Within the 5 major thematic research areas of the IdISSC, the group of researchers in the “other large systems” area brings together more than 20 lines of research by clinical and basic research professionals working in the hospital’s services or in different departments of the Faculty of Medicine.
Read moreGraduate in Nursing, Master’s in Healthcare Research and PhD from the Complutense University of Madrid in the Health Care programme, as well as a Licentiate degree in Humanities from the European University of Madrid. He has received specific training in the field of quality systems and clinical process management, as well as leadership and management of research groups.
Read moreEven understanding this thematic area as a heterogeneous puzzle of projects, similar areas of knowledge can be glimpsed that can be complementary for the analysis and study of certain pathologies. For example, in the field of what could be called “metabolic diseases” there are complementary approaches from different points of view.
In the strategic lines of metabolic diseases (Dr. Calle-Pascual) attention is given to epidemiological and preventive aspects of type 2 diabetes. The same group does not neglect epidemiological and genetic research on type 1 diabetes. The role of insulin resistance on vascular function is analysed in murine models in the diabetes cardiovascular group (Prof. Benito de las Heras) in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the UCM, paying special attention to the implications of energy metabolism related to brown adipose tissue. The connection of energy regulatory mechanisms with those of appetite/satiety in obesity is the focus of the group “brain glucose sensors, satiety and appetite control in type 2 diabetes”, led from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology III, Faculty of Medicine, UCM (Dr. Blázquez) which focuses on the molecular mechanisms of GLP-1 actions on satiety/appetite. To close this circle, the study of gastrointestinal hormones that regulate appetite is analysed in humans with obesity (with/without metabolic syndrome) subjected to weight changes through metabolic bariatric surgery (research group “obesity and vascular risk”, Dr. Rubio), again focusing on molecular aspects of expression of insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. Also, one of the complications of patients with type 2 diabetes, with significant clinical impact is the diabetic foot, addressed by the team led by Dr. José Luis Lázaro Martínez, from the Podiatry Clinic, UCM, which provides specialised attention to the diabetic foot with the intention of reducing the incidence of non-traumatic amputations. And within the physiotherapeutic activities, the care of patients with chronic low back pain will be addressed through kinesitherapy by the group led by the physiotherapist Miriam Robledo.
Other models of interconnection are those established by the Surgery and Oncology Units in the development and implementation of robotic approach techniques in the management of urological pathology (“Research in Urology, Oncology and New Therapies”, led by Drs Moreno and Silmi) and other abdominal pathologies in collaboration with oncologists and nuclear medicine (“Technology, Design and Surgical Innovation”, led by Dr Mayol). From this surgical experience derives the need for diagnostic support through imaging techniques, such as that proposed by Dr. Rodriguez’s team, with its “biomedical imaging research” group, which aims to optimise biomedical imaging and the search for disease or risk markers for different pathologies. The “Medical Physics” team (Dr. Vañó) plays an essential role in radioprotection work, particularly in current interventional radiology techniques that require long fluoroscopy exposures, trying to minimise the impact on professionals and patients. The Haematology group (Drs. Anguita and Díaz-Mediavilla) actively participates in therapeutic protocols in oncohaematology in phase III (PETHEMA group) and in treatments with autotransplantation of progenitor cells. This work is complemented by molecular studies that help to better understand the clinical response to treatments.
The digestive tract research group, led by Dr. Prof. Díaz-Rubio has extensive research experience in oesophageal and intestinal motility disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and hepatology, in which he will continue his research.
Within this broad representation of “Other Large Systems” we find research into “Ageing” (Dr. Gil Gregorio) with a focus on the most prevalent pathologies with the greatest socioeconomic impact at this stage: research into cognitive deterioration, sarcopenia and functionality, with the risk of malnutrition in these patients as a backdrop, and related to muscular capacity and the performance of physical activity, the Sports Medicine group (Dr. Martín Escudero), who researches exercise physiology, sports medicine and doping.
In the field of epidemiology and disease prevention, the group “Occupational Risk Prevention” (Dr. Caso) meets the expectations of optimising the detection of the main occupational risks (biological and psychosocial) in the healthcare environment. Patient and professional safety, as well as therapeutic education, are the key points that form part of the line of work developed by the “Research and Care” group (Ismael Ortuño). This first line of action is well highlighted in the objectives of the “Pathology of Urgent and Emergency Care” group (Dr. González Armengol) to understand the epidemiology of the most prevalent diseases in urgent and emergency care, and to promote health training in this area, as well as to improve the management and care of patients and their families.
Within the field of pre-clinical research, the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies of the “Clinical Pharmacology” group (Dr. Vargas) stand out, subsequently guaranteeing adequate surveillance of the safety and effectiveness of treatments.
Finally, in 2014 the “Socioeconomic Determinants of Health” group was incorporated into the IdISSC, which studies various factors (socioeconomic position of individuals, socioeconomic environment of the area of residence and immigrant status, among others), the results of which may be very relevant in the field of health policy.
Undoubtedly, the evaluation of many of the clinical and basic research aspects analysed in any of the projects carried out by the aforementioned research teams requires the support of a research support unit such as the one offered by the “Epidemiology and Health Services” group (Dr. Fernández), which is responsible for further exploration and scientific exploitation of the projects, using statistical methodology, without forgetting that one of the important challenges of the group is to focus on population-based epidemiological studies, where specific mathematical models can be implemented for each situation.
In short, the thematic area of “Other Large Systems” brings together large projects led by excellent professionals that can converge on points of common interest in the interwoven network of biosanitary studies.
After working as a nursing assistant in the Intensive Care, Haematology, and Digestive System Units of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos, he has been unit supervisor and supervisor of the processes, research, innovation, and information systems area of the Nursing Department. He is currently a full-time Professor in the Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Podiatry at the Complutense University of Madrid.
In the field of research, he is co-responsible for the IdISSC Healthcare Research Group. He has supervised several doctoral theses, publishing articles in indexed journals on a regular basis. He holds a national patent and is a principal investigator on Strategic Action in Health projects. His lines of research focus on therapeutic adherence, patient and healthcare provider safety, and the development and improvement of medical devices.
