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MISTRAL Investigators Group., [Objective] Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between the clinical factors of asthma and the use of reliever medication., [Methods] We performed an observational cross-sectional study in Spain. The study population comprised patients aged ≥12 years diagnosed with persistent asthma according to the criteria of the Global Initiative for Asthma and receiving maintenance treatment for at least 12 months. Use of reliever medication was classified as low use of reliever medication (LURM) (≤2 times/wk) and high use of reliever medication (HURM) (≥3 times/wk). A variety of clinical variables and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were recorded (eg, scores on the Asthma Control Questionnaire-5 [ACQ-5] and Test of Adherence to Inhalers [TAI])., [Results] A total of 406 patients were recruited. Mean (SD) age was 44.3 (17.9) years, and 64% were women. Reliever medication was used ≤2 times/wk in 76.1%. Bivariate analysis showed that HURM was related to smoking habit, unscheduled emergency department visits, hospital admissions, higher doses of inhaled corticosteroid, and night awakenings in the previous 4 weeks (P, [Conclusions] Our study identifies the potential of poor use of reliever medication in the last week as an alarm signal for disease-related parameters such as exacerbations, poor asthma control, and disease severity., This study received financial Support from AstraZeneca.

Introduction Fixed-dose long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA)/inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) combinations and add-on therapies as needed are the mainstay for maintenance therapy in asthma. However, more than 40% of patients have an inadequately controlled disease. The development of triple fixed-dose combinations consisting of long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)/LABA/ICS has paved the way for a new approach to reach therapeutic goals of an optimal control of symptoms and an effective prevention of future exacerbations. Areas covered A search was conducted on PubMed (MEDLINE), using the MeSH terms [asthma] + [indacaterol] + [glycopyrronium] +[mometasone furoate] + [treatment], until October 2021. Original data from clinical trials, prospective and retrospective studies and reviews were selected. Clinical studies with IND/MF/GLY (Enerzair Breezhaler) are summarized, and its place in current asthma therapy is examined. Expert opinion Triple therapy has been shown to be an effective and safe therapeutic option for asthma patients who remain uncontrolled despite ICS/LABA combination. The recently approved single-inhaler indacaterol/glycopyrronium/mometasone fixed dose combination has demonstrated to significantly reduce exacerbations, improve FEV1, symptoms and quality of life compared to ICS/LABA, including, salmeterol/fluticasone combination. Moreover, once-daily dosing may improve adherence.

Background: The definition of severe uncontrolled asthma and the best phenotype-driven management are not fully established. Objective: We aimed to reach a consensus on the definition of severe uncontrolled asthma and give recommendations on optimal management with phenotype-targeted biological therapies. Methods: A modified Delphi technique was used. A scientific committee provided statements addressing the definition of severe uncontrolled asthma and controversial issues about its treatment with biologics. The questionnaire was evaluated in 2 rounds by expert allergists. With the results, the scientific committee developed recommendations and a practical algorithm. Results: A panel of 27 allergists reached agreement on 27 out of the 29 items provided (93.1%). A consensus definition of severe uncontrolled asthma was agreed. Prior to initiation of therapy, it is mandatory to establish the asthma phenotype and assess the presence of clinically important allergic sensitizations. Anti-IgE, anti–IL-5, anti–IL-5 receptor, and anti–IL-13/IL-4 receptor inhibitors are suitable options for patients with allergic asthma and a blood eosinophil level >300/μL (>150/μL in patients receiving oral corticosteroids). IL-5 and anti–IL-5 receptor inhibitors are recommended for patients with an eosinophilic phenotype and can also be used for patients with severe eosinophilic allergic asthma with no or a suboptimal response to omalizumab. Dupilumab is recommended for patients with moderate-severe asthma and a TH2-high phenotype. Only physicians with experience in the treatment of severe uncontrolled asthma should initiate biological treatment. Conclusion: We provide consensus clinical recommendations that may be useful in the management of patients with severe uncontrolled asthma.

The purpose of this consensus statement is to provide a tool to assist in the management of asthma in Spanish emergency departments and to improve care of patients with asthma. A multidisciplinary team of 3 emergency medicine specialists, 3 respiratory medicine specialists, and 3 allergy specialists made a list of clinical questions and chose 4 clinical practice guidelines on asthma management to prioritize when answering the questions. The team members first worked individually and then discussed their findings in a meeting to reach consensus about the content of the present statement. The recommendations and clinical algorithms in the statement contribute to detecting the asthmatic patient on arrival at the emergency department, establishing the diagnosis, following unified treatment criteria, and referring the patient to a respiratory medicine specialist, an allergy specialist, or a primary care physician, as appropriate. The definitions used in this statement provide a common language for asthma in the interest of helping to unify care practices in emergency departments. The diagnostic criteria, treatment guidelines, and criteria for discharging and admitting patients provided should be useful for managing asthma in Spanish emergency departments.

This article describes for the first time at the industrial level the temperature rise that occurs inside the processing tank during the lye treatment. Relationships between variables that define the lye treatment have been determined from the study of the thermal characteristics of this process. The initial temperature influences other variables of this treatment, such as its duration or the slope of the linear increase of temperature produced. The study estates that this generation of heat can be principally caused by the alkaline hydrolysis reactions that occur in the interior of the fruit and, to a lesser extent, by the dilution of sodium hydroxide solution with water present in the pulp of the olives. En este artículo se describe por primera vez a nivel industrial el aumento de temperatura que se produce en el interior de los tanques de elaboración durante la etapa de cocido. A partir del estudio de las características térmicas de la etapa de cocido se han podido determinar relaciones entre las variables que definen el proceso. Se ha demostrado que la temperatura al inicio del tratamiento de cocido influye en otras de las características del proceso como la duración de éste o la pendiente del aumento lineal de temperatura durante la etapa. El estudio establece que esta generación de calor puede provenir principalmente de las reacciones de hidrólisis alcalina que ocurren en el interior del fruto y, en menor proporción, de la dilución de la solución de hidróxido de sodio con el agua presente en la pulpa de las aceitunas.

La alta prevalencia de las enfermedades alérgicas y una mayor complejidad diagnóstica y terapéutica, exigen un alergólogo altamente capacitado profesionalmente y organizaciones sanitarias conocedoras de los recursos humanos y estructurales disponibles. En España faltan datos actualizados en alergología e indicadores de actividad que reflejen esta complejidad. Este trabajo analiza la situación, detecta necesidades y plantea soluciones de mejora para la alergología en la Comunidad de Madrid. Los 24 jefes de servicio de Alergología de los hospitales públicos madrileños con asistencia alergológica, completaron voluntariamente la encuesta diseñada específicamente para este trabajo, con datos de actividad asistencial (2010), docencia e investigación (2009-2010). Se realizó un análisis DAFO y se diseñaron líneas estratégicas y propuestas de mejora orientadas a adoptar las soluciones más idóneas. Un total de 117 alergólogos (41% doctores) en el sistema público de salud (4,6 profesionales/centro; < 3 en 10 hospitales), realizaban consulta externa (4000 primeras consultas/hospital/año, 36% de alta resolución; 6200 visitas sucesivas/hospital/año). Se ejecutaban procedimientos básicos diagnósticos y terapéuticos, incluyendo pruebas complejas propias de hospital de día, mayoritariamente no reconocidas en los indicadores de actividad. Dos hospitales tenían hospitalización propia y 10 disponían de acreditación docente (2,78 MIR/año). Bianualmente, un servicio participaba en 4 proyectos de investigación, 2 ensayos clínicos, 16 publicaciones y 17 comunicaciones a congresos, con notables diferencias entre hospitales. Madrid cuenta con alergólogos bien preparados y una organización asistencial alergológica adecuada aunque posiblemente insuficiente. Nuevas herramientas de registro de actividad y el incremento de la cooperación corporativa, aprovechando nuevas tecnologías y la proximidad geográfica, mejorarían la calidad y la eficiencia. The high prevalence of allergic diseases and the use of more complex diagnostic techniques and therapeutic options require allergists to be highly trained professionals and health-care organizations to be knowledgeable about available structural and human resources. Updated information is lacking in Spain, and current activity indicators do not reflect complexity. The present article analyzes the situation of allergology in Madrid and proposes improvements where necessary. The heads of the allergy departments of public hospitals in Madrid voluntarily completed a purpose-designed survey. Data on care activity (2010) and on teaching and research activity (2009-2010) were provided. A SWOT analysis was performed, and strategic lines and proposals for improvement were designed. One hundred and seventeen allergists (41% with a PhD) worked in 24 hospitals with an allergology department (4.6 physicians/center; < 3 in 10 hospitals). All the institutions had an outpatient clinic (4,000 first consultations/hospital/year, 36% high-resolution rate; 6200 successive visits/hospital/year) performing complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, most of which were not taken into account by activity indicators. Two hospitals had their own hospitalization facilities and 10 were accredited teaching hospitals (2.78 medical residents/year). The survey revealed that, twice yearly, a typical allergology service participated in 4 research projects, 2 clinical trials, 16 publications and 17 communications at scientific meetings, with notable differences between hospitals. Allergists in Madrid are well prepared. The allergology care structure is adequate, although possibly insufficient. Quality and efficiency can be improved with new tools for recording activity and by increasing coordination and taking advantage of new technologies and geographical proximity.