Resultados de una encuesta nacional sobre el manejo de los pacientes diagnosticados de diverticulitis aguda no complicada / Results of a national survey about the management of patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis

Introducción: El manejo de los pacientes diagnosticados de diverticulitis aguda no complicada ha evolucionado en los últimos años, y según diversas guías clínicas internacionales actuales, el tratamiento ambulatorio y sin antibioterapia puede ser utilizado en pacientes seleccionados. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la adhesión de los distintos centros nacionales a estas y otras recomendaciones en esta enfermedad. Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta online a nivel nacional que se dio a conocer a través de diversas aplicaciones informáticas y se analizaron estadísticamente los resultados obtenidos. Resultados: Participaron 104 cirujanos, representando 69 centros hospitalarios nacionales. En el 82,6% de los centros, se realiza manejo ambulatorio de los pacientes diagnosticados de diverticulitis aguda no complicada. El 23,2% de los centros tiene implantado un protocolo de tratamiento sin antibioterapia en pacientes seleccionados, mientras que en los centros que no siguen estas recomendaciones, las razones principales son las dificultades logísticas para su desarrollo (49,3%) y la ausencia de evidencia actual para ello (44,8%). Se han encontrado diferencias estadísticamente significativas al comparar la implantación de dichos protocolos entre centros con unidades acreditadas avanzadas y aquellas que no, con mayores tasas de manejo ambulatorio y sin antibioterapia en los centros acreditados avanzados (p≤0,05). Conclusiones: A pesar de ser una enfermedad muy frecuente, existe mucha heterogeneidad en su tratamiento a nivel nacional, por lo que sería recomendable la unificación de criterios diagnósticos y de tratamiento mediante la colaboración de las sociedades científicas y la simplificación de la puesta en marcha de protocolos hospitalarios.(AU)

Introduction: Management of patients diagnosed of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis has evolved lately and according to the latest guidelines, outpatient treatment and management without antibiotherapy may be used in selected patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the adhesion among national centres to these and others recommendations related to this pathology. Methods: An online national survey, that has been broadcast by several applications, was performed. The results obtained were statistically analysed. Results: A total of 104 surgeons participated, representing 69 national hospitals. Of those, in 82.6% of the centers, outpatient management is performed for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. 23.2% of the hospitals have a protocol stablished for treatment without antibiotherapy in selected patients. Centers that do not follow these protocols allege that the mean reasons are the logistic difficulties to set them up (49.3%) and the lack of current evidence for it (44.8%). Significative statistical differences have been found when comparing the establishment of such protocols between centers with advanced accredited units and those who are not, with higher rates of outpatient management and treatment without antibiotics in accredited units (P≤.05). Conclusions: In spite that this a very common disease, there is a huge national heterogeneity in its treatment. This is why it would adviseable to unify diagnostic and treatment criteria by the collaboration of scientific societies and the simplification of the development of hospitalary protocols.(AU)

Proyecto DUCMA 2.0. Puesta al día sobre la situación actual de las unidades de Cirugía Mayor Ambulatoria en España / DUCMA 2.0 project: Update on the current situation of the outpatient surgery units in Spain

Introducción: La cirugía mayor ambulatoria (CMA) es un sistema de gestión seguro y eficiente para resolver los problemas quirúrgicos, pero su implantación y desarrollo ha sido variable. El objetivo de este estudio es describir las características, la estructura y el funcionamiento de las unidades de Cirugía Mayor Ambulatoria (UCMA) en España. Métodos: Estudio observacional, transversal, multicéntrico basado en una encuesta electrónica, con recogida de datos entre abril y septiembre de 2022. Resultados: En total, 90 UCMA completaron la encuesta. La media del índice de ambulatorización (IA) global es de 63%. Más de la mitad de las UCMA (52%) son de tipo integrado. La mitad las unidades imparte formación para médicos (51%) y personal de enfermería (55%). Los indicadores de calidad más utilizados son la tasa de suspensiones (87%) y de ingresos no previstos (80%). Conclusiones: Se necesita mayor coordinación entre administraciones para obtener datos fiables. Asimismo, se deben implementar sistemas de gestión de calidad en las unidades y desarrollar herramientas para la formación adecuada de los profesionales implicados.(AU)

Introduction: Ambulatory surgery is a safe and efficient management system to solve surgical problems, but its implementation and development has been variable. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics, structure and functioning of ambulatory surgery units (ASU) in Spain. Methods: Multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study based on an electronic survey, with data collection between April and September 2022. Results: In total, 90 ASUs completed the survey. The mean overall ambulatory index is 63%. More than half of the ASUs (52%) are integrated units. Around half of the units provide training for physicians (51%) and for nurses (55%). The most frequently used quality indicators are suspension rate (87%) and the rate of unplanned admissions (80%). Conclusions: Greater coordination between administrations is needed to obtain reliable data. It is also necessary to implement quality management systems in the different units, as well as to develop tools for the adequate training of the professionals involved.(AU)

Non-antibiotic treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis is applicable and safe in our environment. A prospective multicenter study

Introduction: acute diverticulitis is one of the most frequent underlying causes behind individuals attending the Emergency Room with abdominal pain. The most widespread therapy for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis includes outpatient treatment with antibiotics; however, several publications indicate that patients can also be successfully treated without antibiotics. The results of the implementation of this more recent protocol in two hospitals in Madrid are presented. Methods: an observational prospective study was performed. Participants were patients diagnosed with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis at two hospitals in Madrid, Hospital Universitario de Torrejón and Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, between December 2018 and August 2021, treated on an outpatient basis without antibiotic therapy. The study group was compared with a control group, composed of patients diagnosed with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis and treated with outpatient antibiotic therapy at Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro between March 2015 and March 2018. Results: three hundred and sixty-one patients were included, 182 in the study group and 179 in the control group. Diverticulitis was persistent in 19 patients (10.4 %) in the study group, who were not treated with antibiotics, and in five patients (2.8 %) in the control group, treated with outpatient antibiotic therapy (p = 0.004). Recurrences occurred in 23 patients (12.6 %) in the study group, and in 53 patients (29.6 %) in the control group (p < 0.0001). The analysis of the complications found no significant differences between both groups (p = 0.109). No urgent surgical intervention or mortality was recorded in the study group. Conclusions: in our environment, symptomatic non-antibiotic treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis cases is safe, without showing a higher rate of complications. Although, there seems to be a worse initial symptom control. (AU)

Clinical utility of new cut-off scores for the world health organization ADHD self-report scale among adolescents in psychiatric outpatient care

Previous analyses of the proposed cut-off score for the 18-item World Health Organization ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-18) among psychiatrically referred adolescents have shown limited clinical utility. This prospective study examined the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of new cut-off scores of the ASRS-18 in a consecutive sample of 111 Swedish adolescent psychiatric outpatients. Using the Kiddie Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS) as the reference standard and based on predefined sensitivity and specificity criteria, multiple new general and sex-specific cut-off scores were evaluated. Results showed that clinical utility was greater for sex-specific cut-off scores than for general cut-off scores. The greatest change in pre-test to post-test probability of ADHD diagnosis was observed with a balanced, high-specificity diagnostic cut-off score for girls, where the probability of ADHD increased from 40% pre-test to 82% post-test. The proposed new cut-off levels for the ASRS-18 are useful for the detection and identification of ADHD among adolescents in general psychiatric outpatient settings. (AU)

Análisis de las interacciones de nirmatrelvir/ritonavir en pacientes ambulatorios en atención primaria / Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir drug-drug interactions in primary care outpatients

Fundamento. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir es un antiviral oral con un alto potencial de producir interacciones farmacológicas. La población candidata a recibirlo es mayoritariamente vulnerable, con enfermedades crónicas y polimedicada. El objetivo es evaluar la validación farmacéutica previa a la ad-ministración del antiviral.Material y métodos. Las interacciones farmacológicas entre nirmatrelvir/ritonavir y el tratamiento habitual se consulta-ron en fichas técnicas y las herramientas de interacciones de UpToDate® y Universidad de Liverpool®. Se incluyeron las prescripciones validadas por un farmacéutico de atención primaria (abril/2022-abril/2023). Resultados. Se incluyeron 159 pacientes; en 83 se detecta-ron 168 interacciones que podían suponer un cambio en su tratamiento. Las estatinas (25,6%), anticoagulantes (10,7%) y antihipertensivos (10,7%) fueron los grupos terapéuticos más frecuentemente implicados. La suspensión (53,0%) y reducción de dosis (22,6%) fueron los cambios de trata-miento más frecuentes. Conclusiones. La revisión de potenciales interacciones far-macológicas, los ajustes posológicos y las modificaciones del tratamiento habitual del paciente han evitado potenciales to-xicidades, mejorando la seguridad de nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (AU)

Background. The oral antiviral nirmatrelvir/ritonavir inter-acts with a range of drugs. Candidate patients to receive this antiviral agent are usually vulnerable, multipathological and polymedicated. The objective is to evaluate the phar-maceutical validation prior to the administration of the an-tiviral.Material and methods. Drug-drug interactions between nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and patients’ usual treatment medi-cations were checked in product information and in the Up-ToDate® and the University of Liverpool® interaction tools. We included validated prescriptions between April/2022 and April/2023 by a Primary Care pharmacist.Results. Of the 159 study patients, 168 interactions were found in 83 individuals, which may have led to changes of their usual treatment. Statins (25.6%), anticoagulants (10.7%), and antihypertensives (10.7%) were the most fre-quently implicated therapeutic groups. Discontinuation (53.0%) and dose reduction (22.6%) were the most common treatment changes. Conclusions. Our search of potential drug interactions and subsequent dose adjustments and modifications of the pa-tient’s usual treatment has helped avoid potential toxicities ensuring a safe use of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (AU)

Eficacia de la capacidad y la eficiencia pronósticas de la herramienta de inteligencia artificial Thoracic Care Suite de GE aplicada a la radiografía torácica de pacientes con neumonía COVID-19 / Performance in prognostic capacity and efficiency of the Thoracic Care Suite GE AI tool applied to chest radiography of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

Objetivo: La rápida progresión de la neumonía COVID-19 puede implicar la necesidad de recurrir a sistemas de respiración asistida, como la ventilación mecánica no invasiva o la intubación endotraqueal. La introducción de herramientas que detecten la neumonía COVID-19 puede mejorar la atención sanitaria de los pacientes. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar la eficacia y la eficiencia de la herramienta de inteligencia artificial (IA) Thoracic Care Suite de GE Healthcare (que incorpora Lunit Insight CXR) para predecir la necesidad de recurrir a la respiración asistida en función de la progresión de la neumonía en la COVID-19 en radiografías torácicas consecutivas. Métodos: Se incluyó a pacientes ambulatorios con infección por SARS-CoV-2 confirmada, con hallazgos probables o indeterminados de neumonía COVID-19 en la radiografía torácica (RXT) y que necesitaron una segunda RXT debido a la evolución clínica desfavorable. En las 2RXT se evaluaron el número de campos pulmonares afectados mediante la herramienta de IA. Resultados: Se incluyó a 114 pacientes (57,4±14,2 años; 65 de ellos varones, el 57%) de forma retrospectiva; 15 pacientes (el 13,2%) precisaron respiración asistida. La progresión de la diseminación neumónica ≥0,5 campos pulmonares al día en comparación con el inicio de la neumonía, detectada mediante la herramienta TCS, cuadruplicó el riesgo de precisar respiración asistida. El análisis de los resultados de IA precisó 26 segundos. Conclusiones: Aplicar la herramienta de IA, Thoracic Care Suite, a la RXT de pacientes con neumonía COVID-19 nos permite predecir la necesidad de recurrir a la respiración asistida en menos de medio minuto.(AU)

Objective: Rapid progression of COVID-19 pneumonia may put patients at risk of requiring ventilatory support, such as non-invasive mechanical ventilation or endotracheal intubation. Implementing tools that detect COVID-19 pneumonia can improve the patient's healthcare. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of the artificial intelligence (AI) tool GE Healthcare's Thoracic Care Suite (featuring Lunit Insight CXR, TCS) to predict the ventilatory support need based on pneumonic progression of COVID-19 on consecutive chest X-rays. Methods: Outpatients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, with chest X-ray (CXR) findings probable or indeterminate for COVID-19 pneumonia, who required a second CXR due to unfavorable clinical course, were collected. The number of affected lung fields for the 2CXRs was assessed using the AI tool. Results: One hundred fourteen patients (57.4±14.2 years; 65 of them were men, 57%) were retrospectively collected; and 15 (13.2%) required ventilatory support. Progression of pneumonic extension ≥ 0.5 lung fields per day compared to pneumonia onset, detected using the TCS tool, increased the risk of requiring ventilatory support by 4-fold. Analyzing the AI output required 26seconds of radiological time. Conclusions: Applying the AI tool, Thoracic Care Suite, to CXR of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia allows us to anticipate ventilatory support requirements requiring less than half a minute.(AU)

Importancia de la consulta ambulatoria previa a la visita a las urgencias hospitalarias en pacientes mayores: impacto sobre resultados de hospitalización / Importance of outpatient medical consultation prior to going to the hospital emergency department in patients over 65 years of age: Impact on hospitalization results

Objetivo: Investigar los factores asociados a una consulta ambulatoria previa (CAP), al acudir a un servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH), en los pacientes mayores de 65 años y su impacto sobre los resultados. Emplazamiento: Cincuenta y dos SUH españoles.ParticipantesPacientes mayores de 65 años que consultan a un SUH. Medidas principales y metodología: Se utilizó una cohorte (n=24.645) de pacientes mayores e 65 años atendidos en 52 SUH durante una semana. Se consignaron 5 variables sociodemográficas, 6 funcionales y 3 de gravedad y se analizó su asociación cruda y ajustada con la existencia o no de una CAP a la consulta al SUH. La variable de resultado primaria fue la necesidad de ingreso y secundarias la realización de exploraciones complementarias y tiempo de estancia en el SUH. Se analizó si la CAP influenció en los resultados. Resultados: El 28,5% de los pacientes tenía una CAP previa a su visita al SUH. Vivir en residencia, NEWS2≥5, edad ≥80 años, dependencia funcional, comorbilidad grave, vivir solo, deterioro cognitivo, sexo masculino y depresión se asociaron de forma independiente con la CAP. La CAP se asoció a mayor necesidad de hospitalización y menor tiempo de estancia en el SUH, pero no se observó un menor consumo de recursos diagnósticos. Conclusiones: Los pacientes que acuden al SUH tras una CAP tienen más necesidad de hospitalización, sugiriendo que son debidamente derivados, y las urgencias menores son solucionadas de forma efectiva en la CAP. Su estancia en el SUH previa a la hospitalización es menor, por lo que la CAP facilitaría su resolución clínica.(AU)

Objective: Investigate factors associated with a previous outpatient medical consultation (POMC), to the health center or another physician, before attending a hospital emergency department (ED), in patients aged >65 and its impact on the hospitalization rate and variables related to ED stay. Site: Fifty-two Spanish EDs. Participants: Patients over 65 years consulting an ED. Main measurements and design: A cohort (n=24645) of patients aged >65 attended for one week in 52 ED. We recorded five sociodemographic variables, six functional, three episode-related severity and analyzed their crude and adjusted association with the existence of a POMC at ED consultation. The primary outcome variable was the need for admission and the secondary variables were complementary examinations and ED stay length. We analyzed whether the POMC influenced these outcomes. Results: 28.5% of the patients had performed a POMC prior to their visit to the ED. Living in a residence, NEWS-2 score ≥5, aged ≥80, dependency functions, severe comorbidity, living alone, cognitive impairment, male gender and depression were independently associated with a POMC. Also was associated with a greater need for hospitalization and shorter length of stay in the ED. No minor consumption of diagnostic resources in patients with POMC. Conclusion:Patients presenting to the ED following POMC are admitted more frequently, suggesting that they are appropriately referred and that minor emergencies are probably effectively resolved in the POMC. Their stay in the ED prior to hospitalization is shorter, so the POMC would facilitate clinical resolution in the ED.(AU)

Identification of Low-risk Patients With Acute Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism

Background: Identification of patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) who are at low-risk for short-term complications to warrant outpatient care lacks clarity. Method: In order to identify patients at low-risk for 30-day all-cause and PE-related mortality, we used a cohort of haemodynamically stable patients from the RIETE registry to compare the false-negative rate of four strategies: the simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI); a modified (i.e., heart rate cutoff of 100beats/min) sPESI; and a combination of the original and the modified sPESI with computed tomography (CT)-assessed right ventricle (RV)/left ventricle (LV) ratio. Results: Overall, 137 of 3117 patients with acute PE (4.4%) died during the first month. Of these, 41 (1.3%) died from PE, and 96 (3.1%) died from other causes. The proportion of patients categorized as having low-risk was highest with the sPESI and lowest with the combination of a modified sPESI and CT-assessed RV/LV ratio (32.5% versus 16.5%; P<0.001). However, among patients identified as low-risk, the 30-day mortality rate was lowest with the combination of a modified sPESI and CT-assessed RV/LV ratio and highest with the sPESI (0.4% versus 1.0%; P=0.03). The 30-day PE-related mortality rates for patients designated as low-risk by the sPESI, the modified sPESI, and the combination of the original and modified sPESI with CT-assessed RV/LV ratio were 0.7%, 0.4%, 0.7%, and 0.2%, respectively. Conclusions: The combination of a negative modified sPESI with CT-assessed RV/LV ratio ≤1 identifies patients with acute PE who are at very low-risk for short-term mortality. (AU)

Racecadotril for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children received outpatient care in Qatar

Introduction: Acute gastroenteritis is a clinical syndrome often defined by increased stool frequency (eg, ≥3 loose or watery stools in 24 hours, also it is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years in the developing world. Racecadotril is an antisecretory agent that can prevent fluid/electrolyte depletion from the bowel as a result of acute diarrhea without affecting intestinal motility. Research question or hypothesis: To investigate whether prescribing Racecadotril plus oral rehydrating solution in outpatient care helps to decrease the hospital revisit rate within 72 hours due to acute gastroenteritis in comparison with oral rehydrating solution alone. Study design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Pediatric patients aged 3 months to 14 years visited Al Wakra Pediatric emergency department due to acute gastroenteritis for outpatient care in the period between 1/1/2022 till 30/06/2022 were included. Case group was defined as patients who prescribed oral rehydrating solution plus Racecadotril upon their initial visit. Control group was defined as patients who prescribed only oral rehydrating solution upon their initial visit. Results: 2505 pediatric patients were included, 520 patients were enrolled in the control group, and 1985 patients were included in the case group. Most patients in both groups were 1 to 5 years old (67% in control group, and 59% in case group). The hospital revisit rate within 72 hours due to gastroenteritis was slightly less in case group 7.1% in comparison with 7.5% in control group (Relative risk 0.95, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.34). Most patients (88%) who revisited the hospital due to gastroenteritis within 72 hours showed no or mild signs of clinical dehydration in their initial visit (77% in control group, and 93% in case group) Conclusion: Racecadotril was found to have insignificant impact on hospital revisit rate in acute pediatric gastroenteritis managed at outpatient setting. (AU)

Estudio descriptivo de las alteraciones en pruebas de neuroimagen en pacientes con cefalea en un ámbito ambulatorio / Descriptive study of the alterations in neuroimaging tests in patients with headache in an outpatient setting

Introducción: Los estudios disponibles ofrecen una guía limitada acerca del uso de la neuroimagen en pacientes con cefalea en el ámbito ambulatorio. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir y analizar la frecuencia y el porcentaje de alteraciones en neuroimagen en pacientes valorados por cefalea en una consulta de neurología, así como determinar qué datos de alarma clínicos (red flags) se asocian con mayor frecuencia a estas alteraciones. Pacientes y métodos: Realizamos un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal de una serie de pacientes con cefalea de la consulta de neurología del Hospital Universitario de Móstoles a los que se les realizó una prueba de neuroimagen. ResultadosSe incluyó a 279 pacientes en el estudio (190 mujeres y 89 hombres). Ningún paciente sin datos de alarma clínicos presentó alteraciones graves en la neuroimagen y, de los que presentaban datos de alarma clínicos (219 pacientes), sólo el 2,3% (cinco pacientes) presentó alteraciones graves. Los dos datos de alarma clínicos que se asociaron de forma significativa a una mayor probabilidad de alteraciones graves en la neuroimagen fueron la cefalea que se desencadena o empeora significativamente con cambios posturales o maniobras de Valsalva y la cefalea crónica diaria desde su inicio. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de alteraciones significativas en neuroimagen en pacientes con cefalea en un ámbito ambulatorio fue baja, incluso en presencia de datos de alarma clínicos, por lo que la utilidad de estos datos de alarma parece ser menor en un contexto ambulatorio. Podría ser razonable intentar reducir el uso de la neuroimagen en pacientes con cefalea en el ámbito ambulatorio.(AU)

Introduction: Available studies provide limited guidance on the use of neuroimaging in patients with headache in the outpatient setting. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the frequency and the percentage of neuroimaging abnormalities in patients evaluated for headache in a neurology clinic, as well as to determine which red flags are most commonly associated with these abnormalities. Patients and methods: We conducted an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of a series of patients with headache from the neurology department of the Hospital Universitario de Móstoles who underwent a neuroimaging test. Results: A total of 279 patients (190 women and 89 men) were included in the study. No patient without any red flags had severe abnormalities in the neuroimaging study and, of those with red flags (219 patients), only 2.3% (five patients) displayed severe abnormalities. The two red flags that were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of severe neuroimaging abnormalities were headache that is triggered or significantly worsened by postural changes or Valsalva manoeuvres and chronic daily headache since onset. Conclusions: The prevalence of significant neuroimaging abnormalities in headache patients in an outpatient setting was low, even in the presence of red flags, and so their utility appears to be lower in an outpatient setting. It may be reasonable to try to reduce the use of neuroimaging with headache patients in the outpatient setting.(AU)

Adaptación de la actividad de la Red de Salud Mental de Navarra durante la pandemia de COVID-19 / Adaptation of the activity of the Network of Mental Health of Navarra during the COVID-19 pandemic

La pandemia de COVID-19 ha supuesto un desafío para los sistemas sanitarios, incluida la atención a la salud mental. Ha sido necesaria la adaptación constante de la práctica asistencial habitual según la situación epidemiológica poblacional. Se recoge la actividad asistencial prestadapor la Red de Salud Mental de Navarra durante los años 2019, 2020 y 2021. Se registra una disminución en el número de consultas ambulatorias realizadas durante 2020 y su recuperación en2021, con un incremento de la demanda en la población femenina. Se han producido variacionesen la ocupación y estancias medias de los recursos de hospitalización, así como una reestructuración funcional y estructural. En el ámbito residencial se produjo el fallecimiento del 9,8% delos usuarios debido al COVID-19. Las tasas de suicidio durante 2020 se mantuvieron similaresa 2019, incrementándose un 36% en 2021. La pandemia ha impactado en la continuidad de losplanes de tratamiento, en la evolución clínica, psicopatológica y emocional de las personasatendidas. Las repercusiones negativas pueden extenderse a lo largo de los próximos años. Porello, será fundamental el desarrollo de estrategias sanitarias, sociales y de salud pública dirigidas a la promoción de la salud y la prevención de los problemas de salud mental.(AU)