Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatological diseases admitted for intensive care in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Contemporary studies reporting outcomes of critical care in patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatological diseases are scarce. This study describes 15 years of experience from 2005-2019 in a Colombian referral hospital. METHODS: This observational, descriptive, consecutive case series study was performed on adult patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the San Ignacio University Hospital in Bogotá (Colombia), from January 1, 2005, to December 21, 2019. We describe the sociodemographic characteristics, admission causes and criteria, lengths of stay, immunosuppressive treatment, systemic support, and mortality. RESULTS: The study included 300 patients with a median age of 48 years [interquartile range (IQR) 31-62 years], predominantly female (76%). Disease exacerbations (30%), infections (17.6%), and cardiovascular diseases (15%) were the main causes of admission. Respiratory failure (23%) most commonly caused by septic shock (24%) was the principal indication for intensive care admission. The most frequent infections were community-acquired pneumonia (11.6%) and soft-tissue infections (9%). In 40.3% of patients, inotropic and vasopressor support was required. The median length of stay was 4 days (IQR 2-8), and global mortality was 21.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatic diseases in the ICU are still associated with high morbidity and mortality. Patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases require a meticulous clinical approach, strict clinical monitoring, frequent assessment of complications, evaluation of systemic support needs, and specific management.

Epidemiology and demographics of cutaneous lupus erythematosus in Colombia between 2015 and 2019.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is classified into three groups - acute, subacute, and chronic - based on clinical and histopathological characteristics. The risk of systemic manifestations varies among these groups. There are few studies on CLE epidemiology. For this reason, this paper aims to describe CLE prevalence and demographics in Colombia between 2015 and 2019. This descriptive, cross-sectional study used the international classification of diseases, tenth revision, for CLE subtypes, utilizing official data from the Colombian Ministry of Health. In people older than 19 years, 26,356 CLE cases were registered, yielding a prevalence of 76 cases per 100,000 population. CLE was more frequent in females, at a 5:1 ratio compared to males. The most common clinical presentation was discoid lupus erythematosus, in 45% of cases. The majority of cases occurred in people between 55 and 59 years old. This is the first study that describes CLE demographics in adults in Colombia. Findings regarding clinical subtypes and female predominance are consistent with those in the medical literature.

Frequency of use and cost of biologic treatment for inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory bowel disease-associated arthropathy in Colombia in 2019.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a high economic burden due to its chronicity. Treatment has evolved, thanks to the understanding of IBD pathogenesis and the advent of biologic therapy, albeit the latter increases direct costs. The aim of the present study was to calculate the total cost and cost per patient/year of biologic therapy for IBD and IBD-associated arthropathy in Colombia. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted. The data were obtained from the Comprehensive Social Protection Information System of the Department of Health for the year 2019, utilizing the medical diagnosis codes of the International Classification of Diseases related to IBD and IBD-associated arthropathy as keywords. RESULTS: The prevalence of IBD and IBD-associated arthropathy was 61 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.5:1. Joint involvement was 3%, and 6.3% of the persons with IBD and IBD-associated arthropathy received biologic therapy. Adalimumab was the most widely prescribed biologic drug (49.2%). Biologic therapy had a cost of $15,926,302 USD and the mean cost per patient/year was $18,428 USD. Adalimumab had the highest impact on healthcare resource utilization, with a total cost of $7,672,320 USD. According to subtype, ulcerative colitis had the highest cost ($10,932,489 USD). CONCLUSION: Biologic therapy is expensive, but its annual cost in Colombia is lower than that of other countries due to the government's regulation of high-cost medications.

YouTube® in Spanish as an information source for patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: A large number of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AH) seek information about their disease on the Internet. The reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality of said information in Spanish has not been studied. Our aim was to describe the characteristics of the information about AH on YouTube®. METHODS: An analytic observational study evaluated videos in Spanish about AH available on YouTube®, describing their general characteristics, viewer engagement, and information sources. Standardized tools were utilized to analyze reliability (DISCERN), comprehensiveness, and overall quality (Global Quality Score [GQS]). RESULTS: One hundred videos were included, 93% of which provided information from healthcare professionals (group 1), and 7% of which reflected patient opinions (group 2). There were differences in the median reliability (DISCERN 4 vs 2, p ≤ 0.05) and comprehensiveness (4 vs 2, p ≤ 0.05) scores between groups, but equal overall quality (GQS 3 vs 2, p = 0.2). Reliability (DISCERN 4; RIC 3-4) and comprehensiveness (4.5; IQR 3-5) were higher in videos by professional organizations, compared with those by independent users, healthcare information websites, and for-profit organizations (DISCERN 3; IQR 2.5-3.5) (p < 0.001). Reliability (DISCERN 2; IQR 1.5-3), comprehensiveness (2; IQR 1.5-2.5), and quality (GQS 2.5; IQR 1.5-3.5) were lower for videos made by for-profit organizations. CONCLUSION: The majority of videos about AH in Spanish on YouTube® have good reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality. Videos created by academic organizations had higher scores, thus their collaboration, with respect to patient opinion videos, is suggested.

YouTube® in Spanish as a source of information for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The majority of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) seek information about their disease on the Internet. The reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality of said information in Spanish has not previously been studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analytic observational study was conducted that included YouTube® videos on IBD available in Spanish, describing general characteristics, engagement, and sources. Standard tools for evaluating reliability (DISCERN), comprehensiveness, and overall quality (Global Quality Score, GQS) were employed. RESULTS: One hundred videos were included. Eighty-eight videos consisted of information produced by healthcare professionals (group 1) and 12 included patient opinions (group 2). There were no differences in the median scores for reliability (DISCERN 3 vs 3, p = 0.554) or comprehensiveness (3 vs 2.5, p = 0.768) between the two groups, but there was greater overall quality in the group 2 videos (GQS 3 vs 4, p = 0.007). Reliability was higher for the videos produced by professional organizations (DISCERN 4; IQR 3-4), when compared with healthcare information websites and for-profit agencies (DISCERN 3; IQR 2.5-3.5) (p < 0.001), but the videos with healthcare information website and for-profit sources had a higher quality score (GQS 3 vs 4, p < 0.001). Comprehensiveness scores were similar. CONCLUSION: The majority of YouTube® videos in Spanish on IBD have good reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality. Reliability was greater for the videos produced by professional organizations, whereas quality was higher for those created from healthcare information websites and for-profit agencies.

Frequency of ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies in Colombian patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease.

The objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and the frequency of the ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies in patients affected by undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) in a tertiary hospital in Colombia. This descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled patients who fulfilled the classification criteria for UCTD. ANAHEp- 2 test and the modified assay for ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies were performed through the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, and the antibodies to anti-extractable nuclear antigens, DNA, phospholipids (IgG, IgM, IgA), and cyclic citrullinated peptide were also evaluated. Fifty-three patients were studied; 42/53 (79%) tested positive for ANA and 5/42 (11.9%) for ANA/DFS70 antibodies with a dense fine speckled fluorescent pattern (AC-2) in ANA HEp-2 test that was confirmed by a modified HEp-2-DFS70 assay. Patients had arthralgia (87%, n=47), non-erosive arthritis (66%, n=34), xerostomia (64%, n=34), xerophthalmia (42%, n=22), and Raynaud's phenomenon (17%, n=9). Arthralgia, xerophthalmia, xeroderma, and absence of disease evolution to a specific disease over five years were more frequent in patients with a positive result for the anti-DFS70 antibodies. The ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies were more frequent in patients with UCTD compared to other rheumatic diseases for which they were initially evaluated. More studies are required to support the predictive role of this antibody to the absence of progression to a well-defined connective tissue disease.

Relationship between internal medicine journals' activity on social networks and the citations they receive.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Social networks are a means for disseminating scientific information. Alternative metrics assessing the impact of scientific publications on social networks have been created. Our study aims to assess the correlation between the activity of internal medicine journals on social networks and traditional metrics based on citations. METHODS: Internal medicine journals were identified in the SCImago-Scopus database and information on traditional impact metrics was extracted. In addition, alternative metrics of activity were determined for Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. The correlation was assessed through Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Of 134 Internal Medicine journals, 17 had a presence on the social networks evaluated. The SJR index was higher in journals with a presence on social networks vs. those without (59 vs. 18, p < .0001). The overall correlation between the SJR index and the number of followers/year was very strong for Facebook (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.95, p < .05) and strong for Twitter (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.54 p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that there is a very strong correlation between social network activity metrics (mainly Facebook and Twitter) compared to traditional metrics based on the number of citations of internal medicine journals.

Self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes: Group-based versus individual education. A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized trails.

AIM: Patient education is an essential component of the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present meta-analysis was aimed at verifying the efficacy of group-based versus individual education for self-management in patients with T2DM. DATA SYNTHESIS: A Medline and Embase search up to January 1st, 2021, was performed, including Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) with duration>6 months, enrolling patients with T2DM and comparing individual-based with group-based educational programs. The primary outcome was endpoint HbA1c; secondary endpoints were lipid profile, body weight, blood pressure, patients' adherence/knowledge, and quality of life. The weighed difference in means (WMD) and Mantel-Haenzel Odds Ratio (MH-OR), with 95% Confidence Interval (CI), were calculated. We retrieved 14 RCT. No significant between-group difference in HbA1c (WMD -0.39[-0.89; 0.09] mmol/mol, p = 0.11) was observed. At metaregression analyses, longer trial duration, higher baseline mean age and duration of diabetes, and lower baseline HbA1c were correlated with greater efficacy of group-based programs in reducing HbA1c. When analyzed separately, trials excluding insulin-treated patients showed a significant reduction of HbA1c in favor of group education. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with T2DM, group education has similar efficacy as individual education on glucose control. Group programs are associated with an improved quality of life and patients' knowledge. PROSPERO AND OSF REGISTRATION: ID243149.

Voriconazole-induced periostitis.

Voriconazole is a fluorinated drug from the triazole group that is widely used in the prophylaxis and treatment of fungal infections in immunosuppressed patients. Chronic use of this medication can generate, as an adverse effect, a multifocal, asymmetric, diffuse and nodular periosteal reaction, associated with severe and disabling skeletal pain and elevated alkaline phosphatase and serum fluoride. Radiography is the imaging technique of choice for periostitis diagnosis. In general, clinical manifestations and radiographic findings disappear, when the drug is discontinued. We report the clinical case of a 44 year-old woman diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, who developed an invasive fungal infection treated with voriconazole after a stem cell transplant. Nine months after starting antifungal treatment, she manifested symptoms and radiological signs compatible with periostitis. Due to clinical suspicion, we decided to suspend voriconazole, with consequent resolution of clinical manifestations and radiological findings.

Anesthesia using microcannula and sharp needle in upper blepharoplasty: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial evaluating pain, bruising, and ecchymoses.

INTRODUCTION: With the emergence of blunt-tipped microcannulas, there is a hypothesis that these could cause less damage and reduce pain as compared to conventional sharp needles in eyelid surgery. The purpose is to determine whether an 18G blunt-tipped cannula can be better than a 26G needle. METHODS: This prospective, observer-blinded, randomized clinical trial was conducted from June 2017 to December 2018. Sixty-eight patients were randomized to receive local anesthesia injections for upper blepharoplasty. Infiltration was performed by using a 26-gauge sharp needle on one side and on the other side, infiltration was performed by using an 18-gauge stainless-steel blunt-tipped microcannula. A numeric rating scale (NRS) from 0 to 10 was used to blindly assess pain in patients receiving anesthesia injections with both needle types. Photographs of the eyelids of each patient were taken in five different periods and used by three blinded observers to identify bruise or ecchymoses. RESULTS: A total of 136 eyelid operations were performed. There was no statistically significant difference when both groups were compared; however, the average score of pain was higher in patients taking the infiltration through the needle (2.85 versus 2.50). Regarding the evaluation of bruising and ecchymoses, the results showed that, in the five periods evaluated, there was no statistical difference in bruising and ecchymosis in the eyelids when taking the infiltration through a sharp needle when compared with that of the eyelids taking infiltration through a (blunt-tipped) microcannula. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of the blunt-tipped microcannula showed a lower pain score mean than that obtained for the sharp needle (2.5 versus 2.85) (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the bruising and ecchymosis courses.

[Beliefs and perceptions of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia in a group of rehabilitation and physical medicine specialists in Colombia]. / Conceptos y percepciones acerca del diagnóstico y tratamiento de la fibromialgia en un grupo de médicos especialistas en medicina física y rehabilitación en Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease characterised by the presence of musculoskeletal pain, usually associated with other symptoms, including depression, fatigue, and sleep disorders. There is no objective information on the beliefs and perceptions of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia among rehabilitation and physical medicine specialists. The aim of this study was to describe these beliefs and perceptions among a group of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists in Colombia. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study. A focus group was held with the participation of 2 rheumatologists, one physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and an expert in qualitative research. The group designed a survey to assess the beliefs and perceptions of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia. The self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was completed during meetings of the Colombian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 99 physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists. Of these, 17.1% (n=17) believed there was insufficient evidence to consider fibromyalgia a disease, 86.8% (n=86) used the ACR 1990 criteria to diagnose patients with fibromyalgia, and 33.3% (n=33) used the criteria of the 2010 classification. The most commonly used drugs for the management of fibromyalgia were antidepressants, prescribed by 84.8% of the surveyed physicians, followed by analgesics (75.7%) and anticonvulsants (66.6%). Concerning multidisciplinary management, 50.6% referred these patients to a rheumatologist and 40.7% to a psychiatrist. In all, 77.2% of rehabilitation specialists believed that patients with fibromyalgia should be managed by their specialty. CONCLUSION: This study provides information on perceptions of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia among a group of Colombian rehabilitation specialists and found frequent use of the ACR 1990 classification. Among these physicians, the use of drugs, especially antidepressants and analgesics, was high. Most believed that patients with fibromyalgia should be treated by rehabilitation specialists.

Immunohistochemical localization of TNF-α and IL-4 in granulomas of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed New Zealand white rabbits infected with Encephalitozoon cuniculi.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a fungi-related, obligate, zoonotic, spore-forming intracellular eukaryotic microorganism. This emerging pathogen causes granulomas to form in the brain and kidneys of infected individuals. The objective of the current study was to detect the distribution of TNF-α- and IL-4-positive cells using immunohistochemistry within these granulomas in both infected immunocompetent (group A) and immunosuppressed (group B) New Zealand white rabbits. In the brain, labeled TNF-α immune cells were mainly located in the granuloma peripheries in group B. Granulomas examined in the kidneys of groups A and B were TNF-α positive, but were significantly different (p < 0.001) when compared with the brain. IL-4-producing immune cells in the brain and kidneys were disseminated within granulomas in groups A and B; however, no significant difference (p > 0.05), was observed. IL-4 positive cells were more numerous in brain sections of group B and differed significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with kidneys. Granulomas were not observed in control animals (groups C and D). In conclusion, we identified TNF-α positive cells in both the brain and kidneys of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed animals; IL-4 positive cells were numerous in the brains of immunosuppressed rabbits; however, in terms of percentage were numerous in the brains of immunocompetent rabbits. Immunosuppression appeared to stimulate a change in the cellular phenotype of Th1- to Th2-like granulomas in the brain and kidneys via an unknown mechanism. Expression of pro- and pre-inflammatory cytokines in microsporidian granulomas suggests a mechanism by which E. cuniculi evades the immune response, causing more severe disease. These results increase our understanding of TNF-α and IL-4-positive cells within the E. cuniculi granuloma microenvironment.

Effectiveness of the use of an algorithm in the diagnostic approach of joint pain patients by primary care physicians.

There is a high percentage of error in the approach of patients with joint pain by primary care physicians. An algorithm can help improve this misdiagnosis problem. Our study seeks to determine the effectiveness of an algorithm when used by primary care physicians for the diagnosis of cases of joint pain patients. A randomized clinical experiment was carried out. Primary care physicians from five cities in Colombia developed a series of clinical cases, which were presented to them through a website on their personal cell phones. Half of the doctors developed the cases using the diagnostic algorithm, and the other half developed the cases without the use of the algorithm. Main measures were proportion of correct diagnosis, number, type of laboratory and diagnostic images requested for the diagnostic approach of clinical cases. Two hundred and twenty-four primary care physicians participated. The overall proportion of cases correctly diagnosed was 37.3% higher in the intervention group; we found a greater difference in cases of spondyloarthritis (60.8%), followed by systemic lupus erythematosus with joint involvement (32.2%), rheumatoid arthritis (30.3%) and osteoarthritis (25.9%). The average number of tests requested to develop clinical cases was lower in the intervention group than in the control group, both globally and for each of the four diseases, with statistically significant differences for each of the comparisons. The diagnostic algorithm proved to be an effective tool when used by primary care physicians; the proportion of correct diagnoses increased, and the number of tests requested in the development of the cases decreased.

Incremento del conocimiento en soporte vital básico facilitado por un recurso educativo digital / Basic life support knowledge acquisition using a digital educational resource / Incremento do conhecimento em suporte vital básico facilitado por um recurso educativo digital

Resumen Introducción: La enfermedad cardiovascular es responsable de 17.3 millones de muertes por año en el mundo y conlleva a complicaciones como el paro cardiorrespiratorio, el cual se puede presentar tanto en el escenario intra como extrahospitalario. Tener una comunidad capacitada posibilita la sobrevida y/o mitigación de secuelas. Con el propósito de aumentar la población capacitada en soporte vital básico, favorecer el aprendizaje y dedicar más tiempo al desarrollo de habilidades prácticas, se construyó un recurso educativo digital. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de un recurso educativo digital en el proceso de aprendizaje de soporte vital básico en integrantes de la comunidad de una institución de educación superior. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, pre-experimental tipo pre-prueba/pos-prueba en un solo grupo. Resultados: El recurso educativo digital para el aprendizaje de soporte vital básico en 110 estudiantes incrementó el conocimiento, mostró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en los resultados del post-test en comparación con el pre-test: p<0.01 para grupos ajustados al modelo gaussiano y p<0.05 para el grupo no ajustado. Discusión: Los resultados de implementar un recurso educativo digital para la enseñanza de soporte vital básico es consecuente con los beneficios hallados en otros estudios similares. Los Objetos Virtuales de Aprendizaje favorecen en los estudiantes la motivación, el aprendizaje autorregulado y la apropiación de conocimientos, por lo que los proponen como estrategia de aprendizaje. Conclusión: El recurso educativo digital favoreció el aprendizaje e incrementó el conocimiento, requisito necesario en la formación como primer respondiente en los tres grupos de estudiantes de pregrado que participaron en el presente estudio.

Abstract Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are accountable for 17.3 million deaths per year in the world. Cardiac arrests can happen anywhere. Therefore, having a correspondingly trained community can increase the survival chance and decrease the possible aftermath of those suffering complications. Objective: To estimate the effect of using a digital educational resource in the learning process related to basic life support among participants of a higher education institution. Methods: This is a quantitative, pre-experimental, pre-test-post-test study on a single group. Results: The use of a digital educational resource in the learning process related to basic life support increased knowledge acquisition in 110 students, demonstrating a statistically significant difference between the pre-test and post-test levels (p < 0.01 for the gaussian model adjusted group, and p < 0.05 for the unadjusted one). Discussion: These results are consistent with the findings of other similar studies. Since Virtual Learning Objects can foster motivation, self-regulated learning, and knowledge acquisition among students, this methodology is recommended as a complementary learning strategy. Conclusion: The digital educational resource increased knowledge acquisition related to basic life support among the participating students, making them better suited to address possible complications of cardiovascular diseases.

Resumo Introdução: A doença cardiovascular é responsável de 17.3 milhões de mortes por ano no mundo e envolve a complicações como a paragem cardiorrespiratória, o qual se pode apresentar tanto no cenário intra como extra-hospitalar. Ter uma comunidade capacitada possibilita a sobrevida e/ou mitigação de sequelas. Com o propósito de aumentar a população capacitada em suporte vital básico, favorecer a aprendizagem e dedicar mais tempo no desenvolvimento de habilidades práticas, construiu-se um recurso educativo digital. Objetivo: Determinar o efeito de um recurso educativo digital no processo de aprendizagem de suporte vital básico em integrantes da comunidade de uma instituição de educação superior. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo, pre-experimental tipo pre-teste/pos-teste apenas em um grupo. Resultados: O recurso educativo digital para a aprendizagem de suporte vital básico em 110 estudantes incrementou o conhecimento, mostrou uma diferença estatisticamente significativa nos resultados do post-teste em comparação com o pre-teste: p<0.01 para grupos ajustados ao modelo gaussiano e p<0.05 para o grupo não ajustado. Discussão: Os resultados para desenvolver um recurso educativo digital para o ensino de suporte vital básico, é consequente com os benefícios encontrados em outros estudos similares. Os Objetos Virtuais de Aprendizagem favorecem aos estudantes na motivação, na aprendizagem autorregulada e na apropriação de conhecimentos, pelo que os propõem como estratégia de aprendizagem. Conclusão: O recurso educativo digital favoreceu na aprendizagem e incrementou o conhecimento, requerimento necessário na formação como primeiro respondente nos três grupos de estudantes de pré-grau que participar no presente estudo.

Características de los pacientes adultos con neutropenia febril en un hospital universitario (Medellín, 2012-2016) / Characteristics of adult patients with febrile neutropenia in a university hospital (Medellin, 2012-2016) / Características dos pacientes adultos com neutropenia febril em um hospital universitário (Medellín, 2012-2016)

Objetivo: la neutropenia febril es una urgencia médica que se presenta frecuentemente en pacientes con inmunosupresión asociada a tratamientos oncológicos, que aumenta el riesgo de complicaciones infecciosas y de morir. El objetivo de esta investigación es describir las características clínicas, microbiológicas y pronósticas de los pacientes con neutropenia febril en un hospital universitario. Metodología: estudio observacional descriptivo, entre enero de 2012 y junio de 2016, en pacientes con diagnóstico de neutropenia febril (neutrófilos menores de 500 cel/mm, temperatura mayor de 38 °C) hospitalizados en el Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe de Medellín, Colombia. Resultados: se evaluaron 226 pacientes con neutropenia febril, de los que el 96% tenía enfermedad oncológica de base. Las principales fuentes de infección fueron la piel y el tracto gastrointestinal. Del total de los hemocultivos, el 31% fue positivo. El principal aislamiento fue Escherichia coli (E. coli) y la mortalidad hospitalaria fue del 17%. Conclusiones: las características clínicas de la población fueron similares a las de la literatura internacional. Se encontraron algunas discrepancias en cuanto a epidemiología de los microorganismos aislados, resistencia microbiana y mortalidad. Solo un tercio de los pacientes presentó bacteriemia, E. coli sigue siendo el principal patógeno.

Objective: Febrile neutropenia is a condition present in patients with some degree of immunosuppression associated to oncology treatment, which leads to risks of infectious complications and death. The aim of this research is to describe the clinical, microbiological and prognostic characteristics in patients with febrile neutropenia in a university hospital. Methodology: Retrospective cohort study developed between January of 2012 and June of 2016 in patients with febrile neutropenia (neutrophils <500 cell/mm, temperature >38.3 °C), who were hospitalized in the Pablo Tobon Uribe Hospital of Medellin, Colombia. Results: 226 patients were evaluated, 96% of who had an oncological diagnostic. The main infectious sources were the skin and the gastrointestinal tract. Blood cultures were positive in 31%. The main pathogen was Escherichia coli in 26% and the overall hospital mortality rate was 17%. Conclusions: The clinical characteristics of our population were similar to the national and international reports, but we found epidemiological differences in microbiological agents, bacterial resistance and mortality. Only one third of the patients presented bacteremia. E. coli remains the main pathogen involved.

Objetivo: a neutropenia febril é uma urgência médica que se apresenta frequentemente em pacientes com imunossupressão associada a tratamentos oncológicos, que aumenta o risco de complicações infecciosas e de morte. O objetivo desta investigação é descrever as características clínicas, microbiológicas e prognósticas dos pacientes com neutropenia febril em um hospital universitário. Metodologia: estudo observacional descritivo, entre janeiro de 2012 e junho de 2016, em pacientes com diagnóstico de neutropenia febril (neutrófilos menores de 500 cel/mm, temperatura maior de 38 °C) hospitalizados no Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe de Medellín, Colômbia. Resultados: se avaliaram 226 pacientes com neutropenia febril, dos quais, 96% tinha doença oncológica de base. As principais fontes de infecção foram a pele e o trato gastrointestinal. Do total das hemoculturas, 31% foi positivo. O principal isolamento foi Escherichia coli (E. coli) e a mortalidade hospitalar foi de 17%. Conclusões: as características clínicas da população foram similares às da literatura internacional. Se encontraram algumas discrepâncias em quanto a epidemiologia dos microrganismos isolados, resistência microbiana e mortalidade. Só um terço dos pacientes apresentou bacteriemia, E. coli segue sendo o principal patógeno.

Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Colombia: data from the national health registry 2012-2016.

INTRODUCTION: Registries are essential to keep track of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) epidemiology and to provide better care to patients. The Colombian Ministry of Health has adopted a registry (SISPRO) to gather comprehensive information coming from the Colombian health system, which provides close to universal coverage (around 95%). The information collected from SISPRO is available for scientific analysis. OBJECTIVES: We used data collected by SISPRO to estimate prevalence and specific characteristics of patients with SLE registered from January 2012 to December 2016. METHODS: This is a descriptive epidemiological study using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems as search terms related to SLE, based on SISPRO data. Criteria for diagnosis are not explicitly addressed in each individual case. RESULTS: National records report 41,804 patients with a diagnosis of SLE for an estimated prevalence of 91.9/100,000 subjects (based on a total population of 47,663,162), being more frequent in women (89% cases). When adjusted, female and male prevalences were 204.3 and 20.2 per 100,000 (ratio 10.1) with a 7.9:1 female:male ratio, and were highest in the 45-49-year age group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that describes demographic characteristics of SLE in Colombia, with useful information for decision makers. It also suggests a similar prevalence to other countries.

Acidosis tubular renal como presentación clínica de Síndrome de Sjögren: reporte de caso / Renal tubular acidosis as a clinical presentation of Sjögren Syndrome: case report

Presentamos el caso clínico de una mujer en la quinta década de la vida, de nacionalidad argentina, que acudió a la guardia de clínica médica de un hospital de tercer nivel por cuadro de mialgias y paresia en las cuatro extremidades, de inicio agudo, progresivo, con dificultad para la movilización de miembros superiores, bipedestación y marcha. Se constató hipocalemia severa, acidosis metabólica, pH urinario alcalino, brecha aniónica urinaria positiva (excreción de amonio), hipocitraturia e hipercalciuria, por lo que se diagnosticó Acidosis Tubular Renal (ATR) tipo I; además se evidenció elevación de creatinkinasa (CK) e insuficiencia renal aguda que corrigió con la reposición de líquidos. Al interrogatorio dirigido, la paciente refirió síndrome seco asociado a artralgias, de varios años de evolución, por lo que se realizaron estudios complementarios que apoyaron el diagnóstico de Síndrome de Sjögren.

We present the clinical case of a woman in the fifth decade of life, argentina, who went to the Internal Medicine emergency room of a third level hospital for symptoms of myalgia and paresis in all four extremities, acute onset, progressive, with difficulty for the mobilization of members superior, standing and walking. Severe hypokalemia, metabolic acidosis, alkaline urinary pH, positive urinary anion GAP (ammonium excretion), hypocitraturia and hypercalciuria were diagnosed. Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA) type I was diagnosed; acute renal failure was also noted, which corrected with the treatment and elevated creatine kinase (CK). In the anamnesis, the patient reported dry syndrome associated with arthralgias of years of evolution, so that complementary studies were carried out that supported the diagnosis of Sjögren's Syndrome (SS).