Alejandro Morales-Ortega

Dr. Alejandro Morales-Ortega

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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1 September 2020 in Clinical Immunology
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Journal Article
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AMAlejandro Morales-Ortega
Alejandro Morales-Ortega
DBDavid Bernal-Bello
David Bernal-Bello
CLCristina Llarena-Barroso
Cristina Llarena-Barroso
BFBegoña Frutos-Pérez
Begoña Frutos-Pérez
MDMiguel Ángel Duarte-Millán
Miguel Ángel Duarte-Millán
JMJuan Víctor San Martín-López
Juan Víctor San Martín-López

3 May 2020 in Autoimmunity Reviews
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
DBDavid Bernal-Bello
David Bernal-Bello
BJBeatriz Jaenes-Barrios
Beatriz Jaenes-Barrios
AMAlejandro Morales-Ortega
Alejandro Morales-Ortega
JGJose Manuel Ruiz Giardin
Jose Manuel Ruiz Giardin
VGVirginia García-Bermúdez
Virginia García-Bermúdez
JMJuan San Martín
Juan San Martín

17 October 2022 in Viruses
Verified
Journal Article
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JGJose Manuel Ruiz Giardin
Jose Manuel Ruiz Giardin
MRMarta Rivilla
Marta Rivilla
NMNieves Mesa
Nieves Mesa
AMAlejandro Morales-Ortega
Alejandro Morales-Ortega
LRLuis Rivas
Luis Rivas
SGSonia Gonzalo
Sonia Gonzalo
Objectives. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of fully and partially vaccinated or unvaccinated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who were hospitalised in a population of 220,000 habitants. Methods: Retrospective, observational, and population studies were conducted on patients who were hospitalised due to COVID-19 from March to October 2021. We assessed the impact of vaccination and other risk factors through Cox multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 500 patients were hospitalised, among whom 77 (15.4%) were fully vaccinated, 86 (17.2%) were partially vaccinated, and 337 (67.4%) were unvaccinated. Fully vaccinated (FV) patients were older and had a higher Charlson index than those of partially vaccinated and unvaccinated patients (NFV). Bilateral pneumonia was more frequent among NFV (259/376 (68.9%)) than among FV patients (32/75 (42.7%)). The former had more intensive care unit admissions (63/423) than the latter (4/77); OR: 2.80; CI (1.07–9.47). Increasing age HZ: 1.1 (1.06–1.14)) and haematological disease at admission HZ: 2.99 (1.26–7.11)) were independent risk factors for higher mortality during the first 30 days of hospitalisation. The probability of an earlier discharge in the subgroup of 440 patients who did not die during the first 30 days of hospitalisation was related to age (older to younger: HZ: 0.98 (0.97–0.99)) and vaccination status. Conclusions: Among the patients hospitalised because of COVID-19, complete vaccination was associated with less severe forms of COVID-19, with an earlier discharge date. Age and haematological disease were related to a higher mortality rate during the first 30 days of hospitalisation.

23 August 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
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Journal Article
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DBDavid Bernal-Bello
David Bernal-Bello
BFBegoña Frutos-Pérez
Begoña Frutos-Pérez
MMMiguel Angel Duarte Millan
Miguel Angel Duarte Millan
MTMaría Toledano-Macías
María Toledano-Macías
BJBeatriz Jaenes-Barrios
Beatriz Jaenes-Barrios
AMAlejandro Morales-Ortega
Alejandro Morales-Ortega
Background: Autoimmune diseases and other immune-mediated disorders are associated with an increased risk of malignancy, influenced by chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and treatment-related factors. Clarifying cancer risk patterns across specific conditions is essential to improve clinical vigilance and inform screening practices. Objective: The aim of this study was to synthesise current evidence on the association between autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases and cancer, with a focus on practical implications for clinicians. Methods: Recent cohort studies, meta-analyses, and expert consensus documents were analysed to describe cancer epidemiology, pathogenic mechanisms, high-risk phenotypes, and treatment considerations across major autoimmune diseases and other immune-mediated conditions. The review covers idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, antiphospholipid syndrome, ANCA-associated vasculitis, giant cell arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, sarcoidosis, mixed connective tissue disease, IgG4-related disease, VEXAS syndrome, and eosinophilic fasciitis. Special attention was given to identifying warning features for underlying malignancy and evaluating cancer screening strategies. Results: The magnitude and distribution of cancer risk vary across diseases. In some conditions such as dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis or Sjögren’s syndrome, increased risk is well established, particularly for haematological and certain solid tumours. However, tumour patterns may differ across populations, and findings are not always consistent. Distinct clinical and serological features help stratify individual cancer risk and may guide the intensity of screening. The first years after disease onset often represent a window of higher vulnerability, during which intensified surveillance may be warranted in selected patients. Conclusions: Cancer risk in autoimmune diseases should be assessed on an individual basis. Awareness of disease-specific risk factors and clinical warning signs supports early recognition of malignancy and informs screening decisions in routine practice.

30 August 2023 in Viruses
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JMJuan San Martín
Juan San Martín
NMNieves Mesa
Nieves Mesa
DBDavid Bernal-Bello
David Bernal-Bello
AMAlejandro Morales-Ortega
Alejandro Morales-Ortega
MRMarta Rivilla
Marta Rivilla
JGJose Manuel Ruiz Giardin
Jose Manuel Ruiz Giardin
(1) Background: COVID-19 has evolved during seven epidemic waves in Spain. Our objective was to describe changes in mortality and severity in our hospitalized patients. (2) Method: This study employed a descriptive, retrospective approach for COVID-19 patients admitted to the Hospital de Fuenlabrada (Madrid, Spain) until 31 December 2022. (3) Results: A total of 5510 admissions for COVID-19 were recorded. The first wave accounted for 1823 (33%) admissions and exhibited the highest proportion of severe patients: 65% with bilateral pneumonia and 83% with oxygen saturation under 94% during admission and elevated levels of CRP, IL-6, and D-dimer. In contrast, the seventh wave had the highest median age (79 years) and comorbidity (Charlson: 2.7), while only 3% of patients had bilateral pneumonia and 3% required intubation. The overall mortality rate was 10.3%. The first wave represented 39% of the total. The variables related to mortality were age (OR: 1.08, 1.07–1.09), cancer (OR: 1.99, 1.53–2.60), dementia (OR: 1.82, 1.20–2.75), the Charlson index (1.38, 1.31–1.47), the need for high-flow oxygen (OR: 6.10, 4.94–7.52), mechanical ventilation (OR: 11.554, 6.996–19.080), and CRP (OR: 1.04, 1.03–1.06). (4) Conclusions: The variables associated with mortality included age, comorbidity, respiratory failure, and inflammation. Differences in the baseline characteristics of admitted patients explained the differences in mortality in each wave. Differences observed between patients admitted in the latest wave and the earlier ones suggest that COVID-19 has evolved into a distinct disease, requiring a distinct approach.

27 November 2023 in Medicina Clinica
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
AMAlejandro Morales-Ortega
Alejandro Morales-Ortega
MDMiguel Ángel Duarte-Millán
Miguel Ángel Duarte-Millán
JCJesús Canora-Lebrato
Jesús Canora-Lebrato
AZAntonio Zapatero-Gaviria
Antonio Zapatero-Gaviria