Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with asthma. Consensus document of Spanish Society of Pulmonologists and Thoracic Surgeons (SEPAR).

Summary. We analyzed plasma level of an inflammatory mediator lipoxin A4 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which could be used as a marker of systemic inflammation in COPD patients. Relationships between the lipoxin A4 level and cellular markers of inflammation, persistent lipid peroxidation and reduced exercise tolerance have been found. Improvement in lipoxin A4 level could be an attractive contribution to rehabilitation of COPD patients and should be considered in predictive multivariable models of clinical course and in therapeutic algorithms.

Summary. This study was aimed at assessment of quality of life in hospitalized patients with exacerbation of moderate–to–severe asthma. Special questionnaires (AQLQ, SGRQ) were used for this purpose. All patients with asthma exacerbation had lower quality of life compared to health subjects. After treatment, in 17–24 days, mean total scores were higher but scores of physical and psychological domains were lower than those in moderate asthma patients. Before discharge from the hospital, quality of life was inversely related to duration of disease. The study revealed that achieving a good control of asthma is associated not only to an improvement in asthma symptoms and the respiratory function but to significant increase in quality of life as well.

Summary. Sixty patients aged 18 to 60 years with bronchial asthma (BA) were examined. Clinical and psychological state was evaluated before and 1 month after an educational course. Implementation of individual education programs has led to a reliable increase in compliance and asthma control and in clinical and psychological improvement in comparison with BA patients involved in group education programs. Thus, the individual education programs allow increasing the efficiency of therapeutic and preventive measures in BA patients.

Summary. The article shows how environmental factors could be associated with location of community acquired pneumonia (CAP). The right and left lungs have several morphological and functional differences according to common principles of bioenantiomorphism. Considering ventilation–perfusion ratio in the both lungs, a comparative incidence of right–side and left–side CAP could be used as an original marker of pulmonary anti–infection defense. Examination of 8 625 National Service soldiers with unilateral pneumonia in 1998–2012 has revealed that incidence of right–sided vs left– sided CAP varied (the annual rate 43–67 %). This incidence had seasonal variations and was associated with solar and geomagnetic activity, location of recruiting and a patient's birth month. These data indirectly confirm a variability of right lung vs left lung anti–infection defense ratio in relation to environmental factors.

Phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with frequent exacerbations and current anti–inflammatory therapy.

How can we improve asthma control without escalating therapy?

Safety and efficacy as fundamental choice of inhaled steroids for treatment of childhood asthma.

Pulmonary lesions due to drug therapy of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Investigation of nutritional status and body composition in patients with tuberculosis.

Opportunities of non!invasive ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with acute respiratory failure and hypercapnic coma.