Cohorte Cantabria adds a new ally in its challenge to reach 50,000 participants. The municipalities furthest from the arc of the Bay of Santander are now the main target
On 17 September at the IDIVAL facilities, a collaboration agreement was formalised with Sidenor, a company that produces special long steels with a low carbon footprint and a proven social and environmental commitment.
Sidenor is a large Spanish company that actively collaborates with suppliers, social entities, training centres and sports and cultural associations in the regions where it is located. In this case, the Reinosa plant will join Cohorte Cantabria, disseminating the project in its networks and encouraging its workers to participate.
The agreement was signed by Sara Jainaga, Sustainability Director of Sidenor, together with Dr. Galo Perlata, Managing Director of IDIVAL. The meeting was also attended by part of the managers of the Reinosa plant, Emilio Fernández Lucio, and Beatriz De la Torre, HR Director, as well as Dr. Marcos López Hoyos, Scientific Director of IDIVAL and Cohorte Cantabria.
We are very fortunate to have companies so committed to research in our region!
More information about Sidenor on their website.
Cohorte Cantabria adds a new ally in its challenge to reach 50,000 participants. The municipalities furthest from the arc of the Bay of Santander are now the main target On 17 September at the IDIVAL facilities, a collaboration agreement was formalised with Sidenor, a company that produces special long steels with a low carbon footprint […]
From September 9 to 12, 2024, the online course “State of the Art in Rhinology” was held, coordinated by Dr. Jaime Viera, Assistant Physician of the Otorhinolaryngology Service of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital. This course, broadcasted through the Zoom platform, had almost 400 participants from 22 countries and was organized by IDIVAL, the Ministry of Health of the Government of Cantabria and the University of Cantabria. This forum was endorsed by SCReN, SEORL CCC, the Spanish Society of Clinical Pharmacology and the ITEMAS and Biobanks and Biomodels platforms of the Carlos III Health Institute, and was sponsored by Sanofi and GSK. This program has been accredited with 1.6 CFC credits from the National Health System.
The event brought together highly prestigious national and international speakers, who addressed the latest advances in surgery and medical treatments related to rhinology. Among the highlights were Dr. Adriana Izquierdo from Clínica Teknon in Barcelona, Dr. Eduardo Morera from Hospital Universitario Son Espases, and Dr. Isam Alobid, President of the Rhinology Commission of the SEORL. Renowned international specialists also participated, such as Dr. Raymond Kim from the University of Auckland (New Zealand) and Dr. Alkis J. Psaltis from the University of Adelaide (Australia).
During the conference, participants had the opportunity to attend sessions covering a wide variety of current topics, such as the evolution in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic sinusitis, innovations in the surgery of nasosinus tumors and the latest techniques in nasal reconstruction and treatment of the sense of smell. Dr. Manuel Bernal-Sprekelsen, President of the SEORL, opened the course with a session on the history of rhinology and its evolution up to the present day. Another relevant session was given by Dr. Beatriz Abascal, who dealt with the use of biological drugs in the treatment of the airway.
Throughout the conference other topics have been discussed, such as the session led by Dr. Juan Maza who presented the advances in the surgical management of maxillary sinusitis or the intervention of Dr. Raymond Kim who delved into the microbiological differential diagnosis of this condition. These presentations were followed by different debates moderated by Dr. Jaime Vieira, Dr. Javier Ospina or the one led by Dr. David Lobo, in which best practices and new surgical techniques in the multidisciplinary management of odontogenic sinusitis were discussed.
The course concluded on Thursday, September 12, with a session dedicated to olfaction and nasal reconstruction, moderated by Dr. Isam Alobid, highlighting topics such as septal perforations and olfactory training, presented by Dr. Adriana Izquierdo, and functional rhinoplasty by Dr. Eduardo Morera.
This forum has proven to be a key training reference for otolaryngologists and other medical professionals interested in rhinological pathologies. Discussions on the implementation of new techniques and multidisciplinary collaboration to address clinical challenges have consolidated the importance of this type of event in the advancement of medical knowledge.
From September 9 to 12, 2024, the online course “State of the Art in Rhinology” was held, coordinated by Dr. Jaime Viera, Assistant Physician of the Otorhinolaryngology Service of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital. This course, broadcasted through the Zoom platform, had almost 400 participants from 22 countries and was organized by IDIVAL, the […]
The joint action “Health4EUkids” of the European project EU4Health, co-financed by the European Union and HaDEA, is framed in the field of health promotion and prevention of non-communicable diseases. This action, led in Cantabria by the Health Economics Group, the Clinical and Translational Research Group in Digestive Diseases, the Pediatrics Service of the Marqués de Valdecilla Hospital and collaborators of the Cantabrian Health Service, highlights best practices and specific risk factors identified from previous research results on childhood obesity, developed in previous initiatives such as “Grünau Moves” (Germany) and “Smart Family” (Finland).
At the WP5 & WP6 meeting of the European project “Health4EUkids” to be held on September 19-20, 2024 in Menorca (Spain), the General Directors of Public Health of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Pedro Gullón, Conselleria de Sanidad de la Comunidad Valenciana, Ms. Ruth Usó, and the Conselleria de Sanidad de la Comunidad Valenciana, Ms. Ruth Usó, and the Conselleria de Salud de la Comunidad Valenciana, Ms. Ruth Usó, will be present at the meeting. Ruth Usó, and the Conselleria de Salut of the Balearic Islands, Ms. Antonia Elena Esteban Ramis will welcome the collaborating partners (Belgium, Croatia, Greece, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain).
On the first day of the meeting, Apostolos Vantarakis (UPAT, Greece) will chair Session 1: Overview of WP1 coordination and strategic direction, and Rosana Peiró (Fisabio & GDPH Valencia, Spain) and Heli Kuusipalo (THL, Finland) will chair Session 2: Meeting overview – Agenda highlights and objectives. Päivi Mäki (THL, Finland) will present the common points of WP5 & WP6: “Monitoring the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity – Opportunities, challenges and situation update”, while Carmen Barona (DGSP-GVA, Spain) will present the “Regional Monitoring System on Childhood Obesity and Overweight, DGSP-Region of Valencia”. Finally, in Session 3: Presentation of Implementation Projects in WP5 & WP6, each partner will present the follow-up of the WP5 & WP6 Pilots, Barriers and Challenges.
The second day of the meeting will start with the follow-up of the WP5 & WP6 Pilots, Barriers and Challenges. This will be followed by Session 4: Evaluation Indicators – Assessing Progress and Measuring Impact, with Peter Csizmadia (NNGYK, Hungary) presenting the evaluation indicators for WP5 & WP6 followed by workshops on evaluation and adaptation, with parallel sessions for WP5 and WP6. Finally, Evaluation Proposals – Sharing ideas between WP5 and WP6 and Concluding Remarks and next steps will be chaired by Rosana Peiró (Fisabio & GDPH Valencia, Spain) and Heli Kuusipalo (THL, Finland).
For more information about the project, you can consult the Health4EUkids website and its social networks (Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, Facebook).
The joint action “Health4EUkids” of the European project EU4Health, co-financed by the European Union and HaDEA, is framed in the field of health promotion and prevention of non-communicable diseases. This action, led in Cantabria by the Health Economics Group, the Clinical and Translational Research Group in Digestive Diseases, the Pediatrics Service of the Marqués de […]
IDIVAL organizes two days in which students from different fields and levels will face health challenges through innovation
The “Santander i-Days 2024” event is set to inspire students from all academic disciplines in the field of healthcare innovation. This year, the event will be held on two dates: on October 29 online, and on November 6 in person at the Téllez Plasencia Hall of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV).
The event, supported by the EIT Health program and organized by the Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL), in collaboration with the University of Cantabria (UC), aims to foster the development of new skills in participants, giving them the opportunity to work in teams to address real challenges in the healthcare field.
During the first day of the event, which will be online, participants will be introduced to the challenges through team dynamics and role-play activities that will put them “in the patient’s shoes”. The session will continue with team building and a detailed explanation of the challenges, culminating in a concluding and closing session.
The second day, which will be held in person, will offer attendees the opportunity to delve into the transfer of results in healthcare, explore 3D printing applied to healthcare, and participate in group dynamics focused on creativity, ideation, and the development of prototypes. The day will also include parallel sessions and will conclude with the presentation of projects, selection of winning teams and the award ceremony.
The winning team in Santander will have the opportunity to compete in the Winners’ Event in Budapest, a meeting that will bring together the best students from across Europe for a final competition.
With the promise of acquiring new skills, receiving expert support and facing real challenges, the “Santander i-Days 2024” is a unique opportunity for students looking to make a difference in the field of healthcare innovation.
Interested parties can visit the event’s official website for more information and to register.
IDIVAL organizes two days in which students from different fields and levels will face health challenges through innovation The “Santander i-Days 2024” event is set to inspire students from all academic disciplines in the field of healthcare innovation. This year, the event will be held on two dates: on October 29 online, and on November […]
IDIVAL Advances in One-Step Diagnosis for Determining MASH and Liver Fibrosis in High-Risk Populations The United European Gastroenterology Journal has just published an innovative study in the field of hepatology. The research, conducted by the Clinical and Translational Research Groupin Digestive Diesases at IDIVAL, led by Dr. Paula Iruzubieta and Dr. Javier Crespo, in collaboration […]
A global study that determines the frequency and type of genetic variants that cause the disease
Researchers from the neurodegenerative diseases group of IDIVAL and the Neurology Service of HUMV, led by Dr. Jon Infante, have participated in an international study carried out in 16 countries and on 12,580 patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Although the cause of Parkinson’s disease is not genetic in most cases, it is estimated that around 10% may be caused by mutations in various genes. However, the knowledge we have regarding the spectrum and frequency of different genetic mutations globally is limited and biased. At a time when the first clinical trials with therapies targeting specific genetic subtypes of Parkinson’s have been initiated, a major obstacle to the conduct of these trials is that many Parkinson’s patients do not know whether their disease is caused by any of these genes.
The Rostock Parkinson’s disease study (ROPAD), published in the prestigious journal Brain, is an observational clinical study aimed at determining the frequency and spectrum of genetic variants contributing to PD in a large international cohort. Variants in 50 genes were investigated in a group of 12,580 Parkinson’s disease patients from 16 countries using a next-generation sequencing panel. In total, in 1864 participants (14.8%) some gene mutation was identified, the most frequent being in the GBA1 (10.4%), LRRK2 (2.9%), PRKN (0.9%), SNCA (0.2%) or PINK1 (0.1%) genes or a combination of mutations in two genes in two genes (∼0.2%). In patients with age of onset less than 50 years the frequency of mutations was 19.5% and in those who also had a family history it rose to 26.9%.
In the emerging era of gene-targeted clinical trials, the finding that ∼15% of patients harbor potentially actionable genetic variants offers an important perspective to affected individuals and their families, and underscores the need for genetic testing in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
The neurodegenerative diseases group of IDIVAL has a long history of research in the field of Parkinson’s disease genetics, having contributed to define the genetic epidemiology of a genetic subtype of Parkinson’s disease, associated with variants in the LRRK2 gene, particularly frequent in Cantabria. Through different studies this group has contributed to the identification of biomarkers of the presymptomatic stages of the disease.
Reference:
Westenberger A, Skrahina V, Usnich T, Beetz C, Vollstedt EJ, Laabs BH, Paul JJ, Curado F, Skobalj S, Gaber H, Olmedillas M, Bogdanovic X, Ameziane N, Schell N, Aasly JO, Afshari M, Agarwal P, Aldred J, Alonso-Frech F, Anderson R, Araújo R, Arkadir D, Avenali M, Balal M, Benizri S, Bette S, Bhatia P, Bonello M, Braga-Neto P, Brauneis S, Cardoso FEC, Cavallieri F, Classen J, Cohen L, Coletta D, Crosiers D, Cullufi P, Dashtipour K, Demirkiran M, de Carvalho Aguiar P, De Rosa A, Djaldetti R, Dogu O, Dos Santos Ghilardi MG, Eggers C, Elibol B, Ellenbogen A, Ertan S, Fabiani G, Falkenburger BH, Farrow S, Fay-Karmon T, Ferencz GJ, Fonoff ET, Fragoso YD, Genç G, Gorospe A, Grandas F, Gruber D, Gudesblatt M, Gurevich T, Hagenah J, Hanagasi HA, Hassin-Baer S, Hauser RA, Hernández-Vara J, Herting B, Hinson VK, Hogg E, Hu MT, Hummelgen E, Hussey K, Infante J, Isaacson SH, Jauma S, Koleva-Alazeh N, Kuhlenbäumer G, Kühn A, Litvan I, López-Manzanares L, Luxmore M, Manandhar S, Marcaud V, Markopoulou K, Marras C, McKenzie M, Matarazzo M, Merello M, Mollenhauer B, Morgan JC, Mullin S, Musacchio T, Myers B, Negrotti A, Nieves A, Nitsan Z, Oskooilar N, Öztop-Çakmak Ö, Pal G, Pavese N, Percesepe A, Piccoli T, Pinto de Souza C, Prell T, Pulera M, Raw J, Reetz K, Reiner J, Rosenberg D, Ruiz-Lopez M, Ruiz Martinez J, Sammler E, Santos-Lobato BL, Saunders-Pullman R, Schlesinger I, Schofield CM, Schumacher-Schuh AF, Scott B, Sesar Á, Shafer SJ, Sheridan R, Silverdale M, Sophia R, Spitz M, Stathis P, Stocchi F, Tagliati M, Tai YF, Terwecoren A, Thonke S, Tönges L, Toschi G, Tumas V, Urban PP, Vacca L, Vandenberghe W, Valente EM, Valzania F, Vela-Desojo L, Weill C, Weise D, Wojcieszek J, Wolz M, Yahalom G, Yalcin-Cakmakli G, Zittel S, Zlotnik Y, Kandaswamy KK, Balck A, Hanssen H, Borsche M, Lange LM, Csoti I, Lohmann K, Kasten M, Brüggemann N, Rolfs A, Klein C, Bauer P. Relevance of genetic testing in the gene-targeted trial era: the Rostock Parkinson’s disease study. Brain. 2024 Aug 1;147(8):2652-2667. doi: 10.1093/brain/awae188. PMID: 39087914; PMCID: PMC11292909.
Cover photo: IDIVAL neurodegenerative diseases group.
A global study that determines the frequency and type of genetic variants that cause the disease Researchers from the neurodegenerative diseases group of IDIVAL and the Neurology Service of HUMV, led by Dr. Jon Infante, have participated in an international study carried out in 16 countries and on 12,580 patients with Parkinson’s disease. Although the […]
Since 2021, following the launch of the European Plan to Combat Cancer, the European Union (EU) is investing heavily in the fight against cancer. This plan sets out a new EU approach to cancer prevention, treatment and care. In particular, it proposes ten flagship initiatives and multiple measures to address all stages of the disease, from prevention to quality of life for cancer patients and survivors, focusing on those measures where the EU can add most value. To this end, it is funding numerous European initiatives aimed at the fight against cancer, within the EU4Health work program.
In this context, since 2022 the Medical Oncology group HUMV – IDIVAL has been expanding its participation in various joint actions in this area. Firstly, it participates in the joint action eCAN (Joint Action on strengthening eHealth including telemedicine and telemonitoring for health care systems for cancer prevention and care) (2022-2024), whose overall objective is to evaluate the benefits of teleconsultation and telemonitoring on the quality of life of patients with different types of cancer. Among the activities developed in this initiative, the Medical Oncology Service of HUMV participated in two pilot studies in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer and in patients with advanced cancer, with the aim of evaluating the possible benefits of a tele-rehabilitation program or remote psycho-oncology support, respectively, with very satisfactory results for both patients and healthcare staff involved. This team also participates in two closely linked joint actions: JANE (Joint Action on Networks of Expertise) (2022-2024), whose ultimate aim is to create networks of experts in different areas of cancer, such as personalized primary prevention, survivorship, palliative care, omic technologies, high-tech medical resources, poor prognosis or complex cancer; and CraNE (Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres: Preparatory activities on creation of National Comprehensive Cancer Centres and EU Networking) (2022-2024), whose objective is to establish the necessary pre-conditions to create a network of comprehensive cancer centers (CCC) in Europe. Likewise, since 2024 this team participates in the joint action EUCanScreen (Implementation of cancer screening programmes) (2024-2028) where the Digestive team of HUMV/IDIVAL also collaborates, and whose objective is to guarantee the sustainability of the implementation of high quality screening tests for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer, as well as the implementation of the recently recommended screening programs for lung, prostate and gastric cancer, thus facilitating the reduction of the cancer burden and achieving equity throughout the EU.
Finally, from late 2024/early 2025, the HUMV/IDIVAL Medical Oncology Service, and in collaboration with other HUMV services, including the Hematology Service, will participate in two new joint actions: EUnetCCC and JANE-2. EUnetCCC (The European Comprehensive Cancer Centre Network) is a continuation of the current CraNE joint action, through which the aim is for numerous centers in Europe, including HUMV, to be accredited as CCCs. This will provide cancer patients with greater access to early detection programs, screening, diagnosis, treatment, innovative strategies, research and training of oncology staff, in line with the objectives of the European Cancer Plan. JANE-2 (Joint Action on Networks of Expertise on Cancer), on the other hand, is a European initiative which, based on previous work carried out in the context of its predecessor joint action (JANE), aims to create and implement seven networks of experts in different areas of cancer: cancer with a poor prognosis or complex, palliative care, survivorship, personalized primary/secondary prevention, omics technologies, high-tech medical resources, and adolescents and young adults with cancer.
The results derived from the participation of the team in all these European initiatives will bring great benefits for cancer patients, resulting in significant improvements in the management of their disease and in their quality of life. Furthermore, it is of great strategic interest for IDIVAL, HUMV, the Cantabrian Health Service and, in general, for the National Health System, because of its contribution to the objective of trying to position and consolidate our center and health system as a national and international reference in the field of oncology, as well as for the potential health and socioeconomic benefits associated with the development of these projects.
Cover photo: HUMV Medical Oncology Group – IDIVAL
The Medical Oncology Service of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital participates in numerous European initiatives within the EU4Health program. Since 2021, following the launch of the European Plan to Combat Cancer, the European Union (EU) is investing heavily in the fight against cancer. This plan sets out a new EU approach to cancer prevention, […]
The research article titled “Sensitization symptoms are associated with psychological and cognitive variables in COVID-19 survivors exhibiting post-COVID pain,” carried out by researchers of the IDIVAL nursing group, in collaboration with the Pneumology Service of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV) Paula Parás Bravo, Manuel Herrero Montes and Diego Ferrer Pargada, focuses on post-COVID pain, a condition affecting a significant proportion of SARS-CoV-2 survivors.
The research reveals that up to 60% of COVID-19 survivors may develop long-term symptoms known as persistent COVID, with a high percentage experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain. This type of pain, characterized as nociplastic, is not only associated with high pain intensity but also with psychological and cognitive symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and catastrophizing.
The study’s results show that self-reported sensitization symptoms are closely related to pain intensity, anxiety and depression levels, as well as catastrophizing and kinesiophobia in COVID-19 survivors who were hospitalized. Regression analysis indicates that 60.2% of the variance in Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) scores can be explained by anxiety levels and pain intensity, suggesting that post-COVID pain exhibits characteristics of a nociplastic condition.
The patients were drawn from their specific post-COVID consultation, where more than 500 people who had suffered severe COVID infections and other patients, who despite initial mild involvement, presented later limiting symptomatology, were reviewed.
The project, funded by the Next-Val 2021 call from IDIVAL, has been crucial for better understanding the mechanisms behind post-COVID pain and guiding personalized treatments for survivors. This research not only highlights the importance of integrating psychological and cognitive variables into pain management but also underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to address the complex symptoms associated with persistent COVID.
Thanks to the results obtained, the article has seen very high interaction in citations by other researchers who have referenced the work of IDIVAL’s nursing research group.
For more details on this research, you are invited to read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1111/papr.13146
Cover Photo: IDIVAL Nursing Research Group
Published in June 2022, the article has been recognized by Wiley as one of the ten most cited during 2022 and 2023 in the journal PAIN Practice The research article titled “Sensitization symptoms are associated with psychological and cognitive variables in COVID-19 survivors exhibiting post-COVID pain,” carried out by researchers of the IDIVAL nursing group, […]
The ambitious biomedical research project Cohorte Cantabria has today reached 40,000 participants, approaching its goal of 50,000 volunteers. The great reception of this initiative by the Cantabrian population reflects the commitment of our citizens to improve public health through research. The study has become so important that it has been presented to His Majesty King Felipe VI and on June 27th the Governing Council declared it a strategic action at regional level to provide it with its own governance and funding within the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute Foundation (IDIVAL).
Cohorte Cantabria was launched in April 2021 and is led by the Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL). It takes place at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV), where staff from IDIVAL and the Cantabrian Health Service work together to ensure excellent care for volunteers on a daily basis.
In a continuing effort to enrich the project, Cohorte Cantabria has recently added a new questionnaire on medical diagnoses covering all specialties. Work is also underway to include cognitive tests and more questionnaires on lifestyle habits to provide an even more complete picture of the determinants of health.
The collaboration of Cantabrians with the study goes beyond the donation of data and samples. Groups such as the Loredo Neighborhood Council, the Aras-Voto Women’s Association and the College of Economists have supported this research with financial contributions since its inception. In addition, companies such as PITMA, Nestlé or Sidenor have already signed an agreement for the dissemination of the study among their workers, facilitating their attendance during working hours. And more and more institutions are approaching the project to initiate scientific collaborations and position Cantabria at the forefront of research.
Cohorte Cantabria aims to recruit 20% of the target population, made up of Cantabrian residents between 40 and 69 years of age. The participation target has already been exceeded in municipalities such as Santa Cruz de Bezana and Camargo, and the team is focusing its efforts on increasing participation in more distant regions such as Liébana, Saja-Nansa, Campoo-Los Valles, Valles Pasiegos and Asón-Agüera to ensure a representative sample of the entire region.
Precision Medicine as a goal
Promoted by IDIVAL, the Valdecilla Hospital and with the support of the Government of Cantabria and the Cantabrian Health Service (SCS), Cohorte Cantabria’s mission is to advance personalized medicine. The study seeks to improve medicine so that it becomes more inclusive and takes a more preventive and predictive approach, protecting the health of all to avoid the development of certain diseases or improve the course of others.
The project, multipurpose and open to the scientific community, is generating an invaluable database with information on the habits, socioeconomic, demographic and clinical factors of the Cantabrian population. This anonymized information is available to develop national and international research projects that address health and disease from multiple perspectives.
For more information or to register, interested parties can visit the project website at https://cohortecantabria.com/.
Photo: part of the Cohort Cantabria team with the 40,000th participant and her husband.
Cantabria’s largest biomedical research project, a pioneer in Spain, makes steady progress towards its goal of 50,000 participants. The ambitious biomedical research project Cohorte Cantabria has today reached 40,000 participants, approaching its goal of 50,000 volunteers. The great reception of this initiative by the Cantabrian population reflects the commitment of our citizens to improve public […]
