Translational research in respiratory medicine group
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: outcomes, treatments and personalized strategies
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent chronic disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway collapse during sleep, leading to intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation. These alterations activate intermediate pathophysiological mechanisms such as oxidative stress, sympathetic nervous system activation, systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
OSA is a markedly heterogeneous condition encompassing multiple causal pathways, distinct clinical phenotypes, and variable health outcomes. Likewise, patients' responses to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the first-line treatment for this disease, vary widely.
The main objectives of this research line are:- i) to evaluate the impact of OSA and its treatment on blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular disease, identifying predictors of adverse outcomes and treatment response;
- ii) to identify patient profiles at higher risk of complications and those most likely to benefit from treatment implementation; and
- iii) to explore and assess therapeutic options beyond CPAP, with special attention to populations underrepresented in clinical research, including older adults, postmenopausal women, and pregnant women.
Sleep and circadian health
- Sleep is increasingly recognized as a fundamental pillar of health, alongside nutrition, physical activity, and emotional well-being. Poor sleep quality and circadian rhythm disruption are associated with a wide range of adverse short- and long-term outcomes.
Acute consequences include excessive daytime sleepiness, reduced cognitive and occupational performance, and an increased risk of traffic and workplace accidents. Chronic sleep and circadian disturbances contribute to the onset and progression of multiple pathologies, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
The main objectives of this research line are:- i) to evaluate the impact of sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances in different clinical conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, COVID-19, and critical illness;
- ii) to identify predictive factors associated with sleep and circadian health deterioration in these populations;
- iii) to develop and validate feasible and cost-effective sleep and circadian health markers;
- iv) to investigate the biological and physiological mechanisms underlying sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances;
- v) to monitor sleep habits and circadian health at the population level in Catalonia; and
- vi) to promote dissemination and awareness activities to increase public understanding of the importance of sleep and circadian health.
COVID-19: clinical impact, molecular aspects and novel biomarkers
- The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on global public health in recent years. COVID-19 is a heterogeneous disease ranging from asymptomatic infection to critical illness and fatal outcomes. It is estimated that up to 20-30% of patients with COVID-19 develop severe complications leading to hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, increased mortality risk, and a high prevalence of post-acute sequelae.
Overall, the objectives of this research line are:- i) to identify clinical predictors associated with adverse clinical outcomes;
- ii) to decipher clinical phenotypes linked to adverse outcomes and the presence of post-acute sequelae in hospitalized patients, including critically ill patients;
- iii) to build prognostic models to improve medical decision-making in hospitalized and critically ill patients, including prognosis and treatment response;
- iv) to identify molecular mechanisms associated with adverse outcomes during the acute phase and with post-acute sequelae; and
- v) to identify novel biomarkers to improve medical decision-making during the acute phase of the disease and in patients with Post-COVID, including prognosis and treatment response.
Lung cancer screening
- Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the research group reoriented its activity toward lung cancer screening, consolidating one of its strongest and most promising research lines in recent years. This line combines participation in international initiatives such as the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP) and the Initiative for Early Lung Cancer Research on Treatment (I-ELCART) with a clearly multidisciplinary approach integrating pulmonology, radiology, nursing, biostatistics, and health economic evaluation.
The group maintains close collaborations with reference centers such as Mount Sinai and Jacobi Hospital (New York), strengthening its capabilities in advanced thoracic imaging and enabling the development of new joint projects.
Current research focuses on the identification of clinical, radiological, and analytical biomarkers, the evaluation of screening program cost-effectiveness, and the exploration of opportunistic diagnoses of other diseases through low-dose computed tomography. This comprehensive and collaborative approach positions the group at the forefront of translational research and innovation in lung cancer screening programs at both national and international levels.
