Usefulness of ultrasound in clinical decision-making in rheumatology clinical practice: A single-center longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is to identify the extent to which it affects clinical decisions in a single-centre observational retrospective study. METHOD: The results of 801 requests and 1174 consecutive individual ultrasound examinations performed over 10 months were analysed. RESULTS: The most frequent indication was diagnostic assistance (39%) followed by assessment of inflammatory activity (34%). By topography, the hand was the most frequently studied region (51%), followed by the foot (18.1%). Of all requests, 67% had an impact on decision-making. The impact on clinical decision-making was associated with a shorter waiting time for the evaluation of the results, being the greatest in those ultrasound scans performed on demand on the same day of the request. In 73% of bilateral ultrasound studies, findings in one of the joints exemplified the overall result reported. CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatological musculoskeletal ultrasound has proven to be a useful decision-making technique, the greater the impact of which is seen the shorter the waiting time before it is performed.

Quality of life of patients with rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important indicator of population health and can measure the impact of medical actions. The main objective of this study was to determine the HRQoL of patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) and compare it with that of the general population. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional, single-center study, with consecutive inclusion of outpatients over 18 years of age seen at a Rheumatology hospital-based outpatient clinic in Madrid. Sociodemographic, clinical variables and HRQoL were recorded. HRQoL was measured with the 5-dimension, 5-level EuroQoL (EQ-5D-5L), which includes the EQ-Index (0-1 scale) and a visual analog scale (VAS, 0-100 scale). A descriptive analysis and a comparison with the HRQoL of the Spanish general population were performed. RESULTS: 1144 patients were included, 820 (71.68%) women, with a mean age of 56.1 years (range 18-95), of whom 241 (25.44%) were new patients. In patients with RD, the HRQoL measured with the EQ-Index and with the VAS, was 0.186 and 12 points lower, respectively, than in the general population. The decrease in HRQoL affected the 5 health dimensions, especially "pain/discomfort", followed by "daily activities" and "mobility". This reduction in HRQoL was observed in both men and women, and in all age ranges, although it was greater between 18 and 65 years of age. The reduction in HRQoL affected all RD subtypes, especially the "peripheral and axial mechanical pathology" and the "soft tissue pathology" group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with rheumatic diseases report worse HRQoL when compared to the general population in all dimensions of HRQoL.

Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Spain: higher than previously reported in other countries?

OBJECTIVES: Prevalence of SLE varies among studies, being influenced by study design, geographical area and ethnicity. Data about the prevalence of SLE in Spain are scarce. In the EPISER2016 study, promoted by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, the prevalence estimate of SLE in the general adult population in Spain has been updated and its association with sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables has been explored. METHODS: Population-based multicentre cross-sectional study, with multistage stratified and cluster random sampling. Participants were contacted by telephone to carry out a questionnaire for the screening of SLE. Investigating rheumatologists evaluated positive results (review of medical records and/or telephone interview, with medical visit if needed) to confirm the diagnosis. To calculate the prevalence and its 95% CI, the sample design was taken into account and weighing was calculated considering age, sex and geographic origin. Multivariate logistic regression models were defined to analyse which sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables included in the telephone questionnaire were associated with the presence of SLE. RESULTS: 4916 subjects aged 20 years or over were included. 16.52% (812/4916) had a positive screening result for SLE. 12 cases of SLE were detected. The estimated prevalence was 0.21% (95% CI: 0.11, 0.40). SLE was more prevalent in the rural municipalities, with an odds ratio (OR) = 4.041 (95% CI: 1.216, 13.424). CONCLUSION: The estimated prevalence of SLE in Spain is higher than that described in most international epidemiological studies, but lower than that observed in ethnic minorities in the United States or the United Kingdom.

Retinopatía Diabética y otros hallazgos oftalmológicos en pacientes diabéticos, asistidos por las Fundaciones Cristo Vive y Vida Plena, Bolivia / Diabetic Retinopathy and other ocular findings in diabetic patients, assisted by the Foundations Cristo Vive and Vida Plena, Bolivia

Objetivos: este estudio tiene por finalidad presentar los hallazgos oftalmológicos encontrados en pacientes diabéticos controlados por la Fundación Cristo Vive Bolivia, en la localidad de Bella Vista, provincia Quillacollo de la ciudad de Cochabamba, Bolivia en febrero del 2013. Métodos: Se realiza un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Se incluyeron en el estudio 28 pacientes con una media de edad de 57 años (intervalo entre 36 y 73 años) en quienes se estudió la presencia de RD mediante Biomicroscopía y examen de fondo de ojo con dilatación. Además se realizó agudeza visual y la búsqueda de otras alteraciones oftalmológicas. Resultados: la alteración oftalmológica encontrada con mayor frecuencia fue la Hipermetropía sin relación conocida con la Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Del total de pacientes, en el 29% se encontró RD en alguna de sus presentaciones. En cuanto a los pacientes con RD, el 62,5% presentó RD no Proliferativa, el 25% ceguera por RD y 12,5% RD proliferativa. Para determinar la relación entre el tiempo de DM y la RD se agruparon a los pacientes en intervalos de 10 años, donde encontramos que el 62,5% de los pacientes con afección de la retina se concentraron en el intervalo de 11 a 20 años de diagnóstico de DM al momento de la evaluación oftalmológica. Ninguno de los pacientes con RD alcanzó los niveles de HbA1 esperados, e incluso la mitad de ellos aumentaron sus valores con relación a un control previo. Conclusiones: el control glicémico y el tiempo de evolución de la DM repercuten directamente en la progresión de la RD.

Objectives: This study aims to present the ocular findings found in diabetic patients controlled by Fundación Cristo Vive Bolivia, in the town of Bella Vista, Quillacollo province of Cochabamba, Bolivia in February 2013. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study. Were included in the study 28 patients with a mean age of 57 years (range 36 to 73 years) in whom we studied the presence of RD by biomicroscopy and fundus examination with dilation. We also carried out visual acuity and other ophthalmologic search. Results: Ophthalmologic most frequently encountered Hyperopia was no known association with diabetes mellitus (DM). Of all patients, in 29% RD was found in one of their presentations. As for RD patients, 62.5% had no proliferative DR, 25% of blindness and 12.5% RD proliferative DR. To determine the relationship between the time of DM and DR patients were grouped in 10-year intervals, we find that 62.5% of patients with disease of the retina is concentrated in the range of 11-20 years diagnosis of DM at the time of ophthalmologic evaluation. None of the patients with RD reached HbA1c levels expected, and even half of them increased their values in relation to a prior. Conclusions: glycemic control and duration of DM directly affect the progression of DR.

Relación de las determinantes de la salud con el estado de salud de pobladores de la zona de K&rsquo ara K&rsquo ara en Cochabamba (Bolivia) valorado a través de revisión médica / Relationships of determinants of health with health status of people of K&rsquo ara K&rsquo ara in Cochabmba (Bolivia) measured through medical examination

Objetivos: el objetivo de ese trabajo fue indagar sobre el estado de salud valorado a través de la revisión médica de la comunidad de K'ara kara y su posible relación con las determinantes sociales de la salud. Métodos: se realizó revisión clínica a pobladores adultos y niños de dos barrios de Kara kara, y se tomaron muestras de sangre y orina a los niños. Resultados: se analizaron varias variables en relación con las determinantes sociales de la salud, y se encontró que la malnutrición es uno de los factores que sobresalen, junto al alto índice de abortos y problemas del embarazo. Conclusiones: La salud en general de los pobladores de Kara kara está afectada en los aspectos nutricional, reproductivo, psicológico y otros , pero la determinante más importante en este caso es la educación tanto formal como la educación en salud que determinan el estado nutricional y la conducta de prevención.

Objectives: The aim of this work was to know health status of a kara kara community and its possible relationship with social determinants of health. Methods: We made a clinical revision to people of the neighborhood of Kara kara and we took blood and urine samples from children. Results: Many variables were analyzed in relationship with determinants of health, and we found that malnutrition is one of the most important aspects that emerge together with high abort indices and pregnancy problems. Conclusions: People of Kara kara general health is affected by nutritional reproductive and psychological aspects, but the most important social determinant of health seems to be education, formal as well as health education that conditioned to nutrition and prevention behavior.

Actinomicosis Orofaríngea, una Presentación Cervicofacial / Oropharynx Actinomycosis, a Cervicofacial Presentation

La Actinomicosis es una enfermedad producida por Actinomyces Israelii y Proprinibacterium, afecta con mayor frecuencia a hombres adultos y puede adoptar diversas formas: cervicofacial, torácica, abdominal y pélvica. La afectación cervicofacial puede cursar como una leve tumoración, como un absceso o como una masa, pero no siempre se diagnostica con facilidad, y de hecho, con frecuencia es confundida con neoplasias o enfermedades granulomatosas. El diagnóstico se obtiene a partir de los hallazgos microbiológicos e histológicos. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 67 años, con dolor constante en orofaringe de algunos meses de evolución, que le impedía la ingesta de alimentos.Al examen físico presentaba lengua saburral, secreción lingual con gránulos pequeños de color amarillo, lesión indurada orofaríngea y numerosas lesiones diseminadas de 3 mm de diámetro aproximadamente en piel de manos, abdomen y miembros inferiores llegándose al diagnóstico de actinomicosis procediéndose con el tratamiento adecuado.

Actinomycosis is a disease caused by Actinomyces Israelii and Proprinibacterium, most often affects adult men and may take several forms: cervicofacial, thoracic, abdominal and pelvic. Cervicofacial involvement may appear as a mild tumor, like an abscess or a mass, but is not always easily diagnosed, and in fact, is often mistaken for malignancy or granulomatous disease.The diagnosis was obtained through microbiological and histological findings. A male patient, aged 67, had constant pain in the oropharynx for some months, which prevented him from eating. On examination: coated tongue, small, yellow lingual secretion granules, indurated lesion oropharyngeal and numerous disseminated lesions, of 3 mm in diameter on the skin of the hands, abdomen and lower limbs; with the correct diagnosis we can start appropriate treatment.

Vih: transmisió vertical y síndrome neurológico en infantes / Vih vertical traansmission and neurological syndrome in nnfants

La epidemia del VIH/SIDA dejó de ser una enfermedad exclusivamente de homosexuales, para convertirse en una enfermedad que ataca al ser humano sin distinción de raza, sexo o edad. El sexo femenino está cada vez más expuesto a la infección y es capaz de transmitir el VIH a su hijo si no hay una intervención terapéutica adecuada en el período de gestación. Se han descrito tres tiempos en los cuales la transmisión vertical puede ocurrir: transmisión intraútero, transmisión intraparto, transmisión post parto vía lactancia materna. Dentro las complicaciones que presenta la transmisión madre-niño, del VIH, se presentan alteraciones neurológicas, estas pueden ser muy acentuadas y la primera manifestación es una franca detención en la evolución del crecimiento, a ello se asocia un notable retraso en el desarrollo psicomotor y pronto se establecen los síndromes de las grandes vías, que se expresan por: rigidez extra piramidal, ataxia, síndrome piramidal. Presentamos el caso clínico, de un infante de 4 meses de edad VIH positivo, transmitido de forma vertical, con neumonía, asociada a una protuberancia a nivel cefálico en la región frontal. El mismo paciente fue tratado con medidas de sostén y recuperación.

The epidemic of the VIH/SIDA stopped being a disease exclusively of homosexual to turn into a disease that attacks the human being without distinction of race, sex or age. The feminine sex is increasingly exposed to the infection and is capable of transmitting the VIH to her are if there is no a therapeutic intervention adapted in the period of gestation. They have been described three times in which the vertical transmission can happen: Transmission Intrautero, Transmission Intraparto, Transmission post divide route mother lactation. Inside the complications that mother presents the transmission - child of the VIH appear neurological alterations, these can be very marked and the first manifestation is a Franc detention in the evolution of growth, with it a notable delay is associated in the psychomotor and prompt development there are established the syndromes of the big routes, which express for: Inflexibility extrapiramidal, Ataxia, Pyramidal Syndrome. Let's sense beforehand the clinical case, of a childhood of 4 months of age positive VIH, transmitted of vertical form, with pneumonia associated with a protuberance with cephalic level in the frontal region. The same patient who was treated with happened of support and recovery.