Impact of high-flow oxygen therapy during exercise in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a pilot crossover clinical trial

[Background] Supplemental oxygen delivered with standard oxygen therapy (SOT) improves exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Although high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) improves oxygenation in other respiratory diseases, its impact on exercise performance has never been evaluated in IPF patients. We hypothesized that HFNC may improve exercise capacity in IPF subjects compared to SOT.[Methods] This was a prospective, crossover, pilot randomized trial that compared both oxygenation methods during a constant submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in IPF patients with exertional oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≤ 85% in the 6-min walking test. The primary outcome was endurance time (Tlim). Secondary outcomes were muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) and respiratory and leg symptoms.[Results] Ten IPF patients [71.7 (6) years old, 90% males] were included. FVC and DLCO were 58 ± 11% and 31 ± 13% pred. respectively. Tlim during CPET was significantly greater using HFNC compared to SOT [494 ± 173 vs. 381 ± 137 s, p = 0.01]. HFNC also associated with a higher increase in inspiratory capacity (IC) [19.4 ± 14.2 vs. 7.1 ± 8.9%, respectively; p = 0.04], and a similar trend was observed in StO2 during exercise. No differences were found in respiratory or leg symptoms between the two oxygen devices.[Conclusions] This is the first study demonstrating that HFNC oxygen therapy improves exercise tolerance better than SOT in IPF patients with exertional desaturation. This might be explained by changes in ventilatory mechanics and muscle oxygenation. Further and larger studies are needed to confirm the benefits of HFNC in IPF patients and its potential usefulness in rehabilitation programs.This study has been funded by SEPAR 2017 (Fellowship) and Rio Hortega; ISCIII (Project and fellowship).Peer reviewe

Predictors and changes of physical activity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background Different clinical predictors of physical activity (PA) have been described in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but studies are lacking evaluating the potential role of muscle strength and anxiety and depression symptoms in PA limitation. Moreover, little is known about the impact of changes in PA in the course of the disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between baseline PA and a wide range of variables in IPF, to assess its longitudinal changes at 12 months and its impact on progression free-survival. Methods PA was assessed by accelerometer and physiological, clinical, psychological factors and health-related quality of life were evaluated in subjects with IPF at baseline and at 12 month follow-up. Predictors of PA were determined at baseline, evolution of PA parameters was described and the prognostic role of PA evolution was also established. Results Forty participants with IPF were included and 22 completed the follow-up. At baseline, subjects performed 5765 (3442) daily steps and spent 64 (44) minutes/day in moderate to vigorous PA. Multivariate regression models showed that at baseline, a lower six-minute walked distance, lower quadriceps strength (QMVC), and a higher depression score in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale were associated to lower daily step number. In addition, being in (Gender-Age-Physiology) GAP III stage, having a BMI >= 25 kg/m(2) and lower QMVC or maximum inspiratory pressure were factors associated with sedentary behaviour. Adjusted for age, gender and forced vital capacity (FVC) (%pred.) a lower progression-free survival was evidenced in those subjects that decreased PA compared to those that maintained, or even increased it, at 12 months [HR 12.1 (95% CI, 1.9-78.8); p = 0.009]. Conclusion Among a wide range of variables, muscle strength and depression symptoms have a predominant role in PA in IPF patients. Daily PA behaviour and its evolution should be considered in IPF clinical assessment and as a potential complementary indicator of disease prognosis

Residual pulmonary infiltrates, symptoms and diffusion impairment at one‐year after severe COVID‐19 infection have different associated factors

Menendez R, Mendez R, Latorre A, Gonzalez-Jimenez P, Peces-Barba G, Molina M, et al. Residual pulmonary infiltrates, symptoms and diffusion impairment at 1-year after severe COVID-19 infection have different associated factors. J Intern Med. 2023;00:1-13. Introduction. After severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia, patients may show lung sequelae on radiology and functional impairment at the 1-year followup. We aimed to describe the persistence of symptoms, radiological alterations, or reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) at 1-year follow-up in patients from the Spanish Registry RECOVID. Methods. RECOVID collected symptom and radiological and functional lung tests data on hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 during the acute phase and at the 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. Results. Of the 2500 enrolled survivors (90% admitted to the ward), 1874 had follow-up visits for up to a year. Of these, 42% continued to present with symptoms, 27% had radiological sequelae and 31% had reduced DLCO. Independently associated factors included female sex, asthma and the requirement for invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Complete radiological resolution was 72.2% at 12 months; associated factors with incomplete recovery were age, male sex, oxygen or respiratory support, corticosteroids and an initial SpO(2)/FiO(2) = 2. Reduced D-LCO was observed in 31% of patients at 12 months; associated factors were older age, female sex, smoking habit, SpO(2)/FiO(2) = 2 and the requirement of respiratory support.At 12 months, a proportion of the asymptomatic patients showed reduced D-LCO (9.5%), radiological findings (25%) or both (11%). Conclusions. The factors associated with symptom persistence, incomplete radiological resolution and D-LCO <80% differed according to age, sex, comorbidities and respiratory support. The burden of symptoms, reduced D-LCO and incomplete radiological resolution were considerable in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia at the 1-year follow-up after hospitalisation

Diseño de un test de color STCC (Square Triangle Cross Circle)

Se presenta un diseño de tests pseudoisocromático, generado por ordenador, que permite detectar y clasificar anomalías cromáticas congénitas (protán, deután y tritán). La tarea del observador consiste en la identificación de una figura, de una serie de cuatro fijas (triángulo, cuadrado, círculo y cruz), de igual área, sobre un fondo. El color de las figuras se ha elegido para favorecer la respuesta de un único tipo de conos, y se ha añadido ruido acromático de luminancia para evitar intrusiones del mecanismo acromático. Una prueba preliminar ha mostrado que el test es capaz de detectar defectos leves de visión del color.We present a new design of a computer generated pseudosichromatic test, to detect and classify subjects with congenital color vision defects (protan, deutan and tritan types). The patient's task is to identify a figure, belonging to a set of four (triangle, square, circle and cross) with equal areas, against a background. figure color has been chosen to isolate a single cone type, and achromatic random noise has been used to supress responses from the achromatic mechanism. A pilot study has shown that the test can detect mild color vision defects

Identification of genetic variants associated with Huntington's disease progression: a genome-wide association study

Background Huntington's disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene, HTT. Age at onset has been used as a quantitative phenotype in genetic analysis looking for Huntington's disease modifiers, but is hard to define and not always available. Therefore, we aimed to generate a novel measure of disease progression and to identify genetic markers associated with this progression measure. Methods We generated a progression score on the basis of principal component analysis of prospectively acquired longitudinal changes in motor, cognitive, and imaging measures in the 218 indivduals in the TRACK-HD cohort of Huntington's disease gene mutation carriers (data collected 2008–11). We generated a parallel progression score using data from 1773 previously genotyped participants from the European Huntington's Disease Network REGISTRY study of Huntington's disease mutation carriers (data collected 2003–13). We did a genome-wide association analyses in terms of progression for 216 TRACK-HD participants and 1773 REGISTRY participants, then a meta-analysis of these results was undertaken. Findings Longitudinal motor, cognitive, and imaging scores were correlated with each other in TRACK-HD participants, justifying use of a single, cross-domain measure of disease progression in both studies. The TRACK-HD and REGISTRY progression measures were correlated with each other (r=0·674), and with age at onset (TRACK-HD, r=0·315; REGISTRY, r=0·234). The meta-analysis of progression in TRACK-HD and REGISTRY gave a genome-wide significant signal (p=1·12 × 10−10) on chromosome 5 spanning three genes: MSH3, DHFR, and MTRNR2L2. The genes in this locus were associated with progression in TRACK-HD (MSH3 p=2·94 × 10−8 DHFR p=8·37 × 10−7 MTRNR2L2 p=2·15 × 10−9) and to a lesser extent in REGISTRY (MSH3 p=9·36 × 10−4 DHFR p=8·45 × 10−4 MTRNR2L2 p=1·20 × 10−3). The lead single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TRACK-HD (rs557874766) was genome-wide significant in the meta-analysis (p=1·58 × 10−8), and encodes an aminoacid change (Pro67Ala) in MSH3. In TRACK-HD, each copy of the minor allele at this SNP was associated with a 0·4 units per year (95% CI 0·16–0·66) reduction in the rate of change of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Motor Score, and a reduction of 0·12 units per year (95% CI 0·06–0·18) in the rate of change of UHDRS Total Functional Capacity score. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age of onset. Interpretation The multidomain progression measure in TRACK-HD was associated with a functional variant that was genome-wide significant in our meta-analysis. The association in only 216 participants implies that the progression measure is a sensitive reflection of disease burden, that the effect size at this locus is large, or both. Knockout of Msh3 reduces somatic expansion in Huntington's disease mouse models, suggesting this mechanism as an area for future therapeutic investigation

Actividad física y tolerancia al ejercicio en fibrosis pulmonar idiopática

Introducción: Se comparó la oxigenoterapia de alto flujo (OAF) vs. oxigenoterapia convencional (OC) en el tiempo de resistencia (Tlim) de pacientes con FPI y desaturación al esfuerzo. Se estudiaron los predictores de actividad física (AF), su evolución y papel pronóstico en FPI. Métodos: (1) Ensayo clínico que comparó la OAFvs.OC en el Tlim durante una prueba de esfuerzo cardiopulmonar, en FPI con SpO2 <85% en la prueba de la marcha de seis minutos (PM6M). (2) Se midió la AF y variables clínicas en FPI, a la inclusión y al año. Se analizaron sus predictores, su evolución y papel pronóstico. Resultados: (1) El Tlim fue significativamente mayor con OAF comparado con OC. (2) La fuerza del cuádriceps, la distancia en la PM6M y la depresión fueron factores predictores independientes de pasos/día. Se evidenció menor supervivencia libre de progresión en los sujetos que disminuyeron la AF comparado con los que la mantuvieron/aumentaron al año. Conclusiones: La OAF mejora la tolerancia al ejercicio en pacientes con FPI y desaturación al esfuerzo. Los factores musculares y psicológicos influyen en la AF en FPI. Su evolución debe considerarse como indicador pronóstico complementario.Introduction: High flow oxygen therapy (HFNC) was compared to standard oxygen therapy (SOT) in endurance time (Tlim) in IPF patients with exertional desaturation. Physical activity (PA) predictors, PA evolution and its prognostic role in IPF were studied. Methods: (1) Clinical trial comparing HFNC vs. SOT in Tlim during a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in IPF patients with SpO2 <85% in the six-minute walk test (6MWT). (2) PA and clinical variables were measured in IPF patients, at inclusion and after 1 year. Its predictors, 12-month evolution and prognostic role were analyzed. Results: (1) Tlim was significantly higher with HFNC compared to SOT. (2) Quadriceps strength, 6MWT distance and depression were independent predictors of steps/day. Subjects who decreased PA had lower progression-free survival compared to those who maintained/increased it. Conclusions: HFNC improves exercise tolerance in IPF patients with exertional desaturation. Muscular and psychological factors influence PA in IPF. PA evolution should be considered as a prognostic indicator in IPF

Residual pulmonary infiltrates, symptoms and diffusion impairment at 1-year after severe COVID-19 infection have different associated factors

Introduction: After severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia, patients may show lung sequelae on radiology and functional impairment at the 1-year follow-up. We aimed to describe the persistence of symptoms, radiological alterations, or reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO ) at 1-year follow-up in patients from the Spanish Registry RECOVID. Methods: RECOVID collected symptom and radiological and functional lung tests data on hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 during the acute phase and at the 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. Results: Of the 2500 enrolled survivors (90% admitted to the ward), 1874 had follow-up visits for up to a year. Of these, 42% continued to present with symptoms, 27% had radiological sequelae and 31% had reduced DLCO . Independently associated factors included female sex, asthma and the requirement for invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Complete radiological resolution was 72.2% at 12 months; associated factors with incomplete recovery were age, male sex, oxygen or respiratory support, corticosteroids and an initial SpO2 /FiO2 <450 or CURB-65 ≥2. Reduced DLCO was observed in 31% of patients at 12 months; associated factors were older age, female sex, smoking habit, SpO2 /FiO2 <450 and CURB-65 ≥2 and the requirement of respiratory support.At 12 months, a proportion of the asymptomatic patients showed reduced DLCO (9.5%), radiological findings (25%) or both (11%). Conclusions: The factors associated with symptom persistence, incomplete radiological resolution and DLCO <80% differed according to age, sex, comorbidities and respiratory support. The burden of symptoms, reduced DLCO and incomplete radiological resolution were considerable in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia at the 1-year follow-up after hospitalisation

A foreign body reaction to Surgicel® in a lymph node diagnosed by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

Surgicel® (Ethicon, North Ryde, NSW, Australia) is an absorbable sheet of oxidized cellulose polyanhydroglucuronic acid polymer used as an hemostatic in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. In some cases, the retained material may cause foreign body granulomatous reactions and simulate tumor recurrence, an abscess, an hematoma, or an infection. We report the case of a 55-year-old patient who was operated of a lung adenocarcinoma. In the thoracic computed tomography scan 1 year after the surgery, a right paratracheal lymph node was detected, so endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) was performed suspecting recurrence of the tumor. The cytology results of the lymph node showed a nonnecrotizing granulomatous reaction secondary to Surgicel®, used as an hemostatic during the surgery. The objective of presenting this case is to consider foreign body reaction to Surgicel® in the differential diagnosis of postoperative suspicion of neoplastic recurrence, and on the other hand, to note that EBUS-TBNA enables diagnosis

Innovation in organizations through s-commerce to achieve competitiveness

[EN] Organisations have now adopted technology to improve their processes. E-commerce has allowed the expansion of markets and reach the customer. Social media is tools that facilitate success in a virtual transaction, because they allow communication-interaction between communities. In this sense, the consumer becomes a major player in the business process, where companies seek to meet their needs based on the information collected from social media. The research is descriptive and was developed with entrepreneurs from the manufacturing sector of Santander-Colombia (N = 327), who indicated their perception of s-commerce. Factor analysis was used to clarify factors related to the objectives -promotion and community- and to internet marketing -knowledge and experience-. In addition, it was detected that the most used social networks in s-commerce are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube, and the E-bay, Mercado Libre, Amazon, Tmall and Linio channels. In the end, s-commerce oriented strategies are proposed to make companies more competitive.Guzmán-Duque, A.; Oliveros-Contreras, D.; Mendoza-García, E.; Oltra Badenes, RF. (2020). Innovation in organizations through s-commerce to achieve competitiveness. International Journal of Technoentrepreneurship. 4(2):91-104. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTE.2020.113925S911044

Hospital admissions and mortality in patients with COPD exacerbations and vertebral body compression fractures

BACKGROUND: Vertebral compression fractures (VCF) are common in COPD patients, with osteoporosis being the main cause. The clinical impact of VCF derives mostly from both pain and chest deformity, which may lead to ventilatory and physical activity limitations. Surprisingly, the consequences of VCF on the quality outcomes of hospital care are poorly known. OBJECTIVE: To assess these indicators in patients hospitalized due to a COPD exacerbation (ECOPD) who also have VCF. METHODS: Clinical characteristics and quality care indicators were assessed in two one-year periods, one retrospective (exploratory) and one prospective (validation), in all consecutive patients hospitalized for ECOPD. Diagnosis of VCF was based on the reduction of >20% height of the vertebral body evaluated in standard lateral chest X-ray (three independent observers). RESULTS: From the 248 patients admitted during the exploratory phase, a third had at least one VCF. Underdiagnosis rate was 97.6%, and patients with VCF had more admissions (normalized for survival), longer hospital stays, and higher mortality than patients without (4 [25th-75th percentiles, 2-8] vs 3 [1-6] admissions, P<0.01; 12 [6-30] vs 9 [6-18] days, P<0.05; and 50 vs 32.1% deaths, P<0.01, respectively). The risk of dying in the two following years was also higher in VCF patients (odds ratio: 2.11 [1.2-3.6], P<0.01). The validation cohort consisted of 250 patients who showed very similar results. The logistic regression analysis indicated that both VCF and age were factors independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Although VCF is frequently underdiagnosed in patients hospitalized for ECOPD, it is strongly associated with a worse prognosis and quality care outcomes.This study has been partially funded by SEPAR (264/2012), CIBERES, FIS (12/02534), Plan Nacional I+D+i (SAF-2014 – 54371), Generalitat de Catalunya (2009-SGR-393), and FUCAP (2012)