Combined versus sequential diuretic treatment of ascites in non-azotaemic patients with cirrhosis: results of an open randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare sequential versus combined diuretic therapy in patients with cirrhosis, moderate ascites and without renal failure. DESIGN: One hundred patients were randomly assigned to the two diuretic treatments. The sequential treatment provided potassium canrenoate at the initial dose of 200 mg/day, then increased to 400 mg/day. Non-responders were treated with 400 mg/day of potassium canrenoate and furosemide at an initial dose of 50 mg/day, then increased to 150 mg/day. The combined treatment provided the initial dose of 200 mg/day of potassium canrenoate and 50 mg/day of furosemide, then increased to 400 mg/day and 150 mg/day, respectively. RESULTS: Most patients who received sequential treatment responded to potassium canrenoate alone (19% to 200 mg/day and 52.63% to 400 mg/day, respectively). Most patients who received the combined treatment responded to the first two steps (40% to the first step and 50% to the second, ie, 400 mg/day of potassium canrenoate plus 100 mg/day of furosemide). Adverse effects (38% vs 20%, p<0.05), in particular, hyperkalaemia (18% vs 4%, p<0.05), were more frequent in patients who received sequential therapy. As a consequence, the per cent of patients who resolved ascites without changing the effective diuretic step was higher in those who received the combined treatment (56% vs 76%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combined diuretic treatment is preferable to the sequential one in the treatment of moderate ascites in patients with cirrhosis and without renal failure. NCT00741663. This work is an open randomised clinical trial.

Enfermedades respiratorias laborales en Chile: Ley 16.744 / Work related respiratory diseases in Chile – Law 16.744

Since 1968 Chile has two separate systems to manage the health problems of Chileans. One is devoted to prevent and care for all kind of diseases, from gestation to death, and the other one is devoted exclusively to work-related diseases and accidents. The last one has been very successful in lowering the work related accidents below 5 percent, rate that is similar to those of developed countries. The system has been replicated in other Latin-American countries. Occupational diseases, on the other hand, had been neglected by the system (although not in its design). The current article visit the most relevant aspects of the system and focus on the role of respiratory diseases specialists in the diagnosis and management of work related respiratory diseases.

Desde 1968 Chile cuenta con dos sistemas paralelos para manejar los problemas de salud de la población. Uno está orientado a prevenir y curar todo tipo de enfermedades, desde la gestación hasta la muerte; el otro está diseñado para preocuparse de las enfermedades y accidentes relacionados con la actividad laboral. Este último sistema ha sido muy exitoso en disminuir la accidentabilidad laboral, la que se ubica actualmente bajo el 5 por ciento, frecuencia similar a la observada en países desarrollados. Este sistema ha sido copiado en otros países de Latinoamérica. Las enfermedades ocupacionales han sido descuidadas por el sistema, aun cuando fueron adecuadamente consideradas en el cuerpo legal. El presente artículo presenta los aspectos más relevantes de este sistema y destaca el papel de los especialistas en enfermedades respiratorias en el diagnóstico y manejo de las enfermedades respiratorias ocupacionales.

Asistencia ventilatoria no invasiva domiciliaria en niños: impacto inicial de un programa nacional en Chile / At-home non-invasive ventilatory assistance for children: initial impact of a national program in Chile

Introducción: La asistencia ventilatoria no invasiva domiciliaria (AVNI) es una modalidad de ventilación mecánica prolongada que puede ser proporcionada a niños con insuficiencia ventilatoria crónica. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas, resultados en su evolución y calidad de vida relacionada a salud (CVRS) en pacientes ingresados a un programa nacional de AVNI. Pacientes y Métodos: Se revisaron los registros de pacientes del programa durante 24 meses (2006-2008). Se utilizó un protocolo de seguimiento previamente definido. Resultados: 177 niños, edad promedio 9,7 ± 4,7 años. Catorce fallecieron por causas no relacionadas a la AVNI. Diagnósticos: enfermedad neuromuscular (ENM) 64%, mielomeningocele operado 6%, síndrome apnea obstructiva del sueño 6%, enfermedad del parénquima pulmonar 20% y miscelánea 4%. Respecto al año previo al ingreso las hospitalizaciones disminuyeron de 60 a 21% (p < 0,00001) y de 1,3 hospitalizaciones/ paciente/año a 0,3 (p < 0,00001). En 82 pacientes la CVRS mejoró, AUQUEI 17,2 ± 5,6 puntos (p < 0,05), IRS 26,4 ± 8,2 puntos (p < 0,05). En 21 pacientes con ENM y entrenamiento respiratorio hubo mejoría de la Pimax (27 cmH2O; p < 0,05) y no hubo disminución en la CVF. Conclusiones: AVNI disminuyó las hospitalizaciones y mejoró la CVRS de los pacientes ingresados al programa nacional. En un grupo de pacientes mejoró la fuerza muscular con estabilización de la función respiratoria.

Introduction: Prolonged mechanical ventilation may be provided to children with chronic ventilatory failure as non-invasive ventilatory assistance at home (NIVA). Objective: To describe clinical characteristics, evolution outcomes and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of pediatric patients admitted into the Chilean NIVA program. Patients and Methods: Medical files of patients included in the program, were reviewed during a period of 24 months (2006-2008), using follow-up protocols. Results: There were a total of 177 children, with an average age of 9.7 ± 4.7 years. Fourteen patients died of non-related causes. Diagnoses were: neuromuscular disease (NMD) 64%, myelomeningocele 6%, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome 6%, lung disease 20% and miscellaneous 4%. Compared to the previous year, hospitalization decreased from 60 to 21% (p < 0.00001) and from 1.3 hospitalizations/patient/year to 0.3 (p < 0.00001). HRQOL improved significantly, AUQUEI 17.2 ± 5.6 (p < 0.05), IRS 26.4 ± 8.2 points (p < 0.05) in 82 patients. In 21 patients with NMD an average increase of 27 cmH2O on muscular inspiratory pressure (p < 0.05) after respiratory training was observed. Conclusions: The NIVA program reduced hospitalizations and improved HRQOL. In a group of patients the muscle strength increased with stable respiratory function.