[Direct medical costs in a cohort of patients with breast cancer]. / Costos médicos directos de la atención médica de pacientes con cáncer de mama.

Background: The economic cost of breast cancer (BC) treatment and the increase in incidence and prevalence challenges the financial stability of any healthcare system. Objective: To determine direct medical costs (DMC) of BC treatment and factors associated with DMC. Material and methods: Partial economic evaluation in a retrospective cohort of 160 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of BC. DMC was considered from the IMSS perspective. Bootstrapping analysis was used to deal with uncertainty and generalized linear model to identify factors associated with DCM. Results: The total average annual cost of BC treatment was $251,018 mexican pesos. In clinical stage I was $116,123, stage II $242,132, stage III $287,946, and stage IV $358,792 pesos. In progression disease, DMC were more elevate ($380,117) vs. without progression ($172,897), (p < 0.0001). In patients who died, DMC were $357,579 mexican pesos compared to those who survived ($218,699) (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The average annual cost of CM treatment was $251,018 pesos. DMCs increase significantly as patients present more advanced stages of the disease. Factors associated with costs were age, stages II, III and the progression of BC.

Introducción: el costo económico del tratamiento de cáncer de mama (CM) y el aumento en su incidencia y prevalencia desafía la estabilidad financiera de cualquier sistema de salud. Objetivo: determinar los costos médicos directos (CMD) del tratamiento de CM y los factores asociados a estos costos. Material y métodos: evaluación económica parcial en una cohorte retrospectiva de 160 pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de CM. Se consideraron CMD desde la perspectiva del IMSS. Se utilizó análisis de bootstrapping para tratar incertidumbre y el modelo lineal generalizado para identificar factores asociados a costos. Resultados: el costo promedio anual (CPA) del tratamiento de CM fue de $ 251,018 pesos. En estadio 1, $ 116,123; estadio II, $ 242,132; estadio III, $ 287,946, y estadio IV, $ 358,792 pesos. El CPA fue mayor en progresión del CM ($ 380,117 frente a no progresión $ 172,897), y en pacientes que fallecieron durante el seguimiento ($ 357,579) frente a aquellas que sobrevivieron ($ 218,699). Conclusiones: el CPA del tratamiento de CM fue de $ 251,018 pesos. Los CMD aumentan significativamente conforme las pacientes presentan estadios más avanzados de la enfermedad. Los factores asociados al CMD fueron edad, estadios II, III y la progresión del CM.

Costos médicos directos de la atención médica de pacientes con cáncer de mama / Direct medical costs in a cohort of patients with breast cancer

Introducción: el costo económico del tratamiento de cáncer de mama (CM) y el aumento en su incidencia y prevalencia desafía la estabilidad financiera de cualquier sistema de salud. Objetivo: determinar los costos médicos directos (CMD) del tratamiento de CM y los factores asociados a estos costos. Material y métodos: evaluación económica parcial en una cohorte retrospectiva de 160 pacientes con diagnóstico conf irmado de CM. Se consideraron CMD desde la perspectiva del IMSS. Se utilizó análisis de bootstrapping para tratar incertidumbre y el modelo lineal generalizado para identificar factores asociados a costos. Resultados: el costo promedio anual (CPA) del tratamiento de CM fue de $ 251,018 pesos. En estadio 1, $ 116,123; estadio II, $ 242,132; estadio III, $ 287,946, y estadio IV, $ 358,792 pesos. El CPA fue mayor en progresión del CM ($ 380,117 frente a no progresión $ 172,897), y en pacientes que fallecieron durante el seguimiento ($ 357,579) frente a aquellas que sobrevivieron ($ 218,699). Conclusiones: el CPA del tratamiento de CM fue de $ 251,018 pesos. Los CMD aumentan significativamente conforme las pacientes presentan estadios más avanzados de la enfermedad. Los factores asociados al CMD fueron edad, estadios II, III y la progresión del CM.

Background: The economic cost of breast cancer (BC) treatment and the increase in incidence and prevalence challenges the financial stability of any healthcare system. Objective: To determine direct medical costs (DMC) of BC treatment and factors associated with DMC. Material and methods: Partial economic evaluation in a retrospective cohort of 160 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of BC. DMC was considered from the IMSS perspective. Bootstrapping analysis was used to deal with uncertainty and generalized linear model to identify factors associated with DCM Results: The total average annual cost of BC treatment was $251,018 mexican pesos. In clinical stage I was $116,123, stage II $242,132, stage III $287,946, and stage IV $358,792 pesos. In progression disease, DMC were more elevate ($380,117) vs. without progression ($172,897), (p < 0.0001). In patients who died, DMC were $357,579 mexican pesos compared to those who survived ($218,699) (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The average annual cost of CM treatment was $251,018 pesos. DMCs increase significantly as patients present more advanced stages of the disease. Factors associated with costs were age, stages II, III and the progression of BC.

[Circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with chronic hypertension and pregnancy]. / Ritmo circadiano de la presión arterial en pacientes con hipertensión crónica y embarazo.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring during 24 hours shows a blood pressure variability. The prevalence of chronic hypertension in pregnant women is 1-5%, so it is important to know the changes in blood pressure and cardiovascular risk and prevent complications to the mother and fetus. OBJECTIVE: To know the circadian rhythm of the blood pressure in the chronic hypertensive pregnant patients, through the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional and descriptive study included chronic hypertensive pregnant patients, with > 20 weeks of gestation. Assessment of factors related to gynaecologic characteristics, according to the inclusion criteria underwent a washout period of two weeks and they were monitored with a Spacelabs 90207 monitor blood pressure. Quantitative variables by Student t test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation were analysed. RESULTS: 16 chronic hypertensive pregnant patients were included, whose ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for the systolic blood pressure in 24 hours averaged 117.12 ± 5.85 mmHg; 24 hours diastolic blood pressure 71.31 ± 5.89 mmHg; daytime systolic blood pressure 120.18 ± 5.75 mmHg, nocturnal systolic blood pressure 110.31 ± 8.41 mmHg; daytime diastolic blood pressure 75.43 ± 7.32 mmHg, nocturnal diastolic blood pressure 64.25 ± 8.27 mmHg. Significant differences between daytime and night time were found. CONCLUSION: 56% of chronic hypertensive pregnant patients had no nocturnal reduction in systolic blood pressure and 43.75% had no nocturnal changes on diastolic blood pressure. The fact that 50% of patients were non-dippers force us to use long-action antihypertensive therapy and obtain control of the blood pressure for 24 hours.

[Cost of health care in children with haemophilia]. / Costo directo de la atención médica en niños con hemofilia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost of health care in hemophilic children. METHODS: A study of costs analysis of children under 16 years with haemophilia type A and B with different severity grade in one year period was performed. Sociodemographic and clinical data were included. The costs of: 1) ambulatory care, 2) use of emergency services, 3) hospital stay, 4) drugs, 5) antihaemophilic treatment, 6) laboratory and 7) image studies were estimated. We obtained costs for each patient during a year with micro costs technique. RESULTS: We found 52 children (92.3% with haemophilia type A). Mean Age was 9.1 years. A half of them started treatment at the age of one year old, with 7.4 years of following. They had 6.7 average visits per year and 13 emergency hospitalization; haemartrosis was the main cause of hospitalization. Five children had more than 40 hospitalization and 27 cases with 1.9 hospitalization. The hospital average stay was 7.4 days. Total annual cost was 116,000 pesos. Higher cost was for the anti hemophilic factor with 73 052 pesos. CONCLUSIONS: The cost was similar to others Latin American studies and lower than in developed countries, however, factor replacement therapy accounts for most of the costs.

[Breast cancer mortality. Trend and geographical distribution, 1981-2001]. / Mortalidad per cáncer de mama. Tendencia y distribución geográfica, 1981-2001.

OBJECTIVE: to describe trend and geographical distribution of breast cancer mortality, in Mexico. METHODS: it was done an ecological and tendency study from 1981 to 2001, 52,739 deaths by breast cancer in women > or = 20-year-old. Mortality was studied according to the International Classification of Diseases. The data were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics and from the General Census of Population. The period studied was three-yearly. Adjusted rates were calculated with the direct method. It was utilized a lineal regression model for the analysis of mortality tendencies. Map was built from the distribution of the mortality along the country. RESULTS: the mortality tendency was increased in the first decade and in the second it was maintained stable, with an important drop in four states (p<0.05). The 66% of the states had rates over the national adjusted rate, all of them in the north of the country. Nayarit, Guerrero, and Mexico State had an increment of 300%. CONCLUSIONS: the ascending tendency and stabilization of the mortality is similar to other countries. The north states had the greater rate of mortality, intermediate rates in the middle of country and drops in the south. It is possible that these changes were secondary to environmental, social and medical care factors.

Calidad de atención y satisfacción del usuario con cita previa en medicina familiar de Guadalajara / Quality of care and level of satisfaction of user with previous appointment in family medicine practice in Guadalajara

OBJETIVO: evaluar la calidad de la atención y satisfacción del usuario con cita previa en unidades de medicina familiar. MÉTODOS: se aplicó un diseño transversal analítico a una muestra probabilística de 983 usuarios, se usaron dos cuestionarios validados para explorar calidad del servicio y satisfacción del usuario, se registraron variables sociodemográficas y cita previa. Se aplicaron las pruebas estadísticas F de Fisher, y chi cuadrado. RESULTADOS: la muestra se caracterizó por tener 67 por ciento de sexo femenino, edad 40,83 ± 21,6 años, 40 por ciento asalariados, 67 por ciento casados, tiempo de espera 55,46 ± 74,03 min, 56 por ciento con cita previa. La calidad de la atención calificó alta en seis de siete dimensiones, el tiempo de espera en dos de las tres unidades alcanzó el 36 por ciento de calidad. La satisfacción del usuario en dimensión médico familiar ³ 79 por ciento (no significativo), unidad de medicina familiar mostró calificación ³59 (p= 0,00), otros servicios calificaron 53 por ciento. Cita previa se asoció con satisfacción en todas las dimensiones (p= 0,00). CONCLUSIONES: la calidad de atención fue alta, excepto en tiempo de espera. La satisfacción del usuario se asoció con la cita previa.

OBJECTIVE: to Evaluate the quality of assistance and level of satisfaction of the user with previous appointment in family medicine centers. METHODS: a cross-sectional analytical design was applied to a probabilistic sample of 983 users; two validated questionnaires were used to track quality of service and level of satisfaction of users; sociodemographic variables and previous appointments were recorded. Fisher´s F and Chi-square tests were performed. RESULTS: the probablistic sample was characterized by having 67 percent of females, age 40.83 ± 21,6 years; 40 percent workers, 67 percent married, waiting time 55.46 ± 74.03 min, 56 percent had previous appointment. The quality of assistance was high in six out of seven dimensions; waiting time had 36 percent of quality in two of the three centers. The level of satisfaction of the users in dimension family physician ³ 79 percent (not significant), and in family medicine centers, the qualification was ³ 59 percent (p= 0,00). Other services rated 53 percent. Previous appointment was associated to satisfaction in all the dimensions (p= 0,00). CONCLUSIONS: the quality of assistance was high except for waiting time. The level of satisfaction of users was related to previous appointment.

[Prescription and drug expenditure in gynecology and obstetrics in Northwest medical units from IMSS]. / Análisis de la prescripción y gasto de medicamentos en gineco-obstetricia en unidades médicas del noroccidente del IMSS.

BACKGROUND: Drug prescription is the most frequent medical intervention in Gynecology and Obstetrics; however, studies of prescription profile are limited. In this study, we analyzed differences of expense by drug prescription for gynecologic and obstetrics health problems. PATIENTS AND METHOD: It was performed a cross sectional study for one year analysis in each medical area that shape IMSS western district. We calculated spending and consumption coefficients for each drug and therapeutic groups. User coefficients were ordered to compare consumption differences. Besides the statistical ratio of consumption between drugs groups, we described the differences found and analyzed the prescription profile among medical regions. RESULTS: Data related to the expenses in each one of the regions show important differences in each one of the drugs and therapeutic groups. The most common expense for drugs is related to the treatment of osteoporosis, menopause and fertility problems. We also found differences in prescription drug preferences in each therapeutic subgroup. DISCUSSION: Drug prescription studies are useful as a basis for further specific studies in each pharmacologic subgroup. There are few studies that analyze the drug prescription profile on Gynecology and Obstetrics. In this study it is possible to suppose that medical prescription was not based on known medical evidences; therefore, we must reconsider the need of a permanent actualization and systematic medical evaluation.

[The HELPP syndrome--evidence of a possible systemic inflammatory response in pre-eclampsia?]. / Síndrome HELLP ?evidencias de una posible respuesta inflamatoria sistémica en la preeclampsia?

INTRODUCTION: The principal causes of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy in Mexico, are preeclampsia/eclampsia, obstetric hemorrhage and puerperium complications; this is, 62% of maternal deaths in last years. HELLP syndrome was observed between 5 to 25% of the mortality in pregnancies of 36 weeks or less. OBJECTIVE: To analyze patients with HELLP syndrome in ICU's (Intensive Care Unit) of a Gynecology and Obstetric Hospital, related to the abnormal hematological, hepatic and renal results with the obstetric case history and the clinical complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transversal study in patients with HELLP syndrome during 1998 and 1999 were carry out. CASE DEFINITION: Peripheral blood with Microangiopathic hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes: AST, ALT over 40 UI/L, even when were LDH lower than 600 UI/L. It was evaluated the hepatic and renal function, platelets count, microangiopathic hemolysis, arterial pressure, seizures, icteric skin color, blindness, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting and upper quadrant right abdominal pain. In newborn we analyzed gestational age, sex, weight and APGAR. We studied for an association between maternal and biochemical variables with Correlation Pearson Test, and dependence between variables with lineal regression model. RESULTS: 2878 patients with hypertensives disorders in pregnancy (11.64%). The 1.15% (n = 33) had HELLP syndrome with specific maternal mortality of 0.4 per 10,000 live birth, perinatal mortality of 1.62 per 10,000 live birth; and renal damage in 84.5%. Coefficient beta was higher between number of pregnancies to platelets count (-0.33) and creatinine clearance (-0.401). CONCLUSION: We found an important renal damage, low platelets, elevated liver enzymes in women with two or more pregnancies. Then we propose there are similarities between HELLP syndrome and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) because they could have the same pathophysiology.

Síndrome HELLP ¿evidencias de una posible respuesta inflamatoria sistémica en la preeclampsia? / The HELPP syndrome: evidence of a possible systemic inflammatory response in pre-eclampsia?

INTRODUCTION: The principal causes of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy in Mexico, are preeclampsia/eclampsia, obstetric hemorrhage and puerperium complications; this is, 62 of maternal deaths in last years. HELLP syndrome was observed between 5 to 25 of the mortality in pregnancies of 36 weeks or less. OBJECTIVE: To analyze patients with HELLP syndrome in ICU's (Intensive Care Unit) of a Gynecology and Obstetric Hospital, related to the abnormal hematological, hepatic and renal results with the obstetric case history and the clinical complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transversal study in patients with HELLP syndrome during 1998 and 1999 were carry out. CASE DEFINITION: Peripheral blood with Microangiopathic hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes: AST, ALT over 40 UI/L, even when were LDH lower than 600 UI/L. It was evaluated the hepatic and renal function, platelets count, microangiopathic hemolysis, arterial pressure, seizures, icteric skin color, blindness, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting and upper quadrant right abdominal pain. In newborn we analyzed gestational age, sex, weight and APGAR. We studied for an association between maternal and biochemical variables with Correlation Pearson Test, and dependence between variables with lineal regression model. RESULTS: 2878 patients with hypertensives disorders in pregnancy (11.64). The 1.15 (n = 33) had HELLP syndrome with specific maternal mortality of 0.4 per 10,000 live birth, perinatal mortality of 1.62 per 10,000 live birth; and renal damage in 84.5. Coefficient beta was higher between number of pregnancies to platelets count (-0.33) and creatinine clearance (-0.401). CONCLUSION: We found an important renal damage, low platelets, elevated liver enzymes in women with two or more pregnancies. Then we propose there are similarities between HELLP syndrome and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) because they could have the same pathophysiology.

[Medically indicated preterm birth. Maternal and fetal consequences]. / Nacimiento pretérmino por indicación médica. Consecuencias maternas y fetales.

One of the principal challenges of obstetrics is to reduce the percentage of perinatal mortality. Preterm birth is considered the main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Preterm birth by medical indication, is a condition rarely documented in medical literature, but it requires analysis to determine the effect in perinatal health. In a third care hospital setting, a prospective study was performed on 154 pregnant women that delivered preterm babies between 25 and 36 weeks of gestation. The Relative Risk (RR) was obtained to compare the association between the medical indication of the preterm birth, the use of fetal pulmonary maturants, type of delivery, the health status of the newborn at birth and hospital discharge. The main causes of preterm birth by medical indication were: premature rupture of membranes, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation and fetal distress. Neonatal mortality was 13%. The rate of cesarean section was higher than expected. Despite the various types of delivery, there were no significant differences between mortality, length of hospital stay or hospital complications. The probability of death to preterm born was explained to gestational age and was not modified for medical decision to interrupt pregnancy.

Motivos y expectativas de los adolescentes sobre la utilización de servicios de salud / Motives and expectations related by adolescents for using health services

El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar los motivos y expectativas que refirieron los adolescentes de una escuela preparatoria de Guadalajara para utilizar servicios de salud. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo mediante entrevistas a grupos focales, El análisis de los datos constó de la transcripción de la grabación relectura, identificación de elementos claves para la construcción de categorías y análisis interpretativo. La utilización de los servicios de salud se asocia con el diagnóstico y pronóstico de los adolescentes y su red de apoyo les asignan. Los motivos referidos para utilizarlos varian según su sexo: para no hacerlo se relacionan con timidez, verguenza, no asertividad y distorciones del pensamiento. El grupo de pares juega roles contradictorios (facilitador/oponente) para que acudan a los servicios. Se concluye que la utilización de los servicios de salud esta influida por características de la personalidad, por la percepción de género y por la red de apoyo (familiares, amigos, maestros)

Factores de los pacientes y de la atención médica relacionados con la estancia hospitalaria / Factors of patients and health care relationship with hospital stay

Se estudió el tiempo de estancia en un hospital general en Guadalajara, Jal. México, entre Enero y Junio de 1995. De una muestra aleatoria de 167 pacientes, 72 correspondieron a servicios quirúrgicos y 95 de medicina; el tiempo de estancia se asoció con la edad del paciente, el motivo de hospitalización, características de los médicos y se evaluó el expediente clínico y el proceso de atención. El promedio de edad de los pacientes fue de 52.6 años, sin diferencias por sexo. Los servicios de medicina atendieron el doble de pacientes sin hospitalización programada. La estancia global fue de 6.83 días (pormedio semejante para ambos servicios), pero el 40 por ciento de los pacientes estuvieron menos de 3 días hospitalizados. Hubo relación significativa (p<0.05) entre el tiempo de espera (secuencia establecidad para el diagnóstico o tratamiento) y el diagnóstico del paciente. No hubo diferencias por edad, aunque los pacientes mayores de 70 años tuvieron el mayor porcentaje de estancia prolongada. No hubo relación con la antigüedad laboral ni con los registros médicos

Estudio de un brote de brucelosis y valoración diagnóstica de las pruebas de laboratorio / Study of a brucellosis outbreak and diagnostic evaluation of laboratory

En 1991, en la zona de Villa Corona, Jalisco, se registró un número anormal de casos con fiebre de origen desconocido, con múltiples diagnósticos clínicos. Se revisaron todos los casos estableciéndose la sospecha de un brote de brucelosis. Se consideró caso a cualquier persona entre cinco y 60 años, que desde enero de 1991 presentó fiebre, calosfríos de más de tres días de evolución más cefalea y/o artralgias. Se hizo un muestreo por conglomerado de las viviendas; cada caso se comparó con tres controles, dos convivientes y un vecino del mismo grupo de edad; se realizaron pruebas seriadas y hemocultivo, para comparar la validez y confiabilidad diagnóstica. Se detectaron 31 casos probables y se estudiaron 85 controles (68.5 por ciento de la muestra de controles esperada). Se aisló Brucella melitensis por hemocultivo en un caso. Se definieron 18 casos con brucelosis activa. Se obtuvo una razón de momios (RM) de 12.6 (IC 95 por ciento = 30-56.1); XMH, p<0.000 para la ingesta habitual de lácteos crudos y una RM de 10.0 (IC 95 por ciento=2.5-43.5); Xmh, p<0.000 para la ingesta continua durante seis meses. Este riesgo se ajustó a 3.0 para los pares discordantes que ingerían regularmente leche cruda. Las pruebas seriadas mostraron: Hudlesson, sensibilidad = 50 por ciento y especificidad = 84.6 por ciento; rosa de Bengala, sensibilidad = 94.4 por ciento y especificidad 84.6 por ciento. Los resultados sugieren que la prueba de Hudlesson tiene una baja confiabilidad. La aglutinación en tubo y la prueba de 2 mercaptoetanol tienen resultados serológicos más satisfactorios

La mortalidad en una población rural de México y su relación con el uso de los servicios médicos antes de la muerte / Mortality in a rural population of Mexico and its relation with the use of medical care before death

El uso de los servicios de atención a la salud por la población de las zonas rurales tiene diversos aspectos, algunos de estos tienen que ver con la aceptación y el acceso a los servicios. La accesibilidad es definida como la medición de la disponibilidad de los servicios en la comunidad y el uso de ellos por una parte o por toda la población. El acesso involucra factores como cultura y educación de la población, el tiempo y el costo del traslado. Por otra parte, se ha establecido que la oferta de los servicios de salud genera su propia demanda. Este estudio buscó establecer la relación entre las causas de muerte en una población rural y el tipo de servicios médicos o no médicos, que utilizaron antes de la muerte. La comunidad de E. Zapata, en el estado de Tlaxcala, fue estudiada aplicando un cuestionario a la totalidad de las familias, considerando las muertes acontecidas en el periodo de 1975 a 1979. Los resultados mostraron que la atención no médica o de tipo tradicional (parteras, brujos) tuvo mayor demanda que la atención médica. En cerca de 45% de los casos estudiados los enfermos no recibieron atención médica durante su enfermedad o antes de la muerte. Del total de individuos que fallecieron en su domicilio (83,2%) menos de la mitad recibieron atención médica. Los recien nacidos atendidos por parteras empíricas tuvieron una mortalidad (en la primer semana de vida) dos veces mayor que los atendidos por médicos: además, 78,5% de las muertes de menores de un año ocurrieron en aquellos que fueron atendidos en el parto por empíricas. Existió asociación significativa entre la ocupación principal del jefe de la familia y el uso de los servicios, correspondiendo a los jornaleros la proporción más elevada de uso de atención no médica. Los autores proponen la necessidad y conveniencia de conocer adecuadamente a la población rural para planear los servicios y atender las necesidades y expectativas de salud de estas poblaciones