Biomedical subjects

F J González Barcala

Publications and source records attributed to F J González Barcala.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[COPD, a public health problem].

The fundamental etiologic factor of COPD is tobacco. This has a 9% prevalence in Spain and although this rate is underestimated according to the last studies, COPD generates about 39,000 hospital admissions per year. It has a re-admission rate between 12% and 32%, infections being the fundamental cause. The average care cost per patient from its diagnostic to death is 27,500 euro and we should add a high percentage of employee absenteeism. Due to its chronic aspect, high health care cost and possible improvement of the quality of life of patient, the solution to the problem needs to have a more active involvement of the doctor who attends these patients.

Humans↗

PubMed2004

[Non-invasive ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with acute respiratory hypercapnic failure in a conventional hospital ward].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) subjects in acute hypercapnic failure who were treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation in a general respiratory ward. METHODS: This was a two-year prospective study of 35 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and mean FEV1/FVC relation in stable condition of 55.3 +/- 14.8% of predicted that were treated with positive pressure respiration using a facemask in a general respiratory ward. 17 (48.5%) receive long-term oxygen therapy. Analysis was made of blood gases, before and after treatment of non-invasive ventilation, complications, and failure during treatment. RESULTS: A significant improvement in blood gases was observed 24 hours after non-invasive ventilation treatment. The mean hospital stay was of 15.0 +/- 9.1 days and failures were registered in 3 cases (8.5%). Facial scares were the most common complication (13 patients) but it was possible to continue treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive ventilation is a viable treatment for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and acute hypercapnic failure being treated in a general respiratory ward.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

[Respiratory symptoms and lung function in a geriatric population of a Galician rural community: a pilot study].

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory diseases are a frequent cause of health demands and have a large impact on morbidity and mortality of the Galician population, especially among the older one. Recent work shows that the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases is not optimal. This increases the utilisation of health care resources. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 28 patients of the municipality of Val del Dubra (Northwest Spain) aged between 65 and 74 years. We performed a spirometric exploration and carried out a questionnaire interview on respiratory symptoms, life style, and occupational and health-related antecedents. RESULTS: Among men, 54% of were or are smokers. None of the women ever smoked. Respiratory symptoms were more frequent among women than among men (80% versus 54%). In the spirometric study, the largest volumes and flux are observed among non-smoking males who do not report dyspnea. DISCUSSION: Respiratory symptoms are frequent in the rural population aged between 65 and 74 years. Tobacco consumption is similar to other Spanish communities, but different from that seen in other countries. Male gender, non-smoking status and absence of respiratory symptoms are associated with higher spirometric figures.

Aged↗