices for Patients: A Review.

The role of patient adherence in improving the efficacy of any treatment is widely accepted, as well as its impact in optimizing the use of healthcare resources and associated costs. Adherence is particularly affected in chronic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), requiring long-term therapies and a commitment of the patient to manage his/her disease. Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the mainstays of treatment for several immune-mediated inflammatory joint and skin diseases, especially RA.

Validity and Cost-Effectiveness of Pediatric Home Respiratory Polygraphy for the Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children: Rationale, Study Design, and Methodology.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children is a prevalent, albeit largely undiagnosed disease associated with a large spectrum of morbidities. Overnight in-lab polysomnography remains the gold standard diagnostic approach, but is time-consuming, inconvenient, and expensive, and not readily available in many places. Simplified Home Respiratory Polygraphy (HRP) approaches have been proposed to reduce costs and facilitate the diagnostic process.

Ole e 3, a Candidate for in vivo Diagnosis of Polcalcin Sensitization.

Introduction: Polcalcins belong to the family of calcium-binding proteins. They are ubiquitous in the plant kingdom and highly conserved, which leads to these panallergens showing a high degree of inter-cross-reactivity. They are responsible for allergic polysensitization, and therefore, their diagnosis is necessary for correct selection of immunotherapy.

Experts document on methotrexate use in combined therapy with biological or targeted synthetic disease modifying drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: We aimed to develop recommendations for the management of methotrexate (MTX) when considering the combination with biological (b) or targeted synthetic (ts) disease modifying drugs (DMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Eleven experts on RA were selected. Two coordinators formulated 13 questions about the combination therapy of MTX with bDMARDs or tsDMARDs.

Risk factors and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with hematological malignancies.

Background: Prognostic factors of poor outcome in patients with hematological malignancies and COVID-19 are poorly defined.

Patients And Methods: This was a Spanish transplant group and cell therapy (GETH) multicenter retrospective observational study, which included a large cohort of blood cancer patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection through PCR assays from March 1st 2020 to May 15th 2020.

Results: We included 367 pediatric and adult patients with hematological malignancies, including recipients of autologous (ASCT) (n = 58) or allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) (n = 65) from 41 hospitals in Spain.

Prognostic value of initial QRS analysis in anterior STEMI: Correlation with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, serum biomarkers, and cardiac outcomes.

Background: The presence of pathologic Q waves on admission electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with anterior ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been related to adverse cardiac outcomes. Our study evaluates the prognostic value of QRS complex and Q waves in patients with STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed the specific characteristics of QRS complex and pathologic Q waves on admission and on discharge ECG in 144 patients hospitalized for anterior STEMI.

Deprescribing of non-antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients.

Purpose: In recent decades, the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients has increased considerably, to the extent that the disease can now be considered chronic. In this context of progressive aging, HIV-infected persons have a greater prevalence of comorbid conditions. Consequently, they usually take more non-antiretroviral drugs, and their drug therapy are more complex.

Effectiveness and safety of ferric carboxymaltose therapy in peritoneal dialysis patients: an observational study.

Background: The efficacy of intravenous (IV) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has been demonstrated in haemodialysis and non-dialysis studies, but evidence is lacking in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods: This multicentre, retrospective study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of FCM in patients on PD over 12 months. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of PD patients who initiated FCM treatment between 2014 and 2017 across seven Spanish centres.

Syringocystadenoma papilliferum associated with verrucous carcinoma of the skin in the same lesion: Report of four cases.

The association of syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) with verrucous carcinoma (VC) of the skin in the same lesion is a rare, but well-documented event. Although human papillomaviruses (HPV) have been proposed to have an etiologic role in the development of the verrucous proliferations associated with SCAP, most of the immunohistochemical and molecular studies have failed to show the presence of their genomic material in these lesions. We report a series of four cases of SCAP associated with VC in anogenital lesions.

Simplification of the Barthel scale for screening for frailty and severe dependency in polypathological patients.

Objectives: To analyse the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive (PPV) and negative predictive (NPV) values of each measure of the Barthel index (BI) compared with the full questionnaire for polypathological patients (PPPs).

Methods: Multicentre cross-sectional study. We considered 2 cut-off points for the BI (≥90 points for screening frailty and <60 points for diagnosing severe dependence).

Pain assessment in Spanish rheumatology outpatient clinics: EVADOR Study.

Introduction: rheumatic diseases are the most frequent cause of non-malignant chronic pain. In recent years, pain and its management have become more important in rheumatology.

Objectives: to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of pain associated with rheumatic pathology treated in rheumatology clinics in Spain, as well as their treatment and response to it.

Subcutaneous bortezomib in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma nontransplant eligible: Retrospective evaluation.

Bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone combination is one of the standards of care for nontransplant eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. However, bortezomib intravenous (twice weekly for 4 cycles then weekly for 5 cycles) results in ~13% of patients with grade 3-4 peripheral neuropathy. Bortezomib subcutaneous (SQ) and weekly delivery, improves tolerability without impairment of efficacy.

Antireflux ureteral stent proof of concept assessment after minimally invasive treatment of obstructive uropathy in animal model.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of a new anti-reflux intraureteral stent design in a swine model after minimally invasive treatment of ureteral stricture to reduce ureteral stent morbidity, previous to manufacture this design in a biodegradable fashion.

Methods: Twenty-eight female pigs were included. The study began with a cystoscopic, nephrosonographic and contrast fluoroscopic assessment.

Biomarkers of carcinogenesis and tumour growth in patients with cutaneous melanoma and obstructive sleep apnoea.

The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and the levels of carcinogenesis- and tumour growth-related biomarkers in patients with cutaneous melanoma.This multicentre observational study included patients who were newly diagnosed with melanoma. The patients were classified as non-OSA (apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) 0-5 events·h), mild OSA (AHI 5-15 events·h) and moderate-severe OSA (AHI >15 events·h).

Recommendations for the use of methotrexate in psoriatic arthritis.

Objectives: To develop recommendations for the management of methotrexate (MTX) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), based on best evidence and experience.

Methods: A group of 12 experts on MTX use was selected. The coordinators formulated 14 questions about the use of MTX in PsA patients (indications, efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness).