Maria Castillo Lara

Dr. Maria Castillo Lara

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

12Years (2015-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
21 January 2021 in Scientific Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Daniel María Lubián LópezDaniel María Lubián López
Daniel María Lubián López
CHCarmen Aisha Butrón Hinojo
Carmen Aisha Butrón Hinojo
MLMaria Castillo Lara
Maria Castillo Lara
MSManuel Sánchez-Prieto
Manuel Sánchez-Prieto
Rafael Sánchez-BorregoRafael Sánchez-Borrego
Rafael Sánchez-Borrego
Ernesto González-MesaErnesto González-Mesa
Ernesto González-Mesa
The objective of this study was to investigate whether the BC tumor biology in women with larger breast volume, in obese women and especially in women with central adiposity at the moment of diagnosis of BC is more aggressive than in those women without these characteristics. 347 pre- and postmenopausal women with a recent diagnosis of BC were analyzed. In all patients, anthropometric measurements at the time of diagnosis was collected. In 103 of them, the breast volume was measured by the Archimedes method. The Breast volume, BMI, WHR and the menopausal status were related to different well-known pathological prognostic factors for BC. At the time of diagnosis, 35.4% were obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2), 60.2% had a WHR ≥ 0.85, 68.8% were postmenopausal and 44.7% had a breast volume considered "large" (> 600 cc). Between patients with a large breast volume, only a higher prevalence of ER (+) tumors was found (95.3% vs. 77.2%; p = 0.04) compared to those with small breast volumes. The obese BC patients showed significantly higher rates of large tumors (45.5% vs. 40.6%; p = 0.04), axillary invasion (53.6% vs. 38.8%; p = 0.04), undifferentiated tumors (38.2% vs. 23.2%) and unfavorable NPI (p = 0.04) than non-obese women. Those with WHR ≥ 0.85 presented higher postsurgical tumor stages (61.7% vs. 57.8%; p = 0.03), higher axillary invasion (39.9% vs. 36.0%; p = 0.004), more undifferentiated tumors (30.0% vs. 22.3%; p = 0.009), higher lymphovascular infiltration (6.5% vs. 1.6%; p = 0.02), and a higher NPI (3.6 ± 1.8 vs. 3.2 ± 1.8; p = 0.04). No statistically significant differences were found according to menopausal status. We conclude that obesity, but especially central obesity can be associated with a more aggressive tumour phenotype. No relation between breast volume and tumoral prognostic factors was found, except for a higher proportion of ER (+) tumor in women with higher breast volume.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JAJuan Jesus Fernandez Alba
Juan Jesus Fernandez Alba
MLMaria Castillo Lara
Maria Castillo Lara
JHJosé Manuel Jiménez Heras
José Manuel Jiménez Heras
RCRocío Moreno Cortés
Rocío Moreno Cortés
CMCarmen González Macías
Carmen González Macías
LMLuis Javier Moreno-Corral
Luis Javier Moreno-Corral
Although numerous articles have found an association between alterations in thyroid function and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), other studies have failed to demonstrate this association. This may be due to the different cut-off points used to define subclinical hypothyroidism. We aim to clarify the role of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level in GDM within pregnant women with normal free thyroxine (fT4) levels. This retrospective cohort study was performed in 6775 pregnant women. The association between TSH and GDM was assessed by bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism are at significantly greater risk for GDM when compared with euthyroid pregnant women (OR = 1.85; 95% CI = 1.36–2.52). We have also observed that TSH levels increase the risk of GDM within euthyroid pregnant women, since the TSH levels between 2.5 and 4.71 showed a higher risk of GDM than those whose TSH levels are between 0.31 and 2.49 (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.28–1.84). In addition, pregnant women with positive thyroid antibodies have almost 2.5 times the risk of developing GDM (OR = 2.47; 95% CI = 1.57–3.89). Our results support that in pregnant women with normal fT4 levels, higher first trimester TSH level implies a higher risk of GDM.

16 December 2024 in Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ITIrene Valencia Téllez
Irene Valencia Téllez
LZLaura De Pablo Zamora
Laura De Pablo Zamora
MLMaria Castillo Lara
Maria Castillo Lara
CFClaudia Vivas Flores
Claudia Vivas Flores
CRCarlos Vega Reina
Carlos Vega Reina
JAJuan Jesus Fernandez Alba
Juan Jesus Fernandez Alba
Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the third most prevalent neoplasm among women in Spain and the most frequent malignancy of the female genital tract. The primary risk factors are associated with increased estrogen levels. The objective of our study is to determine the current specific progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with EC at the University Hospital of Puerto Real. Additionally, we aim to understand the independent role of specific factors in the risk of recurrence and mortality from EC through a multivariate analysis. Methods: A retrospective observational survival analysis of a case series was conducted. The study population included all women diagnosed and treated for EC in Spain between January 2010 and December 2021. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were performed to evaluate survival based on patient age, tumor stage, histological type, and degree of differentiation, and to quantify survival probabilities for each factor. Results: A total of 324 patients were included. The PFS was 86.6% at 5 years and 81.1% at 10 years. The OS was 91.3% at 5 years and 84.8% at 10 years. The tumor-related mortality rate was 9.3% (N = 30) and the tumor recurrence rate was 5.6% (N = 18). The estimated median follow-up using the inverse Kaplan-Meier method was 4.33 years (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 3.72–4.94) for OS and 4.57 years (95% CI: 4.05–5.09) for PFS. The statistically significant factors affecting PFS and OS were age ≥60 years at diagnosis, advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (II–IV), non-endometrioid tumor, high tumor grade, and lymphovascular space invasion. Multivariate Cox regression analysis shows that being 60 years or older at the time of diagnosis, advanced FIGO stages, high tumor grade, and serous-papillary tumors are independent risk factors for recurrence or death in EC. Conclusions: Our study shows that being 60 years or older at the time of diagnosis, advanced FIGO stages (II–IV), non-endometrioid EC, higher histological tumor grade, and lymphovascular space invasion are associated with lower OS and PFS. Additionally, multivariate Cox analysis suggests that age ≥60 years at diagnosis, advanced FIGO stages, high tumor grade, and serous-papillary histological type are independent prognostic factors influencing survival and recurrence in EC. This study should serve as a foundation for further research, incorporating relevant aspects of the molecular biology of EC to refine patient prognosis.

22 December 2017 in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MLMaria Castillo Lara
Maria Castillo Lara
ASAngel Vilar Sánchez
Angel Vilar Sánchez
CSConsuelo Cañavate Solano
Consuelo Cañavate Solano
EPEstefanía Soto Pazos
Estefanía Soto Pazos
MÁMaría Iglesias Álvarez
María Iglesias Álvarez
JAJuan Jesus Fernandez Alba
Juan Jesus Fernandez Alba
Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone level with a normal thyroxin level without signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism. Although it is well accepted that overt hypothyroidism has a deleterious impact on pregnancy, recent studies indicate that subclinical hypothyroidism may affect maternal and fetal health. Studies suggest an association between miscarriage and preterm delivery in euthyroid women positive for anti-peroxidase antibodies and/or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. A proposal of a new set-point to diagnose SCH was recently published. The aim of this research was to determine the optimal thyroid-stimulating hormone cut-off point to screen for subclinical hypothyroidism in the first trimester of gestation in a population of our clinical area and to determine the diagnostic value of this screening test for detecting anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. This cross-sectional study determines the cutoff point for SCH screening and evaluates its usefulness to detect TPO Ab using the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve. Prevalence of SCH was calculated using as cut-off 2.5 mIU/L, 4 mIU/L, and our TSH 97.5th percentile. The ability to detect positive anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TG Ab) and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO Ab) in patients with levels of TSH >97.5th percentile was determined by ROC curves. The mean, range and standard deviation of TSH was 2.15 ± 1.34 mIU/L (range 0.03–8.82); FT4 was 1.18 ± 0.13 ng/dL (range 0.94–1.3); TG Ab was 89.87 ± 413.56 IU/mL (range 0.10–4000); and TPO Ab was 21.61 ± 46.27 IU/mL(range 0.10–412.4). The ROC. analysis of the ability of the TSH level to predict the presence of positive TPO Ab found an AUC of 0.563. In our population, the TSH cutoff value for gestational SCH screening is 4.7 mIU/L. Using the SEGO recommended 2.5 mIU/L TSH cut-off point, the prevalence of SCH is 37%. Applying the ATA 2017 recommended cutoff point of 4 mIU/L, the prevalence of SCH is 9.6%. Finally, when the cut-off of 4.7 mIU/L (our 97.5th centile) was used, the SCH prevalence is 5%. TSH levels in the first trimester of pregnancy are not useful to detect TPO Ab.

4 March 2020 in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JAJuan Jesus Fernandez Alba
Juan Jesus Fernandez Alba
EPEstefanía Soto Pazos
Estefanía Soto Pazos
RCRocío Moreno Cortés
Rocío Moreno Cortés
ASAngel Vilar Sánchez
Angel Vilar Sánchez
CMCarmen González Macías
Carmen González Macías
JBJose Antonio Sainz Bueno
Jose Antonio Sainz Bueno
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with increased incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes including newborns large for gestational age, macrosomia, preeclampsia, polyhydramnios, stillbirth, and neonatal morbidity. Thus, fetal growth should be monitored by ultrasound to assess for fetal overnutrition, and thereby, its clinical consequence, macrosomia. However, it is not clear which reference curve to use to define the limits of normality. Our aim is to determine which method, INTERGROWTH21st or customized curves, better identifies the nutritional status of newborns of diabetic mothers.Methods: This retrospective cohort study compared the risk of malnutrition in SGA newborns and the risk of overnutrition in LGA newborns using INTERGROWTH21st and customized birth weight references in gestational diabetes. The nutritional status of newborns was assessed using the ponderal index. Additionally, to determine the ability of both methods in the identification of neonatal malnutrition and overnutrition, we calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and likelihood ratios.Results: Two hundred thirty-one pregnant women with GDM were included in the study. The rate of SGA indentified by INTERGROWTH21st was 4.7% vs 10.7% identified by the customized curves. The rate of LGA identified by INTERGROWTH21st was 25.6% vs 13.2% identified by the customized method. Newborns identified as SGA by the customized method showed a higher risk of malnutrition than those identified as SGA by INTERGROWTH21st. (RR 4.24 vs 2.5). LGA newborns according to the customized method also showed a higher risk of overnutrition than those classified as LGA according to INTERGROWTH21st. (RR 5.26 vs 3.57). In addition, the positive predictive value of the customized method was superior to that of INTERGROWTH21st in the identification of malnutrition (32% vs 27.27%), severe malnutrition (22.73% vs 20%), overnutrition (51.61% vs 32.20%) and severe overnutrition (28.57% vs 14.89%).Conclusions: In pregnant women with DMG, the ability of customized fetal growth curves to identify newborns with alterations in nutritional status appears to exceed that of INTERGROWTH21st.

11 March 2025 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JAJuan Jesus Fernandez Alba
Juan Jesus Fernandez Alba
FCFlorentino Carral
Florentino Carral
COCarmen Ayala Ortega
Carmen Ayala Ortega
JSJose Diego Santotoribio
Jose Diego Santotoribio
MLMaria Castillo Lara
Maria Castillo Lara
CMCarmen González Macías
Carmen González Macías
Background/Objectives: Thyroid cancer ranks among the most prevalent endocrine neoplasms, with a significant rise in incidence observed in recent decades, particularly in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This increase is largely attributed to the enhanced detection of subclinical cancers through advanced imaging techniques and fine-needle aspiration biopsies. The present study aims to externally validate a predictive model previously developed by our group, designed to assess the risk of a thyroid nodule being malignant. Methods: By utilizing clinical, analytical, ultrasound, and histological data from patients treated at the Puerto Real University Hospital, this study seeks to evaluate the performance of the predictive model in a distinct dataset and perform a decision curve analysis to ascertain its clinical utility. Results: A total of 455 patients with thyroid nodular pathology were studied. Benign nodular pathology was diagnosed in 357 patients (78.46%), while 98 patients (21.54%) presented with a malignant tumor. The most frequent histological type of malignant tumor was papillary cancer (71.4%), followed by follicular cancer (6.1%). Malignant nodules were predominantly solid (95.9%), hypoechogenic (72.4%), with irregular or microlobed borders (36.7%), and associated with suspicious lymph nodes (24.5%). The decision curve analysis confirmed the model’s accuracy and its potential impact on clinical decision-making. Conclusions: The external validation of our predictive model demonstrates its robustness and generalizability across different populations and clinical settings. The integration of advanced diagnostic tools, such as AI and ML models, improves the accuracy in distinguishing between benign and malignant nodules, thereby optimizing treatment strategies and minimizing invasive procedures. This approach not only facilitates the early detection of cancer but also helps to avoid unnecessary surgeries and biopsies, ultimately reducing patient morbidity and healthcare costs.