Clinical and Social Characterization of Patients Hospitalized for COPD Exacerbation Using Machine Learning Tools.

Objective: This study aims to employ machine learning (ML) tools to cluster patients hospitalized for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on their diverse social and clinical characteristics. This clustering is intended to facilitate the subsequent analysis of differences in clinical outcomes.

Methods: We analysed a cohort of patients with severe COPD from two Pulmonary Departments in north-western Spain using the k-prototypes algorithm, incorporating demographic, clinical, and social data.

Acceptance and results of cryoablation for the treatment of early breast cancer in non-surgical patients.

Objectives: Evaluate acceptance of percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) treatment by patients with early breast cancer (BC) who choose not to have surgery and present our experience in the use of PCA for the local control of BC in this group of patients.

Methods: All biopsy-proven early BC diagnosed in our institution as non-surgical patients between January 2020 and December 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. We recorded if PCA was offered and if it was accepted by the patient.

Predicting axillary response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy: the role of diffusion weighted imaging.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether the primary tumour response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), based on the increase in the ADC-values (apparent diffusion coefficient) within the breast lesion, could help to predict axillary complete response.

Methods: We retrospectively included 74 patients who were treated with NAC followed by surgery at Lucus Augusti Hospital between January 2015 and September 2020. Simple logistic regression was used to evaluate the factors associated with axillary pathological complete response, including the changes in breast tumour ADC-values due to the treatment.

SER recommendations on the use of biological drugs in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: To formulate SER recommendations for the use of biological agents in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: Relevant clinical research questions were identified on the use of biological agents in pSS. The clinical questions were reformulated into 4PICO questions.

Preliminary experience of an expert panel using Triangle Wound Assessment for the evaluation of chronic wounds.

Objective: Wound assessment is an essential part of wound management and has traditionally focused on the wound bed. The Triangle of Wound Assessment (Triangle) is a new assessment tool that includes a holistic evaluation of the patient with a wound. The aim of this pilot study was to describe the use of the Triangle in our clinical practice in Spain.

Dedicated breast PET value to evaluate BI-RADS 4 breast lesions.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic value of dedicated breast PET (dbPET) parallel imaging in mammographically or sonographically detected BI-RADS 4 (Breast Imaging Reporting And Data Systems) lesions.

Materials And Methods: After institutional review board and patient approvals, 50 consecutive women with 60 BI-RADS 4 breast lesions were prospectively included in the study. All patients underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and dbPET before biopsy and fusion of both MRI and dbPET images was performed to better locate corresponding lesions.