Los contaminantes atmosféricos urbanos son factores de riesgo significativos para el asma y la neumonía en niños: influencia del lugar de medición de los contaminantes

Background

Air pollution is associated with a substantial burden on human health; however, the most important pollutants may vary with location. Proper monitoring is necessary to determine the effect of these pollutants on respiratory health.

Objectives

This study was designed to evaluate the role of outdoor, indoor and personal exposure to combustion-related pollutants NO₂ and O₃ on respiratory health of children in a non-affluent urban area of São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods

Levels of NO₂ and O₃ were continuously measured in outdoor and indoor air, as well as personal exposure, for 30 days using passive measurement monitors. Respiratory health was assessed with a Brazilian version of the ISAAC questionnaire.

Results

Complete data were available from 64 children, aged 6-10 years. Respiratory morbidity was high, with 43 (67.2%) reporting having had wheezing at any time, 27 (42.2%) wheezing in the last month, 17 (26.6%) asthma at any time and 21 (32.8%) pneumonia at any time. Correlations between levels of NO₂ and O₃ measured in the three locations evaluated were poor. Levels of NO₂ in indoor air and personal exposure to O₃ were independently associated with asthma (both cases P = .02), pneumonia (O₃, P = .02) and wheezing at any time (both cases P < .01). No associations were seen between outdoor NO₂ and O₃ and respiratory health.

Conclusions

Exposure to higher levels of NO₂ and O₃ was associated with increased risk for asthma and pneumonia in children. Nonetheless, the place where the pollutants are measured influences the results. The measurements taken in indoor and personal exposure were the most accurate.     

Exposición prenatal y posnatal al tabaco y síntomas respiratorios y alérgicos en los primeros años de vida

Background and objectives

To analyse the relationship between prenatal and postnatal tobacco exposure and the development of respiratory and allergy symptoms during the first 4 years of life.

Patients and methods

Prospective and multicentred cohort study that included the subjects belonging to AMICS (Asthma Multicentred Infant Cohort Study) located in Ashford (England), Barcelona and Minorca (Spain). We recruited 1611 children, followed from the pregnancy to the 4th year of life, whose parents annually answered a questionnaire on their tobacco consumption and their children's respiratory and allergy health. In the Barcelona cohort (n=487) a tobacco exposure biomarker (cotinine) was analysed on several matrices.

Results

Prenatal tobacco exposure is associated with a greater risk of hospitalisation due to respiratory infection, particularly in the second year of life, whereas postnatal tobacco exposure is associated more strongly with the presence of late wheezing presence and increases in the chance of being diagnosed with asthma at 4 years of age. The children prenatally and postnatally exposed had more persistent wheezing, persistent rhoncus, early cough, a higher number of upper respiratory infections per year and a greater number were diagnosed with asthma. The higher the levels of cotinine measured, the higher was the risk for wheezing. No relationship was seen between tobacco exposure and atopic symptoms.

Conclusions

Passive smoke exposure during pregnancy and childhood has very distinct clinical respiratory effects in children. Therefore, smoking cessation of childbearing age women must be a priority of preventive medicine.     

Eficacia de los programas de educación terapéutica y de rehabilitación respiratoria en el paciente con asma

Asthma is a chronic complex and heterogeneous disease, with great variability and has a huge impact, not only on patients who suffer the disease but also their families and society in general. The education of the asthmatic patient and their families is essential for therapeutic intervention. Through continuous, dynamic and adaptive education, changes in attitudes and behaviours of the patient and family can be achieved, and will undoubtedly lead to an improvement in their quality of life. Among other non-pharmacological interventions, respiratory rehabilitation is an alternative treatment, and is primarily aimed at patients with moderate to severe asthma. Although the latest clinical practice guidelines published in the scientific literature recommend two strategies for treatment, the results of relevant publications are diverse. The objective of this study was to describe the effectiveness of therapeutic and educational programs in respiratory rehabilitation of the asthmatic patient.     

Factores asociados con el control del asma en pacientes de atención primaria en España: el estudio CHAS

Background

Asthma control is inadequate in all populations studied to date, leading to a major part of the cost of the disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma in primary care patients and identify the associated factors.

Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional study of the population of primary care asthmatic patients over 18 years old in Spain (n=2159). Asthma control was measured with the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). The sociodemographic variables and treatment compliance were measured using a questionnaire. We built logistic-regression models using Asthma control, a dichotomous variable generated from ACQ score.

Results

The prevalence of uncontrolled asthma was 63.9%. Treatment with oral corticosteroids (OCS) (OR=6.55), greater asthma severity (OR=3.11), presence of a distressing event (OR=2.44), lower significance given to treatment compliance (OR=1.66) and living in a rural area (OR=1.29) are associated with uncontrolled asthma. On the contrary, sex, age, obesity, smoking, alcohol intake and educational level had no effect on asthma control.

Conclusions

In Spain asthma is still uncontrolled and some factors leading to this situation appear to be modifiable by the health system.     

Frecuencia del polimorfismo -262 C/T en el gen de la catalasa y lesión oxidativa en niños eslovacos con asma bronquial

Introduction

Bronchial asthma is a complex disease in which genetic factors, environmental factors and oxidative damage are responsible for the initiation and modulation of disease progression. If antioxidant mechanisms fail, reactive oxygen species damage the biomolecules followed by progression of the disease. Catalase is one of the most important endogenous enzymatic antioxidants. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that increased oxidative damage and polymorphism in the CAT gene (-262 promoter region, C/T) are associated with childhood bronchial asthma.

Patients and methods

Genotyping of the polymorphisms in the CAT gene in healthy (249) and asthmatic children (248) was performed using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. Markers of oxidative damage: content of sulfhydryl groups and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were determined by spectrophotometry in children.

Results

The TT genotype of catalase was more frequent among the asthmatic patients (22.6%) than in healthy children (4.8%) (odds ratio = 5.63; 95% confidence interval = 2.93–10.81, P < .001). The amount of sulfhydryl groups decreased significantly and conversely, the content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances increased significantly in bronchial asthma and in catalase TT genotype compared to other catalase genotypes of this gene.

Conclusions

These results suggest that catalase polymorphism might participate in development of bronchial asthma and in enhanced oxidative damage in asthmatic children. Genetic variation of enzymatic antioxidants may modulate disease risk.     

Implantación de un sistema de vigilancia de infección de la herida quirúrgica al alta en herniorrafia y mastectomía

Introduction

Monitoring surgical site infection (SSI) performed during hospitalization can underestimate its rates due to the shortening in hospital stay. The aim of this study was to determine the actual rates of SSI using a post-discharge monitoring system.

Methods

All patients who underwent herniorraphy or mastectomy in the Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011 were included. SSI data were collected prospectively according to the continuous quality improvement indicators (Indicadores Clinicos de Mejora Continua de la Calidad [INCLIMECC]) monitoring system. Post-discharge follow-up was conducted by telephone survey.

Results

A total of 409 patients were included in the study, of whom 299 underwent a herniorraphy procedure, and 110 underwent a mastectomy procedure. For herniorrhaphy, the SSI rate increased from 6.02% to 7.6% (the post-discharge survey detected 21.7% of SSI). For mastectomy, the SSI rate increased from 1.8% to 3.6% (the post-discharge survey detected 50% of SSI).

Conclusions

Post-discharge monitoring showed an increased detection of SSI incidence. Post-discharge monitoring is useful to analyze the real trend of SSI, and evaluate improvement actions. Post-discharge follow-up methods need to standardised.     

Diferencias en función del sexo en las características clínicas,tratamiento y mortalidad a 28 días y 7 años de un primer infarto agudo de miocardio. Estudio RESCATE II

Introduction and objectives

To analyze sex-based differences in clinical characteristics, management, and 28-day and 7-year prognosis after a first myocardial infarction.

Methods

Between 2001 and 2003, 2042 first myocardial infarction patients were consecutively registered in 6 Spanish hospitals. Clinical characteristics, management, and 28-day case-fatality were prospectively recorded. Seven-year vital status was also ascertained by data linkage with the National Mortality Index.

Results

The registry included 449 women and 1593 men with a first myocardial infarction. Compared with men, women were older, had a higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and were more likely to receive angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors but were less likely to receive beta-blockers or thrombolysis. No differences were observed in use of invasive procedures. More women had non-ST-segment elevation and unclassified myocardial infarction than men (37.9% vs 31.3% and 9.8% vs 6.1%, respectively; both P<.001). Case-fatality at 28 days was similar in women and men (5.57% vs 4.46%; P=.39). After multivariate adjustment, the odds ratio of 28-day mortality for men was 1.06 (95% confidence interval: 0.49-2.27; P=.883) compared with women. After multivariate adjustment, men had higher 7-year mortality than women, hazard ratio 1.93 (95% confidence interval: 1.46-2.56; P<.001).

Conclusions

There are demographic and clinical differences between men and women with a first myocardial infarction. The short-term prognosis of a first myocardial infarction in this century is similar in both sexes. However, the long-term vital prognosis after a first myocardial infarction is worse in men than in women. These results are observed in both ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction events.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Efecto de la presión positiva continua en las vías aéreas y de la cirugía de las vías aéreas superiores sobre los biomarcadores en condensado de aire exhalado y en suero en pacientes con apnea del sueño

Introduction

Studies on inflammation biomarkers in serum and in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have shown conflicting results. The objective of this study is to assess EBC and serum biomarkers in OSA patients at baseline and after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or upper airway surgery (UAS).

Patients and methods

Nine OSA patients referred for UAS were matched for anthropometric characteristics and apnea-hypopnea index with 20 patients receiving CPAP. pH, nitrite (NO₂⁻), nitrate and interleukin 6 in EBC and NO₂⁻, nitrate, leukotriene B₄ and interleukin 6 in serum were determined. EBC and serum samples were collected at baseline and 3 months after CPAP or UAS.

Results

Patients’ mean body mass index was 30 (range 24.9-40) kg/m². EBC biomarker levels at baseline were within normal range and did not differ significantly after CPAP or UAS. No significant changes were observed in the serum concentration of the biomarkers determined after CPAP but the serum concentration of NO₂⁻ increased significantly at 3 months after UAS (P = .0078).

Conclusion

In mildly obese OSA patients, EBC biomarkers of inflammation or oxidative stress were normal at baseline and remained unchanged 3 months after UAS or CPAP. Although UAS was not effective in terms of reducing OSA severity, it was associated with an increase in serum NO₂⁻.     

Ancho de distribución eritrocitaria y predicción adicional del riesgo de hemorragia mayor en el síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST

Introduction and objectives

Red cell distribution width has been linked to an increased risk for in-hospital bleeding in patients with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. However, its usefulness for predicting bleeding complications beyond the hospitalization period remains unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the complementary value of red cell distribution width and the CRUSADE scale to predict long-term bleeding risk in these patients.

Methods

Red cell distribution width was measured at admission in 293 patients with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. All patients were clinically followed up and major bleeding events were recorded (defined according to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium Definition criteria).

Results

During a follow-up of 782 days [interquartile range, 510-1112 days], events occurred in 30 (10.2%) patients. Quartile analyses showed an abrupt increase in major bleedings at the fourth red cell distribution width quartile (> 14.9%; P = .001). After multivariate adjustment, red cell distribution width > 14.9% was associated with higher risk of events (hazard ratio = 2.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-6.10; P = .02). Patients with values ≤ 14.9% and a CRUSADE score ≤ 40 had the lowest events rate, while patients with values > 14.9% and a CRUSADE score > 40 points (high and very high risk) had the highest rate of bleeding (log rank test, P < .001). Further, the addition of red cell distribution width to the CRUSADE score for the prediction of major bleeding had a significant integrated discrimination improvement of 5.2% (P < .001) and a net reclassification improvement of 10% (P = .001).

Conclusions

In non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients, elevated red cell distribution width is predictive of increased major bleeding risk and provides additional information to the CRUSADE scale.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Consumo máximo de oxígeno durante la prueba de marcha de 6 minutos en la enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa y en la hipertensión pulmonar

Introduction

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is widely used in evaluating diffuse interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, their physiological determining factors have not been well defined.

Objective

To evaluate the physiological changes that occur in ILD and PH during the 6MWT, and compare them with the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).

Material and methods

Thirteen patients with ILD and 14 with PH were studied using the 6MWT and CPET on an ergometer cycle. The respiratory variables were recorded by means of telemetry during the 6MWT.

Results

Oxygen consumption (VO₂), respiratory and heart rate reached a plateau from minute 3 of the 6MWT in both diseases. The VO₂ did not differ from the peak value in the CPET (14±2 and 15±2 ml/kg/min, respectively, in ILD; 16±6 and 16±6 ml/kg/min, in PH). The arterial oxygen saturation decreased in both diseases, although it was more marked in ILD (−12±5%, p<0,01). The ventilatory equivalent for CO₂ (V_E/VCO₂) in PH during the 6MWT was strongly associated with functional class (FC) (85±14 in FC III-IV, 44±6 in FC I-II; p<0,001).

Conclusions

The 6MWT in ILD and PH behaves like a maximal effort test, with similar VO₂ to the CPET, demonstrating a limit in oxygen transport capacity. Monitoring using telemetry during the 6MWT may be useful for the clinical evaluation of patients with ILD or PH.     

Efectos protectores del aceite de Nigella sativa en la lesión pulmonar inducida por hiperoxia

Background

Oxygen-induced lung injury is believed to lead to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants. We have evaluated the beneficial effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on rats with hyperoxia-induced lung injury.

Methods

Thirty newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups as hyperoxia (95% O₂), hyperoxia + NSO and control (21% O₂). Pups in the hyperoxia + NSO group were administered intraperitoneal NSO at a dose of 4 ml/kg daily during the study period. Histopathologic, immunochemical, and biochemical evaluations (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], malonaldehyde [MDA] and myeloperoxidase [MPO]) were performed.

Results

In the histopathologic and immunochemical evaluation, severity of lung damage was significantly lower in the hyperoxia + NOS group (P < .05). Tissue GSH-Px and SOD levels were significantly preserved, and MDA, MPO levels were significantly lower in the hyperoxia + NSO group (P < .05).

Conclusion

NSO significantly reduced the severity of lung damage due to hyperoxia.     

Fiebre entérica en Madrid. Una revisión de los últimos 30 años

Background

Our aim is analyze the epidemiological factors of enteric fever in Madrid (Spain) over the last 30 years.

Material and methods

A retrospective review was conducted on cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fever studied in the Fundación Jiménez Díaz (Madrid) between 1980 and 2010. Two similar periods in time were studied (P1: 1980-1993; P2: 1994-2010).

Results

There was a total of 61 confirmed cases of enteric fever: 51 (84%) were typhoid and 10 were paratyphoid: 45 patients were native Spanish (40 belonging to P1) and 16 were immigrants (15 in P2, with 11 of them coming from the Indian sub-continent).

Conclusion

Enteric fever must be present in the differential diagnosis of persistent fever without clear focus in immigrants, mainly from the Indian subcontinent, and travelers from endemic areas.     

Prevalencia y características clínicas de la enfermedad arterial periférica en la población general del estudio Hermex

Introduction and objectives

To estimate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease as measured on ankle-brachial index and evaluate the associated risk, clinical, and diagnostic factors.

Methods

Cross-sectional study conducted in a random population-based sample of 2833 individuals aged 25 to 79 years from Don Benito health area (Badajoz). Peripheral arterial disease was considered for ankle-brachial index<0.90. To identify symptomatic disease we used the Edinburgh questionnaire. The current screening recommendations, changes to other categories of estimated coronary risk associated with index measurements, and the association with risk factors were assessed.

Results

The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease was 3.7% (95% confidence interval, 3.0%-4.5%), 5.0% (3.9%-6.3%) in men and 2.6% (1.8%-3.5%) in women (P = .001). The cumulative prevalence in those aged 50, 60 and 70 years were 6.2%, 9.1%, and 13.1% respectively. The disease was symptomatic in 13.3% (6.8%-19.8%) of cases and 29.6% of asymptomatic patients were not detected as recommended for high-risk groups. The use of ankle-brachial index increased the number of individuals with high coronary risk by 32.7%. Peripheral arterial disease was positively associated with age, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, sedentary lifestyle, microalbuminuria and history of cardiovascular disease, and negatively with alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

The use of ankle-brachial index for peripheral arterial disease diagnosis is advisable because of the low prevalence of symptomatic cases and the associated change in estimated coronary risk. Screening groups should be adapted to the Spanish population. Smoking and hypercholesterolemia are major associated risk factors.     

Evidencias de la posición en decúbito prono para el tratamiento del síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo: una puesta al día

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have high incidence and mortality rates. Most of the recently introduced treatments have failed to improve the prognosis of patients with ALI or ARDS or to reduce mortality. Several studies have shown improved oxygenation in the prone position during mechanical ventilation in patients with ARDS. However, current evidence strongly suggests that placing ARDS patients in prone position does not improve survival or reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation. Therefore, though in clinical practice this position may improve refractory hypoxemia in patients with ARDS, there is no evidence to support its systematic use.     

Aplicación del análisis de los polimorfismos de los tamaños de los fragmentos de restricción del gen flaA amplificado por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y resistotipo para identificar potenciales brotes de campilobacteriosis no diagnosticados en España

Introduction

Outbreaks of campylobacteriosis are infrequent and usually involve a low number of patients, although it is estimated that many more remain undiagnosed. The most successful techniques for outbreak investigation in Campylobacter spp. (PFGE, MLST) have the drawback of being laborious and not available in many laboratories.

Methods

During the year 2008, 352 isolates of C. jejuni and C. coli from 16 hospitals were received in our laboratory. All strains were genotyped by RFLP-PCR-flaA (flaA type) and phenotyped with their resistotype. It was established that the strains of the same species from the same hospital, isolated over a period of up to 11 days, with MIC values of ± 1 dilution with the same flaA type could belong to an outbreak. Strains that met these criteria would be later subtyped by KpnI-PFGE and MLST.

Results

A total of 23 out of 352 isolates, distributed in 10 groups, met the criteria for being associated with putative undiagnosed outbreaks. The similarity of the PFGE-profiles in 8 groups was greater than 95% among the isolates from each group. In 7 of the groups, the sequence types (MLST) were coincident.

Conclusions

The use of 2 easy markers (resistotype and RFLP-PCR-flaA) may detect isolates probably belonging to an undiagnosed outbreak of campylobacteriosis. Accurate diagnosis requires other molecular markers and epidemiological data of each isolate. The study suggests that, as in other countries, the number of outbreaks of campylobacteriosis in Spain is probably underestimated.     

Acceso radial frente a femoral después de una intervención coronaria percutánea en infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST. Resultados de mortalidad a 30 días y a 1 año

Introduction and objectives

Little attention has been given to the effect of vascular access site on mortality, while an increasing body of evidence is showing that radial access has much more benefit than femoral access for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients. We aimed to assess the influence of vascular access site on mortality at 30 days and at 1 year in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Methods

We included all patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who had undergone primary angioplasty at 2 Galician hospitals between 2008 and 2010. We performed 2 multivariate regression models for each endpoint (30-day and 1-year mortality). The only difference between these models was the inclusion or not of the vascular access site (femoral vs radial). For each of the 4 models we calculated the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and the C-index. We also tested the interaction between hemodynamic instability and vascular access.

Results

We included 1461 patients with a mean age of 64. Of these patients, 86% had radial access and 7.4% had hemodynamic instability. All-cause mortality was 6.8% (100/1461) at 30 days and 9.3% (136/1461) at 1 year. Vascular access site follows hemodynamic instability and age in terms of effect on mortality risk, with an odds ratio of 5.20 (95% confidence interval, 2.80-9.66) for 30-day mortality. A similar effect occurs for 1-year mortality. The C-index slightly improves (without achieving statistical significance) with the inclusion of the vascular access site.

Conclusions

Vascular access site should be taken into account when predicting mortality after a primary percutaneous coronary intervention.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Interleucina 6 y proteína C reactiva ultrasensible para la predicción de la evolución clínica en síndromes coronarios agudos sin elevación del segmento ST

Introduction and objectives

High baseline levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein confer an increased risk of mortality in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. The aim of the study was to determine whether serial measurements of interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein provide additional information to baseline measurements for risk stratification of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Methods

Two hundred and sixteen consecutive patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome were prospectively included. Blood samples were obtained within 24 h of hospital admission and at 30 days of follow-up. The endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or acute decompensated heart failure.

Results

Both interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels decreased from day 1 to day 30, regardless of adverse events (both P<.001). Interleukin-6 levels at 2 time points (interleukin-6 day 1, per pg/mL; hazard ratio=1.006, 95% confidence interval, 1.002-1.010; P=.002 and interleukin-6 day 30, per pg/mL; hazard ratio=1.047, 95% confidence interval, 1.021-1.075; P<.001) were independent predictors of adverse events, whereas high-sensitivity C-reactive protein day 1 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein day 30 levels were not. Patients with interleukin-6 day 1≤8.24 pg/mL and interleukin-6 day 30≤4.45 pg/mL had the lowest event rates (4.7%), whereas those with both above the median values had the highest event rates (35%). After addition of interleukin-6 day 30 to the multivariate model, C-index increased from 0.71 (95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.78) to 0.80 (95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.86), P=.042, and net reclassification improvement was 0.39 (95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.64; P=.002).

Conclusions

In this population, both interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations decreased after the acute phase. Serial samples of interleukin-6 concentrations improved the prognostic risk stratification of these patients.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en