Medicina clinica
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Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic, multisystem syndrome of unknown etiology. The aim of the present study was to describe the nutritional status and quality of life of patients suffering from MCS, as well as to identify potential polymorphisms associated with this illness. ⋯ A high percentage of patients had a poor nutritional status, low muscle strength and decreased muscle mass. These facts exacerbate the already-lower quality of life of these patients. Specific genetic polymorphisms associated with the syndrome or its pathogenesis were not identified.
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There has been concern for many years regarding the identification of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) at high risk of developing an intracranial lesion (IL) that would require neurosurgical intervention. The small percentage of patients with these characteristics and the exceptional mortality associated with mild TBI with IL have led to the high use of resources such as computerised tomography (CT) being reconsidered. The various protocols developed for the management of mild TBI are based on the identification of risk factors for IL, which ultimately allows more selective indication or discarding both the CT application and the hospital stay for neurological monitoring. Finally, progress in the study of brain injury biomarkers with prognostic utility in different clinical categories of TBI has recently been incorporated by several clinical practice guidelines, which has allowed, together with clinical assessment, a more accurate prognostic approach for these patients to be established.
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Observational Study
Gamma globulin fraction of the proteinogram and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.
To evaluate the levels of the serum gamma globulin fraction in proteinograms as a biomarker to assess the severity, and to predict the mortality and new exacerbations in patients admitted for an exacerbation of a COPD. ⋯ The levels of the gamma globulin fraction in proteinograms has a good correlation with the FEV1. In addition, they are associated with a greater severity of patients with COPD. This simple biomarker may be useful in identifying high-risk patients.
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Observational Study
Erectile dysfunction in patients with chronic pain treated with opioids.
Chronic pain is associated with comorbidities that have an impact on the quality of life of patients and, among others, affect their sexual functioning. One of the most relevant side effects of opioid analgesics is erectile dysfunction (ED), due in part to the inhibition of the gonadal-pituitary-hypothalamic axis and the decline in testosterone levels. To evaluate ED and effectiveness of treatment in men with chronic pain treated with long-term opioids. ⋯ Erectile function and quality of sexual life, as well as anxiety, improved in patients treated chronically with opioids after administering andrological treatment. The management of patients with pain should include a review of their sexual health history given the significant emotional impact posed to the patient, the impact on their overall quality of life and its good clinical response to an interdisciplinary treatment.