Agusti Comella - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Agusti Comella

ABSTRACT. Patients affected by chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) characteristically show easy and un... more ABSTRACT. Patients affected by chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) characteristically show easy and unexplained fatigue after minimal exertion that does not resolve with rest and is associated with specific symp-

Apunts Medicine de l'Esport

Síndrome de fatiga crònica; Exercici; Resposta isiològica Resumen Introducció: L'objectiu de l'es... more Síndrome de fatiga crònica; Exercici; Resposta isiològica Resumen Introducció: L'objectiu de l'estudi va ser avaluar els paràmetres cardiorespiratoris en condicions de repòs i la resposta durant exercici físic a molt baixa intensitat en dones amb síndrome de fatiga crònica (SFC). Material i mètodes: Un grup de 141 dones afectades per l'SFC es va comparar amb un grup control (C) de 20 dones en condicions de repòs durant 4 min d'exercici constant en un cicloergòmetre sense càrrega de treball (càrrega de treball = 0 W). Resultats: Es van trobar diferències signiicatives durant l'exercici: el quocient respiratori (SFC = 0,9 ± 0,09; C = 0,8 ± 0,08; p<0,05), equivalent respiratori per a l'oxigen (SFC = 34,6 ± 10,1; C = 28,0 ± 3,4; p<0,01) i el diòxid de carboni (SFC = 37,9 ± 7,7; C = 33,4 ± 3,8; p<0,01). Es van observar diferències en la freqüència cardíaca durant el període de descans (SFC = 86,8 ± 14,2 batecs•min-1 ; C = 79,8 ± 8,4 batecs•min-1 ; p = 0,03). No hi va haver diferències signiicatives en la percepció de l'esforç realitzat durant el descans (SFC = 10,3 ± 3,0; C = 6,2 ± 0,6; p<0,001) ni just després de l'exercici (SFC = 12,5 ± 2,8; C = 6,8 ± 1,4; p<0,01). Conclusions: Es conclou que les dones amb SFC tenen menys eiciència ventilatòria que les del grup C durant l'esforç físic a baixa intensitat. Aquest aspecte podria ser millorat amb programes especíics de rehabilitació.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cardiorespiratory parameters at rest and a... more Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cardiorespiratory parameters at rest and as the response to very low intensity physical exercise in women with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Material and methods: A group of 141 women suffering from CFS were compared with a control group (C) of 20 women while at rest and during 4 minutes of constant exercise on a cycloergometer with no work load (work load = 0 watts). Results: Significant differences were found during the exercise: respiratory quotient (CFS = 0.9 ± 0.09; C = 0.8 ± 0.08; p<0.05); the respiratory equivalent for oxygen (CFS = 34.6 ± 10.1; C = 28.0 ± 3.4; p<0.01) and for carbon dioxide (CFS = 37.9 ± 7.7; C = 33.4 ± 3.8; p = 0.01). Differences were observed in the heart rate during the rest period (CFS = 86.8 ± 14,2 beats•min-1 ; C = 79.8 ± 8.4 beats•min-1 ; p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in the perception of effort made during rest (CFS = 10.3 ± 3.0; C = 6.2 ± 0.6; p<0.001) and just after exercise (CFS = 12.5 ± 2.8; C = 6.8 ± 1.4; p<0.01). Conclusions: It was concluded that women with chronic fatigue syndrome had less ventilatory efficiency than the controls during low intensity physical exercise. This condition could be improved through specific rehabilitation programs.

Archivos de bronconeumología, 2011

Few studies have comprehensively assessed the evolution asthma disease in recent years. To determ... more Few studies have comprehensively assessed the evolution asthma disease in recent years. To determine changes in morbidity, lung function and quality of life and to establish the impact in terms of cost in a cohort of patients with asthma. Prospective, descriptive and realistic study that included 220 asthma patients evaluated 10 years after their inclusion (1994-2004). For all the patients, data for symptoms, lung function, quality of life and financial cost were collected. There was a decrease in the frequency of health service visits, including: emergency room visits for asthma exacerbations, 0.3 (0.9) versus 0.6 (1) visits per patient per year (P=.003); a reduction in the severity of the disease, with a greater proportion of patients with mild asthma, 121 (54.8%) versus 94 (42.7%) (P=.001); a decrease (improvement in quality of life) in the total SGRQ, 30.1 (16.5) versus 37 (19.6) (P<.001); and reduced total costs, 1,464€ (3,415.8) compared to 2,267€ (4.174) per patient/year (...

Apunts. Medicina de l'Esport, 2010

Journal of Women's Health, 2010

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disabling illness of unknown etiology that is characterized b... more Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disabling illness of unknown etiology that is characterized by fatigue associated with a reduced ability to work, lasting for more than 6 months, and accompanied by a specific set of symptoms. The diagnosis remains difficult because of the absence of laboratory tests and is, therefore, made largely on the basis of the symptoms reported by the patient. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in blood nitrate levels in CFS patients and a matched control group after a physical exercise test. Forty-four consecutive female patients with CFS and 25 healthy women performed an exercise test using a cycle ergometer with monitoring of cardiopulmonary response. Blood samples were obtained for biochemical analyses of glucose, lactate, and nitrates at the beginning (under resting conditions) and after the maximal and supramaximal tests. Plasma nitrates differed between the groups, with higher values in the CFS group (F = 6.93, p = 0.003). Nitrate concentration increased in relation to workload and reached higher values in the CFS group, the maximum difference with respect to the control group being 295% (t = 4.88, p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001). The main result of the present study is that nitric oxide (NO) metabolites (nitrates) showed a much higher increase after a maximal physical test in CFS patients than in a group of matched subjects. This combination (exercise plus NO response evaluation) may be useful in the assessment of CFS.

European Respiratory Journal, 1998

Journal of Asthma, 2005

Information on asthma morbidity outcomes in relation to the initial degree of severity is scarce.... more Information on asthma morbidity outcomes in relation to the initial degree of severity is scarce. Objective. To determine the differences in asthma morbidity, quality of life (QOL), and lung function outcomes according to the initial severity of the illness. Method. A cohort of 235 (102 mild, 69 moderate, and 64 severe) asthma patients was followed up for 3 years. The following parameters were collected for all patients: asthma morbidity, clinical data, spirometry, and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Results. A significant reduction in asthma morbidity and an improvement in pulmonary function and QOL were observed in the total group 3 years later. However, when the sample was stratified according to the initial severity, differences were observed between means in the third year compared with the first year in the following: number of primary care visits (patient/year) due to asthma: mild À 1 (95% CI: À 1.42 to À 0.56); moderate À 0.9 (À 1.92 to 0.18); and severe 1 (À 0.23 to 2.27) (p = 0.020); FEV 1 (%): mild 8.5 (À 5.3 to 11.6), moderate À 0.3 (À 3.2 to 2.6), and severe À 1.5 (À 5 to 2) (p < 0.001); and total score of the SGRQ: mild À 9.8 (À 12.2 to À 7.3), moderate À 9.1 (À 12.9 to À 5.2), and severe À 7.9 (À 11.9 to À 3.9) (p < 0.001). Conclusions. We conclude that asthma prognosis varies according to the initial severity. Clinical, QOL, and pulmonary function outcomes in the mild asthma group are better than in the moderate and severe groups.

Journal of Chronic …, 2007