Effect of using the flow or the volume signals on the measurement of nonapneic respiratory events

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the measurement of breathing reduction during obstructive sleep events depends on using the flow or the volume signals recorded with a pneumotachograph. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Sleep laboratory in a University Hospital. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Data from 10 male patients with sleep apnea (54 +/- 11 years, apnea-hypopnea index: 43 +/- 21 events/hour, body mass index: 30 +/- 2 kg/m2). INTERVENTIONS: Slow modification of continuous positive airway pressure was performed during full-polysomnography continuous positive airway pressure titration. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Air flow was measured by a pneumotachograph, and volume was computed by numerical integration. Obstructive events of different magnitude were selected. In 500 breathing cycles analyzed, the reduction in tidal volume was greater than the reduction in the flow amplitude: mean difference of 0.091 (i.e., 9.1% amplitude) and limits of agreement of 0.095 and -0.277 (i.e., 9.5% and -27.7% amplitude). In 14% of the cycles, the reduction in flow was < 50%, whereas the reduction in volume was > 50%, resulting in discordant event classification. CONCLUSIONS: The quantification of breathing reduction depends on whether the flow or the volume signal is used to assess breathing during sleep.     

Farmacología y seguridad de tofacitinib en colitis ulcerosa

The use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors is a new approach in the therapy of inflammatory diseases with immune base. Tofacitinib is one of these inhibitors targeting JAK1 and JAK3, and its efficacy has been demonstrated in the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC). It is a small synthetic molecule administered orally, with a fast bioavailability and elimination rate, predictable pharmacokinetics and lack of immunogenicity, which are convenient characteristics for both efficacy and safety. This article reviews the pharmacological characteristics of tofacitinib and its safety profile.     

Systemic amyloidosis in inflammatory bowel disease

Systemic amyloidosis comprises a group of diseases that develop as a consequence of an abnormal accumulation of different proteins in several organs, altering their function. Secondary amyloidosis develops after the accumulation of serum amyloid A protein (an acute phase reactant), mainly in the course of chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatologic diseases, familial Mediterranean fever, or tuberculosis. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may also cause secondary amyloidosis. However, little is known about the true prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of amyloidosis among IBD patients. A few studies suggest that amyloidosis is more prevalent in Crohn's disease than in ulcerative colitis, mainly occurring in patients with an extensive, long-lasting, and penetrating disease pattern. In this article we review the available data on secondary amyloidosis and IBD, focusing on prevalence, risk factors, clinical presentation and therapeutic measures.