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[Delphi Consensus of Argentine Pulmonologists on the Management of Patients with COPD in Real Life].Open Respiratory Archives 2024COPD is the third cause of death globally and in Argentina COPD has a prevalence of 14.5%, but the management of patients in real life is unknown. The objectives of this...
INTRODUCTION
COPD is the third cause of death globally and in Argentina COPD has a prevalence of 14.5%, but the management of patients in real life is unknown. The objectives of this work were: a) To know the opinions of pulmonologists in Argentina who manage patients with COPD in different aspects of daily practice. b) Compare our findings with specialists from Spain and c) Consider our results to plan future directives in the management of COPD in our country.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
89 pulmonologists from Argentina, experts in COPD, participated in a Delphi consensus, who responded to a survey with five domains. a) Adherence to treatment, b) Control of COPD, c) Treatable features, d) Inhalation devices and e) Accessibility to therapeutic resources.
RESULTS
After two rounds of questions, total consensus was achieved in 77.6% of the statements and discriminating by domain: Treatment adherence: 5/9 (55.5%). COPD control: 10/14 (71.4%). Treatable traits: 6/6 (100%). Inhalation devices: 10/14 (71.4%) and Accessibility to treatment: 6/6 (100%). In most of the affirmations, the results were similar to those obtained by Spanish pulmonologists.
CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonologists from Argentina manage COPD patients in a similar way and with minimal differences with our Spanish colleagues. It became evident that, in daily practice, there are factors that negatively impact access to the indicated treatments. Our work could serve as a starting point to improve this situation.
PubMed: 38444983
DOI: 10.1016/j.opresp.2024.100302 -
Cureus Jan 2024This study explores the complex interplay between coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) and sarcoidosis through a detailed case study of a 54-year-old male patient. The...
This study explores the complex interplay between coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) and sarcoidosis through a detailed case study of a 54-year-old male patient. The patient presented with elevated calcium levels, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and unintended weight loss. Interdisciplinary collaboration between nephrologists and pulmonologists played a crucial role in navigating the intricate medical challenges, including hypercalcemia, renal dysfunction, and pulmonary anomalies. The diagnostic journey involved extensive laboratory findings uncovering the involvement of both infectious agents and granulomatous disorders. The patient exhibited positive cocci IgG antibodies, indicating coccidioidomycosis. Further complications included glomerulonephritis, as revealed by ongoing systemic inflammation. Tailored management strategies were implemented, including corticosteroid therapy for sarcoidosis-related inflammation and antifungal interventions for coccidioidomycosis. Vigilant monitoring of renal function, hypercalcemia, and weight loss was essential for comprehensive patient care. The study underscores the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration, systematic diagnostics, and personalized patient care in managing complex medical presentations and contributes to understanding the interplay between these two conditions.
PubMed: 38435929
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53272 -
Rare Tumors 2024Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare, low-grade malignant soft tissue tumor that is often mistaken for benign or more rarely malignant tumor types. Commonly,...
Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare, low-grade malignant soft tissue tumor that is often mistaken for benign or more rarely malignant tumor types. Commonly, this tumor affects young adults and typically arises in the deep proximal extremities or trunk with frequent recurrences and can metastasize to the lungs many years late. Visceral LGFMS is extremely rare. Only a few cases of primary LGFMS of the lung have been reported. Here, we present the clinical, gross, microscopic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of Evans tumor occurring in the lung with a review of the literature and discuss the differential diagnosis in this exceptional localization.
PubMed: 38435384
DOI: 10.1177/20363613241234201 -
Annals of the American Thoracic Society Mar 2024Indoor sources of air pollution worsen indoor and outdoor air quality. Thus, identifying and reducing indoor pollutant sources would decrease both indoor and outdoor air...
Indoor sources of air pollution worsen indoor and outdoor air quality. Thus, identifying and reducing indoor pollutant sources would decrease both indoor and outdoor air pollution, benefit public health, and help address the climate crisis. As outdoor sources come under regulatory control, unregulated indoor sources become a rising percentage of the problem. This American Thoracic Society workshop was convened in 2022 to evaluate this increasing proportion of indoor contributions to outdoor air quality. The workshop was conducted by physicians and scientists, including atmospheric and aerosol scientists, environmental engineers, toxicologists, epidemiologists, regulatory policy experts, and pediatric and adult pulmonologists. Presentations and discussion sessions were centered on ) the generation and migration of pollutants from indoors to outdoors, ) the sources and circumstances representing the greatest threat, and ) effective remedies to reduce the health burden of indoor sources of air pollution. The scope of the workshop was residential and commercial sources of indoor air pollution in the United States. Topics included wood burning, natural gas, cooking, evaporative volatile organic compounds, source apportionment, and regulatory policy. The workshop concluded that indoor sources of air pollution are significant contributors to outdoor air quality and that source control and filtration are the most effective measures to reduce indoor contributions to outdoor air. Interventions should prioritize environmental justice: Households of lower socioeconomic status have higher concentrations of indoor air pollutants from both indoor and outdoor sources. We identify research priorities, potential health benefits, and mitigation actions to consider (e.g., switching from natural gas to electric stoves and transitioning to scent-free consumer products). The workshop committee emphasizes the benefits of combustion-free homes and businesses and recommends economic, legislative, and education strategies aimed at achieving this goal.
Topics: Humans; Child; United States; Air Pollution, Indoor; Natural Gas; Environmental Monitoring; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 38426826
DOI: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202312-1067ST -
The Israel Medical Association Journal... Jan 2024
Topics: Humans; Child; Pulmonologists; Asthma
PubMed: 38420634
DOI: No ID Found -
Monaldi Archives For Chest Disease =... Feb 2024Psychological co-morbidities are common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but remain overlooked. Psychosocial interventions are deemed to promote mental...
Psychological co-morbidities are common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but remain overlooked. Psychosocial interventions are deemed to promote mental health and optimize management. This study aimed to determine the role of detailed psychological evaluation and treatment in the comprehensive management of COPD. COPD patients after screening with the general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) for psychological co-morbidity were divided into three groups (26 patients each): i) group A [GHQ-12 score<3, received pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and standard medical management]; ii and iii) group B and C (GHQ-12 score>3, in addition, received management by a psychiatrist and counseling by a pulmonologist, respectively). At baseline and 8 weeks of follow-up, all participants were evaluated for respiratory [forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), six-minute walk distance (6-MWD), St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), modified medical research council (mMRC) dyspnea scale], and psychological [GHQ-12, patient distress thermometer (PDT), coping strategy checklist (CSCL), World Health Organization-quality of life-brief (WHOQOL-Bref-26), and depression anxiety stress scales (DASS)] parameters. Psychological distress (GHQ-12>3) decreased significantly at follow-up, with 11.5% and 53.8% of patients having psychological distress in groups B and C, respectively, versus baseline (p<0.001). mMRC score, SGRQ score, FEV1 and 6-MWD significantly improved in all three groups. Improvement in mMRC and SGRQ was maximal in group B when compared with the other groups. PDT, CSCL, and WHO-QOL-Bref-26 scores improved significantly at follow-up in all three groups, with maximum improvement in group B, followed by group C, and then group A. The DASS score also improved maximally in group B. Patients should be screened for psychological co-morbidities using simple screening tools. PR plays an important role in improving the psychology of COPD patients. However, results are better with directed psycho-educative sessions by non-experts and best with definitive treatment by psychiatrists.
PubMed: 38411459
DOI: 10.4081/monaldi.2024.2849 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Jan 2024Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) is often utilized in guided bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions. R-EBUS probe positioning has...
BACKGROUND
Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) is often utilized in guided bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions. R-EBUS probe positioning has been shown to correlate with diagnostic yield, but overall diagnostic yield with this technology has been inconsistent across the published literature. Currently there is no standardization for R-EBUS image interpretation, which may result in variability in grading concentricity of lesions and subsequently procedure performance. This was a survey-based study evaluating variability among practicing pulmonologists in R-EBUS image interpretation.
METHODS
R-EBUS images from peripheral bronchoscopy cases were sent to 10 practicing Interventional Pulmonologists at two different time points (baseline and 3 months). Participants were asked to grade the images as concentric, eccentric, or no image. Cohen's Kappa-coefficient was calculated for inter- and intra-observer variability.
RESULTS
A total of 100 R-EBUS images were included in the survey. There was 100% participation with complete survey responses from all 10 participants. Overall kappa-statistic for inter-observer variability for Survey 1 and 2 was 0.496 and 0.477 respectively. Overall kappa-statistic for intra-observer variability between the two surveys was 0.803.
CONCLUSIONS
There is significant variability between pulmonologists when characterizing R-EBUS images. However, there is strong intra-rater agreement from each participant between surveys. A standardized approach and grading system for radial EBUS patterns may improve inter-observer variability in order to optimize our clinical use and research efforts in the field.
PubMed: 38410559
DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-998 -
Biomedicines Feb 2024Evidence from large epidemiological studies has shown that obesity may predispose to increased Th2 inflammation and increase the odds of developing asthma. On the other... (Review)
Review
Evidence from large epidemiological studies has shown that obesity may predispose to increased Th2 inflammation and increase the odds of developing asthma. On the other hand, there is growing evidence suggesting that metabolic dysregulation that occurs with obesity, and more specifically hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, may modify immune cell function and in some degree systemic inflammation. Insulin resistance seldom occurs on its own, and in most cases constitutes a clinical component of metabolic syndrome, along with central obesity and dyslipidemia. Despite that, in some cases, hyperinsulinemia associated with insulin resistance has proven to be a stronger risk factor than body mass in developing asthma. This finding has been supported by recent experimental studies showing that insulin resistance may contribute to airway remodeling, promotion of airway smooth muscle (ASM) contractility and proliferation, increase of airway hyper-responsiveness and release of pro-inflammatory mediators from adipose tissue. All these effects indicate the potential impact of hyperinsulinemia on airway structure and function, suggesting the presence of a specific asthma phenotype with insulin resistance. Epidemiologic studies have found that individuals with severe and uncontrolled asthma have a higher prevalence of glycemic dysfunction, whereas longitudinal studies have linked glycemic dysfunction to an increased risk of asthma exacerbations. Since the components of metabolic syndrome interact with one another so much, it is challenging to identify each one's specific role in asthma. This is why, over the last decade, additional studies have been conducted to determine whether treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus affects comorbid asthma as shown by the incidence of asthma, asthma control and asthma-related exacerbations. The purpose of this review is to present the mechanism of action, and existing preclinical and clinical data, regarding the effect of insulin resistance in asthma.
PubMed: 38398039
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020437 -
Archivos de Bronconeumologia Apr 2024Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently coexist, increasing the prevalence of both entities and impacting on symptoms...
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently coexist, increasing the prevalence of both entities and impacting on symptoms and prognosis. CVD should be suspected in patients with COPD who have high/very high risk scores on validated scales, frequent exacerbations, precordial pain, disproportionate dyspnea, or palpitations. They should be referred to cardiology if they have palpitations of unknown cause or angina pain. COPD should be suspected in patients with CVD if they have recurrent bronchitis, cough and expectoration, or disproportionate dyspnea. They should be referred to a pulmonologist if they have rhonchi or wheezing, air trapping, emphysema, or signs of chronic bronchitis. Treatment of COPD in cardiovascular patients should include long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMA) or long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) in low-risk or high-risk non-exacerbators, and LAMA/LABA/inhaled corticosteroids in exacerbators who are not controlled with bronchodilators. Cardioselective beta-blockers should be favored in patients with CVD, the long-term need for amiodarone should be assessed, and antiplatelet drugs should be maintained if indicated.
Topics: Humans; Cardiovascular Diseases; Administration, Inhalation; Muscarinic Antagonists; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Drug Therapy, Combination; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Dyspnea; Pain; Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; Bronchodilator Agents
PubMed: 38383272
DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2024.01.013 -
Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory... 2024Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening, progressive disease often diagnosed late in its course.
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening, progressive disease often diagnosed late in its course.
OBJECTIVES
To present patient-reported data that were captured within a large, multinational, point-in-time survey of PAH-treating physicians and their patients to better understand the diagnostic journey.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional survey conducted in five European countries (EU5), Japan and the USA.
METHODS
PAH-treating pulmonologists, cardiologists, rheumatologists or internists (USA only) completed a patient record form (PRF) for the next four consecutive adult PAH patients they saw; these patients filled in a patient self-completion (PSC) form on an anonymous, voluntary basis. Our report focuses on patient data; data are from PSC forms unless stated otherwise.
RESULTS
Physician-reported PRFs and self-completed PSC forms were obtained for 1152 and 572 patients, respectively. Patients' mean (SD) age was 59.1 (14.0) years, 55.6% were female, and 57.3% had idiopathic PAH. Patient-reported data showed an average delay of 17.0 months between symptom onset and PAH diagnosis. This is longer than physicians estimated (13.8 months): this disparity may be partly due to the time taken by patients to consult a physician about their symptoms [9.6 months overall, longest in the USA (15.3 months)]. Most patients (71.6%) initially consulted primary care physicians about their symptoms and 76.4% of patients were referred to a specialist. Misdiagnoses occurred in 40.9% of patients [most frequent in the USA (51.3%), least common in Japan (27.6%)] and they saw an average of 2.9 physicians overall (3.5 in EU5 2.0 in Japan/USA) before being diagnosed. Diagnosis was most often made by cardiologists (50.4%) or pulmonologists (49.3%).
CONCLUSION
Our data suggest that diagnostic delay in PAH results from patient- and physician-related factors, which differ across regions and include lack of awareness of PAH on both sides. Development of better screening strategies may help address this barrier to timely PAH diagnosis.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Male; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Cross-Sectional Studies; Delayed Diagnosis; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38357903
DOI: 10.1177/17534666231218886