Ponferrada

Researchers are conducting a validation project involving 32 medical centers across Europe, the USA, and South Africa to evaluate two new questionnaires designed to measure how patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis CRS, with or without nasal polyps, perceive the severity and control of their condition. The study aims to validate these translated questionnaires in routine medical settings and compare their results with existing tools. The effort includes recruiting 1000 patients from regular ENT hospital practices to keep the study straightforward. The study involves collecting data using these two novel questionnaires, which are given to patients diagnosed with CRS. There are no specific interventional treatments or drug administrations, as this is an observational study focusing on questionnaire validation. The statistical department of the University of Leuven will analyze the data and create the study report. Patients will be followed for an average of six months during which questionnaire validation and result evaluation will take place. Participants will be assessed through the completion of the questionnaires regarding their perceived condition of CRS. No additional treatments or procedures are involved beyond regular clinical practice. The researchers will measure how well the questionnaires capture disease control and severity compared to other tools. The entire study process, including data collection and analysis, will continue until the study completion, expected to last around six months for each participant.

Researchers are examining the use of dexamethasone in adults with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure AHRF, including acute respiratory distress syndrome ARDS, caused by infections such as COVID-19. This condition leads to severe lung inflammation requiring mechanical ventilation and has high mortality rates. The effectiveness of corticosteroids like dexamethasone in treating AHRF and ARDS remains uncertain, prompting this study to compare different dosing strategies to better understand their impact on patient outcomes. The trial is a randomized, controlled, open-label study conducted across multiple centers in Spain. Participants who are mechanically ventilated with confirmed infection-related AHRF will be assigned to receive either a low dose of dexamethasone 6 mg daily for 10 days or a higher dose 20 mg daily for 5 days, followed by 10 mg daily for 5 days. The study compares these two dosing regimens to determine which may better reduce mortality and improve ventilator-free days. During the trial, participants will be closely monitored in intensive care units, with primary outcomes measured by mortality at 60 days and secondary outcomes by the number of days free from mechanical ventilation within 28 days. Researchers will gather data on lung function, infection status, and overall health. Participants progress will be followed to assess the safety and effects of the dexamethasone doses over the study period.

Researchers are studying patients with splenomegaly or those who have had a splenectomy without a known cause, focusing on the possible presence of Gaucher disease GD and Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency ASMD. These conditions may be linked to monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance MGUS and multiple myeloma MM, which have been found more frequently among Gaucher and ASMD patients. The study aims to improve diagnosis of unknown causes of splenomegaly and undiagnosed cases of MGUS or MM in these patients. The study involves using standard diagnostic procedures for unknown splenomegaly and splenectomy patients, including collecting blood samples for a dry drop test DBS. This test measures enzymatic and genetic activity related to Gaucher disease and ASMD, alongside analysis of LisoGl1 and LisoSM biomarkers. No specific treatment or intervention is applied since this is an observational study. Participants will undergo clinical evaluations and blood sampling to help identify the prevalence of Gaucher disease and ASMD over a 36-month period. Researchers will track how many patients with unknown splenomegaly or MGUSMM have these enzyme deficiencies. The study is observational, with no treatment assigned, and participants will be monitored during their routine medical consultations throughout the study duration.

Researchers are conducting a retrospective, observational study to create a national registry of patients diagnosed with Waldenstrms Macroglobulinemia WM and Monoclonal Gammopathy of uncertain significance -IgM MGUS-IgM in Spain over the past 30 years. WM is a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by bone marrow infiltration and the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin M IgM. The study aims to evaluate clinical characteristics, long-term safety and effectiveness of various treatments, and prognosis to help design future treatment strategies and clinical trials in Spain. This study collects data from patients medical records, including those who have provided informed consent and, with ethics approval, some deceased patients. Data will be compiled into a database managed by the Spanish Myeloma and Lymphoma Intergroup. The study involves adult patients diagnosed with WM or MGUS-IgM, focusing on analyzing clinical and laboratory features, treatments used, and patient outcomes over time. Participants contribute by allowing access to their clinical files for data collection. Researchers will assess overall survival over an average follow-up of four years, along with treatment responses and long-term prognosis. The study does not involve new treatments or interventions but gathers information to better understand the disease and improve future care. Participation involves no treatment changes and focuses on reviewing past and current clinical data.